District leaders used the board’s report portion of the meeting to highlight recent student recognitions, grants and programming and to note a planned weapon-detection screening system for athletic events.

Director of Schools report

The Director of Schools told the board that one student at the district has been named to the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program and that Erin Lambert was recognized as Scott County’s National Resource Conservation Service Educator of the Year. The director said a letter was sent to the mayor and county commission regarding sober-living concerns; the letter itself is in the board packet and board members were invited to contact the superintendent with questions.

Safety and facilities

The director said the district will use a new weapon-detection system at school events, including during the OSSD basketball season, and described the scanners as similar to those used at large public events. The director said the system is quick, that students had learned the process and that staff had not yet received substantial public complaints about the measure.

Grants and recognitions

- Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) grant: The director reported the district earned the TSBA “platinum” level in the Tennessee Healthier Schools Challenge and that the TSBA awarded the district $8,000; the district will be recognized by TSBA on Nov. 15 at 11:45 a.m., according to the director’s remarks.
- Theater Arts for All grant (Tennessee Theatre): Principal Stacy reported that Marcus Burchfield secured a Tennessee Theatre "Theatre Arts for All" grant that will provide the school with 50 free tickets to see the Outsiders: The Musical on April 20, 2026, plus an additional five tickets for teacher chaperones; the grant has provided free tickets to area schools since its 2007 inception, the principal said.
- UCOR LLC mini grant: The elementary principal announced a $1,500 STEM mini grant from UCOR LLC of Oak Ridge to support upcoming STEM projects.

Instruction, media and student programs

Principals described increased collaboration between the elementary, middle and high schools; the district’s social-media and student-broadcast program has expanded, with student broadcasters running sports coverage and producing content that the principals said has increased watch time. The board packet includes district enrollment figures and a media-analytics spreadsheet, the director said.

Student voices and school climate

Student Hannah Foster was noted as being invited to represent the district at a White House program; the director and principals described that recognition as tied to a district program (reference in the transcript: SAND) and praised local staff who supported the program.

Student Isabelle delivered comments for the board about school climate. She said bullying and nonacceptance have been persistent issues but that she believes the school is trending toward improvement because of expanded student resources, new accessibility measures such as added handicap parking, and programs aimed at making students more comfortable. Isabelle also reported on band competitions, noting the school competed with small band sizes and that some parents and students were discouraged by placements in competitions; she also reported a parent conflict at a Granger County band competition that led to changes in who tows the band trailer.

Other items

Principals reported: a successful fall carnival and an upcoming trunk-or-treat event; a book-vending machine that dispenses books to students earning reward 'coins'; collaboration with the Core (NIT) for instructional leadership supports and an invitation for school staff to present district work at state convenings on acceleration and math implementation.

Ending

No formal board votes were recorded during the Director or principals’ reports. Several informational items and grant recognitions were announced and will proceed through administrative channels for follow up or implementation.