State funding, top teachers lead BOE meeting

County reports 935 students and projected 58% drop in fast-growth funding; board honors four Teachers of the Year

9:45 p.m. Nov. 9, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

Moore County Schools reported enrollment of 935 students Monday, Nov. 9, as the Board of Education learned the district could receive roughly $138,500 less in state fast-growth funding than it did a year ago.

Director of Schools Chad Moorehead said that Lynchburg Elementary School held steady at 524 students, while Moore County High School lost two students since October, bringing its enrollment to 411.

Moorehead said the district's preliminary fast-growth allocation under Tennessee's school funding formula stands at approximately $98,500, compared with the roughly $237,000 Moore County received last year. That's a decrease of about 58%.

The difference reflects slower enrollment growth. Moore County qualified for last year's additional funding with a final growth rate of 3.3%. The state's current calculation puts that growth at 1.55%.

Moorehead cautioned that even the smaller allocation isn't guaranteed. Under the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) funding formula, fast-growth payments are subject to a final reconciliation in July 2027, using enrollment data collected across nine reporting periods during the school year.

That final calculation could leave Moore County ineligible for the funding altogether, requiring the district to return payments already received.

"There's a possibility that we don't qualify at all," Moorehead said. "And so the payments that they've made to us throughout the year would be reclaimed by the state."

The district has already received one payment. Moorehead warned against counting on the money until the state's final calculation is complete, citing experience with the funding process in previous years.

All five board members attended Monday's meeting: Chair Tanya Vann, Carrie Barnett, Bruce Church, Kaleigh Hatfield, and Greg Thompson.

Four teachers honored for work in and out of the classroom

The board recognized four Teachers of the Year, each selected by fellow educators for contributions in the classroom and across the school community.

Lynchburg Elementary Principal Brooke Lindsey presented recognitions for Nicole Orr and Brittney Self. Moore County High School Principal Andy Geil recognized Jonah Deal and Caleb Poston.

Self began her career at LES as a student teacher in January 2010. After serving in several positions, including as a computer lab teacher and in interim classroom assignments, she became a first-grade teacher in August 2012.

Self spent nine years teaching first grade before moving to third grade in 2021. She has also served as a grade-level leader, supporting fellow teachers and helping guide instruction.

"Her journey is a reflection of her loyalty, perseverance, and genuine love for children and our school," Lindsey said.

Orr, the LES art teacher, has more than 20 years of teaching experience in Alabama and Tennessee. She holds degrees in elementary education and special education, along with a master's degree in curriculum and instruction.

Orr has also served as a grade-level leader, math club sponsor, archery coach, and member of school leadership committees. Lindsey praised her ability to encourage creativity while helping students discover their talents.

"She creates opportunities for students to express themselves, think creatively, and discover their individual talents," Lindsey said.

Deal joined Moore County Schools full-time in 2014 and teaches eighth-grade science. He also developed the school's broadcasting program from the ground up, giving students hands-on experience in digital media and opportunities to share their work with the school community.

Deal serves as assistant athletic director and coaches basketball and baseball. Geil praised his willingness to take on responsibilities in the classroom, broadcasting, and athletics while remaining focused on students.

Poston joined the district in 2016 and teaches English III and English IV. He also directs the MCHS band and drives a school bus, responsibilities that put him in contact with students well beyond his classroom.

Poston was recognized for revitalizing the band program and renewing students' enthusiasm for music while continuing his work in the classroom.

Geil said Poston's work "has completely rejuvenated the MCHS band program, inspiring a new wave of student musicians and restoring pride to our music tradition."

Board members thanked the four educators for their work, noting that their influence often reaches students they never teach in a classroom.

"The care that you all have for our students and the things that you all do in your classrooms don't go unnoticed," Vann said.

The district will provide $500 to each honoree's classroom, continuing a practice funded through the school board's annual budget.

Additional training approved for special education teacher

The board approved up to five additional paid days for recently retired Wendy Hart to help Taylor Meadows transition into her new teaching position.

Meadows, who moved into special education from another role, obtained certification to fill a high-need position this school year. Hart has been covering the classroom during Meadows' maternity leave.

The additional days will allow Hart to work alongside Meadows after she returns, providing guidance on classroom responsibilities, student records, required meetings, and special education procedures.

Vann emphasized the importance of proper documentation and compliance with state and federal requirements, describing the additional training as money well spent.

Hatfield made the motion, Barnett seconded it, and the board approved the request.

State reviewers praise district's federal programs

Moore County Schools received favorable feedback during a virtual federal programs monitoring review conducted by the Tennessee Department of Education on Friday, Nov. 6.

Moorehead noted that State reviewers repeatedly described the district's documentation as among the cleanest they had examined this year, according to the report presented to the board.

The review identified a few items requiring adjustments because of changes in requirements, along with several recommendations. District staff began addressing those items immediately, with a final response expected by mid-January.

Moorehead credited central office employees for preparing the extensive documentation required for the review.

Drone requirements could be simplified

Board members revisited a district policy requiring visiting schools to obtain written permission before operating drones at athletic events.

Under the current policy, visiting teams must submit an application to the school principal and receive written approval. Moorehead said the process has become increasingly cumbersome as drone use at high school football games has grown.

Other school systems generally handle those arrangements through routine communication between schools rather than a separate application, the board was told.

The discussion focused on balancing convenience with liability concerns. Hatfield questioned what would happen if a drone crashed and whether ordinary email correspondence could provide sufficient documentation of permission to operate.

No changes were approved Monday. The board is expected to revisit the policy for a vote in December.

Personnel changes and tennis courts discussed

• In a personnel update, Moorehead said that Alice Gray resigned from the cafeteria staff and will be replaced by Stacy Preston. Preston previously worked in the cafeteria before moving into a teacher assistant position.

• The board also briefly revisited discussions about developing tennis courts. Moorehead noted that a group has examined potential locations, including whether courts could be built near the football field, and has consulted someone with experience in tennis court construction.

No formal proposal or construction timeline was presented.