DCTV Network

02/03/2025

DCHS BASEBALL FACILITY UPGRADES DISCUSSED AS BOARD DEBATES FUTURE UPDATES

Dickson, TN — The Dickson County School Board convened on January 23rd to discuss a series of upgrades to the county’s high school sports facilities, a topic that has been under review for months.

While the football field improvements, soccer field drainage repairs, and additional tennis courts were approved with minimal debate, a different story unfolded when the conversation turned to the baseball field at Dickson County High School (DCHS).

A Facility Stuck in the Past

The current baseball facility, home of the Dickson County Cougars baseball team, has long been in need of upgrades. The most pressing concerns raised at the meeting included the outdated concession stand, the inadequate restroom facilities, and the cramped location of the scoring tower.

As Brad Martin from the architecture firm Lyle, Cook & Martin presented their findings, he emphasized the constraints of the existing layout. The current concession stand and scoring tower sit tightly wedged between the home plate fence and a drive loop that serves as an access road. Expanding the space is nearly impossible, as the drive loop can only be pushed back by 12 feet before reaching a steep drop-off.

The restroom situation also came under scrutiny. Currently, the only bathrooms available for spectators are located down a hill in a separate metal building, featuring just single-person stalls. This setup, the board agreed, is far from ideal for large crowds attending games.

The Proposed Solution: A New Fieldhouse

One potential solution floated at the meeting was to abandon the idea of expanding the current concession stand and instead construct a brand-new facility near the existing metal storage building next to the field. This two-story Fieldhouse would include:

✅ New concession stands and restrooms at field level
✅ Locker rooms and meeting spaces for players and coaches
✅ Referee dressing rooms
✅ A separate elevated scoring tower behind home plate

According to the firm’s estimates, this comprehensive upgrade would cost between $1.6 million and $2 million.

“This would solve all the space issues and provide a much better experience for both players and fans,” Martin explained. “But it’s a major project that needs careful planning.”

The Budget Dilemma: What Can Be Done Now?

While many board members agreed that a full-scale Fieldhouse would be the ideal long-term solution, the reality of budget constraints loomed large.

Board members were already focused on other high-priority projects—football field renovations, new tennis courts, and soccer field drainage improvements—which were already part of the approved $15 million funding package.

In an effort to find a middle ground, another option was considered: Instead of building a completely new facility, the existing storage building could be renovated and expanded to include updated restrooms and concessions. This smaller project would cost approximately $800,000, significantly less than a new Fieldhouse but still an expensive undertaking.

Delaying the Decision

Faced with these options, the board ultimately decided to table the baseball field improvements for now. The priority remains completing the approved football, soccer, and tennis upgrades, and the baseball project will require further study and potential funding reallocations in the future.

“I think we all agree this is something that needs to be done,” said one board member, “but with the money already committed to other projects, we need to take our time and figure out the best way to make this happen.”

For now, the Cougars will continue to play in a facility that many feel is falling behind the standards of modern high school athletics.

However, the discussion at Thursday’s meeting makes it clear that change is coming—it’s just a matter of when and how.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Baseball Facility?

✔ Further studies will be conducted to determine whether an expansion of the existing building or a brand-new Fieldhouse is more feasible.
✔ Additional funding options will be explored in upcoming budget discussions.
✔ The board will revisit the baseball facility issue in future meetings once current projects are underway.

While the football field, soccer upgrades, and new tennis courts will move forward immediately, Dickson County baseball players, coaches, and fans will have to wait a little longer to see what their future home will look like.

02/03/2025

01/28/2025

Tennessee Stands

11-page Amendment 002431 just filed on the voucher bill by Rep. Mark White. Here is what it does.

1. Puts a lot of regulation around how the sports betting money is dispersed to counties. LEA has extended requirements in reporting how the money is used. More accountability measures.

2. Local LEAs and charters have to adopt a resolution to accept the teacher bonuses.

3. The department can select statistical data samples from schools who elect to use TCAP testing to gauge progress.

4. The “hold harmless” is now in perpetuity. The TISA plus additional state monies would create a permanent floor of funding for the LEA. (Biggest change. This just got more expensive.)

5. Added a protection for the lottery fund for TN Hope/Promise. If that is ever underfunded, it now steals money back from the sports betting revenues going to LEAs.

01/27/2025

Representative Jody Barrett’s Letter to Governor Lee & Leader Lamberth

Dear Sirs:

With the filing of the bill package for the special session last Wednesday and the release of the fiscal note on the Education Freedom act, I have spent the weekend going over the language of the bill and the fiscal analysis provided for the same. Upon further review my initial concerns have been confirmed. I believe I have informed staff for both of you that I was leaning no on this vote. I am writing today to confirm that I cannot vote in favor of the bill as filed.

I have been consistent over the last year that there is little to no support for this plan among the voters in my district. To the contrary I have encountered consistent opposition in all three counties both among public school personnel and parents of students in those districts. The frustration that some communities have expressed with their public schools is simply not very prevalent among the people who live here. I have no doubt that other parts of the state have a different view of their schools and this proposal. I fully expect their Representatives to vote consistent with the will of their constituents.

While I cannot vote in favor of the bill as filed, I did not want to decline to support your proposal without providing some suggestions that I believe might make the plan more effective, affordable, and palatable to our constituents. I offer the following for your consideration fully acknowledging that smarter folks than me have likely already vetted these ideas:

- Reducing the number of scholarships initially available from 20k to 10k will dramatically reduce the cost to launch the program and more efficiently accomplish the intended purpose of creating parental choice for students who do not currently enjoy educational freedom.

- There are roughly 3k available vacancies in qualifying private schools. Prioritize the first 5k scholarships to students previously enrolled in public schools and entering kindergartners.

- The next 5k scholarships would be available to existing private school students of families whose household income does not exceed 200% of the federal free and reduced lunch income cap.

- Any unused scholarships from first 5k may be made available to existing private school students beginning on Jan. 1st of the current school year (beginning of second semester).

- All 10k scholarships must be needs based. 100% of the base scholarship amount would be available to families with household incomes not exceeding 200% of the federal free and reduced lunch income cap. 75% of base scholarship amount would be available to families with household incomes between 200% and 300% of free and reduced lunch income cap. No scholarship for households earning more than 300% of free and reduced lunch income cap.

- Cap of two scholarships per family. This will ensure that resources are spread out to as many families as possible.

- Build in a scholarship enhancement for public school students with existing IEP or diagnosed learning disabilities. Perhaps an additional $750 for these students. This will provide financial incentive for the private schools to accept these students who are among the most in need of alternative learning pathways.

- Do the same for public school students with existing physical disabilities. Perhaps $1,500 for these students. Again, this will provide financial incentive for the private schools to accept these students and additional funding to provide accommodations for these students.

- Limit expansion to 5k new scholarships per year only if 75% of available scholarships were awarded in the prior year.

- Tie hold harmless funds for public school systems to performance grades. High achieving systems would be eligible to receive 100% hold harmless (grade B or higher…or other suitable metric) for two years after a student disenrolls.

- Lower performing schools would only get hold harmless funds for one year. This provides incentive for them to improve performance system wide.

- No hold harmless for schools that are failing (D grade or below…or other suitable metric). Again, this is the competition metric that creates financial incentive to improve.

- Open path for free public-to-public open enrollment for any student zoned to a school that is lower performing or failing. If no space is available within the LEA, permit free transfer outside of district subject to availability.

- LEA accepting public-to-public, out-of-district transfers will receive $1,000 TISA bonus per out-of-district student accepted. This creates competition among the public systems.

- Cut testing requirements for publics to mirror testing accepted in privates.

- EFS may not be paired with athletic scholarship dollars to recruit public school athletes. Student may only receive EFS or athletic dollars…not both.

- Delete maintenance and construction fund from sports wagering revenues. Replace with a block grant program funded by $250M per year from general fund dedicated to K-12 public school infrastructure projects.

- First 30% of annual grant funds to be awarded to at risk counties. If necessary, we can reallocate some funds from higher ed since they have donors and corporate supporters to assist with fundraising projects.

I offer these thoughts with great respect for you both and in the spirit of compromise with hope that there is time for some of these ideas to be fleshed out and fully considered.

With kindest regards,

Sincerely,
Rep. Jody Barrett

01/26/2025

The Dickson County School Board’s Resolution Opposing Governor Lee’s Education Freedom Act:

WHEREAS, the Dickson County Board of Education is responsible for providing a local system of public education; and

WHEREAS, the Dickson County Board of Education is charged with governing the school district so that all students, regardless of background, needs, or ability, receive the best possible educational opportunities in order to graduate prepared to enter postsecondary institutions or the workforce; and

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of Tennessee, in Article 11, Section 12, states that the Tennessee legislature shall provide for the maintenance, support, and eligibility standards of a system of free public schools; and

WHEREAS the fulfillment of this constitutional guarantee is heavily relied on adequate state funding, which is vital for equipping schools with necessary resources to serve the various needs of Tennessee students; and

WHEREAS, the Dickson County Board of Education offers an array of specialized programs, including special education services, career and technical education training aligned with local workforce needs, and other services that are invaluable for meeting both individual student needs and the Tennessee Constitution’s requirement of a free public education; and

WHEREAS, the Dickson County Board of Education is a cornerstone of the local community, not only providing educational services to all students regardless of background, need, or ability, but also employing approximately 1,000 staff members; and

WHEREAS, the Dickson County Board of Education is committed to maintaining local control over its schools, ensuring that they are reflective of the community’s needs and values; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee ranks in the bottom ten states for school spending per pupil (U.S. Census Bureau), and private schools may cost many dollars beyond the voucher, any diversion of needed resources under a voucher program would further diminish the ability for Tennessee public schools to meet mandated accountability standards and address achievement gaps among students; and

WHEREAS, vouchers fail to provide sufficient reduction in the cost of education that outweighs the diversion of the requisite taxpayer funds; and

WHEREAS, vouchers eliminate public accountability by channeling tax dollars into private schools that do not face state-approved academic standards, they do not make budgets public, do not adhere to open meetings and records laws, do not publicly report on student achievement, and do not adhere to public accountability requirements contained in major federal laws, including special education; and

WHEREAS, education savings accounts threaten the district’s ability to maintain the quality of its educational offerings, as ESAs would divert state funds to private actors and disrupt local control of education; and

WHEREAS, voucher programs divert critical dollars and commitment from public schools to pay private school tuition for a few students, regardless of their wealth, including many who already attend private schools; and

WHEREAS, vouchers are an inefficient use of taxpayer money because they compel taxpayers to support two school systems—one public and one private—the latter of which is not accountable to all taxpayers supporting it; and

WHEREAS, voucher legislation has been consistently rejected by the Tennessee General Assembly, as its members understand it is not good for local school districts, including the Dickson County Board of Education; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Dickson County Board of Education hereby expresses its opposition to the Governor’s Education Freedom Act, as well as any other voucher or educational savings account legislation, due to the detrimental impacts these programs would have on our students, schools, and communities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Dickson County Board of Education expresses its opposition to the special legislative session as a means to circumvent rigorous and open public debate on the merits of any voucher program and the impact such a program would have on our community; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Dickson County Board of Education urges the Tennessee General Assembly to consider the effects that vouchers and/or education savings accounts would have on the local school districts and instead seek out ways to support and strengthen public schools throughout the state.

01/26/2025

DICKSON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD STANDS AGAINST VOUCHERS

Dickson, TN – The Dickson County School Board passed a resolution during its January 23rd meeting opposing Governor Bill Lee’s Education Freedom Act, a proposal aimed at expanding school vouchers across Tennessee.

The board expressed concerns about the program’s impact on public school funding, accountability, and student achievement.

The resolution highlighted how vouchers divert taxpayer funds from public schools to private institutions, which are not subject to the same accountability or academic standards.

Board members raised significant concerns over the program’s long-term consequences for local schools.

“I think we need to be clear that this resolution isn’t opposing ‘education freedom’ itself—it’s opposing the voucher mechanism,” said one board member. “I support families having choices, but I can’t support taxpayer funds being diverted from public schools.”

Another board member underscored the lack of oversight for private schools receiving voucher funds, stating, “Private schools accepting these funds aren’t required to follow state-approved academic standards or even adhere to special education requirements. That’s a major problem for me.”

The financial burden created by the proposed legislation was also a key point of contention. “Diverting money to private schools creates a dual system—one public, one private—but taxpayers are paying for both,” another board member noted. “This just isn’t an efficient use of public funds.”

“Tennessee ranks near the bottom in per-pupil spending already. Taking more money away from public schools is only going to make it harder to meet accountability standards,” said another board member.

The resolution drew praise from the Dickson County Education Association (DCEA), which represents hundreds of local educators. A representative of the DCEA publicly thanked the board for their leadership and recognized Representative Jody Barrett for opposing the voucher program.

“We also want to publicly thank Representative Jody Barrett, who released a video today rejecting the voucher portion of the bill,” said the DCEA representative. “We’re hopeful that Representative Mary Littleton will join him in standing against this legislation during the special session.”

The board’s resolution will be sent to state legislators ahead of the special session, urging them to reject the Education Freedom Act and focus instead on strengthening public schools.

One board member requested that the resolution be sent immediately to the state legislators representing Dickson County.

For more updates on this issue, stay tuned to The Dickson County Times.

01/25/2025

T$ is live from Montgomery Central tonight, Creek Wood girls lead 34-7 at the half!

Edit: Final score Creekwood 52 to 17

01/24/2025

BREAKING NEWS 🗞️

Creek Wood boys Bowling wins the State Championship! Girls finished 2nd.

01/24/2025

BREAKING NEWS!

CREEK WOOD IS IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!!

01/24/2025

WAWA DELAYS CONSTRUCTION ON HWY 46

Dickson, TN - At the January 6 meeting of the Dickson City Council, it was announced that Wawa has postponed the construction of its highly anticipated facility on Highway 46 at Interstate 40. The company informed the city that the project will be delayed for at least one year.

The delay comes after months of excitement among local residents about the new development. The Wawa facility, part of the company’s planned expansion into Tennessee, was set to include a convenience store and fuel station.

Mayor Weiss also provided an update on the site of the former Holiday Inn/Mega Inn, located near the proposed Wawa location. He reported that demolition of the old hotel has been completed, and the developer has stabilized the property and placed gravel on the site.

While the postponement is a setback for local economic development, the city remains optimistic about Wawa’s eventual arrival. “We are confident that Wawa will move forward with their plans in the near future,” Weiss said during the meeting.

Wawa has not provided specific reasons for the delay, but city officials expect to receive updates as the company reviews its timeline. The council did not discuss any changes to the proposed development plans during the meeting.

To keep up with Dickson County News, follow these pages: Dickson County Times, DCTV Network, Dickson County Radio

01/23/2025

BREAKING NEWS: Both Creek Wood Bowling Teams have made the Final Four in the State Tournament!