Flyers were given out today about Senior Portraits. Please see the attached picture for details. If you cannot attend July 13-16, makeup pictures will be done in October at school. To be in the yearbook and class composite, you must take photos with our school photographer on these dates or on the makeup date in October. If you have questions, please email michele.parrish@decaturschools.org.
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Decatur County Schools is excited to announce that all students will receive breakfast and lunch at no cost during the 2026–27 school year.
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This opportunity is a tremendous blessing for our students, families, and community. Providing nutritious meals each day helps ensure students are prepared to learn, grow, and succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
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The district would like to extend a very special thank you to Mrs. Sherry Boroughs for her dedication, hard work, and commitment to staying on top of procedures, protocols, and program requirements that helped make this possible. Her attention to detail and persistence played a major role in securing this opportunity for Decatur County students.
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We also want to recognize our incredible cafeteria managers and cafeteria staff across the district. You all are truly superstars! Day after day, you go far beyond what is expected. You serve our students with kindness, care, and compassion, and it does not go unnoticed. The impact you make reaches far beyond the cafeteria line, and we are deeply thankful for each of you.
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Director of Schools Melinda Thompson shared:
“We are extremely excited to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students for the 2026–27 school year. We know proper nutrition plays a vital role in student success, and this will help support families across our county. We are incredibly thankful for Mrs. Sherry Boroughs and our cafeteria teams for the hard work they put in every single day to care for our students. Their dedication truly makes a difference.”
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At Decatur County Schools, we remain committed to supporting students academically, emotionally, and physically — because every student matters, every day.
Only applicants with a current Tennessee teacher license with an endorsement in Secondary Science Grades 6-12 will be considered for the position.
Applications may be either:
- Filled out and submitted online here: https://forms.gle/8j4BhWxAVTGNBezDA
- Or picked up at the Board of Education Office and sent to Hugh Smith, Personnel Supervisor, at Decatur County Board of Education, 59 West Main Street, Decaturville, TN 38329, or emailed to hugh.smith@decaturschools.org.
The deadline for submitting an application is Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Only applicants with a current Tennessee teacher license with an endorsement in Mathematics 6-12, 7-12, or 6-10 will be considered for the position.
Applications may be either:
- Filled out and submitted online here: https://forms.gle/8j4BhWxAVTGNBezDA
- Or picked up at the Board of Education Office and sent to Hugh Smith, Personnel Supervisor, at Decatur County Board of Education, 59 West Main Street, Decaturville, TN 38329, or emailed to hugh.smith@decaturschools.org.
The deadline for submitting an application is Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
We are beyond thrilled to share some incredible news. Selena Ni has been named the winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Tennessee’s 7th District!
Congressional staff visited RHS to officially collect Selena’s masterpiece. Her painting is now headed to Washington, D.C., where it will be professionally framed and displayed in the U.S. Capitol Complex for an entire year!!
This June, Selena and her parents will be flown to our nation's capital for a prestigious awards banquet to celebrate this achievement alongside winners from across the country.
Being selected for this is a massive honor, and we couldn’t be prouder to have Selena representing our school and our state on a national stage. Swipe to see the winning artwork and the moment it began its journey to D.C.! Congratulations, Selena!
Decatur County Schools Safety Update
Decatur County Schools is proud to announce the addition of OpenGate Weapons Detection Systems for the 2026–2027 school year as part of our ongoing commitment to safety.
OpenGate is a nationally recognized leader in school safety technology and is endorsed by both the U.S. Secret Service and the National Security Agency (NSA) for quality and reliability. These systems are already in use at Rutherford County Schools (Murfreesboro, TN), Lewis County Schools (Hohenwald, TN), Coffee County Schools (Manchester, TN), and Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
📅 Launching Friday, May 8
📍 Riverside High School & Decatur County Middle School
(Additional schools will be added at a later date.)
As we begin implementation, students and parents may notice slight delays during morning entry. To help ensure a smooth process, students may be asked to briefly hand items such as laptops, binders, or large tumblers to staff as they pass through the system.
Mr. Hugh Smith, Safety Supervisor, shared:
“We appreciate the leadership and vision of Mrs. Melinda Thompson, Director of Schools, and the Decatur County Board of Education for their investment in school safety. The OpenGate Weapons Detection System will provide an additional layer of protection, strengthening our overall security at each school. Students, parents, and staff can rest assured knowing that our School Leadership Team is committed to making school safety and learning our top priority.”
Our goal remains clear:
A safe and secure learning environment for every student, every day.
We appreciate your cooperation and continued support as we implement this important safety measure.
🔗 Learn more about OpenGate:
https://k12.ceia-usa.com/opengate/
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Today, we proudly celebrate the incredible cafeteria teams across Decatur County Schools—our true School Lunch Heroes!
Each day, these amazing individuals do so much more than prepare meals. They work hard to make sure our students are served food that is not only nutritious, but yummy—meals that students look forward to and enjoy.
But what makes them truly special is the way they care for our children. From warm smiles and kind words to creating a fun, welcoming atmosphere in the cafeteria, they go above and beyond to make every student feel seen, valued, and cared for.
Across every school in our system, our cafeteria teams work together seamlessly—not just with one another, but alongside teachers, staff, and administrators—to ensure that every child is fed, supported, and ready to learn.
Their teamwork, dedication, and heart do not go unnoticed. They are a vital part of our schools and our community.
Thank you for serving with heart and making a difference every single day!
#SchoolLunchHeroDay #DecaturCountySchools #WhereEverybodyIsSomebody
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The Decatur County School System is seeking applications for a high school band and music teacher for Grades 9-12 at Riverside High School for the 2026-27 school year.
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Only applicants with a current Tennessee teacher license with an endorsement in Instrumental Music K-12 will be considered for the position. Applicants must also be able to 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, May 1, 2026.
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Decatur County Schools is proud to announce Mrs. Amanda Keeton as the new Principal of Riverside High School for the upcoming 2026-27 school year.
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A true homegrown leader, Amanda is a graduate of Riverside High School. She continued her education at the University of Tennessee at Martin and Freed-Hardeman University. With over 22 years of dedicated service to Decatur County Schools, she brings a wealth of experience, passion, and commitment to this role.
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Director of Schools, Mrs. Melinda Thompson, shared:
“Amanda is a true professional, wonderful to work with, and a tremendous asset to our school system. She leads with integrity, builds strong relationships, and always keeps students at the center of her work. Riverside High School will be in excellent hands under her leadership.”
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Mr. Hugh Smith added:
“I had the opportunity to work with Amanda at Riverside, and she is professional, thorough, and dependable. She is someone you can always count on to do what’s best for students and staff, and I have no doubt she will do an outstanding job leading the school.”
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Mrs. Keeton shared her excitement:
“I am so excited to begin this journey. Riverside is my alma mater, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. My dad, Mr. Robert Myracle, was also a longtime principal at Riverside, and it is an honor to follow in his footsteps. I look forward to working alongside our educators and students as we continue striving for excellence and building on the strong traditions that make Riverside so special.”
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Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Keeton on this well-deserved role! 💙💛💙
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#DecaturCountySchools #RiversideHigh #Leadership #Homegrown #PantherPride
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
Riverside High School Welcomes Monica Ezell as Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
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Monica Ezell brings more than twenty years of experience in girls' basketball coaching as she returns home to lead the Riverside High School Lady Panthers. She began her coaching career at Riverside, serving as an assistant basketball coach from 2006 to 2008. Since that time, she has coached middle school girls' basketball at Pin Oak Elementary and later at Huntingdon Middle School.
Coach Ezell is a proud 2002 graduate of Riverside High School. During her playing career, the Lady Panthers made school history by advancing to the substate game for the first time in 2002. She credits her time at Riverside for many lasting memories and for helping shape her love for the game.
She earned her teaching degree from the University of Memphis in 2006 and later received her Master’s Degree in Education from Bethel University.
Coach Ezell is happily married to her husband, Clint Ezell, who serves as the Huntingdon High School Cross Country Coach, Athletic Director, and pastor at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Together they have three children: Caleb (18), Brett (16), and Asher (10).
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Ezell shared her excitement about returning to Riverside:
"I am thankful and honored for this opportunity, and I am excited to come back to my alma mater to coach girls high school basketball. Riverside has always been a special place to me, and I cannot wait to get started. I am thrilled to join this amazing school community and work with such a talented group of student-athletes.
First and foremost, I am deeply committed to helping our players grow both as basketball players and as individuals. This game is about more than just winning—it’s about developing teamwork, discipline, leadership, and perseverance. Whether you're on the court, in the classroom, or in the community, I believe the lessons we learn through sports shape us into better people. Let’s Go Panthers!"
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Director of Schools Mrs. Melinda Thompson shared her enthusiasm for Ezell’s return:
"I had the distinct pleasure of working alongside Monica Ezell many years ago when she taught across the hallway from me at Parsons Elementary School. Even then, in her early years as a professional educator, two things were profoundly evident: her unwavering love for her students and her passion for coaching.
When she recently interviewed for the role of High School Girls’ Basketball Coach, it was clear that she not only still embodies those foundational traits but has also cultivated a wealth of other essential characteristics. Ms. Ezell demonstrated a refined understanding of pedagogy, leadership, and athletic development—all of which will be instrumental to her success.
What truly sets Ms. Ezell apart is her deep-seated understanding of the impact a coach has—an impact that extends far beyond the final score. She views the coaching role as an opportunity to mentor, build character, and instill lifelong values such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience. I am fully confident that Ms. Ezell will dedicate herself to strengthening the RHS Girls’ Basketball Program in multiple ways—improving on-court performance while also elevating academic achievement, community involvement, and personal growth among her athletes. Her appointment represents a strategic win for our athletic department and, more importantly, for our students."
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Decatur County School Board Member Mrs. Kristen Smith also expressed her support:
"I am extremely proud to see Mrs. Monica Ezell coming back home to Riverside as our girls’ basketball coach. Monica and I attended Riverside together and had the opportunity to play basketball as Lady Panthers, so I know firsthand the dedication and heart she brings to the game. She truly cares about our community and has always been proud to represent the blue and gold. I believe she will build a strong strategic program by focusing on fundamentals, teamwork, and character. Our students and our community are gaining a tremendous leader, and I am excited to see what the future holds for Riverside Girls’ Basketball."
Please take a moment to participate!
.
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.
.
Your input is VERY important and helps us better understand the needs and perceptions of our families.
.
Please take a few minutes to complete the annual school system survey for each of your children.
.
https://forms.gle/kBjwaACkERArp3vK7
