Jane Ramsey Named SES Teacher of the Month for January

February 6, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Elementary is recognizing its Teacher of the Month for January, Mrs. Jane Ramsey. SES recognizes one teacher each month for his/her outstanding performance in teaching and their contribution to the students at our school. The teacher of the month is selected by the administration at Smithville Elementary.

School administration and staff cited some of Mrs. Jane’s attributes as follows:

“She is a very patient person! She has a special knack with the children. Mrs. Jane is a kind and wonderful person inside and out! A great person to work with!”

“She is always understanding and supportive of other teachers, and she works hard to really differentiate for each group.”

“Mrs. Jane always has fun lessons and is such a hard worker! She is also so kind and supportive to everyone.”

“Mrs. Ramsey is kind, caring, and compassionate to all of her students and all staff at SES. She is always willing to share information and or locate resources needed by classroom teachers. She encourages reading and inspires students to delve into books. Mrs. Ramsey always goes the extra mile to make all feel loved, valued, accepted, respected, and wanted. She is a blessing to have as a faculty member, a friend, and as our teacher/librarian.”

“Ms. Jane is always so friendly and so thoughtful. She is always doing little things for people (little treats) just to make a person feel good.”

“Mrs. Jane is patient and kind and is always willing to help you find whatever book you want/need.”

“Jane is sooo dedicated to the students in the library. She goes above and beyond to do Read Night, she is always willing to help others out if they are in need, and she will volunteer for just about anything when needed.”

Congratulations Mrs. Jane, and thank you for all that you do to support the students and staff at Smithville Elementary. You are greatly appreciated by everyone at SES!

February 6, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The three incumbent Smithville Aldermen up for re-election in 2024 have picked up qualifying petitions from the DeKalb County Election Commission to seek re-election.

Shawn Jacobs, Danny Washer, and Jessica Higgins obtained their petitions Monday, February 5 and are expected to acquire the needed signatures before returning them to the election commission office as part of the procedure for becoming a qualified candidate for Smithville Alderman.

The Smithville Municipal Election will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024 in conjunction with the DeKalb County General Election, the Dowelltown and Alexandria Municipal Elections and the Tennessee Democratic and Republican Primaries for state offices.

The four-year terms of the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen are staggered with three aldermen to be elected this year (2024) and the remaining two aldermen and mayor positions, currently held by Mayor Josh Miller and Aldermen Beth Chandler and Don Crook, to be up for election again in 2026.

The qualifying deadline for the August 1 elections is Thursday April 1 at 12 noon and the withdrawal deadline is Thursday, April 11 at 12 noon. The voter registration deadline for the August 1 elections is Tuesday, July 2. Early Voting for the August 1 elections is Friday, July 12 to Saturday, July 27. The absentee ballot request deadline for the August 1 elections is Thursday, July 25.

In the State Primaries on August 1, nominees in both the Republican and Democratic Parties will be selected for the offices of US Senate, US House of Representatives (6th District), Tennessee House of Representatives (40th District), and Tennessee Senate (16th District).

Those positions are currently held by US Senator Marsha Blackburn (R), Congressman John Rose (R)- US House of Representatives (6th District), State Representative Michael Hale (R)- Tennessee House of Representatives (40th District), and State Senator Janice Bowling (R)- Tennessee Senate (16th District)

The Alexandria Municipal Election on August 1 will be held to fill the positions of mayor (unexpired term), three aldermen, and three other aldermen (unexpired terms).

In the Dowelltown Municipal Election on August 1, a mayor and two aldermen will be elected.

Meanwhile the DeKalb County General Election will be August 1 in which party nominees selected in the March 5 primaries will be running for the offices of Assessor of Property, Board of Education (Districts 5 & 6), Constable (Districts 1-7), and Criminal Court Judge- Part III in the 13th Judicial District.

The office of County Commission District 6 will also be on the August 1, 2024 ballot to fill an unexpired term. This election will be held in conjunction with the 2024 DeKalb County General Election.

County parties may certify a candidate by caucus by the qualifying deadline 12 NOON April 4, 2024.

Independents may now pick up petitions for that office (6th district county commission).

February 6, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Elementary is recognizing its Students of the Month for January. These students were selected for their outstanding character, academics, and other traits that make them an all-around excellent student. Selected as Students of the Month for January are:

PreK- Braydon Brumbach, Ruby Harris
Kindergarten – McKenna Rushing, Amelia Fox
1st Grade – Jaxson Howell, Westlyn Roller
2nd Grade – Eylin Carrasco, Cooper Jennings

The students are pictured with SES Principal Anita Puckett and SES Assistant Principal Karen France.