Mr. King's response to Gov. Lee's Op-Ed about vouchers

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee recently came out with an editorial printed in the Herald-Citizen and several other newspapers around the state. Mr. King responded to Gov. Lee with an editorial also recently printed in the Herald-Citizen. He wanted to share his response with you. Here is ​Mr. King's response to Gov. Lee:  As Governor Lee moves forward with the Education Freedom Act, I question how establishing a new incentive program for private schools will strengthen our public schools. Parents in Tennessee already have a variety of school options, including public, private, charter, and homeschooling.   Proponents of education savings accounts, or vouchers, state they provide pathways for parents to enroll their children in otherwise unaffordable private schools. Why do parents prefer private schools, and what can we do to strengthen public schools? The answers to those questions vary from family to family. Many choose private schools for religious reasons. I understand and applaud families who make that choice.  In public schools, the separation between church and state is well-defined, which limits the sharing of religious beliefs and activities. Many families opt for private schools based on the type of environment they want for their children. Public schools, on the other hand, enroll all students, while private schools can be selective in their admissions. This situation highlights the concept of "school choice" rather than "parental choice." Should public tax dollars be used to fund schools that have the ability to select which students they accept? A reality for public schools is funding affects the quality of education. Schools in more affluent areas have programs and offer opportunities not available in less affluent areas. Buildings are in better condition, the learning environment is more vibrant, and expectations are higher. In more affluent areas, parents tend to have flexible jobs, allowing them to be more active in their child's education. Oftentimes, in rural areas and areas with higher poverty rates, a parent's work schedule is less forgiving. They depend more on public schools to provide transportation and educational opportunities so their children will have more opportunities than they have. Schools in higher poverty areas require more public funding to offer similar opportunities and meet students' learning needs.   The state has invested unprecedented amounts of money into our public schools in recent years. While the influx of state funds into the public school system is appreciated, public school funding remains lacking. We need an additional $2,000,000 for Putnam County to raise the starting teacher salary to $50,000 yearly. In addition to teacher salaries, to meet the recommended ASCA ratio for school counselors, we need $1,000,000. For school psychologists, we need $1,200,000 and $1,000,000 for social workers. For building maintenance and facilities, $3,000,000 more is required to meet national personnel and facility upkeep recommendations. New curriculum materials and professional development for teachers need an additional $2,000,000 annually. Our current PreK funding requires approximately $3,000,000 from local funding. I question beginning a new education program when we have so many needs in our public school system.  Our students are benefiting from increased funding, which we use to provide better educational resources and expand learning opportunities outside the classroom. Proponents of vouchers argue that the state should not continue investing in a broken or failing system. However, our system is neither broken nor failing. The standardized test results often cited claim that third graders are reading below grade level reflect much more than actual reading ability. The proficiency standards in Tennessee are extremely high and do not necessarily align with grade-level learning. Furthermore, the data suggesting that public schools are failing compares student performance across different demographics without considering factors such as socioeconomic background, learning ability or disabilities, and immigration status. In the public school system, we test all students, not just the highest achievers. We accept and educate every student. The state utilizes standardized tests and data from these assessments to portray public schools as failing. However, they do not require voucher recipients to adhere to the same accountability standards. Public schools administer numerous state and federally mandated tests to ensure accountability. Shouldn't taxpayers expect the same level of accountability from any school that receives tax dollars?   Governor Lee talks about education changing the trajectory of a child's life. I agree with him and see that happening in our public schools daily. Public schools did that for me. I grew up in a family where my mom and dad both worked long hours so we would have opportunities to do more things and see more of the world beyond our community. My parents, and most parents I know in our community, worked hard, supported our schools, expected us to do our part studying, and depended on the schools to do their part to provide a foundation for success when we graduated. The public schools did precisely that. They prepared us for life after high school. My sister and I chose the college route and have enjoyed successful careers. After high school, my brother joined the workforce and has enjoyed a successful career. The work ethic instilled in us by our parents is an unmistakable part of our success, as are the public schools we attended. Public schools in Tennessee offer more opportunities today than they did in the mid-1990s, and as a result, our children have more opportunities than we had when we left high school. For that reason, and so many more, I am thankful for our public school system and continue supporting it so that others will have even more opportunities than me.   

Tuesday, Jan 07 2025

PCSS Closed, Monday, January 6, 2025

PCSS Closed, Monday, January 6, 2025 Putnam County Schools will close tomorrow, January 6, 2025. SAC will open at NES for participating families.  Current weather forecasts call for snow beginning by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow and continuing throughout the day with temperatures dropping below freezing. Weather officials report confidence in the forecast is medium to high. The main travel concern during the day tomorrow is snow-covered or icy bridges and overpasses.  Everyone be safe, and I look forward to seeing you back at school soon! School-Age Care (SAC) will initiate the snow day plan shared with participating parents and provide service until 6:00 PM.

Monday, Jan 06 2025

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! As we welcome 2025, we’re excited for all the opportunities this new year will bring. Together, let’s make it a year filled with growth, learning, and success. Let’s make 2025 our best year yet! 🚌📚✨ #PCSSProud #EngageInspireAchieve

Wednesday, Jan 01 2025

Weekly WrapUp

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weekly Wrap Up from Corby King, Director of Schools ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Good afternoon, PCSS families! ​ I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving break and enjoyed the students back in school this week. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Perfect ACT Scores ​ For the first time in the history of Putnam County Schools, we have six students who recorded a perfect score on the ACT. Congratulations to Cookeville High seniors Trace Anderson, Jonathan Hill, Peter Goodman, Brayden Gallagher, Samuel Canfield, and Katherine Smith for scoring a perfect score of 36 on their ACT. What an accomplishment! ​ ​ ​ ​ Shopping with Heroes ​ On Thursday, some of our students had an opportunity to participate in the Third Annual Community Heroes for the Holidays shopping spree held recently at Academy Sports. PCSS students got to shop with a community hero, gathering gifts for themselves and loved ones this Christmas. Nissan of Cookeville and Academy Sports sponsors the annual event. We appreciate everyone involved in this special event. ​ ​ ​ ​ State Beta Club President ​ Landon Earnest, a junior at Upperman High School, was elected as the Tennessee State Beta Club President during the annual Tennessee State Beta Convention held recently at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Landon, along with thirty of his fellow students, participated in the yearly convention and campaigned for Landon's presidency. The election was open to the over 4,000 Beta students attending the convention. His term will begin in July 2025 after the National Beta Convention. Landon also has the opportunity to run for National President this summer in Orlando, Florida. Congrats to Landon! ​ ​ ​ ​ PEP Food Drive ​ The PEP Foundation is collecting food again this year at Christmas in the Park. All families are invited to participate in the spirit of giving by bringing non-perishable food items to the City of Cookeville Tree Lighting Ceremony at Dogwood Park on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m. The food will help restock food pantries throughout the Putnam County School System, which will help serve our students and families experiencing food insecurity this holiday season and throughout the winter months.   ​ ​ ​ ​ First Snow Day ​ We used our first snow day of the school year this week. Putnam County Schools were closed on Tuesday due to hazardous weather conditions caused by snow and ice in the higher elevations of Putnam County. Whenever we consider closing schools, we work closely with our transportation department and the Putnam County Emergency Management Agency. The safety of our students, staff, and families remains our top priority whenever we consider closing for inclement weather. Once we decide to close, we will use the ParentSquare communications platform to send emails, text messages, and voice calls. Please ensure you have a ParentSquare account to get the school closing notifications. ​ ​ ​ ​ PCSS Connection Podcast ​ This week on the PCSS Connection Podcast, Buddy Pearson, our communications and marketing supervisor, interviews Landon Earnest about being the newly elected Beta Club President for the state of Tennessee and Cookeville carpentry teacher Randy Mansell about the recent donations from Milwaukee Tools and Cookeville Heating and Cooling. There is also a video of our students shopping with local EMS responders during Community Heroes for the Holidays at Academy Sports. Check out the latest episode at https://youtu.be/ZW375aPAhmw?si=Uz_8UvsFyG01F2Dt. ​ ​ ​ ​ Wrapping Up ​ Have a great weekend, and stay warm during this first taste of winter. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ PCSSTN Website ​ ​ ​ ​ Facebook ​ ​ ​ ​ Instagram ​ ​ ​ ​ PCSS YouTube ​ ​

Friday, Dec 06 2024

Medical Consent - Response Required

This is an important message from Putnam County Schools.  Please ​review the attached form and respond accordingly.  We appreciate your time and attention to this matter.

Monday, Sep 09 2024

Corby King's Weekly Wrap

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weekly Wrap Up from Corby King, Director of Schools ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Good afternoon, PCSS families! ​ I hope you have had a great week. These cooler mornings have been teasing us with fall-type weather. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Stuffed Bus ​ Thank you to the PEP Foundation and everyone who donated to the “Stuff the Bus” events at the Cookeville and Algood Wal-Marts. PEP collected more than 3,000 items for the care closets to serve PCSS students. Before items get handed out next week, PEP still needs several items. If you want to give, check out the PEP website at https://www.peptn.org/needs-drive. ​ ​ ​ ​ Student Successes ​ Congratulations to Monterey High students Colt Elrod, Emily Wright, and Jackson Randolph for claiming second place in the Grill Masters Challenge at the Tennessee State Fair. Representing Monterey FFA, the team finished second out of 30 teams and brought home a $100 check for the MHS chapter.  ​ ​ ​ ​ School Visitors' Code of Conduct ​ A new state law requires all schools to post a “Code of Conduct for School Visitors.” Our School Board adopted these rules at the August meeting. Your school should have provided you with a printed copy to sign. If you haven’t received a printed copy, please contact your school. We have to collect everyone’s signature by Oct. 4. ​ ​ ​ ​ Parent Videos ​ Several parent informational videos have been created to help give insight on various topics. Videos range from an overview and purpose of Future Ready to logging into the TCAP family portal. The videos are available on the PCSS YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@putnamcountyschoolsystem-t9664. ​ ​ ​ ​ ParentSquare ​ I’m sure you are aware by now that we have launched a new communications platform, ParentSquare, to reach and engage every parent, helping ensure all parents can actively participate in their children’s education. You can register for a ParentSquare account at www.parentsquare.com. If you need help navigating ParentSquare, just go to our website: https://www.pcsstn.com/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=32&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=7980&PageID=1.  ​ ​ ​ ​ PCSS Connection ​ The second season of our PCSS Connection Podcast is underway. Check out the latest episode with Judy Schinbeckler, the PCSS Professional Development/Licensure Supervisor, discussing the "Grow Your Own" program. Also, Matt Hill talks about becoming the new Cookeville High boys basketball coach. https://youtu.be/YFqZ75ogoTE?si=OJvDP0KXJJZAjb1u. ​ ​ ​ ​ Wrapping Up ​ Fall sports are in full swing, and football season will kick off tonight. Cookeville High is at Stone Memorial, Upperman is at Fayetteville, and Monterey hosts Cannon County. This is an excellent opportunity for fans to recognize and cheer on the hard work of our student-athletes, coaches, cheerleaders, dancers, and marching bands. Have a great weekend! ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ PCSSTN Website ​ ​ ​ ​ Facebook ​ ​ ​ ​ Instagram ​ ​ ​ ​ PCSS YouTube ​ ​

Friday, Aug 23 2024

Weekly Wrap Up

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weekly Wrap Up from Corby King, Director of Schools ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Good afternoon, PCSS families! ​ Now that we have completed our second full week of school, I hope students and parents have settled into a routine and are getting used to returning to school.  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Student Successes ​ Congratulations to the Monterey FFA Chapter for being recognized as a Three Star National Chapter within the National FFA Organization. This is a highly coveted award, and it has taken the efforts of members, advisors, Monterey High, and the community to help earn this type of recognition. Monterey FFA will receive the award at the national FFA convention in October. ​ ​ ​ ​ School Safety ​ A special thanks goes to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Cookeville Police Department, Putnam County Fire Department, and the Putnam County Emergency Management Agency. Every day this week, they have been in our schools conducting safety drills. We take the safety of our students, teachers, staff, and administrators very seriously, and we are thankful to have emergency personnel who share that responsibility. ​ ​ ​ ​ Job Opportunities ​ If you or someone you know needs a job, we still have several openings in the school system. We are looking for speech pathologists, SPED assistants, substitutes, and school nutrition personnel, just to name a few. You can check out all the available positions at https://skyward.iscorp.com/scripts/wsisa.dll/WService=wsfinputnamcotn/rappljoblst484.w. ​ ​ ​ ​ ParentSquare ​ I’m sure you are aware by now that we have launched a new communications platform, ParentSquare, to reach and engage every parent, helping ensure all parents can actively participate in their children’s education. Parents can keep track of news, activities, and events from all their children’s schools in one place. You can register for a ParentSquare account at www.parentsquare.com. If you need help navigating ParentSquare, just go to our website: https://www.pcsstn.com/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=32&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=7980&PageID=1.  ​ ​ ​ ​ PCSS Connection ​ The second season of our PCSS Connection Podcast is underway. You can watch all episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@putnamcountyschoolsystem-t9664. Check out the latest episode with Cookeville High senior Bonza Auberson, a member of the Tennessee State Board of Education, and Alma Anderson, principal at Avery Trace Middle School, at https://youtu.be/64iO2oT7lAs?si=6EvpXTdFReg8q_26. ​ ​ ​ ​ Wrapping Up ​ I hope everyone gets out and enjoys the weekend. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ PCSSTN Website ​ ​ ​ ​ Facebook ​ ​ ​ ​ Instagram ​ ​ ​ ​ PCSS YouTube ​ ​

Friday, Aug 16 2024

Weekly Wrap Up

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weekly Wrap Up from Corby King, Director of Schools ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Welcome back, PCSS families! ​ It’s hard to believe another school year has begun. This is my 26th in the Putnam County School System, and I’m just as excited about this year as I was my first. Seeing all the students, staff, teachers, and administrators in our schools this week has been great. Let’s make this the best year yet! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Student Successes ​ Congratulations to Cookeville High’s Bonza Auberson for her appointment to the Tennessee State Board of Education as a student representative. Bonza, the first PCSS student to have this honor, will have the authority to vote, make motions, and conduct regular board business on the board. TN is only one of 10 states that allow students to serve as voting members on their state board of education. The SBE sets education rules regarding curriculum, teacher licensure, etc. This is a huge honor for Bonza and our school system! ​ ​ ​ ​ Principal of the Year ​ Congratulations to Prescott South Middle School’s Tera Brooks for being a 2024-2025 Tennessee Principal of the Year Finalist. The Tennessee Principal of the Year award is given annually to a school leader for outstanding service in education and exceptional leadership that drives overall improvements in their school. Putnam County currently has the reigning principal of the year in Tina Francis from Jere Whitson. ​ ​ ​ ​ Fair Day ​ I want to thank the Putnam County Fair Board, James Gang Amusements, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Cookeville Fire Department, Putnam County Fire Department, Cookeville Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and our supervisors for sharing their time today with our students who have special needs at the Putnam County Fair. Thank you to Burger King for providing burgers for the students and members of the fair board for water and drinks. It was a fun morning for all involved!  ​ ​ ​ ​ Computer Science Education ​ With the unanimous passage of Chapter 979 of the Public Acts of 2022 by the Tennessee General Assembly, all Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools must provide grade-level appropriate computer science education for K-12 students. Starting with the 2024-25 school year in Putnam County, some middle school students must complete at least one computer science course, encompassing a minimum of one 9-week grading period, during their middle school tenure. At the elementary level, computer science will be integrated into the curriculum for students in grades K-4. Additionally, high school students will be required to complete a computer science course as part of their graduation requirements, beginning with the freshman class of 2024-2025. Should you have any questions, please contact your school administration. ​ ​ ​ ​ ParentSquare ​ We have launched a new communications platform, ParentSquare, to reach and engage every parent, helping ensure all parents can actively participate in their children’s education. By unifying multiple tools into one communications app and service, ParentSquare provides a seamless experience for parents and staff. Parents can keep track of news, activities, and events from all their children’s schools in one place. Administrators will also convert PCSS and each school website to ParentSquare over the next few months. You can register for a ParentSquare account at www.parentsquare.com. ​ ​ ​ ​ PCSS Connection ​ The second season of our PCSS Connection Podcast is underway. You can watch all episodes on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@putnamcountyschoolsystem-t9664. Check out the latest episode with Director of Schools, Corby King. ​ ​ ​ ​ Wrapping Up ​ Fall sports are cranking up throughout the county. I’m looking forward to keeping up with the successes of our teams and individuals while also enjoying the band performances. Be sure to get out and support our teams and bands.   ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ PCSSTN Website ​ ​

Friday, Aug 09 2024