[{"_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",6458672,"mediaKeyId","5811510-6f1617040ff21aca1167262b35403622","parentId",5811510,"title","Technology upgrades completed; facilities projects and roofing needs estimated at $8 million, Hawkins County Schools says","audioSeconds",1062,"startMs",2159000,"endMs",3221000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811510-6f1617040ff21aca1167262b35403622&start=2159&end=3221","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811510-6f1617040ff21aca1167262b35403622/thumbnail_2159000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458672/Tennessee/Technology-upgrades-completed-facilities-projects-and-roofing-needs-estimated-at-8-million-Hawkins-County-Schools-says","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458672-936de1f5deb19caa5a21acee15129dd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078340&Signature=o2~zAji4n8FgwMDlBOYkqTkWXQL0xBM6WrfjHIUHqZZOBNzifyMeYbfkA4AbegH2~Lsj-l1IOFX8rFeDPOIlnG2hHswPuiTGT6sKFr5hARfSiiHq6KECtP7cOILyxb9kQERr~iJVsW6QsCeKg7Z02zEWF3qBeezDwAlzicVohuUZodlYc50ARox3l7YvNjUFn1a6lGQMYaI7yV4fdoGjSRHiwpINHN8GCeGDvfYzPT0-mxTEAP3y13JDrGFW7RpOEOreNEyjIK5hJ5zFlHJIMw4cyS-Xb2jCg9EYL3AgPeiHrVIXQ20umkQsEOoGidkFbQ-MEMHcUkArTePJnLRyuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hawkins County Schools","date","2025-09-04T00:00:00Z","article","Hawkins County Schools staff detailed technology upgrades and numerous facilities projects during the Sept. 4 board meeting, and officials warned of major roofing needs that the district expects to address with approximately $8 million in non‑bonded funds.

Wayne Absher, the district technology supervisor, told the board his team upgraded the security camera system to a new Unity platform, replacing roughly 50 aging analog cameras and bringing the county’s total to about 900 cameras with additional units ready for installation. Absher said the district reconfigured nearly 1,999 iPads into a new mobile device management system (Jamf) and completed a phone system migration that required reprogramming 975 phones and fax lines. “Technology touches every aspect of education in Hawkins County,” Absher said, noting the small team’s scope of work.

John Walton, who leads maintenance, reported two open positions (a mower and a refrigeration technician) and said the district has offered the refrigeration job to multiple applicants who declined because private employers pay more. Walton said work orders are high: since July 1 the district logged more than 700 work orders and is on pace for roughly 4,000 this year. He also reported roofing leaks remain a persistent issue with 155 leak reports since July and dozens of new leak reports after recent storms.

Facilities director Shannon Glass described progress on secured‑entrance projects and stadium structural repairs. She said five schools require contracted work for main‑entrance upgrades; two projects (Volunteer and Cherokee high schools) are larger and pending. Glass gave a rough estimate of $8,000,000 to replace ballasted EPDM roofs at Cherokee and Volunteer high schools, explaining the age and construction of the roofs create difficult repair conditions and that the district plans to fund the project from education debt services without issuing new bonds.

A student representative raised classroom concerns about active leaks at a middle school art room and water intrusion around cafeteria doors, describing damaged tiles and artworks. Glass and Walton acknowledged the immediate problems and said many issues will be addressed as roofing and door projects proceed.

District officials asked the board to anticipate capital spending to address roofing and secure‑entry projects and noted several facility upgrades will be done while schools are in session to minimize disruption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sep 04, 2025 Board Meeting 09042025","oneSentenceSummary","District technology staff reported camera, phone and Apple-device management upgrades completed over the summer. Facilities staff outlined ongoing secured‑entrance work, stadium repairs and an estimated $8 million roofing project for two high schools.","taxTitle","Hawkins County, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",67529,"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},6458677,"Hawkins County Schools walks board through new TSSAA transfer portal and eligibility questions",258,3310000,3568000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811510-6f1617040ff21aca1167262b35403622&start=3310&end=3568","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811510-6f1617040ff21aca1167262b35403622/thumbnail_3310000.jpg","/articles/6458677/Tennessee/Hawkins-County-Schools-walks-board-through-new-TSSAA-transfer-portal-and-eligibility-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458677-0ab701c00346c68672edd83938058f39/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078340&Signature=Y3Z7geVkt6Gw8O8zjVB23pkvNFCOanvcMo3FLVI-jZAvYZ3MF80GCoUeqqbbSIbh8VOfsgqQ77EVLiJZJKH2rMlzJKxfQH6lQJ4FatgBe4X5nVfQoYvbzDJBpKH-y95XX-8sL-VliTUTz6uMbfzJEbkfJLYHn5KcuUpiKfORdmC8jvoLP1Ggvv-BX4yl7txr8ctoPwc0iPg5wy6WGexQmgaln9YY0sHPhkqIeM225wVw0-JOD20eSfEWac7pk8r8J6Jdq8EdNZsNX~IDYgHinWrSzctM7oh526MeoTw~OiLQrV3gk8bdJ2dfAClSxOFuzsrO9upZE~RJyohUSBRS5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hawkins County Schools staff presented a detailed walk‑through Sept. 4 of the new Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) transfer portal and its implications for student‑athlete eligibility.

Thomas Floyd, the district high‑school supervisor, outlined the one‑time transfer rule enacted statewide this year, which allows transfers when parents or students cite academic reasons, social‑emotional needs or mental‑health issues. Floyd told the board: “All eligibility submittals are determined by TSSAA. They’re not local decisions.”

Board members and administrators discussed how the new portal changes the process. Key points included:
- Receiving and sending schools must respond in the portal; the TSSAA makes the final eligibility decision in Nashville.
- Parents or students may initiate requests; if the initial request is denied, a hardship application is available and can include documentation such as counselor or psychologist reports. Floyd said hardship applications allow narrative explanations and that many denied initial requests are resubmitted as hardship cases.
- Homeschool students who register with the district may participate for the zone school in which they reside; the August deadline for tryouts was removed, allowing later notifications and tryouts, subject to verification.
- District staff said they will perform residency verification — including home visits when warranted — and will not allow students to participate in practices or games until the student is vetted and covered by school insurance.

Director Matt Hixson and district staff emphasized conservative local procedures to reduce liability and ensure fairness. Hixson said the administration required verification before allowing transfer students into summer practices, even when TSSAA guidance permitted summer participation, to ensure addresses and eligibility were confirmed.

Board members asked about custody and shared‑residency situations; staff said those questions can involve legal review and that TSSAA and the district evaluate the facts of each case. Administrators also said transfer approvals have increased statewide and that future legislative changes remain uncertain.

District staff distributed the TSSAA handbook link and offered to share the presentation with community members. They asked the public to bring specific eligibility questions to the central office rather than seek case details on social media, citing student privacy.","District staff explained the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association’s new transfer portal rule and how Hawkins County will vet transfers, including homeschool participation, residency verification and hardship applications.",{"_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},6458681,"Hawkins County Board of Education extends Director Matt Hixson’s contract, adjusts leave language",405,1599000,2004000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811510-6f1617040ff21aca1167262b35403622&start=1599&end=2004","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811510-6f1617040ff21aca1167262b35403622/thumbnail_1599000.jpg","/articles/6458681/Tennessee/Hawkins-County-Board-of-Education-extends-Director-Matt-Hixsons-contract-adjusts-leave-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458681-b81b2f5edde05b48309edc2472837fd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078340&Signature=BfZGI0GhKPuUN4ZcEA1i2zlRRDb0eqE4Q-Lchfplnv5gSHXmrdUpwskBArzwiUR~TpwKQ~EC9RW-vK5ZlfK-182qADeCpOGpZTGaO38OfJDZ2hWnf~DgmwhksWPsVG46UBX~wODw0giaH7qrOd1LdMnc8gfHuspB9UAclf-oniTA8niUScJNqiJwCKUAYeQC-pai3-5WC1qRGZ32kY2TlFcLGf5IJFDpvcUGHBIL2u93ZuVYGTqgfJnotVhrRD4FW1aprBbv9nNQGAM7Ks39N59THmZLYpwN9~L9VLLShZ9BQpFQLh-Er660zdc9iz6RWB3rc2REErfKCbRKSWVXcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hawkins County Board of Education voted unanimously Sept. 4 to renew Director of Schools Matt Hixson’s employment agreement for a four‑year term and to amend his leave provisions.

The board approved an extension of Hixson’s contract that keeps his base salary unchanged and modifies leave language so that he accrues one sick day per month of employment, and is provided six personal days per year by converting three professional days to personal days. Board members discussed the change at length before taking the vote. “I feel like I’m adequately compensated,” Hixson told the board as members offered an optional 2.9% state‑issued cost‑of‑living adjustment that he declined.

The contract renewal was presented as a combined renewal and amendment to leave policy. Board members praised Hixson’s work during his six years in the district. The motion to accept the contract as presented was made, seconded and approved by roll call; the board stated the vote was unanimous and set the contract term to begin immediately and run four years.

In addition to the contract vote, the board approved routine business: minutes from the August meeting, the meeting agenda format (including a scheduling change to move contract discussion earlier), and the consent agenda items B and C. The board also conducted annual officer elections: reelecting the sitting chair (Mr. Christian), naming Debbie Shedden vice chair and appointing Alina Garlova as the district’s Tennessee Legislative Network representative.

Board Chair Mr. Christian opened discussion on the contract by highlighting Hixson’s reputation across the state and listing accomplishments under his leadership. Hixson emphasized continued work on the district’s strategic plan and a personal commitment to raise all schools to state performance levels.

Votes at a glance
- Director contract renewal and leave amendment: approved (board announced unanimous vote).
- Approval of August minutes: approved by voice vote.
- Approval of meeting outline and agenda (with contract moved earlier): approved by voice vote.
- Consent agenda (sections B and C): approved by voice vote.
- Annual officer elections: Chair (Mr. Christian) elected; Vice Chair (Debbie Shedden) elected; TLN representative (Alina Garlova) elected.

The board recorded the contract action as effective immediately; the exact start and end calendar dates were recorded in the signed contract paperwork and will be placed in the personnel file. Hixson and board officials said they will continue work on district priorities and capital projects in the coming year.","The Hawkins County Board of Education voted unanimously Sept. 4 to renew Director of Schools Matt Hixson’s contract for four years, shifting three professional days into personal leave and confirming sick-leave accrual. The board also approved routine minutes, the consent agenda and elected board officers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Technology upgrades completed; facilities projects and roofing needs estimated at $8 million, Hawkins County Schools says

Hawkins County Schools walks board through new TSSAA transfer portal and eligibility questions

Hawkins County Board of Education extends Director Matt Hixson’s contract, adjusts leave language