Bristol Tennessee City Schools would like to salute the members of the Bristol Tennessee Board of Education during Tennessee’s annual School Board Appreciation Week, January 21-27, 2024.
School board members were recognized at the Monday, January 22 meeting, at which time the board reorganized officers for the 2024 calendar year. The following officers were approved for 2024: Eric Cuddy, Chair; Derek Linkous, Vice-Chair; and Jennifer Henson, Secretary. These members, as well as board members Jim Butcher and Debbie Darnell, were honored for the value of their work for our students, staff, families, and community.
School Board Appreciation Week is a time to better understand how school board members work together to provide leadership to ensure our schools have the support and resources to build a better future for students. The school board works closely with parents, staff, and community members to create the educational vision for our district. The board then formulates goals, defines results, and sets the course for a quality and equitable educational program for all students. The school board is also a strong advocate for public schools and is responsible for communicating the needs of the district to the public and the public’s expectations to the district.
These volunteer leaders are responsible for defining school district policy, approving the curriculum, maintaining school facilities, and adhering to state and federal education laws. These tasks, in addition to legal factors and the complexities of school finance, such as budgeting and taxation, require them to spend many hours in board training programs and personal study to enhance their understanding of these issues.
During her Report from the Director of Schools, Dr. Annette Tudor took the opportunity to express appreciation to the board on behalf of the district, “Even though we are making a special effort during this week in January to show appreciation for our school board members, we recognize that it is a year-round effort. So, I appreciate everything you do for us every day of the year during your tenure. Thank you for your service to our school district!”