CUMBERLAND B.O.E. ESTABLISHES COMMITTEE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT
The Crossville Chronicle reports that the Cumberland County Board of Education unanimously voted this month to establish a special committee focused on middle school development, driven by the urgency expressed by board members Nicholas Davis and Shannon Stout to address middle school needs.
Chairman Scott VanWinkle appointed himself, Jon Matthews, Travis Cole, and Davis to the committee after Davis’s motion to form it was supported by Elizabeth Stull and unanimously approved. The board discussed the committee’s responsibilities and timeline but did not finalize these details. Chris King emphasized the need for clear parameters, while Cole and Matthews suggested involving subject-matter experts, though non-board members would not have voting rights. Director of Schools Rebecca Farley proposed potential school start dates for the 2027-28 or 2028-29 school years.
Stout suggested the committee explore middle school implementation, redistricting, bus routes, and associated costs. King’s motion, amended to task the committee with outlining priorities and a timeline by the November 20 work session or December 4 meeting, was unanimously approved with Stout’s support. The board’s next work session is scheduled for October 9 at 4 p.m. at the Central Services building in Crossville.
