Changes in Store for Jefferson County Schools

Jefferson County students will note several administration changes when they return to school following summer break. Director of Jefferson County Schools Edmonds informed the Jefferson County School Board during their Thursday evening meeting that he has already sent out employment letters to building level administration in anticipation of the state mandated June 15^th hire date for Jefferson County school system certified employees. Though school level administration is aware of their staff roster, Edmonds stressed that changes could be made for the efficient operation of the school system.

This year will see new administration for Rush Strong School, which has been in an administrative rotation for several years ,seeing multiple changes in building level administration. For the 2017/18 school year, Ron Overton, previously the Principal of Talbott Elementary School, will be at the helm of the Plainsmen. His assistant, Jennifer Morgan, will be a new face to Jefferson County as her previous employment was with Hamblen County. Taking Overton’s place at Talbott will be Sandi Ramey who previously in instruction at New Market Elementary School. Kristi Waltke, who has spent the last few years as the Principal of Piedmont Elementary School, will be moving to the position of County Wide Literary Specialist. Taking Waltke’s place as the Principal of Piedmont Elementary is Melanie Simpson, who was previously a teacher mentor and evaluator for Jefferson County Department of Education. Carrie Trent will fill the vacated mentor position. Rounding out the Administrative transfers and hires is Jacob Bellissimo who will be filling the position of Assistant Principal at Jefferson Middle School.

While Jefferson County Department of Education Central Office Supervisors, in conjunction with Director Edmonds, have been working diligently at administrative placement, there are still several open teaching positions. Supervisor Sherry Finchum informed the Board that she had participated in around twenty interviews in the last week in the quest to fill vacant positions. She said that the applicant pool is stronger this year than in recent years. In regard to those employees that were displaced during the budgeting process, they will be interviewed for positions inside the system that they apply for and meet the qualifications.

Other changes that were noted include Johnny Henry from Jefferson Middle Assistant Principal to Maury Middle School Social Studies-Jerry Bowler from Rush Strong Principal to Jefferson Middle School Physical Education-Sally Musick from Rush Strong Assistant Principal to Dandridge Elementary 4^th grade.