Cannon County school board approves Perkins grant application, safety upgrades and routine business

The Cannon County Board of Education on Feb. 12 approved several routine items and measures intended to support student programs and campus safety.

The board voted unanimously to allow staff to apply for a Perkins Reserve Grant in the amount of $50,000. The motion to approve the application was made by Jessica Curtis and seconded by Derek Mullins; roll-call votes recorded Curtis, Mullins, Courtney Odom, Alita Thomas and Rebecca Trammell voting yes. "I just wanna thank the families for their patience during our recent recent weather event," Director Miss Julie said later in the meeting when addressing families and school activities.

In separate business focused on student safety, the board awarded a bid to Tinsley Asphalt for $28,550 to install safety bollards and speed humps at Cannon County Elementary School and Cannon County Middle School. Derek Mullins moved the motion and Courtney Odom seconded; the board approved the award by roll call with all members voting aye.

The board also approved a revised agenda that added the Perkins grant item and approved two overnight student trips: Trip #5001 for Cannon County High School to attend the Tennessee FFA convention in Gatlinburg, Tenn., March 21–26, 2026; and Trip #5018 for Cannon North Elementary to attend the Leadership Summit/Junior Beta in Gatlinburg, March 11–13, 2026. Those items were approved as part of the consent agenda and by individual motions; roll-call votes were unanimous.

The board set a new date for the previously canceled Cannon County Middle School work session because of weather: March 26 at 6 p.m. at the CCES/CCMS cafeteria, with March 31 as a backup date. The motion to reschedule was made by Derek Mullins and seconded by Jessica Curtis and carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.

The meeting included recognitions but limited debate: the board honored students across Cannon County schools as Good Citizens of the Month and spotlighted staff, including the pre-K teacher team and Miss Linda Martin for her work in the high-school library and book-club sponsorship. No public commenters spoke during the allotted public-comment period.

Other routine business approved on unanimous votes included the pre-review of personnel policies (policies 05/2000 through 05/2010, personnel part 1) and Resolution BOE 25-26 No. 10, described at the meeting as a grant-related transfer discussed at the workshop. The board confirmed next meetings: a workshop on Tuesday, March 10 at 6 p.m. and a regular meeting on Thursday, March 12.

Votes at a glance: - Revised agenda (add Item 10—Perkins application; trips #5001 and #5018): Motion by Rebecca Trammell, 2nd Jessica Curtis — Approved (5–0). - Consent agenda (minutes, overnight/out-of-state trips): Motion by Alita Thomas, 2nd Courtney Odom — Approved (5–0). - Review of personnel policies (05/2000–05/2010, personnel part 1): Motion by Derek Mullins, 2nd Alita Thomas — Approved (5–0). - Resolution BOE 25-26 No. 10 (grant funds): Motion by Alita Thomas, 2nd Jessica Curtis — Approved (5–0). - Bid award for safety bollards and speed humps (Tinsley Asphalt, $28,550): Motion by Derek Mullins, 2nd Courtney Odom — Approved (5–0). - Reschedule CCMS work session to March 26 (backup March 31): Motion by Derek Mullins, 2nd Jessica Curtis — Approved (5–0). - Approve application for Perkins Reserve Grant ($50,000): Motion by Jessica Curtis, 2nd Derek Mullins — Approved (5–0).

The meeting adjourned following unanimous consent. Director Miss Julie urged continued community support for upcoming athletic events and thanked families for their cooperation during recent weather disruptions. The board provided no contested debate or recorded dissents during the meeting.