News

Beginning February 7, 2022, new federal regulations go into effect to improve highway safety by ensuring that entry-level commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers complete training required by the new entry-level driver training (ELDT) regulations. Effective February 7, entry-level CMV drivers won’t be eligible to take their commercial driver license (CDL) test until successfully completing a specific program of theory and behind-the-wheel instruction provided by a school or other entity listed on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) new Training Provider Registry (TPR).

The FMCSA’s ELDT regulations establish training requirements for entry-level CMV drivers applying to:

• Obtain a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time.
• Upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL.
• Obtain a School Bus (S), Passenger (P), or Hazardous Materials (H) endorsement for the firsttime.

The ELDT regulations are not retroactive. Individuals who were issued a CDL or an S, P, or H endorsement prior to February 7, 2022, are not required to complete training for the respective CDL or endorsement. An applicant who obtains a CLP prior to February 7, 2022, does not have to meet ELDT requirements. Once issued their CLP, the driver will have one year to meet requirements and obtain their CDL.Any individual who meets one of the exceptions for taking a skills test in 49 CFR Part 383 is also exempt from the ELDT requirements. For more information about the new ELDT regulations going into effect February 7, please visit our website https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/commercial-driver-license.html or https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/

To raise awareness about the risks of home fires during this winter’s cold weather, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office highlights National Burn Awareness Week (Feb. 6-12, 2022) to help protect consumers from home fires and burn hazards.

This year’s theme focuses on preventing burn-related injuries by improving cooking safety in the kitchen. Cooking fires were one of the leading causes for home fires in Tennessee in 2021. By sharing burn-prevention tips, the State Fire Marshal’s Office hopes burn-related injuries and home fires will be reduced this winter when residents are preparing food indoors.

“As temperatures again fall during February, I remind Tennesseans who may be cooking to focus on fire safety in the kitchen in order to prevent dangerous home fires and sustaining painful burns,” said Assistant Commissioner for Fire Prevention Gary Farley.

To help raise awareness of the importance of avoiding burns, remember the following tips:

• Prevent spills due to the overturning of pots, pans, and dishes containing hot food or liquids by using the back burner and turning pot handles away from the stove’s front edge (or any edge where someone could bump into the pot handles). 
• All appliance cords should be kept coiled and away from counter edges.
• Use oven mitts or potholders when removing hot food from ovens, microwave ovens, or stovetops. Never use wet oven mitts or potholders because they can cause scald burns. Replace old or worn-out oven mitts.
• Always open heated food containers slowly and away from a person’s face to avoid steam burns.
• Prepackaged, microwavable soups are a frequent cause of scald burns (especially noodle soups) because they can easily tip over. Choose prepackaged soups whose containers have a wide base or, to avoid the possibility of a spill, pour the soup into a traditional bowl after heating.
• Microwaves can heat unevenly and create hot spots, so avoid using them to heat baby formula or milk.
• Young children are at high risk of being burned by hot foods and liquids. Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a “kid-free zone” of 3 feet around the stove or any place where hot foods or drinks are being prepared or carried.
• Never hold a child while cooking, drinking a hot liquid, or carrying hot foods or liquids. 

To learn more fire safety tips, visit tn.gov/fire today.

Everyone deserves a healthy relationship founded on trust, honesty, respect, equality, and compromise. Youth and young adults must be guided and taught to build healthy relationships and identify unhealthy ones. This February, the Tennessee Department of Health is taking part in Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month to help prevent and bring awareness to dating violence among Tennessee teens.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one in 11 female and one in 14 male high school students reported having experienced physical dating violence in the past year. Twenty-six percent of women and 15 percent of men who report having experienced physical abuse, sexual abuse, or stalking by a dating partner first experienced dating violence by that partner before age 18. In addition, certain groups such as sexual minority groups and racial and ethnic minorities are often disproportionality affected by dating violence.

Teen dating violence occurs when partners engage in abusive behavior to control or manipulate others. It can take place in person, online, or through technology. Teen dating violence can include the following types of behavior:
• Physical violence, such as hitting, kicking, or any other form of physical force
• Sexual violence, such as unwanted kissing, touching, or forced sexual activity
• Stalking, which is repeated, unwanted attention and contact that causes fear or concern for
one’s safety
• Psychological aggression, which is the use of verbal and non-verbal communication (e.g., namecalling,
insults, or threats) with the intent to harm a partner mentally or emotionally and/or
exert control over a partner

For more information about recognizing signs of abuse, please visit https://ncadv.org/signs-ofabuse.

“Teen dating violence impacts teens’ overall well-being,” said Tennessee’s Rape Prevention and Education Program Director Renea Satterwhite. “The upstream approaches in preventing teen dating violence involve teaching youth about healthy relationships and creating safe and protective environments.”

During Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, individuals are encouraged to Wear Orange for Love on Tuesday, February 8. By wearing orange and sharing a picture on social media with the hashtag #Orange4Love, Tennesseans can send a message that they stand with survivors of teen dating violence. Additionally, the Tennessee State Capitol will be illuminated orange in honor of the day. For more information about this observance, please visit
https://www.centerffs.org/serv/events/wear-orange-4-love-day.

The TDH Rape Prevention and Education Program offers training and support for community agencies, schools, and sports teams to implement evidence-based prevention programs. Learn more at https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/rwh/rape-prevention-and-education.html.

If you are a survivor of sexual violence, you can find help and support in Tennessee at https://tncoalition.org/get-help/help-in-your-area/ or call the Statewide Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-866-811-7473.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is now accepting applications for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP).

SCBGP funds are granted to enhance production and competitiveness of specialty crops, including fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, tree nuts, honey, floriculture, and other nursery crops.

“Anytime Tennessee producers can get a boost in crop production, that affects the state’s overall economy in a positive way,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. “Tennessee is proud to administer this program for innovative projects that impact multiple specialty crop producers.”

Producers, universities, institutions, cooperatives, and industry or community-based organizations are eligible to apply. The grant program supports initiatives that directly affect multiple Tennessee producers and have a positive, long-lasting impact on Tennessee agriculture.

“Participation in the Specialty Crop Block Grant program has allowed the Tennessee Association of Farmers Markets to develop educational materials that promote specialty crops to consumers across the state,” Tennessee Association of Farmers Markets president Kasi Haire said. “Increasing demand to provide our communities with fresh, local produce serves as a direct benefit for producers large and small.”

TDA administers the grants, which are authorized through USDA. To submit a proposal for funding, download and complete the 2022 project template. Email the completed document to tn.scbg@tn.gov. Proposals are due by March 15, 2022 and early submission is encouraged. First-time recipients have a funding limit of $25,000.

The project template, performance measures, and information required to apply are available online at www.tn.gov/agriculture/businesses/business-development/scbg.html.

For more information about the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, email tn.scbg@tn.gov.

Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn announced next steps for the K-12 public education funding review process that includes a new student-based funding formula and more than $750 million in proposed investment.  

Governor Bill Lee is proposing a brand-new student-based K-12 public school funding formula— TISA, or the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement— improving the way Tennessee funds public schools for the first time in more than 30 years. In January, the draft framework of the new funding formula was released, and an in-depth overview of the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement and associated bill language is expected to be released by mid-February.  

“Our approach is about funding students’ unique needs and that funding will follow the student to his or her public school,” said Governor Bill Lee. “I believe we have the capability, the resources and most importantly the desire to not let this become a multi-year project that turns into another 30-year, outdated formula. The time is now.” 

“Tennessee now has an opportunity to propose an entirely new way in how we fund public education to help drive positive outcomes for students,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “We encourage Tennesseans to review the language that will be released later this month as we take bold action to reshape our public school funding formula to best support the future of our students and our state.” 

The Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement would allocate funding to districts according to the needs of individual students—including “base” level funding to cover expenses needed to educate any public school student, “weighted” funding for expenses to cover supports for students with unique learning needs, “direct” funding for additional supports and programs, and “outcomes” funding to reward specific academic outcomes. Additionally, it will provide greater public transparency around how state funds are spent to support student learning and success.  

After Governor Lee announced the state would review its public school funding formula, 18 funding subcommittees have made recommendations to a steering committee of members of the Tennessee legislature. Additionally, the department provided over 1,000 opportunities and reminders for the public to engage and provide feedback, including 16 public town halls and local match conversations across the state, Twitter town halls, and many other events statewide. The department collected over 1,300 public comments from Tennesseans statewide, which produced consistent recommendations, and after years of dialogue, cements what needs to be done for Tennessee students. Additional information can be found here. 

 

The Tennessee State Board of Education launched its second survey to collect public feedback on the state’s newly revised K-12 science academic standards earlier today.  

The K-12 science standards set grade-specific goals that establish what students are expected to know and be able to do by the end of a given grade or course. 

During the two public review periods, the State Board invites Tennesseans to share their feedback on the state’s K-12 science standards through an online survey. Members of the public can review the recommended changes to all sections of Tennessee’s science standards. The survey includes options to indicate whether a standard should be kept, changed, removed, or moved to a different grade level, as well as space to indicate if a new standard should be added.  

“Collecting public feedback is an important first step in revising the standards,” said Catherine Johnson, deputy director for academic policy with the State Board and project manager for the standards review process. “As a former Tennessee teacher, I believe this is a key time for educators, parents, and community members to make their voices heard on what our students should know and be able to do.” 

The first round of public feedback closed on September 19, 2021, collecting over 10,000 comments from teachers, education leaders, and parents. At the conclusion of the first survey window, teams of Tennessee educators from K-12 schools and higher education reviewed the public comments.  Those educator teams proposed revisions, which are now available for public review in the second survey window.  

“We are grateful for the time and expertise of the Tennesseans who comprised these committees,” said Dr. Sara Morrison, executive director for the State Board of Education. “Their day-to-day work in the classroom and content expertise shaped how they incorporated the public feedback into the proposed revisions.” 

Established in law in 2015, Tennessee’s process for updating the academic standards on math, English language arts, social studies and science is among the most transparent and comprehensive in the nation.   

The initial public survey on the science academic standards initiated a year-long process that includes two rounds of public feedback and input from multiple committees of Tennessee educators.  

Following the second survey, the Standards Recommendation Committee — a public body appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the House of Representatives, and confirmed by the General Assembly — will review the proposed revisions alongside public comments to deliberately decide which standards to recommend to the State Board of Education for final adoption. These steps combine public input and expert vetting in a transparent and inclusive way. 

Adoption of the revised standards kicks off a preparation process that includes educator training, the adoption of aligned textbooks and instructional materials, and the alignment of state assessments to the revised standards. After these processes are complete, the revised science standards will be implemented in Tennessee classrooms during the 2024-25 school year. 

The State Board last received public comment on Tennessee’s science standards in 2016 and, following revision, approved the current standards in October 2016. During that review process, there were over 1,300 reviewers and 29,000 comments, each of which was considered by the educator advisory team as they updated the standards line-by-line. An overview of the academic standards review process is available on the State Board of Education website.  

Monday night Governor Bill Lee delivered his fourth State of the State address and presented budget and legislative priorities to a joint session of the General Assembly.

Key highlights are noted below, and the full speech as prepared for delivery can be found on the Governor’s website. A budget overview can be found here. 

Due to Tennessee’s conservative fiscal management, the state has one of the strongest budgetary positions in history. The proposed $52.6 billion budget includes strategic investments in K-12 education, higher education, improving transportation infrastructure and more.

“Tennessee stands as a beacon to the rest of the country for how we can change lives when we control the size of government, prioritize efficiency, and make smart and responsible investments. I am proud to propose a budget and America at Its Best policies that reinforce freedom, innovation, exceptionalism and optimism,” said Gov. Lee.

Gov. Lee’s address included a bold vision for updating K-12 education funding. This new approach will set aside dollars for each student, based on their individual needs, paying particular attention to students with disabilities, rural students, low income-students, and students with other priority needs. Gov. Lee’s FY23 budget proposes more than $1 billion in new, recurring education spending for public schools across Tennessee.

Additional notable highlights from Gov. Lee’s FY22-23 agenda include:

K-12 Education

• Committing to crafting an updated K-12 education funding formula
• $750M recurring increase for new K-12 education funding formula
  • Since new formula will not commence until FY24, these funds will be utilized in FY23 for: CTE improvements in all high schools and middle schools($500M), moving all 14 public schools out of flood plains ($200M) and GIVE and SPARC grants ($50M)
• Proposing a new law that will ensure parents know what materials are available to students in their libraries
• Proposing new legislation to make computer science and coding available to every high school student in Tennessee.
• $2.5M to expand the Future Workforce Initiative
• Formalizing a partnership with Hillsdale College to expand their approach to civics education and K-12 education in Tennessee
• $124.7M to provide a well-deserved increase into the teacher salary pool
• $25.5M in recurring funding to continue successful summer learning camps
• $16M recurring and $16M nonrecurring to the Charter Schools Facility Fund to increase the number of high-quality Charter Schools

Higher Education

• $90M to fully-fund the outcomes-based formula, enabling a zero percent tuition increase for public universities
• $200M for TCAT infrastructure investments to help double the skilled workforce by 2026
• $72M to complete the Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, a partnership with the University of Tennessee to invest in data science and technology, advanced materials, and outcomes-based applications
• $6M to establish the Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee
• $50M to a Carnegie R1 research fund at the University of Memphis, matched by private donors, to sustain the University’s R1 designation
• $250M in infrastructure improvements at Tennessee State University to mitigate life-safety issues and help improve academic and student campus buildings
• $170M to invest in a statewide Enterprise Resource System for the University of Tennessee and the Locally Governed Institutions, permitting more streamlined access to information aimed at better serving students in 21st century educational settings
• $75.2M to increase the 4-year HOPE Award to $5,100 per student, per year, and the 2-year HOPE Award to $3,200 per student, per year
• Four percent salary pool increase for higher education employees to ensure they attract and retain the best employee base possible

Safe and Secure Tennessee

• Adding 100 Highway Patrol Troopers, 20 Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Agents, and 25 Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Forensic Science Personnel
• Directing the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to create a plan so every house of worship in Tennessee can receive high-quality safety training
• $355.6M in a Multi-Agency Law Enforcement Training Academy
• $28.4M to fully fund the Correctional Officer salary changes
• $66M for the TN Law Enforcement Hiring, Training, and Recruitment program
• $179M to complete full construction of Tennessee Advanced Communications Network coverage, ensuring full mobile connectivity across all Tennessee for emergency communications and law enforcement
• $150 million to create the Violent Crime Intervention Grant Fund

Rural Tennessee

• $82M to reimburse public hospitals for uncompensated care, primarily in rural communities
• $26M for Rural Opportunity Grants, helping to get communities ready for corporate investment
• $55M to increase access to services across each of the Medicaid Pathways to Independence programs

Healthy Tennessee

• $25.5M to provide adult dental benefits for 610,000 Tennesseans eligible for TennCare
• $11.8M toward a multiyear commitment to recruit and retain dental providers, as well as provide much-needed dental care for prosthodontic services
• $18.6M to attract over 150 new primary care residents
• $7M for substance abuse clinical treatment and addiction recovery programs

Supporting Families

• Expanding TennCare’s Health Starts Initiative to put an even greater emphasis on maternal health and holistic care for mothers and children
• Expanding funding for relative caregiver placements for children in foster care
• Establishing a childcare support program for all foster families, regardless of their DHS eligibility

Infrastructure Modernization

• $619M to accelerate projects listed in the IMPROVE Act and invest in transportation projects to ensure economic opportunity
• $3.5M to support the Transportation Equity Fund
• $4M to enhance litter cleanup on Tennessee highways

Growing Tennessee

• $103M for the FastTrack program, ensuring the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development has the tools to recruit and retain top companies to call Tennessee home
• Formalizing a long-term strategy to develop the Clinch River Nuclear Site

Beautiful Tennessee

• $40M to invest in environmental cleanup, including National Priority List sites
• $28M to eliminate the deferred maintenance backlog at State Parks
• $25M for West TN River Basin projects

Asset Management

• $2.541B for higher education and general government capital improvements over the next several years
• $214.8M for capital maintenance, ensuring deferred maintenance is addressed within current capital assets

Good Government

• Developing the State of Tennessee Excess Property Strategy (STEPS) to eliminate excess state real property and reduce the costs associated with owning unneeded real estate
• Reducing employee headcount at departments by five percent without making layoffs

Cannon County, the towns of Woodbury and Auburntown now have an updated hazard mitigation plan. 

The plan was crafted by the Cannon County Hazard Mitigation Committee and the Cannon County Emergency Management Agency.  They were assisted by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency as part of the Tennessee Mitigation Initiative.

Over the past two decades, hazard mitigation has gained increased national attention due to the large number of natural disasters that have occurred throughout the U.S. and the rapid rise in costs associated with those disaster recoveries. It has become apparent that money spent mitigating the potential impacts of a disaster event can result in substantial savings of life and property. With these benefit-cost ratios being extremely advantageous, the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 was developed as U.S. Federal legislation that reinforces the importance of pre-disaster mitigation planning by calling for local governments to develop mitigation plans.

The purpose of a local hazard mitigation plan is to identify the community’s notable risks and specific vulnerabilities and then to create/implement corresponding mitigation projects to address those areas of concern. This methodology helps reduce human, environmental, and economical costs from natural and man-made hazards through the creation of Cannon-term mitigation initiatives. The advantages of developing a local hazard mitigation plan are numerous including improved post-disaster decision making, education on mitigation approaches, an organizational method for prioritizing mitigation projects, etc. It has been noted that communities who complete and maintain a mitigation plan receive larger amounts of Federal and State funding to be used on mitigation projects and receive these funds faster than communities who do not have a plan. Such funding sources that the plan caters to are PreDisaster Mitigation, Flood Mitigation Assistance, Severe Repetitive Loss, and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs.

The 2021 update of the Cannon County Hazard Mitigation Plan was created to act as a well thought-out guide to be used by, and for, the people of Cannon County.

The Cannon County Commission and Town Council for Auburntown approved the plan last week.  The Mayor and Board of Alderman of Woodbury approved the plan earlier in the month at their regular monthly meeting.

East Side Elementary School located at 970 Old McMinnville Highway, Woodbury will cease On-Campus Learning on Monday, January 31^stand Tuesday, February 1^st, 2022.  Students may return to On-Campus Learning on Wednesday, February 2^nd. All East Side Elementary School Students will be participating in Distance Learning during this time with specific details issued through the school and classroom teachers.  The East Side Elementary School Basketball Games scheduled for Monday, February 1^st, 2022 – 6:00 PM at West Side Elementary School will be rescheduled.

Director of Cannon County Schools, William Freddy Curtis stated, “There has been a recent up-tick in the number of positive cases of COVID-19 with mainly Teachers and Support Staff at East Side Elementary School this week.  The following Statistics as of Friday, January 28^th, 2022 indicate: 

Students – Total East Side Elementary School Students = 152

Total Positive Cases and Contacts = 10 Students or 7% of Total Students

Staff – Total 20 Staff Full and Part-Time

Total Positive Cases and Contacts = 10 or 50.0%.”  

Curtis continued, “We have been in consultation with the Tennessee Department of Education and have been approved for a COVID-19 Relief Waiver by Tennessee Education Commissioner Dr. Penny Schwinn to allow for Virtual Learning to take place on Monday, January 31^st and Tuesday, February 1^st for East Side Elementary School. These days will allow our custodial staff for additional deep cleaning and allowing time for these possible exposures and cases to diminish. Our East Side Elementary School Students will transition to ‘Distance Learning’ on Monday, January 31^st, and Tuesday, February 1^st.  East Side Elementary School Students may return to “On-Campus” learning on Wednesday, February 2^nd.  Cannon County High School Students living in the East Side Elementary School area will still have School Bus Service, departing from East Side Elementary School at the regular time, and the same occurring in the afternoon.

Parents of East Side Elementary School have been contacted by School Officials via multiple means, and we sincerely appreciate their cooperation in these unprecedented times.  Thank you for your understanding.  Cannon County Schools appreciates the hard work of East Side Elementary School Principal Mrs. Connie Foster, Teachers, Staff Members, School Nurse Mrs. Leslie Pelham and Coordinator of School Health Mrs. Bonnie Patterson to continue the education of the children of the East Side Elementary School Community during this pandemic event.

Please contact East Side Elementary School at 629-218-3151 for any additional needed information.” 

The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA) Public Transportation program has been selected by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to receive $90,000 in funding under the IMPROVE Transit Investment Grant Program.

“This grant will allow UCHRA Public Transportation to purchase two electric vehicles and the charging infrastructure needed to power them,” said Holly Montooth, UCHRA Public Transportation Director. “We hope that the addition of electric vehicles will help us learn how to incorporate the technology into our operations.”

Per TDOT, the IMPROVE Transit Investment Grant program invests in transit projects and improvements that support ridership, congestion relief, local economies, and demonstrated benefits to safety. Competitive projects will focus on providing a positive impact on system performance, increasing mobility, and delivering long-term value for Tennesseans.

“An investment of this kind has the potential to not only reduce operational costs but also allows
UCHRA Public Transportation to take steps towards becoming more environmentally friendly,”
Montooth said. “Public transportation plays a vital role in connecting people with their community,
especially in rural areas so we are thankful for any funding opportunity that allows us to improve
this service.”