Security Procedures in Place at Local Schools

Because of the shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 14, local parents have expressed concerns about the safety of their children in schools. While some safety measures are visible to all, such as school driving zones, there are other invisible security measures in place.

The Franklin County school district emergency and crisis response plan can be found at <www.fcstn.net>. 

“The Franklin County School System is committed to the safety and security of students, faculty, staff, and visitors on its campus,” according to the plan. This includes “ongoing training, exercises and maintenance required to keep the plan current.”

“Although there is no way to prepare for every possible situation, I do think we have addressed and continue to address security in our schools,” said Rebecca Sharber, director of schools for Franklin County. “If anyone has additional ideas about how to increase safety for our children, please let me know,” said Sharber.

Parents may also bring concerns to their local school board representatives. Chris McDonough is the fifth district school board member.

All Franklin County Schools have buzzers at the front entrance, and in some instances the back door, in order for visitors to be allowed in the school. Doors remain closed and locked during the school day. There are also sign-in and sign-out procedures for visitors, staff and students. Some of the local schools are also equipped with security cameras.

Each school within the system has an emergency operation plan. These plans include evacuation (leaving the building), reverse evacuation (staying in the building in safe areas), lock down, shelter-in-place (for severe weather or hazardous material release outdoors) and drop, cover and hold procedures. All students, faculty and staff go through required safety drills. Safety checks such as making sure doors are closed and locked are done throughout the day by faculty and staff.

“We have been proactive in our approach to safety and security at the school,” said Mike Maxon, principal of Sewanee Elementary. 

At SES, teachers and staff are visible at the beginning, during and at the end of the school day. The doors are locked at 8 a.m. Visitors have to be buzzed in to the school, and sign in at the front office. 

“On Dec. 18 we practiced our lock-down procedures with the new Sewanee chief of police, Marie Eldridge, and two of her officers,” said Maxon. 

“We are revisiting our evacuation plan with Otey Parish,” Maxon said. “Chief Eldridge has offered to review our safety plan at the Jan. 3 SES faculty meeting. There is a plan to have a safety walk-through with the sheriff’s department during the Christmas break. 

“The Sewanee police department is planning to be more visible during the school day with a new ‘Police Buddy’ program at Chief Eldridge’s suggestion,” said Maxon.

At the county’s high schools, there is one Special Resource Officer (SRO) from the Franklin County sheriff’s department assigned to Huntland and two assigned to Franklin County. One SRO splits their time between North and South middle schools. These officers, in part, attend school functions and provide classes on law enforcement topics to the students. They also assist in developing emergency plans and strategies “to prevent and/or minimize dangerous situations such as hostage situations, armed person(s) on campus, student disturbances, and natural/manmade disasters,” the plan states. As they are deputy sheriffs, the SROs can take law enforcement action as required.

At St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School, “Parents should know that there is always a safety plan in place,” said Pratt Paterson, chair of the SAS Safety and Security Committee, which is responsible for “creating best practices for the campus and community, crisis prevention and how we handle crises.

“With the support of the SAS trustees and administration, an increased focus on campus safety and security began this summer,” said Paterson.

Some new changes to visitor check-in begin next month where each visitor will be required to wear a visitor badge, in addition to signing in with school personnel. An outdoor siren should be in place by January. There will be two tones to the siren, one for weather alerts and one for lockdown.

SAS conducts fire drills monthly. In case of severe weather, students, faculty and staff go to designated safety zones. When a lockdown has been issued, students are directed to the nearest securable safety zone and issued specific instructions. Students may not use cell phones during a lock-down situation. 

“We do not want noises to tip off intruders as to our whereabouts . That is the reason for no cell usage during lockdown. It is a safety concern,” said Paterson.

There are check-in and check-out procedures for all SAS students during the school day and on the weekends. Suspicious cars and people on campus are to be reported to the dean of students, the discipline coordinator, a houseparent, the administrator on duty or the teacher in charge. A security detail also checks all campus buildings at night. 

SAS also has three emergency medical service members and one Sewanee volunteer firefighter on staff. 

“We are always in direct contact with the Sewanee police dispatcher and have emergency radios,” said Paterson.

In all emergency situations, the proper authorities are notified. Each school’s faculty and staff follow standard operating procedures until the appropriate emergency official arrives. These officials include the local and county police departments, EMTs and local fire departments. 

In case of emergencies, parents at the Franklin County schools are notified via a mass phone messaging system. SAS notifies parents by e-mail and its website. SAS students, faculty and staff also use text and email for campus alerts. 

Parents should always notify SAS if they take their children off campus by emailing <studentinfo@sasweb.org> or by calling the school at 598-5651. SES parents should contact their school at 598-5951.

At the University of the South, if a situation arises either on or off campus that “in the judgment of the chief of police constitutes an ongoing or continued threat, a campuswide Security Bulletin will be issued.” 

Campus safety policies can be found at <www.sewanee.edu>. Sewanee police officers provide patrol protection to the campus, University property, parking lots and dorms, and are vested with full law enforcement powers and responsibilities. Potential emergencies and criminal actions can be reported directly to the police department. In emergencies, call 9-1-1; in non-emergencies call 598-5111.

SUD Hears From Concerned Residents About Fluoridation

The Board of Commissioners of the Sewanee Utility District of Franklin and Marion Counties invited SUD customers to comment on the issue of fluoridation at the Dec. 18 business meeting. More than 15 visitors attended, a record in his six years of service, according to SUD president Cliff Huffman.

Huffman provided background on the topic. In keeping with a revised recommendation from the Center for Disease Control, in March 2011 SUD reduced the amount of fluoride it added to .7 ppm (parts per million), the minimum CDC recommendation, Huffman said. The CDC supports fluoridation of public water supplies because it reduces tooth decay; however, too much fluoride is toxic and can lead to fluorosis, the developmental disturbance of dental enamel. In some areas of the world, toxic levels of fluoride occur naturally in the water, Huffman said. Consequently, the World Health Organization advises healthcare providers to monitor local populations for excessive exposure. 

Huffman consulted Sewanee pediatrician Dr. Amy Evans, who reported that she has not seen fluorosis in children in our community.

Area dentists Dr. Bruce Baird and Dr. Bob Childress likewise reported seeing little to no evidence of fluorosis. Baird said the lowered CDC recommendation takes into account the amount of fluoride most people receive in toothpaste. SUD manager Ben Beavers said untreated water on the Plateau contains .06 ppm of fluoride. 

Visitors commented on evidence of negative health effects, in addition to fluorosis, and on the benefits that corporations reap from the practice of fluoridation. (Fluoride is a byproduct of manufacturing fertilizer.) One visitor’s comment about toxicity differences between naturally occurring and manufactured fluoride prompted another visitor to observe that both compounds were toxic at excessive levels. Several visitors stressed that they wanted to have a choice about whether to ingest fluoride. One guest pointed out that a filter system to remove fluoride costs more than $400. Visitors presented the board with a petition signed by more than 100 SUD customers asking SUD to stop adding fluoride.

In response, Dr. Baird said there are many “indigent mouths” in the area, estimating that roughly 25 percent of the population did not receive adequate dental care and would be penalized by removing fluoride.

SUD Commissioner Ken Smith said evidence from communities that had stopped adding fluoride would provide new data in the near future, but until such evidence prompted the CDC to revise its recommendation, he could not support eliminating fluoride from SUD’s water treatment practices.

A visitor asked if SUD added other chemicals besides fluoride which were not for purification. Smith answered affirmatively, noting that SUD also adds phosphate to the water. (Phosphate prevents the leeching of copper and lead from pipes and fixtures.)

Another visitor questioned SUD’s authority to add fluoride to the water. Beavers will research the issue and report at the next meeting on Jan. 22.

In discussion, the commissioners voiced agreement with the current policy, but said they would continue to review new evidence.

Huffman thanked the visitors for their insight and input.

Voting in the SUD commissioner election will be open 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Jan. 2–22, at the SUD office on Sherwood Road.

Community Chest Spotlight

The 2012–13 Sewanee Community Chest Fund Drive is nearing its close. The power of people helping people makes a difference in the life of the community. Sponsored by the Sewanee Civic Association, the Community Chest raises money yearly for local charitable organizations serving the area. 

As of Dec. 19, the drive had raised $75,675 toward its $90,000 goal. (84 percent of the total). This is the final article in a series about organizations that benefit from the Community Chest.

Campora Family Resource Center is an organization that provides and coordinates services to aid in the empowerment, proficiency and development of cohesive family units. Campora is requesting $1,000 to purchase food from Second Harvest Food Bank for the Backpack Program. The Backpack Program is designed to bridge the food gap for local schoolchildren (pre-K through high school) during the weekends. The Backpack Program serves more than 350 students weekly from all of the Franklin County schools. The cost to provide a backpack for one child is $2.70 for one weekend, or $97.20 for one school year. Volunteers are always needed for this program. To help, contact Eric Vanzant at 967-7825.

The Community of St. Mary, Southern Province is a vowed religious order of the Episcopal Church. The sisters are requesting $1,000, or one month of aid, for the People-In-Need (P.I.N.) program. P.I.N. supports local people in economic difficulty by providing financial assistance, and offering prayer and emotional support. The goal of P.I.N. is to serve those in need while living into a baptismal covenant of respecting the dignity of every human being. P.I.N. supplements resources through organizations such as CAC by discreetly serving a population that might not otherwise be eligible for or willing to seek aid.

The Grundy County Food Bank provides food monthly to those in need in Grundy County and the surrounding areas. The Food Bank is requesting $1,000 to help purchase extra food items for the holiday food boxes.

The goal of the Sewanee Community Chest is to help citizens by funding the community. The Community Chest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations are tax-deductible. Send your donation to Sewanee Community Chest, P.O. Box 99, Sewanee, TN 37375. For
more information, contact <se​waneecommunitychest@gmail.com>.

[Editor’s Note: The Sewanee Mountain Messenger was founded in part by the Sewanee Civic Association; however, the Messenger no longer requests Community Chest funding.]

SUD Board Meets on Tuesday / Will Consider Fluoridation in New Business

The commissioners of the Sewanee Utility District (SUD) Board of Franklin and Marion Counties will meet in regular session at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 18, at the SUD office, 150 Sherwood Rd., Sewanee. 

The agenda for the meeting is:

Approval of agenda; approval of the November 2012 minutes; general manager’s report; financial report; unfinished business (update on constructed wetlands study, update on the build-out study, upcoming election for Seat A); new business (removal of fluoride in treated water); scheduled meetings (next meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 22); visitor comments; announcements; adjournment.

“Thirty minutes will be allowed for visitor comments at the meeting,” said SUD board president Cliff Huffman.

SUD Board Candidate

The Sewanee Utility District of Franklin and Marion Counties will elect a commissioner for Seat A, serving a four-year term to begin in January of 2013. 

All SUD customers are eligible to vote in the commissioner election. Voting runs from Jan. 2 through Jan. 22 at the SUD office during regular business hours. SUD commissioner Ken Smith, who currently holds Seat A, will run for re-election. Votes will be counted at the annual meeting on Jan. 22. SUD commissioner Randall Henley is serving as election officer.

Ken Smith is the only person who filed the required petition and biography before the deadline. 

Smith is a professor of forestry and geology at the University of the South, and he also serves on the University’s land management team as the University forester. 

Prior to coming to Sewanee in 1998, Smith obtained research and management experience in a variety of forested environments in North America and beyond. 

Smith first attended SUD meetings in 2004–05 when the wastewater treatment facility was experiencing problems, and he has subsequently served as a SUD commissioner in 2006 and 2009–13. 

Outside of Sewanee, Smith serves as a trustee for the Valles Caldera National Preserve, works on the Cherokee National Forest Resource Advisory Committee and serves on the national board of the Forest Guild. 

Smith has two sons, Sam and Aidan, and is married to Deborah McGrath of Sewanee’s biology department. Smith enjoys coaching youth soccer and baseball, and he also likes to fish.

New Police Chief Named

University Vice-Chancellor John McCardell announced the appointment of Marie Eldridge as police chief on Dec. 10.

Eldridge has worked at the University since 1999. She has served as interim chief of police since Aug. 1, when former chief Robert White retired from the University.

“After a thorough search process, Marie emerged as clearly the strongest candidate for the position,” said McCardell. “She has earned the confidence of her working colleagues, as well as others on the campus and in the greater Sewanee community.”

Regents Elect Sutherland

University Vice-Chancellor John McCardell announced on Dec. 11 that Sarah Sutherland was elected interim treasurer by the Board of Regents, effective Jan. 1, 2013. Sutherland has served as assistant treasurer and chief accountant at the University since 1993 and has worked in the financial office since 1968. She replaces Jerry Forster in this role. Forster is moving to West Virginia to be area president for the University of Charleston-Beckley.

“Her appointment will ensure that the work of that office goes forward unimpeded, informed by her many skills and her wealth of experience,” McCardell said in the announcement. “The office could not be in more capable hands.”

McCardell also announced that Mary Davis has agreed to serve as interim assistant treasurer, also effective Jan. 1, 2013. Davis has been at the University for the past five years and has served as endowment accountant. “She will continue to work closely as liaison with the University’s Investment Advisory Committee,” McCardell said.

Advent Quiet Day at St. Mary's Sewanee

St. Mary’s Sewanee is hosting “Holy Waiting: An Advent Quiet Day,” 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 20, led by the Rev. Thomas Morris. 

“Everyone is waiting for something nearly all the time,” Morris said. “We wait for our toast in the morning. We wait at another red light. We wait to fall asleep.” In the Christian calendar Advent is the season that “calls us to the practice of watching and waiting as a way to prepare to receive the not-yet-seen gifts of God,” he said. 

Through brief meditations, silence and common prayer the Advent Quiet Day will give participants ways to explore waiting as a vital, engaged and active stance people can take in the life of faith. 

This Advent Quiet Day is offered free-of-charge as part of the celebration of 25 years of spiritual hospitality at St. Mary’s Sewanee: The Ayres Center for Spiritual Development. Lunch is included in the day. Registration is required by emailing <reservations@stmaryssewanee.org> or by calling 598-5342. 

St. Mary’s Sewanee: The Ayres Center for Spiritual Development, is dedicated to providing spiritual hospitality to persons of diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds, where guests can encounter beauty and simplicity, silence and tranquility, warm welcome and spiritual friendship while here for retreat, renewal, and learning.

Community Chest Spotlight: Sewanee Children’s Center

The 2012–13 Sewanee Community Chest Fund Drive is underway. The power of the people helping people makes a difference in the life of the community. Sponsored by the Sewanee Civic Association, the Community Chest raises money yearly for local charitable organizations serving the area. This year’s goal is $90,000.

For the next few weeks, the Messenger will focus on some of the organizations supported by the Community Chest. This week we shine the spotlight on the Sewanee Children’s Center.

The Sewanee Children’s Center (SCC) began in 1948. SCC provides a high-quality preschool and after-school program to the youngest members of Sewanee and the surrounding communities of Franklin, Marion and Grundy counties. SCC currently has 45 children in both preschool and after-school care. SCC serves more than 30 families in the local communities and employs nine people.

SCC is requesting $8,000 to fund its scholarship account. SCC has a long history of offering tuition assistance to families in need. These funds allow SCC to serve between seven and nine additional families that meet income eligibility guidelines. Often these children have the most to gain from access to high-quality early childhood education services, but their families are not able to afford the care without financial assistance. The Community Chest funding of this program reaches many in the local community, including children and families most in need.

SCC receives money from tuition fees and other donations. SCC incurred $12,000 in unexpected moving expenses from Otey Parish to Cravens Hall this year. The Community Chest was able to 

provide $5,000 in moving expense assistance in addition to funds for the scholarship account. 

Yearly expenses for SCC total more than $229,000. The biggest expenses are in payroll, rent and classroom supplies.

The goal of the Sewanee Community Chest is to help citizens by funding community organizations. The Community Chest is a 501(c)(3) organization, and donations are tax-deductible. 

Send your donation to Sewanee Community Chest, P.O. Box 99, Sewanee, TN 37375. 

For more information, or to make a donation through PayPal, contact <sewaneecommunitychest@gmail.com>.

[Editor’s Note: The Sewanee Mountain Messenger was founded in part by the Sewanee Civic Association; however, the Messenger no longer requests Community Chest funding.]

Holiday Music Across the Plateau

There are many special music events on the Mountain this week. All events are free and open to the public.

The second annual Jazz Night featuring the University Student Jazz Band and the Student Jazz Quartet, led by Prakash Wright, will be at 7 p.m., today (Friday), Dec. 7, at the Ayres Multi-Cultural Center.

Linda Heck will perform 8–10 p.m., today, Dec. 7, at Stirling’s. Heck is a songwriter, singer, guitar player, producer, and Sewanee local. 

The Sewanee Chorale is hosting a community sing-a-long of Handel’s “Messiah” at 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8, in All Saints Chapel. People may sing with the Chorale or come be part of the audience. To print the public domain music, go to <http://tinyurl.com/akzratb>. 

Sewanee Praise, the University’s gospel choir, will have its fall concert at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 9, in St. Luke’s Chapel. 

Morton Memorial United Methodist Church is hosting a “Mountain Christmas” at 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 9. There will be arrangements of Appalachian Christmas carols. Joining the choir will be the Good Ol’ Boys Bluegrass Band, Regina Rourk Childress and April Minkler, Cricket & Snail and storytellers Jette Halliday, Diana Hague and Susan Ramsay. Morton Memorial is located at 330 Main St., Monteagle. 

The St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School Chorus will perform at 12:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 10, for the Sewanee Women’s Club’s Christmas luncheon at the DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle. 

Sewanee’s A Cappella Groups, Cadence and Cambiata, will present their winter concert at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Guerry Auditorium. Following the concert, there will be a reception in the McGriff Alumni House.

St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School middle and upper school choruses, chamber ensemble and stage band will present a holiday concert at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 12, in McCrory Hall for the Performing Arts on the SAS campus.

Finally, there is live music at a number of area restaurants this weekend, including Pearl’s Foggy Mountain Café, the Smoke House and Dave’s Modern Tavern. Check with these venues for details.

Sewanee Holiday Home Tour on Saturday

Amy Burns of Sewanee displays two of her family’s vintage Christmas hand-hooked wool pieces made by her aunt, Dorothy Loney of Chattanooga, that will be part of the Sewanee Woman’s Club Holiday Home Tour on Dec. 8. 

The Seawanee Woman’s Club is hosting its second annual Holiday Home Tour, 2–6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8. Guests are invited to enjoy five private Sewanee homes, the exclusive Templeton Library and beautiful All Saints’ Chapel, all decorated for the holiday season.

This is a self-guided tour, with hostesses at each home. The homes on the tour this year are: Marge Wagner (Templeton Library, 730 Templeton Way); Alleen Cater and Lyle Hohnke (121 Sherwood Trail); Amy and Bob Burns (39 John Allin Drive); Joan and Michael Hurst (49 Roark’s Cove Road); Virginia and Chip Craighill (97 Roark’s Cove Road); and Bobbye and Joe Ballard (290 Clara’s Point Road). The tour ends at 5 p.m. at All Saints’ Chapel, when Ken Taylor of Taylor’s Mercantile explains how he coordinates the “greening of the Chapel” for the Lessons and Carols service.

The cost for the tour is $15 per person, and proceeds will be used to benefit local charities. Tickets are available at Taylor’s Mercantile in Sewanee, Citizen’s State Bank in Monteagle and Tea on the Mountain in Tracy City. Tickets will also be available that day at each home.

Meacham Book Signing Saturday

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham (left) will sign copies of his new book, “Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power,” noon–2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8, at the University of the South Book and Supply Store. Photo by Lyn Hutchinson 

Provost Clarifies University Avenue Parking

To promote a more pedestrian-friendly campus, the University removed non-handicapped parking in portions of central campus earlier this year, but there has been continued confusion about legal parking in the area. 

University Provost John Swallow said the Sewanee Police Department (SPD) issued only warnings during August while the new policy was communicated in the Messenger, the Sewanee Classifieds email and University emails. The new parking plan was also discussed at meetings of the Sewanee Community Council. In September, SPD began issuing parking citations along University Avenue between the Sewanee Inn and Hunter and Elliott dormitories. The number of citations has been declining; in November, the number of parking citations in that area was fewer than five, he said. 

Confusion has remained, however, about the circumstances under which parking may be temporarily allowed, Swallow said. 

“Many residents correctly understood that for large, special events such as Homecoming, parking would be permitted,” he said. “Unsure of which events those might be, some residents and out-of-town guests received citations this week for parking on University Avenue.”

Drawing on the combined efforts of Franklin County, Physical Plant Services, and the Sewanee Police Department, Swallow said the University plans to provide signage and curbside stenciling on University Avenue soon to indicate the parking policy clearly and direct drivers to appropriate parking.

“The University has requested county approval for no-parking signs for University Avenue between the Sewanee Inn and Hunter and Elliott dormitories,” Swallow said. Physical Plant Services additionally plans to stencil the zone. 

When parking is temporarily allowed for an event, the SPD will set out temporary signage. For some of the largest events, such as Lessons and Carols, a police officer will assist. Also, a more prominent sign for Visitor Parking between Fulford and Rebel’s Rest will help guests find parking spaces.

“The University seeks a more pedestrian campus and remains fully committed to accommodating large events and the needs of those with difficulties in mobility,” Swallow said. Those who are organizing events with many guests or who are in need of a handicapped-parking sticker should contact the Sewanee Police Department.

“The University is grateful for the patience of the community during this transition,” he said.

Community Council to Hold Constituent Meetings

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the Dec. 3 meeting, the Sewanee Community Council decided to hold constituent meetings to elicit input from residents about issues important to them. The Council also asked for clarification on special-events parking on University Avenue and passed a resolution honoring Jerry Forster for his service to the University and community.

Council representative Pam Byerly introduced the discussion on the need for constituent meetings, suggesting every third Council meeting be reserved for this purpose, provided there were no time-sensitive agenda items. On the suggestion of council representative Pat Kelly, the council plans to host a constituent meeting in February or March. Domain manager Nate Wilson and Provost John Swallow are working on clarifying the district boundaries so residents will know who their council representative is and can join in the appropriate group discussion. The council will hold a short business meeting after the constituent meetings if there are urgent subjects which need to be addressed.

On a related topic, council representatives Theresa Shackelford and David Coe took issue with the practice of the agenda committee determining which topics are discussed at Council meetings. Both Shackelford and Coe offered agenda topics that were not included. Swallow explained that issues could often be resolved with a request for information and that delivery of that information did not need to be on the agenda. Coe pointed out that while he received a satisfactory answer to his question, the information would have been beneficial to the entire community. Vice-Chancellor John McCardell said issues that needed additional airing could be brought up during announcements. Coe’s question related to parking on University Avenue for special events. [See story on page 6 for details.]

The council passed a resolution honoring Jerry Forster, who served the University and community since 2001, most recently as vice president for finance and administration, and before that as treasurer of the University and chief financial officer. The resolution, authored by Coe, stressed Forster’s service to the council explaining topics such as “the rudiments of lease and transfer fees, emergency services and waste management contracts with the precision of an expert and patience of a saint.”

Domain manager Wilson reminded the council that the deer cull will begin Dec. 19. The only change in this year’s cull will be a small additional zone in the Abbo’s Alley area, Wilson said. During hunting hours, Abbo’s Alley will be closed off by barriers.

College student Caitlin-Jean Juricic, director of the Community Engagement House, invited the community to join in “bridging the gap between town and gown. If you are interested in developing relationships with students and individuals employed by the University, please let us know. We would love to work with you.” Contact Juricic by email at <juricca0@sewanee.edu>.

The next meeting of the Community Council will be Jan. 28.

Community Chest Spotlight: Youth Sports

The 2012–13 Sewanee Community Chest Fund Drive is underway. The power of the people helping people makes a difference in the life of the community. Sponsored by the Sewanee Civic Association, the Community Chest raises money yearly for local charitable organizations serving the area. This year’s goal is $90,000.

For the next few weeks, the Messenger will focus on some of the organizations supported by the Community Chest. This week we shine the spotlight on the local youth sports’ organizations.

The TigerSharks swim team is a local club that provides an organized athletic experience for children ages 4-18 in the spring and summer, develops strong swimmers, builds self-esteem and encourages youth of all ages to work together as a team. The team is requesting $500 in funds to help support scholarship swimmers. The TigerSharks also raise funds through bake sales, T-shirt fund-raisers and parent donations in order to break even. Expenses last year totaled $16,000.

Sewanee Little League is affiliated with Little League Baseball, Incorporated, a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to promote, develop, supervise and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways, the interest of those who will participate in Little League Baseball and Softball.” The Sewanee Little League is requesting $1,000 in funds from the Community Chest to purchase equipment and to help pay for umpires. The group receives funds through registration fees, and uniform and banner sponsors. Expenses last year totaled $8,800.

Sewanee Youth Soccer (SYS) is the local soccer organization affiliated with the American Youth Soccer Association. SYS offers children from the Mountain the opportunity to play soccer in an environment of balanced teams, positive coaching and equal participation. SYS is requesting $850 in funds from the Community Chest to help with scholarships for underprivileged children to join, and for field and equipment purchases and tournament expenses. SYS receives funds through registration fees. Expenses last year totaled $7,800.

The goal of the Sewanee Community Chest is to help citizens by funding the community. The Community Chest is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible. Send your donation to Sewanee Community Chest, P.O. Box 99, Sewanee, TN 37375. For more information, or to make a donation through PayPal, contact <sewaneecommunitychest@gmail.com>.

[Editor’s Note: The Sewanee Mountain Messenger was founded in part by the Sewanee Civic Association; however, the Messenger no longer requests Community Chest funding.]

School Board Reviews State Legislative Issues. Also Approves SES Contract, Considers Bus Ads

by K. G. Beavers, Messenger Staff Writer

The Franklin County School Board met in a regular session on Dec. 3 to hear from State Representative David Alexander on upcoming educational legislative issues, advertising on school buses and an update on Sewanee Elementary renovations.

“I need some information from you as a school board in order to make informed and intelligent decisions regarding education issues,” Alexander said, and asked the school board to express its opinions in the form of resolutions before the next legislative session.

Alexander reported that in the upcoming legislative session, bills would be introduced about school vouchers, creating a board to approve charter schools and electing rather than appointing superintendents of schools.

“These are just the first steps in privatizing education,” said Lance Williams, third district member.

School vouchers would enable a parent to send their child to private or parochial schools with public taxpayer dollars paying for the student to attend those schools. Under consideration will be which students would qualify for the “opportunity scholarships,” evaluating student outcomes, and how these non-public schools would be held accountable. Alexander said he would “need a tremendous amount of information on the good side of school vouchers” before voting for such a program.

“I feel those I represent would want to put their dollars into educating the public and would be against school vouchers,” said Chris McDonough, fifth district member.

The state legislature is proposing to create a board that would have authority to approve charter schools. 

A charter school is a public school operated by independent, nonprofit governing bodies that must include parents. Currently, local school boards have that authority, ensuring that, according to the authorizing legislation, “those charter schools open and remain open that are meeting the needs of their students, district and community. Local boards do this through rigorous authorization processes, ongoing monitoring of the academic and financial performance of charter schools, and, when necessary, through the revocation or non-renewal of charters.”

Chris Guess, fourth district member, said, “By the time all these state laws are passed, there will not be a need for local school boards. Charter schools still come under local school board accountability, and we should be able to approve those.”

“These are just band-aids stemming from No Child Left Behind,” said Kevin Caroland, chairman of the school board. “Instead of getting rid of NCLB, these are just ways around that accountability.”

Alexander also discussed the proposal that would have county school superintendents (or school directors, as they are known in some counties) be elected rather than appointed by the school board. This idea “has never gotten out of committee” in the legislature, he said.

“I encourage you to contact those committee members and pass a resolution on elected versus appointed superintendents,” said Alexander.

Currently, the elected school board members hire the school superintendent. By doing this, “it takes away from politics and favoritism,” said Betty Jo Drummond, seventh district member. 

“I always thought we needed someone local to run the schools,” said Drummond. “I have changed my mind with Dr. [Rebecca] Sharber [director of Franklin County schools]. She is straight across the board with all of us. She knows how the state education system operates.”

“We are a 43 million dollar a year business,” said Williams. “We need the best person to run it, and this is not a job based on who wins a popularity contest.”

The school board requested resolutions be drafted to oppose these three legislative measures, and discussion will continue in the next school board meeting.

In other business, the school board has been researching the idea of placing advertisements on the school buses as a way to raise revenue. Direct Solutions, a marketing firm in Atlanta, sent a proposal that described how two advertisement signs on each of the 63 county school buses would generate approximately $42,000 a year. 

School board members raised concerns about safety and the lack of businesses in the area able to afford such advertising. Drummond said this was not the best deal, as Direct Solutions kept one-third of the profits. “I will keep looking for another alternative,” Drummond said.

“We just aren’t to the point that we need corporate sponsorship for our schools,” said Caroland. No motion or vote was taken on this issue.

Concerning the SES renovations, the Franklin County Commission voted 16-0 in a meeting on Dec. 3 to approve moving money from the school board fund balance to a capital outlay budget line. Pre-construction meetings will be held next week between SAIN Construction, director of schools Rebecca Sharber and SES principal Mike Maxon.

The next school board meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 14, at the board office, 215 S. College St., Winchester.

Sewanee’s First Tree Lighting

Join with friends and family this afternoon, Nov. 30, when Sewanee lights its Christmas Tree in the Sewanee Angel Park and ushers in the holidays on the Mountain with music and fun.

The festivities will begin at 4:30 p.m. Bonnie and John McCardell will do the honors of turning on the lights.

To help families in need in Sewanee, participants are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys for Operation NOEL, which will be collected by members of the Sewanee Fire Department for distribution on Christmas Eve. Also, gifts of money and nonperishable food will be collected for the Community Action Committee (CAC). 

The Sewanee Chorale will lead Christmas carols. Refreshments will be served, and Santa Claus will be available for pictures with the children. Bring your own camera.

This event is organized and sponsored by the Sewanee Business Alliance.  Organizers hope that this celebration can be a new holiday tradition in Sewanee.

In case of inclement weather for the tree lighting, refreshments and Santa will be hosted by Locals, across the street from Angel Park in the Sewanee Village.

Locally Made Granola Gets National Attention

Out of the Blue Granola, a local product produced by women from Blue Monarch, is featured in the December issue of Country Living magazine. The popular granola was chosen among hundreds of entrants as one of 26 “Pitch Your Product” winners.

Entrants were allowed five minutes to present their products to a panel of judges and the national contest was held in Atlanta. 

“We are really excited about this pat on the back for our granola and the courageous women who bake it. Having seen all the other products, we feel very honored to have been chosen as a winner,” says Susan Binkley, who developed the granola as a way to provide employment for Blue Monarch participants. “Because of the publicity, we are already getting lots of orders from all over the country.”

The granola was originally a product of the Blue Chair Bakery, but once the business began to expand, it was split into a separate business, Out of the Blue Granola, which is jointly owned by Binkley and Jimmy Wilson. 

In addition to Whole Foods stores in Tennessee and a number of specialty markets and restaurants, Out of the Blue Granola will soon be sold in seven Kroger stores in the state. It can be found locally at the Blue Chair, Piggly Wiggly, Barnes and Noble and Mountain Outfitters.

Each bag of cereal includes a photo of one of the women who baked the granola with her personal story of recovery. And once the women begin earning a paycheck they contribute a portion back to Blue Monarch for the services they receive. 

“We call our granola a win-win-win product because everyone gains—especially the customer who enjoys our all natural, hand-baked granola,” says Binkley. 

For more information about Out of the Blue Granola, see www.out​ofthebluegranola.com.

Festival of Lessons & Carols on Sunday

The University’s Festival of Lessons and Carols in All Saints’ Chapel will be on Sunday, Dec. 2. The first service begins at 5 p.m., and the second begins at 8 p.m. The doors open one hour before the beginning of each service.

The Greening of the Chapel takes place today (Friday, Nov. 30), and all are welcome to participate.

This Advent service is based on one that has been sung annually since 1918 at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England. It features the University choir under the direction of University organist and choirmaster Robert Delcamp and Jason Farris, assistant University organist. 

Both services of Lessons and Carols are open to the public. Seating is limited and is on a first-come, first-seated basis. Reservations are not needed or accepted, but requests for handicap access and seating should be made by calling 598-1274.

For more about the history of the festival worldwide and in Sewanee, see Annie Armour’s column on page 11.

SUD Board Seat Open

Make a difference in your community by serving on the Sewanee Utility District board. SUD will elect one new commissioner in January. 

Individuals seeking election to the office must be SUD customers and must submit a nominating petition signed by ten SUD customers.

Nomination petitions are available for pickup at the SUD office during normal business hours. 

Completed petitions are due at the SUD office by 4 p.m., on Friday, Dec. 7.

For more information call the SUD office during office hours at 598-5611.

SUD Passes 2013 Budget, Revisits Fluoridation Issue

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer 

At its Nov. 27 meeting, the Board of Commissioners of the Sewanee Utility District of Franklin and Marion Counties (SUD) approved the 2013 budget. The commissioners also discussed whether SUD should continue to add fluoride to the water supply and invited community input before it makes a decision.

In presenting an overview of the budget, SUD manager Ben Beavers said SUD employees would receive a 4 percent raise, but total operating expenses would remain the same as in 2012. The raise for 2013 was funded by shifting money from areas where expenses were lower than anticipated in 2012.

 SUD’s decision to implement automatic meter reading (AMR) resulted in a significant increase in the capital improvements budget compared to 2012. AMR will save SUD money by reducing unaccounted-for water loss due to faulty meters by helping with leak detection and by freeing SUD employees to perform other tasks. The total cost of implementing AMR, estimated at $350,000, will be spread over two years, with $250,000 budgeted in 2013 and $100,000 budgeted in 2014. Rather than borrow money for the AMR upgrade , SUD will finance the project by drawing on cash reserves, slightly reducing the budget for inflow and infiltration repair in 2013 and with a modest rate increase spread over the next five years.

To pay for infrastructure upgrades and repair and to plan for future water supply needs, SUD’s long-range plan calls for a 4 percent rate increase annually. In 2011 and 2012, SUD did not raise rates. The proposed increase for 2013 is 2.5 percent, 5 percent for 2014 and an annual 3 percent increase for years 2015–17.

The commissioners approved a total expense budget of $1,703,997 for 2013.

Beavers introduced a discussion about fluoridation, the practice of adding fluoride to drinking water. SUD’s fluoride supply is low, and SUD will need to purchase the additive in the near future if it plans to continue the practice, Beavers explained. The fluoridation chemicals and process cost SUD $6,000 per year. Beavers noted that two years ago, SUD lowered its fluoride input to 0.7 ppm in keeping with new EPA recommendations. While research has shown fluoride significantly decreases tooth decay, consuming too much fluoride leeches calcium from bones. 

Referring to the EPA revised recommendation on fluoridation, Beavers said that people receive fluoride from many more sources than they did in the past. In addition to the fluoride in drinking water in many communities, people are also exposed to fluoride in toothpaste, beverages made with fluoridated water and food raised with fluoridated water. The SUD board will continue the fluoride discussion at the December meeting. Comments from the community may be sent to <fluoride@sewaneeutility.org>.

In other business, the commissioners approved manager Beavers’ surplus list of scrap iron and unneeded equipment, including pumps, scales, a generator, used pipe, a trailer, backhoe bucket and other items. The surplus items will be offered for sale and advertised in the Sewanee Mountain Messenger and the Winchester Herald-Chronicle. 

 The commissioners tentatively scheduled a working session to discuss the constructed wetlands proposal for 5 p.m., Monday, Dec. 3, at the SUD office. Budget figures for the project will be reviewed. 

The next meeting of the SUD board of commissioners is scheduled for Dec. 18, the third Tuesday of the month, rather than the regular meeting day.

SES Misses Reward School Status In Spite of Scores

by K. G. Beavers, Messenger Staff Writer

Sewanee Elementary School officials recently received a letter from Kevin Huffman, the Tennessee Commissioner of Education, describing why SES was not designated as a “reward school” based on performance in 2011–12.

Under the state’s new accountability system, schools must perform well in achievement measures and close achievement gaps between subgroups to be designated as a reward school. A reward school can be in the top 5 percent of overall performance in proficient and advanced achievement goals. A reward school can also be in the top 5 percent of schools where progress is achieved the quickest based on value-added scores, and growth in TCAP reading/language arts, math and science.

“We believe it is important to let directors and principals know if schools are close to achieving a high level of recognition,” the letter states. “Sewanee Elementary was on the cusp of being identified as a Reward School based on performance. In fact, your school performance was within the threshold of those schools identified as Reward but was excluded under our federal waiver rules because of achievement gaps larger than the state median in any subgroup area and achievement gaps that widened between 2010–11 and 2011–12.”

In 2012, Sewanee Elementary School had the highest scores in the county in achievement for grades 3–5 in math, reading/language arts, social studies, science and the fifth-grade writing assessment.

In 2012, SES had the highest TCAP scores in the county for all students scoring proficient and advanced in math, science and reading/language arts. Broadview Elementary had the highest TCAP score for all students in social studies. 

Between subgroups, SES had the highest percentage of proficient and advanced students, except for economically disadvantaged students. For African-American students in math and reading/language arts, Cowan Elementary had the highest percentage. Decherd Elementary had the highest percentage for Hispanic students in math and reading/language arts. 

“Even if you have a high score but decline in any area, that counts against you,” said Rebecca Sharber, director of schools for Franklin County. 

SES had a decline in two subgroup scores between 2011 and 2012 in reading/language arts. In 2011, 60.5 percent of economically disadvantaged students were proficient and advanced. In 2012, 55.3 percent were proficient and advanced. The state average was 37.5 percent; the county average, 40.10 percent. In 2011, 81.8 percent of SES students with disabilities scored proficient and advanced in reading/language arts. In 2012, 78.5 percent scored proficient and advanced in reading/language arts. The state average was 32.8 percent; the county average, 32.7 percent.

"Turkey Protection" project at SES

Sewanee Elementary School first-grade students created disguises for their turkey friends to help them survive the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and avoid being turned into the main course for dinner. Many of their imaginative creations are scattered throughout this week’s paper. 

Ende Inducted into Tennessee State Museum's Costume and Textile Institute

The Tennessee State Museum inducted Sewanee artist Arlyn Ende into its Costume and Textile Institute on Nov. 9 in Nashville. Also inducted were costumer Katy Kattelman of New York and Nashville; Phillip Nappi, Italian artisan shoemaker with a studio in Germantown; and Big Kenny Alphin, country music star and humanitarian. Ende was honored for her lifelong career as an internationally known fiber artist. She stands here with her hand-tufted rug, “Beneath the Pond Skaters,” a recent museum acquisition.

Santa Claus is Coming! : Lighting of the Angel Park’s Christmas Tree

The shops of downtown Sewanee will light up at 4:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 30, in Angel Park for the very first “Lighting of the Christmas Tree.” Bonnie and John McCardell will be there to turn the lights on for the tree. Santa Claus will stop by, and parents are encouraged to bring their cameras for snapshots with Santa and the kids.

Community members are asked to bring unwrapped toys for Operation NOEL, which will be collected by members of the Sewanee Fire Department and distributed to children in need across the Sewanee community. Also, gifts of money and nonperishable food will be collected for the Community Action Committee (CAC), which provides food and financial assistance to families in the greater Sewanee community. 

Refreshments will be served during the event. The Sewanee Chorale will be leading everyone in Christmas carols. Organizers hope that this celebration can be a new holiday tradition in Sewanee.

This event is organized and sponsored by the Sewanee Business Alliance, an informal group of business owners and leaders in Sewanee that promote, plan and execute community and business projects to improve Sewanee’s image. For more information go to < http://sewanee.biz/>

In case of inclement weather for the tree lighting, refreshments and Santa will be hosted by Locals, across the street from Angel Park in the Sewanee Village.

Decorating All Saints’ Chapel for Advent

Come help in the greening of All Saints’ Chapel on Friday, Nov. 30. This annual workday is in preparation for the 53rd Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols on the first weekend in December. Work begins at 9 a.m. on Friday and continues through the day.

Area residents who have unique items from their gardens are encouraged to contact Ken Taylor at Taylor’s Mercantile. He is especially interested in Nandina and holly berries, hydrangea and anything that might be unusual and pretty in the arrangements.

All levels of experience are welcome. Coffee and pastries are served throughout the morning, and a light lunch will be offered at noon. Taylor will direct the day’s activities. 

To make a contribution toward the flowers and poinsettias used during the festival weekend, either in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one, contact Virginia Cunningham at the chapel office at 598-1274, or by email to <vcun​ning@sewanee.edu> by Monday, Nov. 26. These names will be listed in the Sunday morning bulletin on Dec. 2.

Community Chest Spotlight: Sewanee Elementary School

The 2012–13 Sewanee Community Chest Fund Drive is underway. The power of people helping people makes a difference in the life of the community. Sponsored by the Sewanee Civic Association, the Community Chest raises money yearly for local charitable organizations serving the area. This year’s goal is $90,000.

Since 1867 there has been a long-standing relationship between the community and the public school. For years this voluntary community commitment maintained the educational system, such as St. Paul’s on the Mountain school and the school on Billy Goat Hill.

When the Sewanee Civitan Club (now the Sewanee Civic Association) was first organized, its objective of good citizenship included “a comprehensive program for the betterment and improvement of every phase of community activity.” This included providing school facilities. 

The Sewanee Public School was completed in 1927 through volunteer efforts and community funds. At that time, the Franklin County Board of Education agreed to pay the salaries of teachers in Sewanee, but did not provide a building because they were concerned about placing a public building on leasehold land. The University was unable to help at that time. The school building would be on a University lease, owned by the Sewanee Civitan Club, and operated by the Franklin County School Board.

In 1933, the community built the Roosevelt Addition. In 1943, more than half of the town’s Community Chest budget went to maintain the school, and pay for enrichment programs and school supplies. The county took over the maintenance of the school in 1955, when the building and land were turned over to the county as long as a school remained on that site. For a complete history of the public schools, see “Sewanee Sampler” by Arthur Ben and Elizabeth N. Chitty, 1978.

Now, the Sewanee Elementary School (SES) continues to rely on yearly funding from the Community Chest to meet the school’s needs. Money from the Community Chest is used for technology and software purchases, professional development, classroom supplies, new books for the library and school operations. This funding commitment has served to eliminate the need for door-to-door fund raising.

“Sewanee’s Community Chest goes far beyond what any public school could imagine,” said SES principal Mike Maxon. “While most schools are seeking ways to raise additional revenue by having their students participate in magazine sales, candy sales, etc., the Community Chest raises money for us. The teachers can concentrate on teaching, not collecting money each morning. The students can concentrate on learning, not selling products. Donations through the Community Chest do support the school,” said Maxon.

The Sewanee Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (SES PTO), a non-profit organization, requests and disburses the Community Chest funds each year for SES. All money received from the Community Chest is used for yearly support of the school. The SES PTO works with teachers and staff to find solutions to specific educational needs of the school that are not met by the Franklin County School system funding or services. 

The Community Chest currently funds almost 90 percent of the SES PTO operating expenses for the school. The SES PTO also receives money through annual dues and small fund-raisers such as T-shirt sales. SES receives additional money from school pictures, two book fairs and BoxTops. This year the SES PTO will receive $20,000 if the Community Chest goal is met.

SES always welcomes community members to art shows, musicals and science fairs. Volunteers are always needed to help in the library, teach Friday School or read to the children. For more information, go to <http://www.edline.net/pages/Sewanee_Elementary_School>.

The goal of the Sewanee Community Chest is to help citizens by funding the community. Donations to the Community Chest can be mailed any time to P.O. Box 99, Sewanee, TN 37375. For more information, or to make a donation through PayPal, contact <sewaneecommunitychest@gmail.com>.

[Editor’s Note: The Sewanee Mountain Messenger was founded in part by the Sewanee Civic Association; however, the Messenger no longer requests Community Chest funding.]

Haskell Receives National Outdoor Book Award

Stunning underwater photography. A coming-of-age story of three women. Wonder and magic in a small patch of forest. Nail biting adventure.

These are some of the themes found among the winners of the 2012 National Outdoor Book Awards. 

The annual awards program recognizes the best in outdoor writing and publishing.

“The Forest Unseen” by David Haskell is the winner of the Natural History Literature category. 

Haskell describes the natural processes occurring on one square meter of an old growth forest.

“It’s quite a unique and fascinating perspective,” said Ron Watters, chairman of the Awards Program. “Haskell works wonders, using only a tiny patch of forest, and creates for the reader a mesmerizing account of the natural world.”

Haskell is a professor of biology at Sewanee. His book focuses on a patch of forest in Shakerag Hollow on the University’s campus.

Other books cited for excellence were “Beneath Cold Seas: The Underwater Wilderness of the Pacific Northwest,” by David Hall; “Almost Somewhere: Twenty-Eight Days on the John Muir Trail,” by Suzanne Roberts; and “The Ledge: An Adventure Story of Friendship and Survival on Mount Rainier,” by Jim Davidson and Kevin Vaughan. The awards program is sponsored by the National Outdoor Book Awards Foundation, Idaho State University and the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education. 

Party for Paws Fund-Raiser Nov. 17

Party for Paws, the annual fund-raiser for the Franklin County Humane Society, will be 6–8:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 17, at Cravens Hall in Sewanee.

The evening will include food donated by local restaurants and beer, wine and spirits. There will also be a silent auction with items such as gift certificates for yoga, massage and meals, as well as art and gift items. There will be door prizes. 

Proceeds will be used by Animal Harbor to rescue, care for and find loving homes for companion animals abandoned in Franklin County. 

Animal Harbor has placed more than 3,600 pets in new homes since opening in 2003. The Franklin County Humane Society is an independent nonprofit organization serving all of Franklin County, and it relies solely on the generosity and donations of individuals and businesses in the community to keep its doors open.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. To purchase tickets before the event, call Animal Harbor at 962-4472, or contact Sue Ridyard, <sridyard@sewanee.edu> or 598-9260; Pat Thompson, <pthompson313@gmail.com> or 598-1657; or Susan Rupert, <srupert@sewanee.edu> or 967-8903. 

For more information go to <http://animalharbor.com>.

The Nutcracker Comes to Sewanee Nov. 17

Ring in a new tradition this holiday season with “The Nutcracker: A Yuletide Ballet,” performed by Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre and AYB-Sewanee Dance Conservatory under the direction of David Herriott. Two performances will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. in Guerry Auditorium. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Tickets will be available at the door. 

Set on Christmas Eve, “The Nutcracker” tells the story of a young girl, Clara, who receives a special gift of a nutcracker from her godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer. Following a festive Christmas Eve party, Clara watches in amazement as the nutcracker comes to life and battles the mice and their mouse king. Victorious, the nutcracker is transformed into a prince, who invites Clara to accompany him to the Land of Snow and to the court of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Kingdom of Sweets. There, dancers representing various countries and the delicacies of the Kingdom of Sweets perform in Clara’s honor. 

This year’s presentation of “The Nutcracker: A Yuletide Ballet” includes 32 dancers from across the area, including Sewanee, Monteagle and Winchester. Virtually all of the party scene cast members are local. About 60 dancers from Huntsville will join with the area dancers to complete the cast. Dancers from the AYB-Sewanee Dance Conservatory range in age from 7 years old to high school age and beyond, including some University students and staff, and some community members.

CAC Thanksgiving Luncheon Nov. 16

The Community Action Committee (CAC) invites the Sewanee community to a Thanksgiving meal at 11 a.m., today, Nov. 16, in the American Legion Hall. “The University catering service has generously donated the meal,” said Betty Carpenter, CAC director. Groceries and turkeys will be available at CAC after the luncheon.  Call the CAC office at 598-5927 or drop by the Legion Hall for more information. 

CAC has been serving the greater Sewanee community for 39 years. Its work is made possible by financial support from Otey Parish, the Community Chest and donors across the area. 

MESSENGER Break Ahead

It is hard to imagine, but Thanksgiving is next week, and Christmas is around the corner. 

The Messenger will publish on Wednesday, Nov. 21. The following issue will be published on Friday, Nov. 30 

There will be three issues in December: Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21. 

The staff will take a two-week break and return to the office on Monday, Jan. 7, with the first issue of 2013 on Friday, Jan. 11.

Deadlines for next week’s issue (Wednesday, Nov. 21) are: display advertising and news/calendar, 5 p.m., today (Friday), Nov. 16; and classified ads, noon, Monday, Nov. 19.

Testing, SES Renovations & Federal Budget in County School Board Meeting

By K.G. Beavers, Messenger Staff Writer

The Franklin County school board met in a regular session on Nov. 12 to discuss the report card results from the state, award the bid on Sewanee Elementary renovations and consider a resolution regarding federal sequestration of funds.

Broadview and North Lake elementary schools were recognized at the meeting for achieving Reward Status from the state, based on performance from the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program Achievement Test.

“Three other schools are receiving letters from the state for almost qualifying as reward schools,” said Director of Schools Rebecca Sharber. “These letters will outline where the schools missed reward status on testing.” 

Clark Memorial Elementary and Franklin County High School almost qualified as reward schools, based on progress. Sewanee Elementary almost qualified as a reward school, based on performance.

“We have made progress on testing, as none of the schools in Franklin County were identified as focus or priority schools,” said Sharber. “We have grown in math and social studies, and need to do better in reading/language arts.”

“We have seen progress in achievement. ACT tests are down for us and in area counties, except for Tullahoma. Science scores are down across the state, the district and in area counties,” said Sharber.

Sharber said if she had to guess why science scores were down it “may be because the curriculum is not matching the test. Also, elementary students are spending more time on math and reading.”

Sain Construction was awarded the bid for renovations on Sewanee Elementary, which now includes bids for a metal roof and gutter guards. The rainwater harvesting system has been removed from the bid. Sharber reported the contracts still have to be signed and a workable schedule between the contractor and Mike Maxon, principal of SES, still has to be created.

The school board budget was also amended to move money from the fund balance to the capital outlay budget line to pay for the SES renovations. The county commission will have to approve the budget amendment that has the funding for this project in it. The next meeting of the county commission is Dec. 3.

In discussion on a resolution regarding federal sequestration, Sharber reported that a letter from the Tennessee School Board Association urged school boards to adopt the resolution and present a unified front in opposing budget cuts to federal programs outlined in the Budget Control Act of 2011.

The resolution states, in part, “Franklin County School System urges Congress and the Administration to amend the Budget Control Act to mitigate the drastic cuts to education that would affect our students and communities, and to protect education as an investment critical to economic stability and American competitiveness.” 

The full resolution can be viewed at <http://www.boarddocs.com/tn/franklin/Board.nsf/files/8ZNLTA580587/$file/Sequestration%20Resolution.pdf>.

“If federal funding is cut, it is going to hurt us all,” Sharber said. “As a county, we would lose approximately $237,000 in funding for programs such as Title I grants for disadvantaged students and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Action.” The board approved the resolution.

Community Chest Spotlight: Sewanee Senior Center

The 2012–13 Sewanee Community Chest Fund Drive is underway. The power of the people helping people makes a difference in the life of the community. Sponsored by the Sewanee Civic Association, the Community Chest raises money for local charitable organizations serving the area. This year’s goal is $90,000.

For the next few weeks, the Messenger will focus on some of the organizations supported by the Community Chest. This week we shine the spotlight on the Sewanee Senior Center.

Sewanee Senior Citizens Inc. is a nonprofit organization. It began in 1978 with state funds from Title V for building renovations. Volunteers completed the work on the building. Part of the director’s salary at that time was paid from Franklin County Senior Citizens’ funding. Meals were offered through the state’s Nutrition Program (Title VII).

In 1997 the satellite relationship with Franklin County Senior Citizens’ became tenuous when the board voted to cease contributing to the director’s salary. The Sewanee Community Chest increased its donation. An anonymous donor remained committed to matching funds, and the Center survived.

In September 2002, the Senior Center was excluded from the state’s Nutrition Program. Meals were available again in October 2002, when Lena McBee and Frances Lappin prepared food at home and brought it to the center for distribution. Because of their efforts and the funds received from the Franklin County Commission and the Sewanee Community Chest, the Center now has a part-time cook. This part-time cook works 25 hours per week and prepares more than 6,000 meals each year. 

With increases in the cost of utilities and other services, the Center can no longer afford a director. Volunteers now handle all of those duties. In addition to meals for seniors and shut-ins, the Center provides various activities, which are scheduled weekly for 50 to 60 seniors and other members of the 

community.

The Senior Center relies on the Community Chest for approximately 27 percent of its operating budget. Their income last year totaled $49,000. Current funding for the Center comes from the Franklin County Commission, the Sewanee Community Chest, bake sales, individual donations and an annual Christmas bazaar. Expenses last year totaled $52,000. The Center’s greatest expense is in food purchases of approximately $23,900 per year. 

For more information, contact the Center at 598-0771 or drop by for a visit at 5 Ball Park Rd. The Center always welcomes visitors and volunteers. This year’s Christmas Bazaar will be held Dec. 10–14, with sewn items, crafts, baked goods, canned goods, white elephant items and other gifts for Christmas giving.

The goal of the Sewanee Community Chest is to help citizens by funding the community. Donations to the Community Chest can be mailed any time to P.O. Box 99, Sewanee, TN 37375. Donations are also accepted through PayPal. Go to the PayPal website, select “transfer,” then “send someone money;” when prompted, enter the email address <sewaneecommunitychest@gmail.com>. For more information, contact <sewaneecommunitychest@gmail.com>.

[Editor’s Note: The Sewanee Mountain Messenger was founded in part by the Sewanee Civic Association; however, the Messenger no longer requests Community Chest funding.]

2012 Election Results in Local & National Races

Download the Nov. 9, 2012 issue of the Messenger and look on page 6 for complete results from this week's elections.

Sewanee Elementary Leads the Way in TCAPs-- Broadview & North Lake Named Reward Schools

by K. G. Beavers, Messenger Staff Writer

With Tennessee’s new accountability system to show progress in public school testing, there are new reporting categories including reward, focus and priority status. These new categories replace the No Child Left Behind status designations of target, school needs improvement, corrective action and restructuring. 

In Franklin County, North Lake Elementary and Broadview Elementary are reward schools based on performance. A reward school can be in the top 5 percent of overall performance in proficient and advanced achievement goals. A reward school can also be in the top 5 percent of schools where progress is achieved the fastest, based on value-added scores and growth in TCAP reading/language arts, math and science.

While SES had the top TCAP scores in almost all testing categories across the county, SES is not a reward school. 

“We did not meet the gap closure with our economically disadvantaged students,” said SES principal Mike Maxon. “That subgroup did not grow enough academically,” he said. 

SES also had a decline in two subgroup scores between the 2011 and 2012 reading/language arts TCAP test. In 2011, 60.5 percent of economically disadvantaged students were proficient and advanced. In 2012, 55.3 percent were proficient and advanced.

In 2011, 81.8 percent of SES students with disabilities scored proficient and advanced in reading/language arts. In 2012, 78.5 percent scored proficient and advanced proficient/advanced in reading/language arts.

“The issue for Sewanee was the gap between the economically disadvantaged and the non-economically disadvantaged. Also, if a school had measures that declined they could not be a reward school,” said Franklin County Director of Schools Rebecca Sharber.

For SES, 77.8 percent of all students were proficient and advanced in math, compared to 67.2 percent of Broadview and 66.4 percent of North Lake students. In reading/language arts, 77.8 percent of all SES students were proficient and advanced. For Broadview, 61.6 percent of all students were proficient and advanced. For North Lake, 67.7 percent of all students were proficient and advanced.

In science, 82.1 percent of all SES students were proficient and advanced, compared to Broadview with 75.5 percent and North Lake with 78.1 percent. In social studies, 93 percent of all SES students were proficient and advanced. For Broadview, 96.5 percent of students were proficient and advanced, while North Lake had 92.7 percent scoring proficient and advanced.

SES also led in TCAP scores between the subgroups, except for the economically disadvantaged subgroup in reading/language arts. 

In the fifth grade TCAP writing assessment, SES had the highest score in the county with a score of 4.5 out of 6. Cowan Elementary was next with a score of 4.4. Broadview and Decherd both scored a 4.2. North Lake and Clark Memorial both scored a 4.1. Huntland and Rock Creek both scored a 3.9. 

SES also had the highest grade in achievement, which is a measure of overall student performance. 

At the middle schools, North Middle School improved in math with 39.4 of all students scoring proficient and advanced. In reading/language arts, North declined slightly from last year’s testing results to 44.6 percent of all students proficient and advanced.

South Middle School improved to 32.4 percent of all students proficient and advanced in math. South had a slight decline in reading/language arts with 48.8 percent of all students proficient and advanced.

For complete information, go to <http://www.tn.gov/education/re​portcard/index.shtml>.

Sewanee United at AYSO Tournament

Sewanee United at the Area 5 AYSO tournament on Nov. 3 only allowed one goal during 180 minutes of regulation soccer. Goalie Larson Heitzenrater (far right) stopped this attempt. Photo by Paul Klekotta

"SEAM" Exhibit by Jason Brown Opens Friday

“Clear Cut” by Jason Brown (above) is one of the pieces by Knoxville-artist Jason Brown in his exhibition, “SEAM,” opening at the Carlos Gallery in the Nabit Art Building on the Sewanee campus. Brown will give an artist’s talk at 4:30 p.m., today, Nov. 9, in the Carlos Gallery, followed by a reception. See page 8 for details about the exhibit.

Civic Association Considers Future of Local Playgrounds

by Kevin Cummings, Special to the Messenger

The pirate ship “set sail” last spring, and Elliott Park is sparse, but community momentum is building to improve playgrounds in Sewanee.

Emily Puckette, a Sewanee math professor and mother of a six-year-old, is one of the strongest voices for bettering local play areas. Puckette began discussions with University officials about playgrounds after the University removed a wooden pirate ship, a log cabin and a metal car that were in disrepair from Elliot Park. Now basically all that remains is a swing set and chin-up bar.

“I’m really involved because I saw the difference when things were in that park and people would come,” she said. “And the absence of things in that park ... A whole summer was going by without people gathering there, and children were missing that opportunity.”

Puckette, who grew up in Sewanee, said this is a unique and diverse community and the playground off University Avenue was a prime spot for people to “associate and communicate.”

She told the Sewanee Civic Association at its regular meeting on Nov. 7 at the EQB Building that she is seeking help from local stakeholders to better playgrounds by considering the best locations and new equipment, and possibly consolidating maintenance of playgrounds. 

Money and manpower will be available, and the University has expressed willingness to help, Puckette noted. She added that the Civic Association might be a prime candidate to handle maintenance.

“I really think (helping with playgrounds) is right down our mission and we can really get something done if we get a little more focus and numbers together,” said Theresa Shackelford, association president. “It goes right along with what the Civic Association of old did.” 

Association member Doug Cameron, assistant Sewanee fire chief and a lifelong resident, noted that in the past there were community workdays at the playgrounds, and citizens have a history of spearheading large projects, such as Sewanee Elementary School.

Some of the other public play areas are at St. Mark’s Community Center, the playgrounds in the Woodlands community, at the Sewanee Community Center and at the Sewanee Youth ballfields.

In other business at the Nov. 7 meeting, Lisa Rung was selected as the Civic Association’s new treasurer. Rung, who works at Otey Parish and is an active Scout leader and community volunteer, replaces longtime treasurer Rocky Morris, who stepped down to pursue a new business venture, the Monteagle Diner.

Kiki Beavers announced that the Sewanee Community Chest, the Civic Association’s program to help local charities, has reached 32 percent of its fund-raising goal of $90,000.

The next meeting of the Sewanee Civic Association is tentatively scheduled for sometime in January.

Tracy City Looks at Downtown Renewal

A steering committee in Tracy City is developing a downtown revitalization plan. On Oct. 11, the mayor and board of aldermen of Tracy City approved the plan. Members of the committee are Jeremy Fultz, president of Tracy City Business Club; Nadene Moore, chairman of the water board of Tracy City Utility District; Sue Parrott, Grundy County member of Southeast Tennessee Tourism Board; Emily Partin, commissioner, Grundy County Board of Commissioners; and Larry Phipps, mayor of Tracy City.

The steering committee applied to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development for admission to its Tennessee Downtowns program; the group hopes to learn if it has been accepted by the end of 2012. Tennessee Downtowns is designed to help communities as they embark on a comprehensive revitalization effort. In developing its Tennessee Downtowns application, members of the steering committee have seen great enthusiasm within the downtown business community for revitalization.

There are 55 active businesses and organizations in the downtown area of Tracy City and 19 commercial buildings vacant, leaving a vacancy rate in excess of 25 percent. There are two buildings in the downtown area that have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are five additional sites that have historical or recreational value: the gymnasium of the former Grundy County High School; the former Tracy City depot, roundhouse and engine repair shop, along with the contiguous Boy Scouts of America park, the site of the former Shook School with the remaining gymnasium; the site of the Wooten Mine and Coke Ovens; and the site of the former Sam Werner Lumber Company.

Tracy City’s application is available for review at the Grundy County Historical Society Heritage Center, 465 Railroad Ave., Tracy City. To provide comments or for more information, contact Parrott at (931) 592-5201 or (931) 592-6008.

Fiction Readings by Tony Earley and Randall Kenan

Fiction writers Tony Earley and Randall Kenan will read from their work at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 14, in Gailor Auditorium. The readings, book signings and reception that will follow are free and open to the public.

 Earley is the author of a story collection, “Here We Are in Paradise,” which won him recognition from both Granta and the New Yorker as one of America’s best young fiction writers, and two novels, “Jim the Boy” and “The Blue Star.” He has also published a collection of personal essays, “Somehow Form a Family.” His stories have appeared in numerous publications, including the New Yorker (most recently “Jack and the Mad Dog”), Harper’s, Granta and Esquire. Earley held a Tennessee Williams Fellowship as Writer-in-Residence at Sewanee in 1997. He is the Samuel Milton Fleming Professor of English at Vanderbilt University. In the New York Times Book Review, Ellen Currie praised Earley for his “wonderful gift for deep observation, exact and wise and often funny.”

Kenan is the author of a novel, “A Visitation of Spirits,” and a collection of stories, “Let the Dead Bury Their Dead,” which was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, a nominee for a Los Angeles Times Book Prize for fiction and a New York Times Notable Book. He has written a young adult biography, “James Baldwin: Author,” and two works of nonfiction, “Walking on Water: Black American Lives at the Turn of the Twenty-First Century,” which was nominated for the Southern Book Award, and “The Fire This Time.” He is also the author of the text for Norman Mauskopf’s book of photographs, “A Time Not Here: The Mississippi Delta.” He teaches creative writing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Author Terry McMillan said, “Randall Kenan is a genius; our black Márquez. He weaves myth, folktales, magic and reality like no one else I know, and he doesn’t miss a beat.”

This event is presented by the Sewanee Writers’ Conference and the department of English.