It was announced during a Bradley County School Board meeting Thursday that requiring students to take the ACT both during their junior and senior year has resulted in overall raised scores.
Many students raised their scores by several points. It was stated that this could help students trying to get scholarships as well as students trying to avoid taking remedial courses in college.
Seniors who could potentially improve their scores are pushed to take it more than the required two times.
Director of Schools Johnny McDaniel also announced that the culinary program at Bradley Central High School has been deemed one of the top 50 in the country among other high schools.
During the meeting, a motion was passed to move forward with hiring a board attorney.
Board member Chris Turner said he supported Scott Bennett from the Leitner firm for this position. He described Mr. Bennett as not only someone with "Christian values," but also someone who would be cognizant of the school board's finances.
Director McDaniel also voiced his support for attorney Bennett. A motion was passed to start working with him.
He represents Hamilton County and several other school systems. He told the Bradley board his normal hourly rate is $190 per hour.
Here is the report by Director McDaniel:
Waterville Community Elementary School has received a request from the Tennessee
Department of Education to share best practices. “Based on your success in closing gaps since
2012, we wanted to get your thoughts on what worked in your school so that we can better figure
out how to target our support for the next group of focus schools,” stated Rick Zadd, Operations
Manager, District Support.
Sarah Garrett, English Language Arts Teacher at Walker Valley High School, was selected as
2014 Teacher of the Year for the Tennessee Titans. Sarah was honored on December 28th at a
Titans’ game for her dedication to education, her school and most importantly her students.
Bradley Central High School Culinary Arts program has now been named to the 2014-2015 Elite
50 by Sullivan University National Center for Hospitality Studies. The Elite 50 is an exclusive
group of high schools and career and technical schools from across the country.
Valley View Elementary School received a Good Sports Always Recycle Award from Eastman
Chemicals. Valley View was one of ten schools across the state to win a $1,000 award to
promote sustainability initiatives. The money will be used to fund an outdoor classroom and eco
friendly landscaping.
Benchmark Rehabilitation Partners has contracted with Bradley County Schools to provide
services from licensed athletic trainers at each high school at no cost to the school system.
Donors from the Cleveland community have recently provided over $3,500 in supplies and
money to meet needs for students at GOAL Academy. Bradley County Schools is very fortunate
to be supported by a generous community that helps meet the vast needs of our student
population. Throughout the recent months much has been given to our students. In turn,
students and staff within Bradley County Schools have given to those in need through
community projects.
Last Friday, January 9, 2015, was designated as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. We are
very appreciative to the County Commission for providing School Resource Officers at each of
our schools. Having an officer on campus defuses many situations. It provides a sense of safety
to our children, their families, and to the leaders of our schools. We are also grateful to all those
officers in the county and in the city who are constantly on duty to protect and serve. You are
under appreciated and certainly under paid for the risks you take every day.
The week of January 25-31, 2015, is School Board Appreciation Week in Tennessee. We honor
you, the Bradley County Board of Education, for your service to the students of Bradley County
and for your commitment to education.