Last June, the citizens of Sevier County passed both a bond election and voted leeway. Voter turnout was considered high through a mail-in ballot, and support for both the bond and leeway was considerable.  Since that time, School Board members, District administrators, teachers, and District staff have been working hard to implement what was proposed to the voters during the presentation and hearing processes of the election. Though funds won’t flow until the end of the current calendar year, there are many exciting developments.  As promised in the bond and leeway presentations, Sevier School District is addressing significant needs that will provide students with a great educational opportunity while providing a fair and equitable value to taxpayers.

     1.     Richfield High School Replacement Project:  The timeline for the new Richfield High School is on target and phase one construction is well underway.  Footings are being poured and it is anticipated that block walls will be going up in the very near future.  Renderings and layouts of the building are available on our website.  The project is being funded through the bond.

     2.     North and South Sevier Roof Replacements and Band Rooms:  The projected timeline for the South Sevier High     School roof replacement and band room is on target for this summer. The North Sevier High School roof replacement, band room, and shop project is scheduled for the summer of 2015.  The bond is also funding these projects.  Other proposed projects included in the 10-year building plan include: major renovations and replacements to South Sevier Middle School and a major renovation to the North Sevier Middle School gymnasium.

     3.     School Resource Officers:  Thanks to an agreement between Sevier County and Sevier School District, three resource officers are now in place in each of the major attendance areas of Sevier School District.  The officers began fulltime on January 1, 2014, and the plan is to continue with the officers in an effort to improve school safety for many school years to come.  The Sevier School District portion of the costs related to school resource officers will come through the voted leeway.

     4.    Technology Improvements:

•        Internet and wireless connectivity as well as technological infrastructure has been improved District-wide and computer labs, including teacher computers, are at the beginning of a probable six-year replacement cycle.
•       Sevier School District’s twelve schools have been awarded $400,000 for specific individual site-based technology improvement proposals.  For example, approximately 200 Apple iPads, 300 Google Chromebooks, 50 Apple Laptops, and 32 Apple Desktops will be deployed as well as many valuable classroom and school based technologies for student success.
•       A technology trainer/director has been hired to assist teachers and District staff in fulfilling the vision of enhanced programs targeted at student success and support.