Tennessee Department of Education has pledged nearly $4 million in Race to the Top funds to pay for eight leadership development programs, which will impact future school leaders in more than 20 districts across the state.

The TN LEAD grants were awarded to organizations in partnership with one or more school systems, to either develop or replicate programs aimed at increasing leader effectiveness and improving student outcomes. The programs will target current and pre-service educators, in order to deepen the pipeline of effective leaders in Tennessee schools.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation recently released its annual study dedicated to crime in Tennessee’s schools.

Produced by TBI’s Crime Statistics Unit, the study spans a 3-year period between 2010 and 2012 and is based on crime data submitted by Tennessee law enforcement agencies to the Tennessee Incident Based Reporting System (TIBRS).

By Dewain E. Peek, OCN staff

The search for the next director of Overton County Schools was narrowed to a final four after interviews held Friday, May 24.

The final four candidates chosen by Overton County Board of Education are Dr. Michael Booker, of Madison, Dr. Patricia Dale, of Livingston, D. Scott Porter, of Bluford, IL, and Dr. James Francis, of Spring Hill.

A community “meet and greet” for those final candidates will be held at Livingston Academy from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 7, with final interviews to follow immediately thereafter at the school.