Welcome to the 5th issue of The Spark! As the warm Tennessee sun finally begins to settle in and the flowers are in full bloom, there is a distinct sense of energy and purpose across our district. With state testing now behind us, our students and staff are utilizing these final weeks to solidify the year's learning and bridge the gap to the next grade level. While we shift our focus toward the many celebrations that define the end of the school year, we remain dedicated to finishing strong academically, ensuring every student is prepared and excited for the journey ahead. As we approach the final weeks of the school year, there is much to celebrate and important work happening behind the scenes to prepare for the future of Hawkins County Schools. It is a wonderful time to be part of the Hawkins County Schools family as we celebrate our achievements and look forward to the future.

We are thrilled to announce a historic achievement for our Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. For the first time, students from Hawkins County Schools have been selected for prestigious Work-Based Learning (WBL) placements with Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport for the upcoming school year.

Representing both Cherokee High School and Volunteer High School, these students will serve as our district's first-ever ambassadors at Eastman, gaining hands-on experience in high-demand fields such as Ag Mechanics, Industrial Maintenance, and Welding. Eastman officials shared that they were incredibly impressed with the entire group of applicants from our district, noting the high caliber of talent found within our schools. We are beyond excited for this opportunity and look forward to the doors this opens for our students and our workforce development efforts.

Recent Board Meeting Highlights

The Hawkins County Board of Education met for its regular monthly session to discuss district policy, legislative advocacy, and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students and staff.

🏛️ Legislative & Policy Action

Resolution Opposing Expansion of Education Freedom Scholarship Program The Board officially approved a resolution voicing formal opposition to the expansion of the state’s Education Freedom Scholarship Program (vouchers). Director Matt Hixson read the resolution, and the Board heard concerns from a representative of "Public Schools Strong" before moving to oppose the extension, emphasizing a commitment to keeping state resources dedicated to public education.

Policy Updates: Sections 1-4 A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to policy governance.

Second/Final Reading: Policies in Section 1 (Board Operations) and Section 2 (Fiscal Management) were approved. Notable revisions were made to Policy 2.601 (Fiscal Management) and Policy 2.400, following a request for the Director to survey regional systems regarding out-of-district tuition procedures.

First Reading: Sections 3 (Support Services) and 4 (Instructional Program) were approved. This includes the introduction of Policy 4.214 (Use of Artificial Intelligence Programs) and updates to security and grading systems.

Tabled Item: Policy 3.403 was tabled for further discussion in May 2026.

🌟 Recognitions & Special Reports

The meeting highlighted several milestones for HCS leadership and student programs:

Stories of Character: Bus driver Tammy Mullins shared a touching story regarding a student. The student, a rider on her bus, frequently demonstrates exceptional character by sharing his extra lunch with a fellow student in need.

Director Recognition: Director Matt Hixson was celebrated as a 2026 Superintendent of the Year Finalist through the TDOE’s Division of Coordinated School Health.

Student Excellence:

CHS Culinary: Instructor Kyra Jenkins and students were recognized for passing round one of the Junior Chef contest, already earning scholarships.

VHS SkillsUSA: Students from Cosmetology and Fire Science were honored, with one student moving on to the National Skills USA Competition.

VHS Nursing: Students were recognized for their participation in the Nurses Bowl.

District Support Programs:

Therapy Dog "Archie": Introduced as a resource to support the emotional well-being of students and staff.

ETSU Gear Up: A new program introduced by Vickie from ETSU to support student success.

Family Resource Center: Director April Couch reported on the vital resources provided to HCS families.

🏗️ Facilities, Infrastructure & Grants

Security & Maintenance: The Board conducted security walks at CHMS and VHS, noting significant improvements. Secured entrance construction is beginning at Mooresburg Elementary, which was praised for its cleanliness.

Renovations: Libraries at CHS and VHS are scheduled for renovation next school year, and the new CTE Building at Clinch School is nearing completion.

Grants: Grant Writer Debbi Pressnell reported on several approved grants, including the Tennessee Tutoring Innovation Grant and a USDA Rural Utilities Service Grant for distance learning.

We are incredibly proud to announce that 30 of our dedicated educators have officially been granted tenure this month. Achieving tenure is a significant professional milestone that recognizes a teacher's sustained commitment to excellence, their mastery of the craft, and their unwavering dedication to the students of Hawkins County. These individuals have proven themselves to be vital pillars of our academic community, and we look forward to their continued leadership in our classrooms for years to come. Please join us in congratulating:

Pictured 1st row: Mayson Skeen, Tammy Riendeau, Dustin Odom, Kimberly Peters, Emily Britton;

2nd row: William Sandidge, Richard McGinnis, Lucy Kyzer, Chloe James, Tamara Camper, Jondra Jonson, Heather Cope, Mackenzie Bingham, Tosha Bean;

3rd row: Jonathan Needham, Director Matt Hixson, Monica Hurd.

Not pictured: Tresa Allen, Jaimee Arnold, Branson Brewer, Brian Fletcher, Josh Horton, Caleb Hutson, Phillip Jennings, Christian Johnson, Diana Johnson, Kelsi Knox, Jaime McKay, Amanda McNally, Reatha Tilley, Vickie Tolbert.

A Tip of the Hat to Our Support Staff

On April 2, our district took a moment to celebrate the incredible support staff who keep our schools running as smooth as a Tennessee trail ride. We want to give a huge "Thank You" to our Nurses, Office Workers, Data Clerks, Bookkeepers, and Assistants. You all are the "trail bosses" of Hawkins County Schools, saddling up every day to ensure our students and teachers have exactly what they need to succeed. We appreciate your hard work and dedication to the brand!

Reaching for the Stars: Teacher Appreciation Day

On May 7, we will take a "giant leap" to celebrate our incredible educators for Teacher Appreciation Day. Our teachers serve as the mission control for our students' success, helping them navigate new challenges and reach for the stars every single day. Their dedication to launching our students toward bright futures is truly out of this world. We are so grateful for our classroom explorers and the stellar impact they have on our community!

Dear HCS Community Members,

As we approach the final weeks of the school year, there is much to celebrate and important work happening behind the scenes to prepare for the future of Hawkins County Schools. Below is an update on our student successes, legislative developments, and our ongoing budget planning for the 2026-27 school year.

🏆Celebrating Our Students & Programs

Spring Sports & Extracurriculars

Our spring sports teams are currently heading into postseason play! We are incredibly proud of our athletes in tennis, baseball, soccer, softball, and track and field. Please keep an eye on our school websites for updated playoff schedules. Let’s get out there and cheer on our HCS teams as they compete for titles!

We also want to extend a special "Congratulations" to all our extracurricular teams. This year, we have seen record participation across the board.

A Note on Our Music Programs

Our band and choral programs are thriving! From our elementary and middle school programs to our high schools, we are seeing incredible growth in talent and dedication. I want to personally thank our directors for their enthusiasm in encouraging students to stick with music. We are excited to see the impact of these growing numbers in the years to come.

Growing Our Early Learners

I am thrilled to share that the State Department of Education has awarded us an additional Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) classroom for next year. This expansion comes with full funding for a VPK teacher and educational assistant, allowing us to better serve our youngest learners and their families.

📊 Navigating Our 2026-27 Budget

Building a school budget is an exercise in balancing the rising costs of operations and insurance with our commitment to our staff and students. While we are facing financial challenges common to many districts in our region, our priority remains the same: protecting positions and preserving the student experience.

The Numbers & Strategy

Our initial budget projection showed a significant deficit of $7.2 million. However, through diligent work by our departments and central office, we have reduced that projected deficit to $4.9 million in our latest draft.

To reach a balanced budget, we are utilizing a "People First" strategy:

Attrition & Realignment: As staff members retire or resign, we are evaluating if those roles can be filled by existing employees whose current positions may be affected by funding changes.

Operational Cuts: We are reducing costs in supplies, materials, and central office supplements to ensure the classroom remains the priority.

Investing in Our Staff

Despite the tight budget, we remain committed to competitive compensation. Our proposed budget includes:

A $50,000 starting salary for teachers (Step 0).

Targeted raises for Custodians, Educational Assistants, and School Nutrition staff.

Minimal across-the-board increases for all employees.

🏛️ Legislative & Advocacy Update

The 2026 legislative season in Nashville is wrapping up, and there are developments that directly affect our schools:

Voucher Accountability: New language requires publicly funded voucher schools to take annual tests and share data with the state. While this is a step toward the accountability public schools have always maintained, we continue to advocate for equal standards across all schools receiving state funds.

Enrollment Protection: Thanks to local representatives, new budget language will help "hold harmless" districts like ours that see declining enrollment, protecting our funding levels for the 2025-26 cycle.

How You Can Help

Public education is at a crossroads. I encourage you to reach out to your local representatives to advocate for our students:

Support HB 2485: This bill would restore $2 million in funding for HCS students designated under Medicaid.

Voice Opposition to EFA Expansion: Our Board of Education recently passed a resolution opposing the expansion of Education Freedom Scholarships (vouchers) that divert vital funds away from public schools.

✅ Closing Thoughts

State testing has officially concluded for the year. I want to thank our students, teachers, and testing coordinators for a calm and successful window. The hard work during these assessments is a testament to the dedication found in every HCS classroom.

Thank you for the ongoing privilege of serving your children. We will continue to be transparent as we finalize our budget in June, and we remain steadfast in our mission to provide every student in Hawkins County with the resources they need to succeed.

Have a wonderful May! 

Matt Hixson
Director of Schools