[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6481546,"mediaKeyId","5785303-0df562fb63ee584be0fc650063ae3fd4","parentId",5785303,"title","Elizabethton board approves stadium turf replacement, two special‑education assistants, policy revisions and city funding resolution","audioSeconds",145,"startMs",2891000,"endMs",3036000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785303-0df562fb63ee584be0fc650063ae3fd4&start=2891&end=3036","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785303-0df562fb63ee584be0fc650063ae3fd4/thumbnail_2891000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6481546/Elizabethton/School-Districts/Tennessee/Elizabethton-board-approves-stadium-turf-replacement-two-specialeducation-assistants-policy-revisions-and-city-funding-resolution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481546-d554ecb853378ea29e6b228fa932beef/orig.mp4?Expires=1776407873&Signature=oiYWlQ7D7vPvbUNnpxL8W72auKq56mCbOAsIcYSSyPY3Yqi-C88p3wLMI6yWykxE-GMsJBMm1vobcvBydyFsDGfsm8sFyIZQa-fcNtjG~p4Cx5nUBJHyXo6vVXE~uwkyPjJt8tqkwblWRaYSjHvJj4gkhzBPZPJKX3J6lDVKzalD3H9Ufe1sbQWhfkE6xxmKVffaFM34vLvi-FlVHlbEcjCIry-S93Dq3vVo4dwCAT7IU9l13tH-OWcsYP3nrkB7XWPqa2z92GqgXR0nmLFwEISjCcvDkwJeuN4rG4kuVBR8bP09Kfa25rCvBbxNnyUmXAPBIEfRzeZ2s4P7gSo12Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Elizabethton City Schools","date","2025-09-18T18:01:59Z","article","The Elizabethton Board of Education voted unanimously at its September meeting to approve four substantive items: a proposal to replace the artificial turf at Citizens Bank Stadium, ratification of two full‑time assistant positions to meet special‑education needs, first readings of board policies on evaluations and student records, and a joint resolution with the City of Elizabethton clarifying capital contributions for 2025 and 2026 and their effect on maintenance‑of‑effort requirements.

Board presenters said the stadium replacement will use a cooperative purchasing contract. \"If you approve this, this evening, they should be able to do it over Christmas, which means by the soccer season in the spring, it would be completed and ready to go,\" a board presenter said. The proposal from FieldTurf USA is not to exceed $650,000 and will be procured through the Omnia Partners cooperative purchasing agreement. Board staff said the district will use funds previously designated for the project and, if needed, either the half‑cent sales tax or undesignated fund balance to cover any remainder.

The board also ratified the creation of two full‑time assistant positions to provide required services identified through students' individualized education program (IEP) meetings at Westside and T. A. Duggar. \"We didn't want to wait to provide these students those needed services until the board meeting,\" a presenter said, explaining the positions were implemented immediately and then brought to the board for ratification.

On policy, the board voted to approve first readings of policy 5.109 (evaluation) and policy 6.6 (student records). Trustees said edits to 5.109 remove reference to an older TAP evaluation model and align the policy to the district's current team evaluation model. Revisions to 6.6 reinstate language discussed with the board attorney to clarify data‑sharing and how third‑party or online services that handle student information may be treated as school personnel for record‑sharing purposes.

Finally, the board approved a joint resolution with the City of Elizabethton covering capital contributions for the 2025 and 2026 budget years. Staff said the city council approved the same resolution at its meeting last Thursday and that the resolution treats the city's capital payments as one‑time contributions so they do not reduce the city's maintenance‑of‑effort obligation to the district.

Votes at a glance

- FieldTurf USA proposal to replace artificial turf at Citizens Bank Stadium (not to exceed $650,000; Omnia Partners Cooperative Purchasing Agreement): approved (unanimous).
- Ratification of two full‑time assistant positions to fulfill special‑education services at Westside and T. A. Duggar: approved (unanimous).
- First reading, board policy 5.109 (evaluation) and policy 6.6 (student records): approved (unanimous, first reading).
- Joint resolution with City of Elizabethton regarding capital contributions for maintenance‑of‑effort for 2025 and 2026: approved (unanimous).
- Consent and regular agenda approval at start of meeting: approved (unanimous).

Board members and staff emphasized the projects are funded from designated reserves where possible and that the staffing ratification responded to immediate IEP‑driven needs. No recorded roll‑call tallies by name were given in the public transcript; votes were recorded as unanimous \"aye\" with no opposition.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be Thursday, Oct. 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the same boardroom.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Elizabethton City Schools Board Meeting 9-18-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Elizabethton Board of Education voted unanimously at its September meeting to approve a FieldTurf replacement for Citizens Bank Stadium not to exceed $650,000 and ratified two full‑time assistant positions to meet special‑education needs, while also approving first readings of evaluation and student‑records policies and a joint city resolution addressing capital contributions for maintenance‑of‑effort.","taxTitle","Elizabethton, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",38764,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6481537,"Typhoon Swim Club credits district program for growth; aims to host USA‑sanctioned meets",260,1704000,1964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785303-0df562fb63ee584be0fc650063ae3fd4&start=1704&end=1964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785303-0df562fb63ee584be0fc650063ae3fd4/thumbnail_1704000.jpg","/articles/6481537/Elizabethton/School-Districts/Tennessee/Typhoon-Swim-Club-credits-district-program-for-growth-aims-to-host-USAsanctioned-meets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481537-ed766a7b30bf3745f72e73bd3ccc6e02/orig.mp4?Expires=1776407873&Signature=Pd9U8jJS~I6frmWsGuOhnixLYxqQz7~ZkzTCsJUmkDBKeZumEsBaIQebLb21TUHM0ZCQvDKo1b3g83MW4NDfRKMjoShYT4d6W0yq5Lx5GKXkM~R17FQ5VjSXfjhimV-OA43QfzoGdb2XLs3NZuBky1NDTWrBKhq1Xoq-0PLYbuTUkFCpthwLhP87aJrJIFfu3EQ9wCe~sNmTzzkp0OOPiUjLNPMtgRQ2121ZW9Wz2VaTmU7C~ugT3vJfxTfbfgmtEs8IZMr79wS-qUtPIfD9ETGHEGacQjHZ-tuXo~PnmQ9G-Wjp0MjkYqjPzO8TNKEllkQb-V5e4bvV8es9HQ-SBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Coach Broussard updated the Elizabethton Board of Education on the Typhoon Swim Club and the district's swim‑lesson program, which the coach said serves both water‑safety and competitive‑development goals.

Broussard said the Community Involvement Program began offering the lessons four years ago and that, during that period, the program has taught \"317 children and a handful of adults\" to swim. The lessons provide a four‑level progression from basic water safety through levels that prepare swimmers for the Typhoon Swim Club's competitive pathway. \"Because the community involvement program exists we have the freedom to offer programming that is literally saving lives,\" Broussard said.

Fundraising and program success, Broussard told the board, have paid for more than $76,000 in facility improvements, including lockers, bleachers, new starting blocks, a resurfaced pool deck, paint and a new timing system. The club added 10 new members to its entry‑level \"waterspouts\" group this season and now lists 41 swimmers on the roster, the coach said. The high school pool accommodates 60 to 70 student swimmers across high school, junior high and club programs, she added.

Broussard said the Typhoon Swim Club completed the process to become a USA‑registered swim club in March, which opens the possibility of year‑round competition up to national levels and additional scholarship opportunities for swimmers. Near‑term facility goals include replacing two lane‑line attachments and repairing the pool ventilation system; Broussard stressed that proper ventilation is important to prevent skin, eye and lung irritation in athletes.

She said the program plans to host short, affordable USA‑sanctioned \"block party\" meets and semiannual master swim meets for adult competitors, which would serve as fundraisers for the club and lessons.

Board members thanked Broussard and said they appreciated the program's contribution to student safety and extracurricular opportunity.

","Coach Broussard told the Elizabethton board the district's Community Involvement Program has taught hundreds of swimmers, increased Typhoon Swim Club membership to a record roster, funded more than $76,000 in pool improvements, and plans to host USA Swimming sanctioned meets and master swim events.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6481542,"Carter County EMA introduces new director, offers school support after Helene response",143,657000,800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785303-0df562fb63ee584be0fc650063ae3fd4&start=657&end=800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785303-0df562fb63ee584be0fc650063ae3fd4/thumbnail_657000.jpg","/articles/6481542/Elizabethton/School-Districts/Tennessee/Carter-County-EMA-introduces-new-director-offers-school-support-after-Helene-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481542-103151a950236c7642f16587aff3e831/orig.mp4?Expires=1776407873&Signature=L6TaybcERsYPnUc37M-MxH7T8ggqg4~MWVdleK-N050oL9hD3Ce5ao4~BGtKPwLDv4g~3GncalQyZG4TOwiL5xxvErjor41uQkg9kkFBtah8PQPexffSQR4P~FzyHazyY9NZyMcnRjYYfYIkSSZ0j-iaxsS4sxWiuR9IhZxZqG2T4gz631Ch8a5lU9KHgmBGWlQs~poSYUeG8OS6IFrGnlZ81SZC~MQgqMLtdQ4wfiFhV3cINu-imjk6G9ic7duuvBbUFwBbc5vJd7nr6KTI7cawaugsTv0MXJhIRvOA3yqV92Q3zgwLaINaG0WJGIGmIfa7~O6EwFVhWhEVxPWdIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carter County Emergency Management Agency representatives introduced themselves at the Elizabethton Board of Education's September meeting and offered to increase collaboration with schools on preparedness and safety programs.

Major Patty Woodby introduced the pair and asked one to speak. Kathy Ummerkin, introduced as one of Carter County's new EMA directors, described her 32 years of emergency management experience and emphasized public awareness and preparedness. \"We are trying to put more of a community face with EMA, allowing people to understand what EMA does, how important they are in your community, and what they do when a disaster is not hitting,\" Ummerkin said.

Ummerkin noted the role EMA played during the response to Hurricane Helene and thanked the school district for providing Elizabethton High School as a staging area during the recovery. \"When Helene hit... the EMA office moves to the top of the chain and, along with the mayor, they are the ones that are making all the decisions that come in and out of the county,\" she said, adding that the agency is working to make its services and staff more visible to schools and the community.

She said EMA will provide outreach materials and can speak to students; she referenced weekly social‑media preparedness challenges and offered brochures for distribution. \"If there's anything that our office can assist you with — planning, drills — anything of that, we are there to serve you,\" Ummerkin said.

Major Woodby and Ummerkin urged continued partnership between the county and the school system to improve community resilience ahead of future disasters.

","Carter County Emergency Management Agency representatives introduced themselves to the Elizabethton Board and offered to support school planning and drills; new director Kathy Ummerkin summarized preparedness outreach and thanked the district for staging support after Hurricane Helene.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Elizabethton board approves stadium turf replacement, two special‑education assistants, policy revisions and city funding resolution

Typhoon Swim Club credits district program for growth; aims to host USA‑sanctioned meets

Carter County EMA introduces new director, offers school support after Helene response