[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6220167,"mediaKeyId","3618300-b3a34f96f9a9c1899d8a2ee86fafac81","parentId",3618300,"title","Summertown graduate urges Lawrence County board to reinstate valedictorian, salutatorian and top-10 recognition","audioSeconds",291,"startMs",1774000,"endMs",2065000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3618300-b3a34f96f9a9c1899d8a2ee86fafac81&start=1774&end=2065","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3618300-b3a34f96f9a9c1899d8a2ee86fafac81/thumbnail_1774000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6220167/Tennessee/Summertown-graduate-urges-Lawrence-County-board-to-reinstate-valedictorian-salutatorian-and-top-10-recognition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220167-45425c383554adc67d5f52cb2938af74/orig.mp4?Expires=1770354012&Signature=F49WIN26k0YnAe72ThL2~9jxNiXRPPyRjtrVItAXq0l4q5~EQOokRtwqUjBjVVVL3H9DrpVsz2FkPGE6WY5-IpJY94FDroisDbr3RAoHzEt19cJFWKDs5tP9r~3Tkt1ii~3bwNDLnyNrdNIy-Q-KGuAkniW-IQ~q1ZeZWuT6cVB3vIttmM3vrZ-9BnETInE1D8XatCbEmte35oYz0OAlj9ASW7OyLLCQ3iBQ-Yv1f40j11npGAqLFLIQ4xxRdeVb2oRnAP5Gc9o2iBs5CRHUMrnSnaKBQCNJInTObbDYTMcPBMGIM9e09gjei8bIqV9tgw4MpEJ5wwOT8HdpUl4uEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lawrence County School System","date","2025-05-30T10:59:31Z","article","Maggie Hay, a 2025 graduate of Summertown High School, asked the Lawrence County School Board on May 29 to reinstate the titles valedictorian and salutatorian and to restore recognition for the top 10 students in each graduating class.

Hay told the board she spoke on behalf of herself and Isabella McDonald, the top distinguished scholar at Summertown who could not attend but supported Hay\u0000s remarks. \"From the first day of kindergarten up until where I am today, I have always worked extremely hard in school,\" Hay said, describing long study hours and sacrifices she made to earn her grades.

Hay criticized the county\u0000s current approach to distinguishing top students, saying the distinguished scholar program places heavy emphasis on ACT test scores. \"Distinguished Scholar is heavily based on having a high ACT score, a 26 or above to be exact,\" she said, and argued the ACT measures test-taking ability more than classroom learning. She told the board that she finished second in her class by a \"minuscule amount\" and received no special recognition under the current policy.

Hay asked the board to review surrounding counties' approaches and create a fair policy that recognizes top students while accounting for course rigor and fairness. She said reinstating valedictorian, salutatorian and top-10 recognition could be done in a way that is \"fair for all students.\" Hay said she was unable to attend the June meeting and hoped the board would consider her remarks when the item is revisited.

Board response and next steps
Board members acknowledged Hay\u0000s comments during public comment and noted policy work on graduation recognition would require review by staff and possibly comparison with neighboring systems. The board did not take action on the policy at the May 29 meeting; staff said the policy was not on the agenda for a vote that night.

What Hay said (selected)
\"I believe that distinguished scholars should be kept in our school system as it was a great addition to it,\" Hay said. \"But I also believe that tops 10 should be reinstated along with the titles of valedictorian and salutatorian.\"

Hay suggested the board consider adjustments to grading and ranking policies so that class rank and title recognition are awarded in a way that accounts for course rigor and the district\u0000s grading system.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LCSS BOE May 29, 2025 Board Regular Session Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Maggie Hay, a recent Summertown High School graduate, addressed the board May 29 urging the reinstatement of class rank titles — valedictorian and salutatorian — and recognition of the top 10, saying current policy places too much weight on ACT scores.","taxTitle","Lawrence County, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",38236,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6220172,"Contractors tell Lawrence County board summer work largely on schedule; restroom project paused for asbestos abatement",329,1335000,1664000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3618300-b3a34f96f9a9c1899d8a2ee86fafac81&start=1335&end=1664","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3618300-b3a34f96f9a9c1899d8a2ee86fafac81/thumbnail_1335000.jpg","/articles/6220172/Tennessee/Contractors-tell-Lawrence-County-board-summer-work-largely-on-schedule-restroom-project-paused-for-asbestos-abatement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220172-14713ffac2b504dab1654a6c8070160f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770354012&Signature=BkEtk26-gh9WvJC4puFv~XUVPwpUDJFkXJNglgIzWkdeJq8wCnfQjcNEnBCSwpq1d~qHHeYm7Bd6Im9aS1Md1T2tlNlZegPoRKIjoi-ytBEimWmYJp1H7BAWqgWd2d54ouaZZOxLqLnq8tbL1KzBzirtARMFNgPwjWTI7xdAvSBR0bcag1LJ8pn39GZDGuXyD9NXC8m5~BbZrBpkWqvA-Q2UtzkcRCL~8ga-gEe4HVEMp79VjbKannlSWMwFVIqgm38zYVBetejcNTBJx-SMtT1gQzKVB7TUfEYJR6V~aiyg1xMSkG0p68f8qOqKIyAflthNrn-SRqCyfxLQtgeldw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Contractors updating the Lawrence County School Board on May 29 said most summer capital work is progressing and expected to meet timelines, though an asbestos finding temporarily paused restroom renovations.

Titus Doss of Doss Brothers told the board the new football field is largely complete \"except for the irrigation\" and that the concession and field-house work is progressing; he said painting and the metal roof installation are next and that the field will be ready for football season. \"Everything's going to plan,\" Doss said.

Clint Gorman, leading restroom renovations for EO Kaufman, said work began May 27 but that potential asbestos-containing material was identified during demolition. \"We notified the county and they're doing the necessary abatement to get rid of that stuff properly,\" Gorman said. He estimated the issue could add a few days to the schedule but said the contractor still expects to meet the board's timeline to return the space for cosmetic work and turnover before school starts. Sampling for asbestos air quality was scheduled the day after the update; staff said they expected results early next week.

Randy Fowler of Slater Construction reported rapid progress on Summertown High School's circle-area renovations: ceiling grid demolition and reinstallation is underway, painters and electricians are working in coordinated phases, and Fowler said the project remains on track for turnover by late July. \"I think our deadline is July 29,\" Fowler told the board.

Board members asked contractors about change orders and roadblocks. Doss said there had been no recent change orders except minor items coordinated with the district, and that local utilities assisted with work at no cost. Gorman acknowledged asbestos abatement could add time but described the impact as \"a few days, nothing serious,\" and Fowler said he had coordinated color and mural preservation with school staff.

Next steps and oversight
District officials asked contractors to return to the June meeting with final summaries when work is complete. Staff will monitor abatement results and the contractors' revised schedules and report back to the board.
","Contractors updated the board on three district capital projects May 29: the football field and concession stand at LCHS, restroom renovations that identified potential asbestos and Summertown High renovations. Restroom abatement could add a few days but contractors expect to meet school-start timelines.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6220177,"Lawrence County board adopts 2025–26 budget and approves a slate of capital and operating expenditures",395,2465000,2860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3618300-b3a34f96f9a9c1899d8a2ee86fafac81&start=2465&end=2860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3618300-b3a34f96f9a9c1899d8a2ee86fafac81/thumbnail_2465000.jpg","/articles/6220177/Tennessee/Lawrence-County-board-adopts-202526-budget-and-approves-a-slate-of-capital-and-operating-expenditures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220177-41975578e3c8479bdd4ebe0f167caad0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770354012&Signature=SWe8vw19JoNbwdHrpP-gM-cw~vOcfMOssLnpZZMwEHfaxngDVGZ2EC0xAUyyd~tVChPDbdPsnp3M90~2C0lYDFtXUzzxfv7pMDGPEGvmUnHaMYwkOcd1hp12YeHT9eh6zTikEowmV9d7s7pn3xFgYitQB-N089LMtfBWmd0Q9A3YovnGOqQzgg-08pe0wyi64LV~Ifadkpu7GYn90iYX3KRuvpr00tah70YHCkD0~n0jMPwrXvj62tN6YmJRWrd1KxtWC-4QuxdeFgtQq7zPy5sHf2gXL6tFAPyHc7bRx6buPtNWRdiCI9hQ6AV5aQN4-wQ~j5hMZRkaLq9FRRlgyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence County School Board adopted its 2025–26 budget and approved multiple capital and operating expenditures during its May 29 regular session.

The board approved the 2025–26 budget in a roll-call vote with five ayes from board members Adams, Alexander, Daniel, Dryden and Watson. The vote followed a brief review and no recorded objections.

Board members also approved several spending items tied to the district's capital projects and operating needs. The board authorized a $27,490 replacement of an HVAC unit in the Summertown High School gym locker room (vendor: Arctic Air), approved classroom furniture purchases for the Summertown renovation, and approved a campus paving contract for Lawrence County High School expected to begin this summer. A farmland lease for the South Lawrence Elementary property, awarded to Mr. Heaman, passed by voice vote; the lease will pay the district about $3,500 a year.

The board voted to approve the capital and operating items by roll call when required. The record shows the Summertown HVAC unit, classroom furniture and LCHS paving all passed with five aye votes. Consent items A–E also were approved as a group by voice vote earlier in the meeting.

Superintendent and staff updates indicated that one line item on the agenda — a $32,000 allocation for districtwide summer school supplies funded by a summer learning camp grant — had been removed before the vote because district staff were able to source materials at lower cost and had already purchased them, keeping the purchase under the $25,000 threshold that would have required board approval. The director reported the district saved about $5,000 on that purchase.

The board also approved the annual differentiated pay plan required by the state and the list of sport co-op agreements for students who join teams at other schools when their home school does not field a team. Those items were presented as routine annual approvals and passed without recorded opposition.

Discussion and next steps
Board members asked routine implementation questions during the motions and received staff assurances about funding sources. The Summertown furniture purchases were described as part of ongoing renovations to return the high school to its original location; staff said the purchases came in under the budget allocated for those renovations. The LCHS paving contract was described as the district’s largest single parking-lot paving effort this summer and will be funded from the district’s capital projects budget.

No formal appeals or motions to reconsider were raised at the meeting; the successful votes finalize the actions the board approved on May 29.

What remains notable
The board’s capital spending approvals are part of several active projects across the district and were presented alongside contractor updates on field, restroom and renovation work. Staff said some projects remain on tight timelines to be completed before the start of the school year. The farmland lease will be monitored by district staff and a new fence is planned near the playground at South Lawrence Elementary as part of site safety work.
","The Lawrence County School Board approved its 2025–26 budget and several capital spending items May 29, including a $27,490 HVAC replacement at Summertown High, classroom furniture orders, campus paving at Lawrence County High and a farmland lease for $3,500 a year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Summertown graduate urges Lawrence County board to reinstate valedictorian, salutatorian and top-10 recognition

Contractors tell Lawrence County board summer work largely on schedule; restroom project paused for asbestos abatement

Lawrence County board adopts 2025–26 budget and approves a slate of capital and operating expenditures