DCHS recognizes students for success on the ACT test

September 27, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County High School recognizes students for success on the ACT test.

The goal is for students to score 21 or higher on the ACT as this qualifies them for the HOPE Lottery Scholarship and is one of the criteria qualifying them for Top Rank. The current ACT average at DCHS is 19.1.

A free ACT is offered to all Juniors each Spring and all Seniors in the fall during the school day. This year’s seniors will have an ACT retake day on November 1 and current juniors will take the ACT on March 13. Students must take the ACT or SAT test in order to be eligible for graduation.

DCHS offers ACT prep courses and an online program called “On To College” to help students prepare for this test. At DCHS, 3 clubs are recognized for student success: a 21+ club, a 24+ Club, and a 29+ Club. Students who have passed AP (Advanced Placement) Exams are also recognized.

DCHS is very proud of each of these students and wishes to recognize their hard work.

21+ Club. Row 1: Charlotte Paladino, Alyssa Gilpin, Evelyn Mitchell, Jade Mabe, Ella Vanvranken, Maleah Ruch. Row 2: Sarah Boner, Serenity Patterson, Patyn Carter, Kyra Baker, Owen Snipes, James Slager, Courtney Braido. Row 3: Seth Fuson, Tyce Ratley, Makaylee Winchester, Madelyn Johnson, Will Farris, Ethan Curtis, Ethan Thompson, Gavin Cooper. Row 4: Micah Gandy, Caroline Tobitt, Kyle Miller, Aydan Bean, Jaxon Humphrey, Conner Close. Not pictured: Jacob Hendrix, Zachary Knowles, Topanga Patrick, Markayla Rebertus, Preston Summers, Briz Trapp, Carson Vincent

24+ Club. Row 1: Nathaniel Wessel, Ian Colwell, Konner Young, Kaleb Spears, Briahna Murphy, Brynn Harvey. Row 2:  Madeline Martin, Ella Hendrixson, Andrew Dakas, Allison Goodwin, Kendall Davis. Row 3: Charles Burklow, Owen Warren, Dominique Young, Gage Cote, Kora Kilgore, Matty Hollingsworth. Not pictured: Briana Fletcher, Tristan Hall, Devin Holt, Cayden Martin, Serenity McCrary, Xavier Parker, Karson Smallwood, Lilly Waggoner, Jazmine Wagner

29+ Club. Row 1: Tess Barton, Olivia Diego, Kathryn Hale, Peyton Norris, Daniela Amaya. Row 2:  Paul Oliver, Jackson Vantrease, Alex Antoniak, Ethan Spears

AP Scholars (Scored a passing grade on an Advanced Placement Exam) Row 1: Jackson Vantrease, Peyton Norris, Kendall Davis, Kora Kilgore. Row 2: Caleb Gray, Seth Fuson

September 27, 2023
By: Bill Conger

DeKalb West School has announced the Students of the Month for September. Congratulations goes to Myla Marsh, PreK; Clayton Patterson, Kindergarten; Archer Moore, 1st grade; Dyllan Bates, 2nd grade; Jacob Blair, 3rd grade; Shaniya Bates, 4th; Bradi Turney, 5th grade; Christian Cripps, 6th grade, Gabriel Blair, 7th grade, and Aiden Hernandez, 8th grade.

Students are selected for the award based on academics, character, and other traits that make for an excellent student. Also, in September, first year educator Ashley Nokes was named Teacher of the Month. Mrs. Nokes joined the staff at DeKalb West as a first-grade teacher.

September 27, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

It’s tax time in DeKalb County!

2023 property tax notices will be going out in the mail Friday, September 29 bearing the color of forest green, which has a special meaning to Trustee Sean Driver.

Property taxes will be due and payable starting October 1, 2023 through February 29, 2024 before any interest becomes due on March 1, 2024. Interest will accrue on March 1, 2024 @ 1.5% per month. If you choose to mail in your tax payment, it must be postmarked on or prior to February 29, 2024 to avoid any accrued interest.

For 2023, the tax rate is 2.00% per $100.00 of your assessed value. The tax notices include an example provided by Trustee Sean Driver on how the property taxes are calculated.

Example: Appraisal Value————$175,000 X (multiply) Assessed Value @25%—-$43,750 X Residential Tax Rate @ 2.00%——$875 Tax Amount to Pay.

“The is hope in nature. A warm welcome and happy day goes out to all the fine folks of DeKalb County from your Trustee, Sean Driver. Once again, I am going to give the yearly changes on the property taxes. The 2023 property taxes will be mailed out on September 29, 2023 for annual collection. For the 2023 Tax Year, you will see the color ‘Forest Green’ on the property tax notices. I chose ‘Forest Green’ this year because what the color represents to me personally. If we can sometimes go to a place where we can view the beautiful scenery of this wonderful earth, we should realize there is HOPE. Whether, its from a mountaintop, a valley, a stream of water, a cluster of trees, a bed of flowers, or the end of day sunset, we can see the freshness of nature. This gives us the hope, harmony, and growth to serve and live for something that was established for us all and so pure many years ago,” said Driver.

The Trustee’s office offers up to 6 different options to pay your property taxes:

1. Come in person to the office to pay

2. Mail in your payment

3. Pay online @ www.tennesseetrustee.org, then select DeKalb and follow the instructions to the next screens – The Vendor BIS/I3 Verticals accepts Discover, MasterCard, Visa, or American Express – The Vendor convenience fee of 2.75% on the total tax bill will apply and fees are subject to change using Credit/Debit Cards. Also, a $2.75 fee will be assessed on an E-CHECK payment of any amount. DeKalb County does not collect any online payment fees.

4. A QR (Quick Response Code) is also on your notice to access the website with your I-phone, smartphone, etc. @ www.tennesseetrustee.org

5 A Dropbox is located on the outside of the building at the County Complex (County Offices Section) for your convenience after hours and/or weekends.

6. Partial Payments are accepted, and you the taxpayer sets the amount to pay until full payment is satisfied.

Eligibility for Property Tax Relief:
The State of Tennessee offers qualified property owners Tax Relief on property taxes. This program was implemented in 1973 and the program has a few changes every year. At this time, DeKalb County has 403 applicants on the program for 2023. So, as a property owner for 2023, you can qualify for Tax Relief if:

(A) Your DeKalb County home is your primary residence,

(B) You are 65 years old (or older) on or before December 31, 2023, or

(C) You are under 65 years of age with a totally and permanently disability per SSA or another qualifying agency, and last

(D) Your 2022 Annual Income of all living owners on the deed and their spouses that DID NOT exceed $33,460.00.

If the State of Tennessee qualifies you for Tax Relief, then you can receive a rebate up to $104.00 for the 2023 tax year. You must pay your 2023 tax bill in full to start the application process. Applications are handled, executed, and sent to the State of Tennessee by the Trustee’s office.

The State of Tennessee also offers Tax Relief to Disabled Veterans and the Surviving Spouses of a Disabled Veteran. You must provide proof from the Veteran’s Administration that you have a total and permanent disability rating that was service connected. You and your spouse do NOT have to report any amount of income to apply as a disabled veteran or the widow/er of a disabled veteran. If the State of Tennessee qualifies you as a disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, then you can receive a rebate up to $589.00 for 2023.

Meanwhile, DeKalb County has implemented a “Tax Freeze” program authorized by the state and Trustee Driver explains the qualifications for that.

NEW 2023 PROGRAM: ‘TAX FREEZE’

• Established through voters in the State of Tennessee through a referendum passage in 2007

•The Program is only for ELDERLY – 65 years or older

•Income Limit (2022 Annual Income) is $33,460.00. All owners on the property

•Can only have Tax Freeze on your primary/principal residence

•The TAX AMOUNT is Frozen. The property value, assessment, and tax rate are Not Frozen.

•You can apply or have both Tax Relief and Tax Freeze.

•Applications are administered and executed by the Trustee’s office.

•There are acreage limits that can be frozen.

The Trustee’s office will start accepting applications for the Tax Relief & Tax Freeze Programs on October 2, 2023 and will continue through April 5, 2024. If you would like to inquire more about a possible Tax Relief for property taxes or about the New Tax Freeze Program, come by the County Complex in the Trustee’s office @ 732 S. Congress Blvd – Room 103, Smithville, TN 37166 or call @ 615-597-5176.