Director Announces School Hires and Transfers

August 9, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps presented his monthly report on personnel moves to the Board of Education Thursday night.

The following have been employed since last month:

Emily Geist, teacher

Aaron Shirah, teacher

Meaghan Humbert, teacher

Allyson Trapp, teacher

Jackie Overbey, teacher

Carson Speck, teacher

Logan Vance, teacher

Callie Brown, interpreter

Wanda Phillips, teacher

Isla Potts, education assistant and bus driver

Judith Hale, bus driver

Peggy Adcock, cafeteria employee

Leave of Absence as requested:

Tina Gash, Courtney O’Conner, Allison Taylor, and Ginger Wenger

Transfers:

Melba Farmer, teacher from Smithville Elementary to DeKalb Middle School

Bethany Poss from educational assistant at Smithville Elementary School to teacher.

Resignations:

Justin Coats, mechanic

Cynthia Miller, ESL assistant

Joe Ruch, teacher

Juanita Thomas, bus driver

Erin Martin, teacher

Gabby Turner, teacher

Katie Haggard, teacher

Norma Dyer, cook

August 9, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County School District needs more bus drivers.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps put out the call during Thursday night’s monthly Board of Education meeting.

“If you or someone you know would like to drive a school bus we are taking applications. We are in dire need of bus drivers and you can call the main office here at 615-597-4084 or go on-line to apply to drive a bus. If you don’t want to drive full time we will accept substitute drivers as well,” said Director Cripps.

To be a school bus driver you must be at least 25 years old and have a CDL license, Class A or Class B. You must have a Passenger and School Bus Endorsement, carry a current medical card, have a clean DMV record, and you must be able to pass a background check and drug screening. After a bus driver is hired, there are random drug tests at the bus garage for all drivers.

The Transportation Department has also been without a director since the departure of Jimmy Sprague who resigned several weeks ago but an announcement on a successor is expected soon.

There is also a need for mechanics. Temporary outside mechanic help has been brought in to help staff maintain and make repairs to the school system’s fleet of buses.

August 9, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb Saints, defending Champions of the Middle Tennessee Football Conference, opened their 2019 season Thursday night with a 16-14 road win at York Institute in Jamestown.

The Saints found themselves down 6-0 before taking an 8 to 6 lead on a touchdown and 2 point conversion. York scored again in the fourth period and converted a 2 point play to regain the advantage 14 to 8 but the Saints would not be denied scoring another touchdown with 1:50 left in the game and with the successful 2 point conversion they went on to win 16-14.

According to Coach Justin Poteete, Ari White and Briz Trapp scored the touchdowns for the Saints and Trapp converted both 2 point plays.

Stats:

Rushing:

Briz Trapp 14-89- 1 TD

Ari White 10-39- 1 TD

Tyler Jackson 4-16

Gabe Hollingsworth 1-6

Receiving:

Gabe Hollingsworth 2-50

Ari White 2-12

Passing

Briz Trapp 4/6  62

The remaining 2019 Saints schedule is as follows:
Conference games (*)
Homecoming game (**)
Game times for road games are subject to change.

Thursday, August 15: Smith County* (Away) 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 22: Trousdale County* (Home) 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 29: Overton County** (Home) 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 5: Upperman* (Away) 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 12: Macon County* (8th grade night) (Home) 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 19: TBA (Cross Conference Game-determined by seeding)

Saturday, September 28: Conference Championship TBA

(DeKalb Saints Football Team: front row left to right: Axel Aranda, Andrew Dakas, Aaron Hatfield, Gabe Hollingsworth, Wesley Kent, Ty Webb, Kobe Curtis, Pablo Torres, and Gracin South. Back row left to right: Shon Tucker, Austin Nicholson, Konner Young, Briz Trapp, Ari White, Tyler Jackson, Trace Hamilton, Wil Farris, Alex Lemons, Bryce Stembridge.