RUTLEDGE – Following a special Career and Technical Education Recognition Night, the Grainger County Board of Education met Tuesday, February 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Grainger High School library for its regular monthly meeting.
Director of Schools Mark Briscoe and board members approved a full agenda that included budget amendments, grants, facility needs and long term planning.
During the Student Advisory Committee report, a high school representative shared updates on academics, athletics and student life, including an upcoming ACT boot camp funded by the board and a recent college and career fair. Briscoe praised the value of student representation and thanked the board for supporting academic preparation efforts.
The board unanimously approved 2025-2026 general purpose budget amendments related to special education transportation funding, describing the measure as straightforward and grant supported. Members also approved participation in the TNTP grant to strengthen instructional materials at the middle and high school levels.
Additional approvals included school trips, appointments to the disciplinary hearing committee, a memorandum of understanding with Telamon Corporation for Head Start services and a doctoral capstone agreement with Lincoln Memorial University. Briscoe noted the agreements involve no local financial impact.
The board approved the use of Rutledge Elementary and Rutledge Middle schools for the 2026 Grainger County Tomato Festival scheduled for July 17-18.
A key discussion focused on the aging gym floor at Bean Station Elementary School. After reviewing cost estimates, the board voted unanimously to move forward with sanding and refinishing the existing floor as a cost saving measure that could extend its lifespan several years.
Briscoe also reported that the district received forgiveness for all 10 inclement weather days used during the recent winter closure, maintaining compliance with the 180 instructional day requirement.
Under discussion items, the board reviewed plans for 2026 summer programming and received updates on facility improvements, including work at the middle school pavilion and other maintenance projects. Members were also briefed on the state mandated firearm safety lesson that will be implemented later this year.
The meeting concluded with updates on school audits, including a clean audit report for Grainger High School.