Local Schools Adjust In Aftermath Of Hurricane Helene
BY AMY ROSE STAFF WRITER
Greeneville and Greene County Schools each missed seven days in the aftermath of devastating flood damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
Both school districts returned to regular schedules Tuesday, Oct. 15, following fall break and the floodrelated closure.
Greene County Director of Schools David McLain, who has since retired, said he knew of both employees and students in the county who lost all their personal belongings due to flood damage.
Students and staff in both school districts quickly pitched in to help with disaster relief by gathering and distributing necessities like bottled water, food, hand sanitizer and other hygiene items. And other members of the community gave donations to the schools.
“I would like to thank all those involved in our community that have poured out their hearts to help those in need. My heart is broken for those that have lost a love one, their home, or personal belongings,” McLain said after the storm. “I know in speaking to several teachers and bus drivers, they are excited about seeing their students again. I believe it is best for our community and for our students to get back to a form of normality. It is also important that we never forget the generosity of our neighbors, churches, and community in times of need.”
Greeneville Director of Schools
Steve Starnes said, “The response by all working together has been tremendous and shows the resiliency and determination of our community.”
With a boil water notice in effect when school reopened, county school cafeterias had to make sure that consumption water was properly boiled.
In the city, plans were put in place for the school cafeterias to safely provide breakfast and lunch each day, per health department guidelines for food service establishments, Starnes said.
“We will also provide bottled water to students each day until the boil notice is lifted. In coordination with the Greene County EMA, there is a contingency plan to provide bottled water for an extended period of time should the boil notice persist. If parents wish to send additional water for their students, please
make sure the bottles are sealed and do not leak,” Starnes said. It just so happened that the boil water notice was lifted on Oct. 15, the day students returned to school. County schools faced additional challenges related to transportation. Due to road closures and damaged bridges, some bus routes changed.
Three Chuckey Elementary School buses and one Doak Elementary School bus have routes that run completely south of the river. Those four buses had to take Jones Bridge due to not having Earnest Bridge on
Water Outage Forces
Hospital
BY SPENCER MORRELL STAFF WRITER
Chuckey Pike or the Kinser Bridge on Erwin Highway.
Earnest Bridge reopened to onelane of traffic on Nov. 19.
McLain commended flood relief efforts that have involved Greene County Schools, particularly an operation coordinated by the Family Resource Center.
“I have seen countless number of students, parents, employees, emergency personnel, and utility workers working so hard to help their neighbors. I struggle to mention names because I always leave someone out, but I can’t help but
mention Alisha Ricker that is over our Greene County Schools Family Resource Center. She has been working nonstop since the start at our two distribution locations, Greenwood and Cedar Grove churches,” he said.
“Thanks to our school system’s food service provider Chartwells, along with school staff, they have provided thousands of meals to our students,” he added in October. “Thanks to South Greene High School and McDonald Elementary, they have been a hub along the river for the past two weeks.”
Greene County Schools staff volunteer for hurricane relief at Greenwood Methodist Church.
Earnest Bridge’s closure caused transportation changes for some Greene County schools. This photo from November shows when it was reopened to one lane of traffic.
City Schools Spend Nearly All Of 2024 Developing Facilities Plan
BY AMY ROSE STAFF WRITER
At this time last year, Greeneville City Schools was in the early stages of a comprehensive facilities study.
By October, an amended facilities plan with a price tag of $60 million recommended constructing a new middle school, closing Highland Elementary School, repurposing Hal Henard Elementary School, and other projects.
The amended plan, calling for work to begin in summer 2028, was presented Oct. 22 by Director of Schools Steve Starnes in a joint meeting of the Greeneville Board of Education and Greeneville City Council.
The two boards agreed to meet again in December, but no such meeting was held, and no official vote has been made on the facilities plan.
The plan was developed by Woolpert, the planning firm hired by Greeneville City Schools (GCS), and based on brainstorming sessions of the GCS Facility Master Plan Committee.
The group of 34 students, parents and leaders in education, business, and government met monthly at different city schools for several months in early 2024 to discuss facility needs.
Woolpert planner Kerrianne Wolf met numerous times with the committee, presenting statistics on housing, enrollment, census datasets, and other information.
Wolf noted that Hal Henard is Greeneville’s youngest school and is 43 years old.
The committee brainstormed solutions for: aging facilities, facilities in poor condition, adequacy of athletic facilities, limited facilities budget, facilities at or near capacity, and increasing population.
Ideas that surfaced early in the process included the need to build a new high school and make the existing Greeneville High School a middle school.
A factor considered in the discussions was the 53-acre site the school district has purchased on Jeff Woods Memorial Drive in eastern Greeneville near the Greene County Fairgrounds.
Challenges and other factors discussed during brainstorming included existing round-shaped schools, moving the high school away from the Walters State campus where students attend dual-enrollment classes, needed space for reading intervention, road access, and buy-in from the community.
In March 2024, the committee reached a consensus on two main issues:
Highland Elementary School has reached the end of its life, and Open-floor plans at three other schools — Tusculum View, Hal Henard Elementary and Greeneville Middle — need to be eliminated through renovations or rebuilding. These two issues were raised after the small groups spent about
20 minutes answering three key questions posed by Woolpert planners Wolf and David Sturtz. The questions were:
Where should the high school be located?
For how long is the Highland
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Bob Leonard shares ideas during a meeting of the Greeneville City Schools Facility Master Plan Committee at Highland Elementary School. Seated, clockwise from left, are student Hank Hope, teacher Jerry Graham, City Administrator Todd Smith, Walters State Greeneville Dean Mark Wills (right of flip chart) then-Assistant Director of Schools for Administration Beverly Miller, Hal Henard Principal Janet Ricker, and Highland Principal Noelle Smith.
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Woolpert planner Kerrianne Wolf speaks at a community meeting at Greeneville Middle School.
City Schools Add Three Central Office Staff Members
BY AMY ROSE STAFF WRITER
A comprehensive facilities study consumed much of 2024 for Greeneville City Schools (GCS), but other important developments occurred during the past year.
Three new central office staff members were hired in May following the retirements of assistant directors of schools Beverly Miller and Dr. Suzanne Bryant.
Richard Tipton was named assistant director of curriculum and instruction, succeeding Bryant.
Dr. Jason Horne was named assistant director of administration, succeeding Miller.
Chuck Broyles was named chief technology officer, a role Miller also filled.
Miller retired after 30 years as the chief technology officer and 12 years as assistant director of schools for administration.
Bryant retired after 14 years as the assistant director for curriculum and instruction.
Miller and Bryant were surprised with recognition from Director of Schools Steve Starnes at a school board meeting in June.
Starnes said Bryant has left “a lasting mark” on Greeneville City Schools.
“Your unwavering commitment to enhancing educational standards and fostering a culture of excellence among our educators has significantly enriched the learning experience of countless students,” Starnes said of Bryant. “Your commitment to students first, high achievement, growth for all students, and many other innovative initiatives have elevated Greeneville City Schools to one of the top-performing school systems within the state and nation.”
Starnes said Miller’s leadership has been “pivotal in modernizing our district’s infrastructure and administrative operations.
“Your visionary approach to integrating technology into education has transformed our curriculum delivery and streamlined our operations. From spearheading countless major IT advancements to ensuring seamless operations across all departments, your impact on Greeneville City Schools is truly commendable.”
Addressing both retirees, Starnes said, “Your dedication and expertise have not only improved educational outcomes for students but also fostered a sense of community and empowerment among staff and students alike.”
RICHARD TIPTON
In his new role, Tipton oversees all teaching and learning aspects of the district, collaborating closely with teachers and the instructional staff within the district to grow and enhance educational outcomes, a press release from the school district said.
Tipton’s background in education spans all grade levels of the school system. He has taught math at the middle and high school levels, served as an
instructional specialist for grades 6-12, and served as interim assistant principal at Greeneville High School during the 2019-2020 school year.
Prior to joining the central office staff, was the principal of Tennessee Online Public School at Greeneville, where he built and launched the online school for grades K-5.
Tipton’s past achievements include the school system’s Excellence in Technology Award in 2020 and the district’s Excellence in Professional Learning Award in 2015.
In 2024, he received the Outstanding Administrator Award from the Literacy Association of Tennessee.
JASON HORNE
With over 22 years of experience in education and a deep commitment to student success, Horne will be an invaluable asset to the district, a press release from the school district said.
In his new role, Horne oversees all administrative functions of the district and work closely with educators, staff, and the community to support and enhance educational outcomes.
Horne’s background includes positions such as secondary supervisor and various other leadership roles within K-12 education. He previously served in Greeneville from 2006 to 2012, where he made significant contributions to the district, the press release noted.
Horne holds an educational doctorate from East Tennessee State University and has been recognized for his contributions to educational leadership and innovation.
CHUCK BROYLES
Broyles has served several years with the district as instructional technology operations administrator and brings a combined total of more than 25 years of experience in the information technology field, a
press release from the school district said.
As chief technology officer, he will oversee district technology infrastructure including instructional solutions for students and technology tools for faculty and staff, as well as business and student information systems.
Broyles brings a wide range of IT experience from multiple industries including manufacturing, transportation and for the last 16 years, public K-12 education, the press release noted.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee Tech University and has most recently completed certifications from the Consortium of School Networking CTO Academy, collaborating with K-12 district leaders from across the nation.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
EastView and Tusculum View elementary schools were recognized as GCS Triple Crown Award winners for achieving three honors from the state: designation as a Reward School, Level 5 (the highest level) on the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS), and a Letter Grade of A.
The entire school district also was recognized for achieving TVAAS Level 5.
Greeneville High School and
Greeneville Middle School achieved TVAAS Level 5 and a Letter Grade of A.
Greeneville High School parent
Bill Armstrong received the School Volunteer Recognition Award from the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) during its fall district meeting in September at Chuckey-Doak High School.
Greeneville Board of Education members Pam Botta and Josh Quillen received Level III Boardsmanship Awards, and Crystal Hirschy received a Level II Boardsmanship Award at the TSBA meeting.
ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS
Other noteworthy developments in GCS include the purchase of the school district’s first electric school bus.
The city school board voted in December to purchase the electric bus with substantial savings through the use of grant funds.
The 71-passenger school bus has a price tag of $401,410, but will cost Greeneville City Schools $41,410, according to Phillip Graham, operations manager.
Graham told the board GCS received two grants to purchase the bus: a competitive $345,000 Clean School Bus grant from the
SUN FILE PHOTO
This image shows the type of electric bus the Greeneville Board of Education voted to purchase in 2024.
RICHARD TIPTON
DR. JASON HORNE
CHUCK BROYLES
SUN FILE PHOTO
Director of Schools Steve Starnes recognizes retirees Dr. Suzanne Bryant, center, and Beverly Miller.
Doak School Celebrates 100 Years
BY AMY ROSE STAFF WRITER
Doak Elementary School celebrated its 100th anniversary in October.
The celebration, attended by more than 400 current and former students and teachers and other members of the community, was spearheaded by Jennifer Teague.
Teague is testing coordinator for Greene County Schools and a former student, teacher and principal of Doak.
She said of the celebration that she had never seen so many happy people walk down memory lane.
“This is a true statement to the love the Tusculum community has for Doak School, education and each other,” Teague told The Sun during the celebration.
The event featured displays of many old photographs and memorabilia.
A highlight of the festivities was the unveiling of a mural on an exterior wall close to Tusculum Park at the back of the school that was designed by local mural artist Nick Cannon.
More than 700 people painted Cannon’s design in one month’s time, and student fingerprints were added to the project.
Holly Marshall, a former student and former teacher at Doak, led the effort to paint the mural.
A large crowd that gathered for the unveiling sang “Happy Birthday” before a plastic curtain covering the mural was removed.
“This has definitely been a community effort,” said David McLain, director of Greene County Schools, who has since retired. “We’ve borrowed tons of things to display. We couldn’t have done it
without the community.”
Teague recalled the origins of the school.
“The building cost $14,000. Three thousand dollars came from the Greene County School Board. The rest was private donations. It opened in October 1924 with grades 1-8. The high school wing (behind the main building) was built in January 1925.”
The school was named after Charles Smith Doak, who contributed $1,000 to the building of the school. Many think it was named after Samuel Doak, the 18th century preacher in the area, she said.
In 1972-73, the current building was constructed. It opened in Fall 1973.
The celebration also featured live music and food vendors. Inside the school were seven stations representing different eras in the school’s history. Trading cards depicting the school’s history could be picked up at each station. There was a video reenactment of Doak, for whom the school was named.
Teague also wrote a 28-page compilation of the school’s history,
which was available in a hard copy and digitally, called “Doak School Unveiled.” For
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Jennifer Teague is shown at the Doak School celebration.
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Visitors to Doak School’s celebration stand in a decorated hallway.
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A colorful mural was part of Doak School’s celebration.
New Greene County-Greeneville EMS Director Named In 2024
BY SPENCER MORRELL STAFF WRITER
Greene County-Greeneville EMS saw a transition in leadership in 2024 for the first time in nearly a decade.
Greene County-Greeneville EMS Director Calvin Hawkins announced in August 2024 that he would be retiring from the position in November 2024.
“I’ve enjoyed this job. I love it. I still love it. It’s just time for me to go,” Hawkins told the EMS Board at its August 2024 meeting.
Hawkins served in Greene County-Greeneville EMS in some capacity for 31 years.
awkins said he hoped the board would support placing EMS Assistant Director T.J. Manis in the director post, and that he had trained Manis to be able to replace him as director.
Members of the board said they agreed with Hawkins, and in late October 2024, Manis was formally named the new director of Greene County-Greeneville EMS.
The Greene County mayor holds the sole authority to make an appointment to the position. However, Greene County Mayor Kevin Morrison asked for the consideration of the EMS Board in making the decision.
The board voted unanimously to have Morrison appoint Manis as the service’s next director.
“I’ll just say thank you all for entrusting me (with the position). For the past eight years since he promoted me to assistant I’ve been here with him every step of the away,” Manis told the board in October 2024. “As far as the direction of the service, I’ve been with him every step of the way. I’m proud of where it is as opposed to where it came from, and I appreciate you all trusting me to continue moving forward.”
“Thanks to a grant from the State of Tennessee, Greene County/ Greeneville EMS recently purchased LUCAS V-3 chest compression devices. These chest compression devices provide a constant depth and constant speed of chest compressions to a patient without a pulse, which greatly increases their chances of survival. These devices also allow EMTs and paramedics to travel down the road in a seated, more secure and safer way than having to stand over a patient and provide chest compressions,” Manis said in 2024.
Manis told the EMS Board in February 2025 the best estimate he had received on the new ambulances were anywhere from fall 2025 to spring 2026. No delivery date was known for the ambulance remounts, or the vans.
Currently, EMS has 12 ambulances.
Manis said in February that 9 of the 12 ambulances EMS has have 150,000 to 200,000 miles on them. Two have under 100,000, and Manis said the board could “do the math” and see that the agency’s ambulances were “getting up there in mileage.”
Manis said that the ambulances have about 6,000 miles put on them per month.
The ambulance replacement schedule is meant to keep high mileage ambulances off the road and prevent breakdowns. However, the lack of delivery of ordered ambulances has left EMS with no choice but to use older ambulances.
The vehicles will likely have tens of thousands of more miles put on them before new ambulances are delivered.
“We’re going to have some high mileage trucks,” Manis said in February.
According to Manis, EMS experienced one of the highest call volumes it has ever had in January, responding to 1,312 calls.
Manis has been with the local EMS agency for 20 years, and served as assistant director for eight years.
In December 2024, Manis said his main goals as the leader of EMS would be for the agency to have the best equipment and best employees.
Manis said that EMS’ employees are the biggest strength of the local service.
One example of new technology for EMS is chest compression devices the service purchased in late 2024 that are more beneficial for patients and safer for EMTs and paramedics. The service also initiated the switch to a new software system in 2024.
Environmental Protection Agency and a $15,000 seatbelt grant from the Tennessee Department of Education.
Both grants were secured by Kristen Rollins, GCS transportation supervisor, who partnered with Cumberland International Bus Sales to secure the large competitive grant.
The bus comes with a charging station to be located at the George
“Greene County/Greeneville EMS is also switching to a different charting software that hopes to be more user friendly for those providing the care in the back of the ambulance, and also provides seamless information transmission into the billing office for processing the claims of the response and transports.”
Greeneville-Greene County EMS is providing the best service possible in the face of a continual nationwide ambulance shortage.
The agency ordered new ambulances as well as ambulance remounts in 2023 and 2024, in addition to vans for non-emergency convalescent use in 2024. None have been delivered.
Clem Operations Center, Graham said.
The new bus will have seatbelts and air-conditioning and will look like others in the GCS fleet.
Graham also told the board GCS could qualify for a $40,000 tax credit related to the purchase, which would reduce the total cost to $1,410.
For more information about Greeneville City Schools and its programs, visit www.gcschools. net .
2024 Reward Schools
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T.J. Manis, director of the Greene County-Greeneville EMS, explains to EMS board members how an automatic CPR machine recently acquired with state grant funds operates during his first meeting as director in November 2024. From left are Eric Carroll, Greeneville Community Hospital CEO; Dr. John Kitsteiner, head of the emergency room at the hospital; Katie Payne, an advanced emergency medical technician; and Manis.
T.J. MANIS
County Schools Have Active Year With New Director, School Additions
BY AMY ROSE STAFF WRITER
Greene County Schools had a busy year, building three school additions and hiring a new director of schools.
Dr. Chris Malone was named Greene County Director of Schools in February 2025 following the retirement of David McLain.
Chuckey-Doak Middle School’s classroom edition opened for the 202425 school year while construction of additions at ChuckeyDoak and West Greene high schools continued.
In January 2025, Malone was appointed interim director of schools by the Greene County Board of Education. His appointment was effective Feb. 1 to July 1, to succeed McLain, who retired Jan. 31.
Malone was the sole applicant for the job. The board voted in February to drop the “interim” part of Malone’s contract and consider a new contract in July.
The vote was unanimous, followed by a handshake between Malone and school board Chairman Rick Tipton and applause from the audience.
Malone, a Greene County native, said he felt blessed to have the opportunity to serve as director of schools.
“You, as a board, have entrusted me with a great responsibility. I will not take this role lightly as there have only been 25 people to hold this position in the history of Greene County Schools,” Malone said during his report to the board.
He added that the school district has a lot of work to do to improve student achievement and test scores.
“I look forward to the journey of leading this school system as we endeavor to continue the progress we have made over the last few years. The sky is the limit as we, the students, teachers, staff, and administrators will work together every day to make this system the best in the state,” he said.
Malone is a graduate of ChuckeyDoak High School.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in education from East Tennessee State University and a Master of Education degree with emphasis in Pre-K through 12 principalship from Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky.
In August 2023, he earned his Education Specialist degree in educational leadership, and in May 2024, he earned his Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership, both from CarsonNewman University in Jefferson City.
Malone was a classroom teacher at Doak Elementary School from August 1997 to June 2004 and at Chuckey-Doak Middle School from July 2004 to June 2005.
He was principal of DeBusk Elementary School from July 2005 to June 2012 and of Nolachuckey Elementary School from July 2012 to June 2014.
Since then he has served in the central office as supervisor of Pre-K and federal programs for Greene County Schools.
Malone and his wife, Melanie, have two sons, Cade and Camden. They attended the school board meeting in February, along with Malone’s parents, Bennie and Ann Malone, sister Linda Vaughan, and mother-in-law Faye Shipley.
In addition to McLain’s retirement, the school district saw the retirement of longtime maintenance supervisor David Myers.
During the January 2025 school board meeting, the audience gave a standing ovation in recognition of Myers, who has worked for the school district for 41 years.
He was succeeded by Chris Adams, a 19-year employee of the
maintenance department.
The county schools also got a new school board member in 2024.
Retired educator George Frye was appointed by the Greene County Commission to replace Tommy Cobble, who resigned in April.
Cobble pleaded guilty to one count of official misconduct on May 1 due to inappropriate actions toward foreign exchange students enrolled in the county school system under a program he was overseeing. He was convicted of a Class E felony and placed on one year of state-supervised probation.
Frye, a former educator, coach and administrator in the county school system, was appointed to serve in the position until Aug. 31.
He ran unopposed in the August election and is serving a full fouryear term on the school board.
C-DMS ADDITION
The new $4.5 million classroom addition at Chuckey-Doak Middle School was unveiled in September with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by a large crowd of educators, elected officials, parents and students.
“This is a big moment for this school and this community,” said McLain as he gave background on the project to build 10 classrooms at the front entrance of the school building that dates back to 1959.
Originally Chuckey-Doak High School, the building became a middle school 20 years ago when the new C-DHS was built nearby in eastern Greene County.
When Greene County Schools began to receive federal funding for COVID-19 relief, Central Office staff members began discussions on the best use of those dollars, McLain recalled.
He noted that staff members LeAnn Myers, Chris Malone, and Bill Ripley, all C-DHS alumni, discussed the need for expanding C-DMS.
The next step was approaching the school board, McLain recalled. “All board members were behind this,” he said. “They were excited about it.”
Local architect Dave Wright came on board for the project in February
2022, and excavation began in August 2023, McLain said. The addition opened in August 2024, in time for the beginning of this school year.
Myers served as general contractor, which resulted in cost savings for the project.
The $4.5 million cost was covered by $1.5 million in federal Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds and $3 million in state and local funds, according to McLain.
He told the crowd that the funding for the project did not require a local property tax increase, and the project is paid for with no debt service.
In addition to the 10 classrooms and new front entrance, the addition includes a handicap accessible covered porch, reception area, principal’s office, and secure lobby.
The one-level 16,055-squarefoot addition includes six traditional classrooms to house sixth grade, two special education classrooms, and two comprehensive development classrooms (CDC) with adjacent restrooms.
“I hope this facility can serve this community and these students into
the future,” McLain said.
Other major capital projects include the $6 million planned addition of a new track and field facility at Doak Elementary School to be used by county high school track teams and the community, as well as upgrades to tennis courts at South Greene, North Greene and Chuckey-Doak high schools.
Malone said engineering on the projects was being conducted, and his goal was to have the projects done by fall 2025.
TSBA MEETING
Greene County Schools hosted the Tennessee School Boards Association’s fall district meeting in September at Chuckey-Doak High School.
The two-hour session in the auditorium of Chuckey-Doak High School was attended by education officials representing 15 school boards from across Northeast Tennessee.
Greene County Board of Education member Gary Compton received a Level III Boardsmanship Award, and board member Larry Bible received Level I and Level
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Greene County Schools officials are shown at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the classroom addition at ChuckeyDoak Middle School. Holding the scissors are Principal Tammy Swinney and school board Chairman Rick Tipton.
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Camp Creek teacher Beth Sutton-Peavler, center, is shown with Principal Travis Murvin, left, and Director of Schools David McLain.
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Retiring Director of Schools David McLain is shown with the Greene County Board of Education at his last meeting. From left are board members George Frye, Minnie Banks, Gary Compton, and Rick Tipton; McLain, and board members Larry Bible, Stacey Franklin, and Mark Rothe.
DR. CHRIS MALONE
RICK TIPTON
II Boardsmanship Awards at the meeting.
Tipton, chairman of the Greene County school board, welcomed the crowd.
In related news, Tipton was elected to the 2025 TSBA board of directors.
The election was held during TSBA’s Annual Convention held Nov. 8-10 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville.
Tipton is one of 18 total TSBA board members and one of four at-large members. The TSBA board includes school board members representing school districts across the state from Memphis to Kingsport.
Tipton has served on the county school board since 2013 when the Greene County Commission appointed him to fill the unexpired term of Roger Jones, who moved to Knoxville.
Tipton, who lives near Caney Branch, serves the 7th School Board District and has been reelected to every term since his appointment.
The school board named him chairman in 2014.
Tipton is a native Greene Countian and a graduate of South Greene High School.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Baileyton Elementary School and Chuckey-Doak Middle school achieved a Letter Grade of A from the state in 2024.
Both of those schools also achieved Level 5 (the highest level) on the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS), and were named Reward Schools by the state.
Also achieving TVAAS Level 5 were: Nolachuckey Elementary School, South Greeneville Middle School and the entire school district.
Also named Reward Schools were: North Greene and West Greene middle schools and Chuckey-Doak and North Greene high schools.
Beth Sutton-Peavler, a prekindergarten teacher at Camp Creek
SUN FILE PHOTO
Greene County Board of Education
Chairman Rick Tipton, left, shakes hands with new Director of Schools Dr. Chris Malone to welcome him to his first school board meeting as director.
Elementary School, was honored as one of only 20 statewide recipients of the first-ever Tennessee Early Educator Awards in 2024.
The statewide awards program, launched by Tennesseans for Quality Early Education, honors outstanding early childhood educators for their impact on the lives of Tennessee’s youngest learners.
Sutton-Peavler and the 20 other award winners each received a $1,000 cash prize, an allexpenses-paid trip to Nashville, and a shopping spree at Lakeshore Learning to celebrate their contributions to early education in the state.
The school board recognized the 20th anniversary of the Family Resource Center in 2024.
Director Alisha Ricker recalled when the center began operating at Chuckey Elementary School in 2004 and how it has grown to serve all county schools.
More than 1,500 students and their families receive assistance through the center annually with such resources as food, toiletries and other necessities to ensure students remain in school, Ricker said.
The center is now located at the Thomas Howard McNeese Educational Center.
For more information on Greene County Schools, www.greenek12. org .
New Health Department Facility Begins To Take Shape
BY SPENCER MORRELL STAFF WRITER
Greene County secured the funding for the construction a new health department facility in 2024.
Greene County Mayor Kevin Morrison told the Greene County Budget and Finance Committee in April 2024 that discussions about building a new health department in Greene County began in February 2024 with state and regional health officials.
Nearly $8 million will go toward construction of the new facility, with the state providing around $7 million in federal grant funding. Greene County will provide a $1 million funding match.
The county is using remaining American Rescue Plan funds to make the match.
In May 2024, the Greene County Purchasing Department chose Benefield Richters, an architecture firm out of Knoxville, to design and oversee the project.
Officials announced that the new health department would be located off Edens Road on the former Greene Valley Developmental Center property. It will be located on a part of the 336-acre section of the property that was transferred into the local possession of the Greene County, Greeneville and Tusculum Industrial Development Board.
The new facility will be about 12,000 square feet in size and all on one level.
The current facility was constructed in 1973 and is a multilevel facility. Morrison has noted previously that there have been numerous issues with accessibility at the current health department.
As a part of the new facility a multimedia and broadbandconnected community education center will be constructed.
The center will be open to the community, and connected to the new health department.
According to officials, the facility is expected to include more than 10 exam rooms, multiple dental rooms, a telemedicine center and a demonstration kitchen.
State Health Commissioner
Dr. Ralph Alvarado attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility in January 2025.
“It’s fun when we get to make this kind of investment in health, because right now Tennessee needs it where we rank, and we’re trying to make a lot of efforts to improve that. We want the Department of Health to be a health information center where people can come and get trusted information and talk to people they can rely on. If they have a rough moment, we can help them get past that. The building that will be here will be that for anybody that needs that help in the county,” Alvarado said at the groundbreaking event.
Rebekah English, regional director of the Northeast Tennessee Department of Health, and Jaime Hensley, director of the Greene County Health Department, both worked to secure the new facility in Greene County.
“They’ve been handed every challenge that’s come along, and to be able to reap the reward of saying, okay, we’re going to have a new cutting-edge modern public health facility here in Greene County for the first time in 52 years is a great achievement. This was a great team
effort,” Morrison said of English and Hensley at the groundbreaking.
English said she was thankful the team at the Greene County Health Department would be able to have new facility to help complete its mission in the community.
“Greene County is my home. I raised my children here, and for us to have a new health department, it’s not just the building. It’s our
dedicated team members that make everything happen in this county. They carry out the mission of our department so well, and for me I’m just grateful to have been able to work with them over the years,” English said at the groundbreaking. Construction of the facility must be completed by June 2026 due to requirements involved with the grant funding being used for the project.
SUN FILE PHOTO
State and local officials participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Greene County Health Department on the property of the former Greene Valley Developmental Center in January. Pictured from left are State Sen. Steve Southerland, Tusculum Mayor Alan Corley, State Rep. David Hawk, Greene County Partnership President Jeff Taylor, Greene County Partnership Director Jaime Hensley, State Health Commissioner Ralph Alvarado, Greene County Mayor Kevin Morrison, Regional Director of the Northeast Tennessee Department of Health Rebekah English and project architect Amy Sherrill.
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This rendering shows what the new Greene County Health Department will look like once it is completed.
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This sign is posted on the future site of the new Greene County Health Department on the campus of the former Greene Valley Developmental Center.
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The current Greene County Health Department was built in the 1970s and will be replaced by a new facility constructed on the former Greene Valley Developmental Center campus.
State Breaks Ground On New DDA Regional Headquarters
BY SPENCER MORRELL STAFF WRITER
State officials broke ground on a new regional facility in East Tennessee for the state Department of Disability and Aging in 2024.
On July 1, 2024, the Department of Disability and Aging officially became the newest cabinet-level agency in Tennessee.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed the Disability and Aging Act into law in April 2024, which merged the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities with the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability. The new department, known as DDA, is responsible for the oversight of services and supports to more than 1.5 million older adults and Tennesseans with disabilities.
“This is an exciting day for people with disabilities and older adults across Tennessee,” DDA Commissioner Brad Turner said in July 2024. “We are committed to working tirelessly to advocate for the people DDA serves and ensuring we are doing everything we can to support them to live the lives they envision for themselves.”
The new department provides services to thousands of people across Tennessee through a variety of programs for both older adults and people of all ages with disabilities. These services include: Tennessee Early Intervention System for children ages birth through age 5
Part B of the Katie Beckett Program for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities under the age of 18
Home and Community Based Services through Medicaid Waivers for people with intellectual disabilities and the OPTIONS program for older adults and adults with physical disabilities Nutrition Services and Medicare Benefits Counseling for older adults through the state’s nine area agencies on aging and disability Family Support Program
Medicaid Alternative Pathways to Independence
Long Term Care Ombudsman
The Department of Disability and Aging provides these services through more than 1,800 employees and hundreds of community-based providers.
In late June 2024, a large crowd was on hand at the former Greene Valley Developmental Center property as officials broke ground for the facility.
Attending the ceremony were numerous state officials including Tennessee DDA Commissioner Brad Turner, DDA East Tennessee Regional Office Director Terry Jordan-Henley, Tennessee Department of General Services Commissioner Christi Branscom, State Sen. Steve Southerland, State Rep. David Hawk and Deputy Commissioner of Fiscal and Administrative Services Andy Kidd. Local mayors, including Greeneville Mayor Cal Doty, Tusculum Mayor Alan Corley and Greene County Mayor Kevin
Morrison were also in attendance.
The new regional office complex, which will include a seating and positioning clinic and other services, will be located on the section of the property near East Andrew Johnson Highway.
The former John M. Jones Administrative Building, along with other buildings on the property near East Andrew Johnson Highway, have been demolished to make way for the new facility.
The new DDA buildings and an open courtyard area will cover about 17 acres and 82,000 square feet. Construction is budgeted at $43.5 million for the project. The project is being funded in part by federal dollars, according to officials.
Jordan-Henley noted at the
groundbreaking that the new facility would employ people in numerous categories and programs for the department including: licensure and quality assurance, East Tennessee Community Homes and Strong Homes, the Katie Beckett program, the Tennessee Early Intervention System, intake and case management, operations, administrative services, plans review, therapeutic services, regional nursing, behavioral analysis, clinical supports and maintenance.
Turner noted at the event that the new facility will align with the department’s move away from institutionalization.
“This is about freedom. This is about independence. This is about creating a new department and
a new beginning,” Turner said. “I think when people start seeing the construction happening it’s actually symbolic of a new beginning that has independence, and freedom and the ability to live in the community at the forefront fo what we want to do.”
Turner said he hoped that people driving by the site would see that the state is “stepping up to the plate” to help the disabled and elderly and moving forward at the site that has sat vacant for years.
“I’m excited for people driving by now to be able to see this building and realize that change is happening for the better and we’re moving Tennessee forward because we care about people with
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State officials ceremonially break ground on the new east Tennessee regional office facility in June 2024. The facility will be located on the former Greene Valley Developmental Center campus. Pictured from left are Department of Disability and Aging East Tennessee Regional Office Director Terry Jordan-Henley, State Sen. Steve Southerland, DDA Commissioner Brad Turner, Department of General Services Commissioner Christi Branscom, State Rep. David Hawk and Deputy Commissioner of Fiscal and Administrative Services Andy Kidd.
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A large crowd gathered in June 2024 at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new regional Department of Disability and Aging headquarters at the former Greene Valley site.
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This rendering displayed at June’s groundbreaking shows what the new regional facility at the former Greene Valley campus will look like once completed.
Career & Technical Education Continues To Grow
BY AMY ROSE STAFF WRITER
Career & Technical Education
expanded in both local school districts in the past year as students gained pathways to enter the workforce after graduation.
Greene County Schools developed a plan to offer more CTE courses in 2025-26, despite delays in construction of two CTE additions.
Meanwhile, Greeneville City Schools decided to purchase the Greene Technology Center where Greeneville High School students can continue to take CTE courses.
The county’s two CTE additions at Chuckey-Doak and West Greene high schools originally were planned to open for the beginning of the next school year.
The projects have been delayed, primarily due to weather, including flood damage from Hurricane Helene at WGHS, according to architect Dave Wright.
Director of Schools Chris Malone said the new CTE teachers will be hired and in place by August, when the school year starts.
Beginning CTE classes will be offered at all four high schools, and the new CTE additions will open for the spring semester, which begins in January 2026, Malone said.
Both additions are estimated to cost $16 million.
The Chuckey-Doak addition is planned at 27,514 square feet for programming in auto body, welding, masonry, industrial mechanics, carpentry, heating/venting/air condition (HVAC), certified nursing assistant (CNA), and cosmetology.
The West Greene addition is planned at 22,782 square feet for programming in welding, auto body, cosmetology, CNA, and industrial mechanics.
The Chuckey-Doak CTE addition will be built on the side of the school that faces Chuckey-Doak Middle School, near the C-DHS faculty parking lot.
The West Greene CTE addition will be built on the side of the high school facing Midway Road.
While the county was building their own CTE additions, the city decided to purchase the Greene Technology Center for continued use by Greeneville High School students.
The Greeneville Board of Education voted for the city to purchase the Greene Technology Center and 7.35 acres on Hal Henard Road for $1 million.
The purchase will result in the 77,000-square-foot center remaining open and continuing to offer certain CTE classes for Greeneville High School students while Greene County expands CTE programs at
its four high schools.
Greeneville Director of Schools
Steve Starnes said the purchase would be funded through the same amount of debt service used for the renovation and expansion of GHS, which dates back to 1999, and will end June 30.
Starnes estimated it will take seven years to pay off the new debt service for purchasing the GTC.
Starnes listed several programming changes that will be made at the center, beginning with the 2025-26 school year. He said the courses were selected after “an extensive review of enrollment trends, labor market data, industry surveys, and the data on careers that led to high-wage, high demand jobs.”
Beginning in fall 2025, GTC will continue to offer: Machine Tool, Welding, Industrial Maintenance,
Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair, Cosmetology, and Culinary Arts, Starnes said.
Four academic programs will end: Automotive Collision Repair, Aviation, the second Health Science program, and Criminal Justice, Starnes said.
Pre-Nursing will be moved to GHS, he noted.
Starnes noted that GHS students can study aviation through a dual enrollment with Northeast State Community College in Blountville.
He added that criminal justice is offered through the Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy at Walters State Community College’s Niswonger Campus in Greeneville.
The city school also board voted to spend $520,919 to purchase equipment for programming at Greene Technology Center.
PHARMACY GUIDE
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Greeneville Director of Schools Steve Starnes shows a map of the Greene Technology Center property.
Tusculum University Enhances Student Experiences
TUSCULUM UNIVERSITY
Delivering active and experiential learning in a caring Christian environment, Tusculum University equips its students to be career-ready, civically engaged professionals.
As Tennessee’s first higher education institution, Tusculum focuses on demonstrating a pioneering spirit.
The university is constantly looking for new ways to enhance the Tusculum experience for its students with academic programs and other initiatives that prepare them for the next stage in their lives.
“A Tusculum education provides tremendous value for our students and the communities they serve after graduation,” said Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president. “We have outstanding faculty members who are experts in their field and provide that one-on-one connection with their students that is so vital to their success in the classroom. All of us at Tusculum care deeply about our students and emphasize the importance of nurturing their social and spiritual needs and overall wellbeing.”
One new initiative is the Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, better known as the Freedom Center. The brainchild of entrepreneur Matt Sweeny, the Freedom Center will enable students to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in free enterprise and entrepreneurship as well as a minor in that subject. Students will develop their businesses and have the opportunity to pitch them to potential investors. To assist them, new students will be eligible to receive as much as $8,000 in scholarships in addition to other financial aid they might receive by the time they graduate.
Community members will also have an opportunity to take courses so they gain additional knowledge they need to start and grow a business. The end game is for Tusculum to hold a Pitch Day for Tusculum students, community members and high school students in spring 2026.
“This initiative reinforces our mission to develop career-ready professionals who are civically engaged and eager to make their mark on the community,” Hummel said. “Our extensive work in developing the Freedom Center takes into account an important objective for our region – retaining young and talented entrepreneurs. We are ecstatic about the potential for the Freedom Center to further strengthen the economies of Greene County and other communities in East Tennessee and Central Appalachia.”
Tusculum is also developing a Christian Leadership Institute and seeks financial support to provide scholarships for students who would participate in the program and funds to take mission trips.
Dr. David Cook, provost and vice president of academic affairs, envisions houses with a peer mentor and seven or eight students who are in the early stages of their studies. The peer mentor will engage in oneon-one support with each of the other students, but all of them will also come together weekly for Bible studies and other activities.
“We are excited that this institute can drive faith development in individuals, and we are focused on seeing this institute grow and expand over the years,” Cook said. “In the initial stage, we are looking at developing a living learning center that will be geared around discipleship. This initiative can have a profound effect on enriching personal lives as part of our caring Christian environment.”
In addition, Tusculum seeks to grow its academic competition teams. The university wants to expand its quiz bowl, esports and debate teams and then develop a mock trial team. The university is also investing in the initiative with scholarships for team members that will average about $2,000 per student. These scholarships will be supplemental to what students
receive in financial aid from other sources.
“Many students like to demonstrate their knowledge and skills and feed their competitive spirit,” Cook said. “The enhanced methods we are creating will provide an outlet for them to showcase their academic talent and computer skills while also broadening our base of students. Plus, the scholarships we plan to offer these students will make Tusculum even more affordable, particularly for students whose families are not blessed financially.”
A Tusculum education is extremely affordable, and the university receives considerable help from donors who help decrease the cost for students to enroll and proceed toward graduation.
The university also offers additional scholarships to students in Greene County who still have a gap to pay after all of their other financial aid is provided.
Tusculum values its community connections, and that was reinforced in 2024 when Hurricane Helene inflicted damage on the region.
The university was grateful to Chief Danny Greene of the City of Tusculum Police for arranging the delivery of seven pallets of water to the university in the immediate aftermath.
The university returned the favor with students and staff helping distribute water at Greeneville Municipal Airport and Chuckey-Doak Middle School. Tusculum also held a second Nettie Fowler McCormick Service Day to assist multiple community organizations.
Proceeds from a quiz bowl event on campus, the Tusculum Tournament for Helene Relief, and the broader quiz bowl community were donated to AIDNET of Greene County.
The day the flooding began, Tusculum held its regularly scheduled Nettie Day, with more than 300 students, faculty and staff helping 13 organizations with various needs.
Many long-term initiatives at Tusculum have continued to make a difference for students and the community.
In the first 3 ½ months every year, Tusculum students are putting into practice the knowledge they have learned from a professor to prepare income tax returns for free for many community members. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, headed by Dr. Harold Branstrator, associate professor of management, performs this service for community members who meet certain criteria, such as earning $70,000 or less a year, being older than 65 and having a disability.
Branstrator trains the students and community volunteers, and they work closely with their clients to achieve a desirable outcome on the tax return. In 2024, these students and community volunteers completed a record 1,017 returns.
“We are thrilled to provide this service to the community each year as part of our commitment to civic engagement,” said Branstrator, a current IRS enrolled agent. “Income tax return preparation can be challenging for some people, and they might be unsure how they can achieve the best possible result for them. We are here to help.”
Other examples of Tusculum students gaining practical
experience to supplement what they learn in the classroom is the research chemistry and biology students are conducting on potential new medications to treat cancer and participation by students from many academic disciplines in the annual production of “The Tusculum Review,” the university’s international literary journal.
Students who have been involved in the cancer research initiative received external validation of their work in April 2024 when an article they wrote along with Dr. Dennis Ashford, associate professor of chemistry, was published in the journal “Inorganic Chemistry.”
This article was an extension of a paper that was published in “Dalton Transactions” in 2022 by incorporating additional findings from the students and Ashford. Students have also presented their research at multiple professional and campus events.
The students who work on “The Tusculum Review” read
submissions, perform the layout of the ones being published and correspond, meet and speak with the authors. Many of them serve as assistant editors.
“They come to learn that even for successful artists and writers, art is hard,” said Kelsey Trom, professor of English, who has served as the Review’s editor. “They understand that the people they admire are just people like them. They get to hear from them directly, ‘I do four hours of writing a day,’ and they develop more realistic senses of what a career as a writer actually involves. They very quickly understand it’s not just talent. In fact, talent might be the smallest element of writing success. Plus, these students learn how to network, which may be one of the most important things they will learn over their four years.”
Students who are interested in enrolling at Tusculum can apply at https://site.tusculum.edu/apply-visit/ apply/ . More information about the university is available at www. tusculum.edu .
TUSCULUM UNIVERSITY PHOTO
From left, Tusculum students Rasmus Nylander, Paul Nwigwe and Peter Nwigwe load water into a car at Chuckey-Doak Middle School.
TUSCULUM UNIVERSITY PHOTO
Student Alishia Burrell sorts items at Trinity United Methodist Church as part of Tusculum’s support of Hurricane Helene relief efforts.
TUSCULUM UNIVERSITY PHOTO
Student Joseph Medeck, left, prepares an income tax return for two people at the Meen Center on campus.
TUSCULUM UNIVERSITY PHOTO
Zoey Seay, left, and Zach Mitchell are two of the students who have collaborated on The Tusculum Review.
TUSCULUM UNIVERSITY PHOTO
Student Maria Torres participates in a debate.
C-DMS, EastView
Nominated For National Blue Ribbon School Program
BY AMY ROSE STAFF WRITER
Chuckey-Doak Middle School and EastView Elementary School were two of just six schools across Tennessee to be nominated as 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools.
The nominations announced in January by the Tennessee Department of Education recognize C-DMS and Eastview as two of the state’s highest-performing rural schools.
If approved, this would be the first National Blue Ribbon designation for C-DMS, which opened in 2004.
C-DMS Principal Tammy Swinney said, “We are honored to accept the nomination to the National Blue-Ribbon School Program. This recognition reflects the dedication of our students, educators, staff, families, and community members who work tirelessly to administer excellence in education. We want to extend our gratitude to those who have recognized our efforts and to everyone who contributes daily to the success of our school. Together, we celebrate this milestone and look forward to representing our community with pride.”
Eastview Elementary previously received this honor in 2004 as an Exemplary High Performing School, highlighting its long-standing commitment to academic excellence, a press release from Greeneville City Schools said.
EastView Principal Kelly Ford said, “On behalf of the entire staff, students, and families of Eastview Elementary, I am deeply honored to accept the recognition as one of Tennessee’s nominees for the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. This recognition is a testament to our entire school community’s hard work, dedication, and collaboration. This nomination highlights the collective efforts of our educators, who are committed to ensuring academic excellence and equity for all students. It is not only a reflection of our accomplishments but also a celebration of the teamwork and perseverance that drives our school forward. We appreciate the support of our school district and community leaders.”
As nominees, C-DMS and Eastview will undergo a comprehensive application process detailing their educational practices, student achievements and community involvement.
The U.S. Department of Education will announce the National Blue Ribbon Schools awardees in September 2025.
Serving approximately 370 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Eastview Elementary is committed to cultivating the mind and impacting the heart through excellence and equity, the press release said.
The school’s mission focuses on providing exceptional learning opportunities while caring for the whole child, ensuring a well-rounded and inclusive educational experience, the press release added.
This prestigious award affirms the dedication of students, educators, families, and communities in fostering safe and welcoming environments where students can master challenging and engaging content, the press release said.
Steve Starnes, director of Greeneville City Schools, expressed his pride in the nomination, stating, “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, families, teachers, and staff at Eastview Elementary. Their commitment to academic excellence and fostering an inclusive learning environment exemplifies our district’s core
values.”
Chuckey-Doak Middle School in eastern Greene County is one of four middle schools in the school district. It serves 369 students in grades 6-8.
An email from the Tennessee Department of Education shared in January by then-Greene County Director of Schools David McLain, who has since retired, explained, “Every year the U.S. Department of Education seeks out and celebrates great American schools, schools demonstrating that all students can achieve at high levels.
“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
“The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and
welcoming schools where students master challenging content.”
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide that demonstrate overall academic excellence or make significant progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
Since its inception in 1982, the goals of the National Blue Ribbon Schools program are to shine a spotlight on the best schools in the United States and to share best practices of outstanding schools across the country, according to the program’s website.
For more information on C-DMS, visit https:// cdms.greenek12.org .
For more information on EastView School, visit https://eastview.gcschools.net/o/ees .
For more information, visit https:// nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov .
Fitness Guide
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Chuckey-Doak Middle School has been nominated for the National Blue Ribbon School program.
SUN FILE PHOTO
EastView Elementary School has been nominated for the National Blue Ribbon School program.
school facility viable based on condition, adequacy and enrollment?
Should we continue maintaining the open concept schools, renovate or rebuild them?
Woolpert presented four facilities options, costing $40 million, $60 million, $80 million, and $120 million.
The committee invited the public to provide input at a community meeting April 30 at Greeneville Middle School.
An online survey also was available on the school district’s website.
An estimated 200 community members, including a large representation from Highland, attended the two-hour meeting at GMS.
After ranking responses to Woolpert’s four options, the top option involved: building a new middle school on the new site, keeping the high school at its current location, using the current middle school building as an elementary school, and closing Highland.
Benefits and challenges of each option were reviewed during the meeting at GMS. They included: finances, student safety, student disruption, educational space, infrastructure, the high school’s proximity to Walters State Community College, availability of athletic facilities, travel patterns and distances, class and programming options, and tradition.
“Your biggest issue is your facilities are aging,” Wolf said.
She cited “deferred maintenance” as the reason for aging facilities. She said $6.5 million is needed annually to address the school district’s maintenance issues, but the actual amount spent annually is $500,000 to $600,000.
In addition to aging facilities, Wolf discussed the adequacy of classroom space, noting that a frequent complaint was the lack of space for individualized instruction to address special needs like intervention, tutoring and therapy.
“We’re literally instructing students in locker bays,” she said.
Three schools – Greeneville Middle, Hal Henard, and Tusculum View – were built with open floor plans, and teachers are using storage bins and bookshelves for walls to block out noise and visual distractions.
A former educator, Wolf explained that instructional delivery has changed since those schools were built, going from a teacher standing in front of students at desks to a more collaborative, hands-on approach.
The City Council and school
board met jointly in August and October to discuss debt service and other issues related to the facilities plan. No additional public meetings have been scheduled.
Asked for an update, Starnes said March 11 that the City Council has gone on record committing $10 million toward Greeneville City Schools’ capital needs.
“Specifics of this commitment are being negotiated,” Starnes said.
A copy of Woolpert’s 56-page final report is available online at www4. gcschools.net under “Menu” and “Community.”
Greene County, the local hospital was forced to suspend operations at the direction of the local emergency management agency due to water supply issues.
The suspension of services took effect on Sept. 28, with all operations being ceased except in the emergency room, which remained open for local emergent and obstetric patients. Services were still provided for patients in active labor in an emergency.
Laughlin Healthcare Center, a long-term care facility operated by Ballad Health, also had to suspend operations after the flood.
Ballad Health worked with local emergency medical services to transfer inpatients from Greeneville Community Hospital to other facilities within the system. Families of affected patients were updated.
Sycamore Shoals Hospital in Elizabethon was also evacuated during the flood, and suspended operations, while Unicoi County Hospital was submerged in floodwaters and 50 people were airlifted from its roof.
Elective surgeries at all Ballad Health facilities in the region were postponed in the aftermath of the flood.
Inpatients at Greeneville
Community Hospital were transferred to Holston Valley Medical Center, while Laughlin Healthcare Center patients were transferred from Greeneville to Wexford House in Kingsport.
Both the hospital and health care center in Greeneville remained closed until the water supply in the town stabilized.
The local hospital returned to service in phases as water returned to the town.
A week after Greeneville’s water supply was interrupted, Greeneville Community Hospital resumed inpatient services on Oct. 5, 2024. Outpatient services, including lab, sleep and radiology services resumed on Oct. 7, 2024. However, surgeries remained suspended at the facility until Oct. 8.
Once emergency and elective surgeries resumed, the hospital returned to full operation.
Residents of Laughlin Healthcare Center in Greeneville were able to return to the facility from Kingsport on Oct. 10. The center became fully operational at that time.
Ballad Health’s Corporate Emergency Operations Center, which was activated due to ongoing issues caused by severe weather from Hurricane Helene, also closed on Oct. 10.
From WATER | page 2D
SUN FILE PHOTO
Director of Schools Steve Starnes, left, speaks in a small group discussion during a community meeting at Greeneville Middle School.
SUN FILE PHOTO
Bob Leonard, a trustee of the Greeneville City Schools Education Foundation, speaks at a joint meeting of the Greeneville Board of Education and the Greeneville City Council. Seated in front of Leonard are Town of Greeneville Finance Director Lora Young and City Manager Todd Smith.
Controversial School Vouchers Signed Into Law
BY AMY ROSE STAFF WRITER
One of the most controversial issues in public education in 2024 was Gov. Bill Lee’s initiative to expand a school voucher program for low-income students across the state and make it universally available.
Tennessee’s new Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) program allows 20,000 vouchers of $7,075 each in public money for private schooling to become available in the 2025-26 school year.
Half of those would go to students who are lower income, disabled or otherwise qualified to participate in the new voucher program, but any student entitled to attend a public school could access the remaining 10,000 scholarships, regardless of income.
Both local school boards and the Greene County Commission adopted resolutions in opposition of school vouchers.
Greeneville Director of Schools Steve Starnes said the amount of private school tuition will exceed the voucher amount, so it will not benefit low-income families, and instead become “Welfare for the Wealthy.”
Other concerns expressed by local public educators included the potential lack of accountability measures for private schools and loss of state funding due to decreased enrollment.
The state legislature passed the bill in a special session Jan. 30 with much debate from both sides.
disabilities and people who are aging,” Turner said. “The American dream doesn’t have an expiration date, nor does it have a litmus test on age or ability. It should be accessible to everybody, and these buildings, these ideas, these visions and these missions that we have are all represented in the culture of Greene County and east Tennessee as a whole.”
An unexpected, last-minute twist came when several county mayors in Northeast Tennessee, including Greene County’s Kevin Morrison, signed a letter in support of the bill after concerns surrounded the bill being linked to availability of disaster relief funds for Hurricane Helene.
It was noted in the letter that the latest version of the voucher bill included a provision that ensures school systems would not be financially penalized for a loss of enrollment.
Lee signed it into law on Feb. 12.
On March 11, the state released a list of 162 schools that plan to participate in the program, none of which are located within Greene County. The state’s announcement included the following information:
Many of the schools on the list are faith-based.
Of the 162 schools, 71 are located in Shelby and Davidson counties, where Memphis and Nashville are located.
Just five schools on the list are located in Northeast Tennessee: one in Sullivan County and four in Washington County.
The only other nearby county on the list is Hamblen, which as two schools listed.
A total of 32 out of Tennessee’s 95 counties are on the list.
To learn more about the EFS Program, visit www.tn.gov/education/efs.html .
Applications for Education Freedom Scholarships will be available online in the spring, and the
Jordan-Henley said that seven years after the former Greene Valley facility closed its doors, the new DDA facility would be a place that Greene County and Tennessee could “take pride in.”
“I think this new campus looks like the future of who we are, not the past, and I’m really, really excited to embrace that future,” Jordan-Henley said.
program will be ready by the 2025-26
AP PHOTO/GEORGE WALKER IV, FILE
Mary Kim, right, watches as Gov. Bill Lee signs the Education Freedom Act at the state Capitol Feb. 12 in Nashville.
From STATE | page 10D
SUN FILE PHOTO
Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging Commissioner Brad Turner speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new regional DDA headquarters at the former Greene Valley property in June 2024.
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