SURVEY CLOSES FRIDAY, APRIL 3rd
Please take a moment to participate!
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As part of federal accountability requirements for our school system, we are required to gather parent feedback regarding the educational programs and facilities provided by the Decatur County School System.
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Your input is VERY important and helps us better understand the needs and perceptions of our families.
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Please take a few minutes to complete the annual school system survey for each of your children.
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https://forms.gle/kBjwaACkERArp3vK7

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The Decatur County School System is seeking applications for Elementary School Teacher(s) for the 2026-27 school year.
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Applicants must have a current Tennessee teacher license and successfully pass a TBI fingerprint and background screening before the upcoming school year.
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Applications may be picked up at the Board of Education Office and submitted to Hugh Smith, Personnel Supervisor, Decatur County Board of Education, 59 West Main Street, Decaturville, TN or emailed to hugh.smith@decaturschools.org., or accessed and completed online: https://forms.gle/GpT7FxfhXFnhN22C7
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The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, March 20, 2026.

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The Decatur County School System is seeking applications for a Custodial Worker at Riverside High School. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED before employment and successfully pass a TBI fingerprint background screening. The applicant will also need a completed Health Screening from a licensed Physician.
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Applications may be picked up at the Board of Education Office and submitted to Hugh Smith, Personnel Supervisor, Decatur County Board of Education, 59 West Main Street, Decaturville, TN, or emailed to hugh.smith@decaturschools.org., or accessed and completed online: https://forms.gle/sNjGE6PrbvjSGBed7.
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The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, March 13, 2026.

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The Decatur County School System is seeking Bus Drivers.
Requirements: CDL certified with PS Endorsement. (Will train if needed to get CDL certified with PS Endorsement). Interested applicants may contact Mr. Darren Martin, Transportation supervisor at (731) 616-3363 or email darren.martin@decaturschools.org .
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Applications may be picked up at the Board of Education Office and submitted to Hugh Smith, Personnel Supervisor, Decatur County Board of Education, 59 West Main Street, P.O. Box 369, Decaturville, TN or emailed to hugh.smith@decaturschools.org., or accessed and completed online: https://forms.gle/uUpro6inM5jQmrXt6.
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The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, March 20, 2026.

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The Decatur County School System is seeking applicants for the position of Riverside High School Cheerleading Coach for the 2026-2027 school year.
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Applicants should submit an application and detailed resume that includes previous employment and related Cheerleading coaching experience. A Tennessee Teaching License is preferred, but not required to be considered for the position.
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Applications may be picked up at the Board of Education Office and submitted to Hugh Smith, Personnel Supervisor, Decatur County Board of Education, 59 West Main Street, P.O. Box 369, Decaturville, TN or emailed to hugh.smith@decaturschools.org., or accessed and completed online: https://forms.gle/PcsaqHwk7SBRzDKn7.
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The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, March 20, 2026.

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The Decatur County School System is seeking applicants for the Riverside High School Girls' Basketball Head Coach Position. Riverside High School Basketball competes in Class AA, Region
5, District 10.
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Applicants should submit an application and a detailed resume that includes previous employment, coaching experience, and all Tennessee teacher license certifications. Only applicants with a current Tennessee Teacher license will be considered for the position. Current teaching positions available include Physical Education K-12. All certifications are encouraged to apply and will be considered.
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Applications may be picked up at the Board of Education Office and submitted to Hugh Smith, Personnel Supervisor, Decatur County Board of Education, 59 West Main Street, P.O. Box 369, Decaturville, TN or emailed to hugh.smith@decaturschools.org., or accessed and completed online HERE.
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The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, March 20, 2026.

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The Decatur County Board of Education is accepting applications for a Assistant High School Football Coach Position. The Decatur County School System is seeking applicants for the Riverside High School Football Assistant Coach Position. Riverside High School football competes in Class AA, Region 5.
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Applicants should submit an application and a detailed resume that includes previous employment and coaching experience and all Tennessee teacher license certifications. Only applicants with a current Tennessee Teacher license will be considered for the position. Current teaching positions available include Physical Education K-12. All certifications are encouraged to apply and will be considered.
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Applications may be picked up at the Board of Education Office and submitted to Hugh Smith, Personnel Supervisor, Decatur County Board of Education, 59 West Main Street, P.O. Box 369, Decaturville, TN or emailed to hugh.smith@decaturschools.org., or accessed and completed online HERE.
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The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, March 20, 2026.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION for the 2026-2027 School Year
All children who will be four (4) years old on or before August 15, 2026 are eligible to apply for Pre-K for the 2026-2027 school year.
Pre-K registration will be on Thursday, April 2, 2026 from 3:30-6:30 at The Learning Center, located at 96 School Drive in Parsons.
Please bring the following documents when completing an application:
1. Proof of Income (e.g., check stub, income tax return, public assistance case, etc.)
2. Certified Birth Certificate (not the mother’s copy)
3. Social Security card (optional)
4. Proof of Immunizations on a Tennessee Certificate of Immunization form from the Health Department or a Physician’s office
5. Copy of Physical Examination (must be within 1 calendar year)
6. Two (2) proofs of County Residence (E911 address) (e.g., electric bill, water bill, etc.)
If you have any questions, please contact Angela Inman, Pre-K Director, at 731-852-3822 or at angela.inman@decaturschools.org
All applicants will be enrolled based on application number, with income-eligible children being enrolled first. If your child does not qualify for income eligibility, he or she will be placed on a waitlist. With a limited number of spots (80 seats total), completing an application packet does not guarantee enrollment.





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Decatur County Schools is proud to welcome Jayden McDaniel as a new Special Education Teacher at Parsons Elementary School.
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Jayden McDaniel shared:
"I earned my bachelor’s degree in Special Education (Mild to Moderate) from Western Governors University and am currently working toward my master’s degree in Teaching Special Education at Austin Peay State University. I spent five years at Lexington Middle School as a paraprofessional, where I learned firsthand how important patience, flexibility, and strong relationships are when working with students with disabilities. Those years shaped me both personally and professionally and deepened my passion for supporting students in ways that help them feel capable, confident, and understood.
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What excites me most about this opportunity is the chance to connect with new people, build meaningful and positive relationships, and continue growing as an educator while making a real difference in students’ lives, both inside and outside the classroom.”
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Mrs. Lisa Renfroe, Principal of Parsons Elementary School, shared:
"We are excited to welcome Jayden to Parsons Elementary. Her passion for students and commitment to building relationships will be a wonderful addition to our school family."
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Mrs. Michelle McElrath, Decatur County Schools Special Education Director, added:
"Jayden brings both experience and heart to special education. Her dedication to meeting students where they are and helping them grow academically and personally reflects the mission of our special education program. We are thrilled to have her serving the students and families of Decatur County Schools."
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Please join us in welcoming Jayden McDaniel to the Parsons Elementary School family!

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Decatur County Schools is proud to announce Mr. Darren Martin as the new Transportation Supervisor for our school system.
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Darren shared,
"I am excited to start this new role as Transportation Supervisor. I have served as the bus mechanic for Decatur County Schools for approximately nine years. During this time, I have also worked as a substitute bus driver on every route. Driving buses has taught me a great deal about transportation operations and student safety. I have attended safety trainings, mechanics workshops, and assisted the transportation department in many areas, all of which I believe have prepared me well for this position.
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I am married to Lorie Martin, and we have three married children and five grandchildren. I also serve as pastor of Center Point Holiness Church. I enjoy farming, hunting, camping, and spending time with my family.
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I look forward to serving the school board, the students, and families of Decatur County. My goal is to make a positive difference in students’ lives and ensure they are transported safely to and from school each day.”
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Mr. Hugh Smith, Safety Director, shared:
"Student safety is always our top priority, and Darren brings a strong background in both transportation mechanics and bus operations. His experience, work ethic, and commitment to safety make him an excellent choice to lead our transportation department. We are confident he will continue strengthening safe and reliable transportation for our students."
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Mrs. Melinda Thompson, Director of Schools, added:
"Darren Martin has demonstrated dedication to Decatur County Schools for many years. His knowledge of our buses, routes, and staff, combined with his heart for students and families, makes him a natural fit for this leadership role. We are excited to see the positive impact he will have on our transportation program."
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Please join us in congratulating Mr. Darren Martin as he begins this new role serving the students and families of Decatur County Schools.

RHS & DCMS PARENTS:
Please fill this form out to give permission for your child to take the Tennessee School Climate Survey.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpAvNMOvCO7_l27g--mmeRnSmRCFSHptn5El8Eoql6G1edTg/viewform?usp=header
Thank you, all!
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In December, Decatur County Schools proudly honored the retirement of Mrs. Barbara Ivey, a dedicated Special Education teacher whose career spanned three decades of faithful service to students and families.
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Mrs. Ivey’s journey into education was inspired early on by influential figures in her life. She credits her Aunt Robbie James and several of her own teachers with planting the seed. One teacher in particular, Ms. Glenda Moore, left a lasting impression and helped shape her desire to teach.
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She began her career with two years of part-time teaching through the JTPA grant before moving into Special Education full-time. Her years of service included time in the Riverside LRE Classroom from 1996–2009, again from 2015–2021, and most recently at Parsons Elementary School from 2021–2025.
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Throughout her career, Mrs. Ivey found her greatest joy in the everyday victories that only a teacher truly understands. “My greatest joy was always the light bulb moment when my students would grasp the concept I was teaching and knowing they felt happy and safe in my classroom,” she shared. Creating a space where students felt secure and valued was always at the heart of her work.
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As she steps into retirement, she says she will miss her students and coworkers most of all. The relationships she built over the years were not just professional — they were personal and meaningful.
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Her advice to today’s teachers reflects the compassion that defined her career: “Just love your students. At the end of the day, you may be the only safe place they look for when they may not have that at home.” Those words capture the spirit of a teacher who understood that education is about far more than academics.
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District leaders echoed that sentiment as they reflected on her career.
Director of Schools Mrs. Melinda Thompson shared, “Mrs. Ivey has exemplified what it truly means to serve children with patience, compassion, and unwavering dedication. Her commitment to ensuring every child feels safe, valued, and capable of success has left a lasting impact on our district.”
Human Resources Director Mr. Hugh Smith added, “Thirty years of service is a remarkable milestone, but what stands out most is the consistency and care Mrs. Ivey brought to her role each day. She has been a dependable advocate for students with special needs, and her legacy will continue to influence our schools for years to come.”
Parsons Elementary Principal Ms. Lisa Renfroe summed it up: “Mrs. Barbara loved her students. She made her classroom a safe place, and that matters more than anything.”
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Mrs. Barbara Ivey leaves behind a legacy of dedication, heart, and unwavering love for children. Her impact will continue to be felt in the lives of the many students she taught and in the lives of the colleagues who had the privilege of working alongside her.
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Decatur County Schools is deeply grateful for her 30 years of service and wishes her a retirement filled with joy, rest, and the same happiness she brought to others.

Sealed bids will be received by the Decatur County Board of Education, Decaturville, Tennessee, until 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday March 11th 2026. At this time, bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in the office of the Director of Schools of Decatur County, Decaturville, Tennessee for the following items:
• Construct an ADA Compliant stairs and handrails on the hillside to connect the upper parking lot to the new concrete landing behind the bleachers and shall not restrict drainage.
• Handrails to be 38” high with a diameter of 2”; width of stairs to be 48”.
• The layout shall be staked by the contractor for approval before construction.
• All disturbed areas are to be seeded and covered with straw or sodded.
• Completion date August 31st, 2026
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Interested bidders will need to contact Keith Dickson, Facilities Supervisor, to do an onsite inspection of the project.
Bids shall be presented in sealed envelopes, plainly marked on the outside with bid to RHS Baseball Stairway, name of person or firm submitting bid, and including all appropriate license and insurance. Bids will be received only from responsible firms or persons capable of filling same.
The board has committed to award bid to the low bidder.
The owner reserves the express right to accept any bid or reject any and/or all bids and to waive any informalities therein.
For additional information, please contact:
Keith Dickson, Facilities Supervisor
Decatur County Board of Education P.O. Box 369
Decaturville, Tennessee 38329
Phone: 731-733-1168
Email: keith.dickson@decaturschools.org

Please reach out to your child’s teacher to schedule a meeting time.
NOTICE: Feb. 9 - 13 will be a full week for students.
Decatur County Schools will be in session on Monday, February 9, 2026. A regular schedule will be followed; however, bus drivers will use their discretion to determine which roads are safe to travel. Students will be excused if transportation is unavailable or if other weather-related conditions prevent attendance. Parents should communicate any attendance concerns directly with their school’s administration.
Additionally, the Decatur County School Calendar is being amended to designate Thursday, February 12, 2026, and Friday, February 13, 2026, as regular instructional days. It is understandable and greatly appreciated that parents often use the school calendar to schedule vacations, appointments, and other events. Each school principal will work with parents who may have already made prior commitments for February 12th and/or 13th. The goal is to provide our students with effective instruction that prepares them to meet grade-level expectations and transition to the next level of learning. Unexpected events like winter storms make achieving this goal more difficult due to two weeks of lost instructional time. Restructuring our calendar is one option to regain instructional time and better serve our students.
*Parent-Teacher Conference will be rescheduled for a later date.
We appreciate your support, understanding, and flexibility.
Melinda J. Thompson, Director

