The DeKalb County Board of Education Thursday night adopted a resolution of appreciation honoring Director of Schools Mark Willoughby..
For the last few months, the board has been recognizing various groups of school system employees as part of the Utrust Make A Difference Program.
Board Chairman Charles Robinson read the resolution which states as follows:
“Whereas, Mr. Mark Willoughby has served with distinction as superintendent of schools for three years; and
Whereas, He has consistently given highest priority to the needs of the students when he has made recommendations and proposed improvements to this board; and
“Whereas, he was worked tirelessly to build support for public education by attending school functions whenever they occur and consistently speaking out for the needs of our school system and the children it serves, and,
“Whereas, he has worked cooperatively with this board of education to initiate the Utrust Employee Appreciation Program which has resulted in improved morale and a better understanding and appreciation of the work of others by our students, staff, and community; and,
Therefore, Be it Resolved that the DeKalb County Board of Education officially recognizes the continued and excellent services of Mr. Mark Willoughby to the youth of DeKalb County and extends its utmost appreciation for the work that he has done to make education an exciting and joyous experience for the students of our district;
Be it further resolved, that the DeKalb County Board of Education hereby declares November 19th, 2009 as Superintendent Appreciation Day in DeKalb County;
Be it further resolved, that each school principal is hereby encouraged to plan and implement a program of appreciation for our superintendent of schools.
Jonathan Fontanez, Supervisor of Instruction for grades 7-12 and Michelle Burklow, Supervisor of Instruction for Pre-Kindergarten to 6th grade addressed the board of education with results of the latest report card on the DeKalb County School System just released by the Tennessee Department of Education. (WJLE recently published a news story on the report card results. Click here to read it http://www.wjle.com/node/9103 or click the link below to listen to the comments of Fontanez and Burklow at the school board meeting) Click here to see the actual report card on DeKalb County Schools http://edu.reportcard.state.tn.us/pls/apex/f?p=200:1:808614981430170::NO:::

In other business, Director Willoughby updated the school board on personnel moves since last month.
Jean Hayes has been transferred to the position of cafeteria manager at Smithville Elementary School.
Cori Sexton has resigned as an educational assistant at DCHS
Barbara Ervin has resigned as cafeteria manager at Smithville Elementary School
Jenny Elrod, a teacher at DeKalb Middle School, has been granted a leave of absence as requested.
Meanwhile, Director Willoughby says response to the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Program has been great but the large number of participants in the after school programs is affecting the amount of time some students are on the bus in the evenings.
Willoughby says letters are being sent home asking any parents who are willing to voluntarily transport their children home from after school. “We have a lot of students who are staying after school for our 21st Century Programs and other things related to extra help but because we have so many staying after school mainly on Monday and Tuesday, we have students getting home later than we would like. So we sent a note home to these students’ parents which states as follows: Thank you so much for allowing your child to participate in the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Program. Principals and teachers indicate that students are learning and the program is helping with class work and providing other opportunities for extra activities for your child.”
“Currently, bus transportation is provided for all students at the end of the after school activity. The number of children in the program has increased and children are arriving home later than anticipated on Monday and Tuesday. There is every intent to continue providing transportation, however we are looking at all of our options. If you are able to pick your child up at school after the session ends on Monday and or Tuesday night that would be a tremendous help.”
“Again, thank you for allowing the DeKalb County School System to provide this opportunity for your child.”
Patty Hale of the DeKalb County Education Association addressed the school board concerning American Education Week November 15th-21st. “Americans nationwide will join the National Education Association in raising awareness about the need to provide every child with a quality public education. The celebration highlights the importance of bringing together educators, parents, students, and communities in a unified effort to build great public schools. It also reflects NEA’s vision in calling on America to provide public school students with quality schools so they can grow and achieve in the 21st century.”
DCEA President Mandy Dakas, in a letter to principals, wrote of events scheduled for each day during the week.
“Monday, November 16th- School Board Member Day. Each school should be prepared for school board members to tour their school. Classes may write “Thank You” cards to school board members. Public service announcements will be announced this week and next week. Local businesses have been invited to participate by offering discounts to individuals who work in the public school system or by displaying signs throughout our community.”
“Tuesday, November, 17th- Parent/Grandparent Day. Encourage your school or individual teachers to send a note home this week inviting parents to come in to the school on this day. They may set up a time to read a book, eat lunch with their child, share their history/talent, or assist a teacher. Give those who do attend a “certificate” which will be provided by the A.R.’s.”
“Wednesday, November, 18th- Education Support Professionals Day. Each school needs to decide what they want to do for their ESP’s (cafeteria workers, custodians, para-professionals, bus drivers, etc) and then provide it for those individuals. Examples: either the school can provide something or the teachers might decide to bring in something (breakfast, lunch, coffee, doughnuts)”
“Thursday, November 19th- Community Leaders as Educators. Each school needs to take down the names of teachers who would be willing to have a community leader to come into their classroom and teach. Ask community leaders to come to your school to teach a lesson, read a book, assist with a small group, etc.”
“Friday, November 20th- Substitute Educators Day. We will be calling all substitute teachers and inviting them to come to Northside Elementary at 3:30 p.m. for cake and punch. We will also give them a certificate of appreciation. (Encourage as many teachers as possible to come to Northside’s multi-purpose room to mingle with our fabulous substitute teachers)”

Smithville Police Chief Richard Jennings has been suspended without pay pending termination and Lieutenant Steven Leffew has reportedly been named “Officer in Charge” of the department until the issue with the chief position has been settled.
Jennings says he was called to the mayor’s office at city hall Thursday afternoon where he was given the news. Those present were Mayor Taft Hendrixson, Police Commissioner Aaron Meeks, and Secretary-Treasurer Hunter Hendrixson.
Meeks signed the notice of suspension with the verbal concurrence of the mayor. Hunter Hendrixson was not involved in the decision. The reasons for the suspension were read to Jennings and he was given a written copy.
Jennings’ case will come before the city’s three man discipline board Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. This board is made up of Mayor Hendrixson, Police Commssioner Meeks, and Secretary-Treasurer Hendrixson.
Mayor Hendrixson says if the discipline board finds that the suspension is unwarranted, it can vote to put Jennings back to work with full pay. If the suspension is determined to be warranted by the three man discipline board, Jennings may make a request in writing to appeal the decision to the entire five member board of aldermen at the next meeting, December 7th. A decision by the city council would apparently be final. Members of the council are Aldermen Steve White, W.J. (Dub) White, Shawn Jacobs, Cecil Burger, and Aaron Meeks.
Jennings, in response to the suspension, said “Mr. Meeks threatened to fire me if I didn’t retire and he made good on his threat and fired me.”
Jennings added that “nothing in the allegations, even if true, remotely rises to the level of termination. There are mitigating circumstances in some of the allegations and I will provide an explanation for my actions at the appropriate time.”
The notice of suspension reads as follows “You (Jennings) are being suspended for the following reason- dereliction of duties/negligence.
1. In the past two years, as Police Chief, you have not developed a comprehensive plan to combat crime problems in the City of Smithville, as evidenced by your admission to the board at the workshop of September 14th, 2009. You have not reached out to other agencies for help in combating these problems.
2. You were given two additional officers by the previous board with your promise that you then would be able to do drug investigations. To date, this has not happened.
3. At the workshop on September 14th, 2009, you did not know how many officers you had employed in the department, as evidenced by the CD of the meeting.
4. You have 4 or 5 officers-including yourself and the investigator-on duty on the day shift. You could have used some of these officers to work drug operations.
5. Your claim that the police department’s budget has been cut is not substantiated by the 2008-09 city budget. In fact, there was an increase in the police department’s budget over the previous year’s budget. Also, your claim that all of your overtime has been cut is not true. You are still having overtime in your department.
6. There has been little progress made toward having a better-trained Police Force in specialized areas.
7. Community relations between your office and the public have deteriorated over the last two years.
8. You have not been a “working chief” out patrolling, issuing traffic tickets, answering calls for service, and making arrests.
9. You have authorized the use of a police vehicle for the transportation of civilians out of the area of authority of the Smithville Police Department.
10. It is the responsibility of all department heads to be available for call out at all times. You advised that you turn off your city cell phone when you leave for the day.
11. You have demonstrated lack of adequate supervision of officers.

Two time state high school golf champion Payne Denman officially signed scholarship papers Wednesday to play golf at the University of Florida.
The signing took place at DCHS with members of Denman’s family, coach, and principal looking on.
Denman says he’s proud of his high school accomplishments and is ready to move to the next level. “I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. It’s finally here and I’m really glad and ready to get on with my life and see what Florida holds for me. I mainly chose Florida because their tradition is really good. They’ve always been known to have a great golf team and with all the other great athletic achievements they have made me want to be a part of it.”
During his high school years, Denman has won the district and region three times, in addition to two state titles, the only state championships DCHS has ever earned in any sport in school history. “It’s something you always hope to achieve and for it to actually come true is really special,” said Denman.
Coach Chris Vance, who is stepping down as the DCHS golf coach, says Payne is a special person and competitor. ” Payne has shown the younger guys what it takes with hard work and dedication to succeed and be able to go out there and put up the numbers he does. He’s shown a lot of leadership and led the way by example.”
(Pictured: Seated left to right- Gina Denman (mom), Payne Denman, and Bud Denman(dad)
Back Row: Standing DCHS principal Kathy Hendrix and DCHS Golf Coach Chris Vance

Members of the community joined the American Legion Post #122 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7623 in a Veterans Day observance Wednesday morning downtown Smithville.
The days events began with a small parade followed by a program at the 303 building on the public square, featuring remarks by County Mayor Mike Foster, a poem saluting veterans by Dorothy Tittsworth, and music by the First Baptist Church Choir directed by Anthony Rosolowski.
Foster, in his address, spoke about all the nations wars and paid tribute to the brave men and women who have served our country. ” We’re here today to honor the Americans who served in all of the wars. We honor you and your families for the sacrifices and hardships that you endured. We especially honor those who gave their lives or were wounded during combat. People from all across the world seek to come here because we are truly blessed to live in America. We’re free to live, raise our families, practice our religion, and speak our thoughts without fear. We’re free to fail or succeed. And we’re free to help people who are less fortunate than us.”
” We still mourn many of our friends, ancestors and neighbors who died in wars long ago or last week. We see accounts of them and wonder what might have been and what talents or gifts died with those people. What undiscovered scientific cures might have been discovered. They might have invented some wonderful thing that would have made life better for all of us. Their lives were not wasted or lost without reason. They gave us more than any scientific breakthrough. They gave us the privilege of being able to live as an American in a country that is still clearly the best country on earth and the best hope for us as a people.”
“We sometimes complain about our lot in life and how we’ve been dealt terrible blows but we’re blessed with one of the highest standards of living in the world and we take for granted many things that others can only dream of. Honor our veterans and our ancestors by showing your love for America and our freedoms. Veterans Day is a special day for all Americans to show their respect to the veterans who have served our country so well. Unfortunately there will be more wars and more veterans to be honored. We should never fail to be open in our praise of them. Once our country commits its troops to battle we should support them unconditionally. Thanks to our veterans and their families for all the sacrifices you have made so that we may live free.”
Tittsworth, noted local story teller, recited a poem by Joanna Fuchs called “They Did Their Share”
“On Veteran’s Day we honor
Soldiers who protect our nation.
For their service as our warriors,
They deserve our admiration.
Some of them were drafted;
Some were volunteers;
For some it was just yesterday;
For some it’s been many years;
In the jungle or the desert,
On land or on the sea,
They did whatever was assigned
To produce a victory.
Some came back; some didn’t.
They defended us everywhere.
Some saw combat; some rode a desk;
All of them did their share.
No matter what the duty,
For low pay and little glory,
These soldiers gave up normal lives,
For duties mundane and gory.
Let every veteran be honored;
Don’t let politics get in the way.
Without them, freedom would have died;
What they did, we can’t repay.
We owe so much to them,
Who kept us safe from terror,
So when we see a uniform,
Let’s say “thank you” to every wearer.
Following the program, a wreath was placed at the veterans memorial monument on the south side of the courthouse near the eternal flame. The wreath was laid by Edward Frazier, a World War II veteran, and Sean Tramel, who has just completed his second tour of duty in Iraq where he served as a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. A luncheon was held at noon for veterans and their spouses and friends at the Smithville Senior Center at city hall.

The Chamber Prayer Breakfast will be held on Tuesday, November 24th at 7:00 a.m. at the Smithville Church of God Fellowship Center.
The theme this year is “Counting Our Blessings in Hard Times.” State Senator, Mae Beavers, will be the keynote speaker. Special music will be performed by pianist Tomomi McDowell and by the Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church singers — Hunter Tramel, Myra Tramel, and Riley Young. Local Boy Scouts will present the flags. Prayers for our community, our leaders, and our children will make this a meaningful and memorable experience. A delicious breakfast will be catered by Jason Evans, head chef at The Inn at Evins Mill. Leadership Director Jen Sherwood and the Leadership DeKalb Class of 2010 will serve the beverages. Doors open at 6:30 a.m.
Tickets are $12 per person and can be purchased at the Chamber office or from the Chamber Board of Directors – Gina Denman, Elmer Ellis, Kelley Garrett, Charlie Parker, Chris Griffith, June Keith, Robin Driver, Tim Hintz, Valerie Laprad, Judy Sandlin, Rob Willingham, Les Greer, Michelle Burklow, Tom Duggin, and Kathie McGlamery.
Chamber Executive Director, Suzanne Williams says, “I would like to invite everyone to join with us at this special event in giving thanks to God for the abundant blessings He has given us in our county and to be able to begin this holiday season with our community family.” For more information, call the Chamber at 597-4163.

The Sheriff’s Department picked up another person on a fugitive from justice charge last week.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says 28 year old Christina Love Johnson of Anthony Avenue, Smithville was arrested on Wednesday, November 4th for being a fugitive from justice. Johnson was in a vehicle that had been stopped and an NCIC computer check revealed she was wanted in Kentucky for attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud. Johnson appeared in court on Thursday, November 5th and Judge Bratten Cook II set her bond at $1,000 until Kentucky authorities could pick her up.
Meanwhile, on Friday, November 6th , a county deputy was traveling on Highway 70 west when he saw a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and passing another automobile in the turning lane. The vehicle almost clipped the deputy’s patrol car. The officer then pulled over the vehicle. 31 year old Edward Franklin Dixon of Dave England Road, Sparta was the driver. When asked by the officer why he was speeding and over taking vehicles in the turning lane, Dixon replied he was running late to pick up his child. Dixon was charged with reckless driving and his bond was set at $1,000. He will appear in court on November 19th.
Also on Friday, a deputy while on patrol, observed a vehicle on Highway 70 east driving erratically. The automobile crossed the center line and the fog line several times. After stopping the vehicle, the deputy noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from the inside the automobile. The driver, 33 year old Noelvi Deheza of West Green Hill Road McMinnville, submitted to field sobriety tasks which he failed. Deheza was arrested for driving under the influence and was issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and violation of the implied consent law in which he refused to submit to a blood test. Bond for Deheza was set at $1,500 and he will appear in court November 19th on all of his charges.
A deputy on patrol Friday on Highway 70 West noticed 22 year old Phil Darnell Fullilove of Laverne Street Alexandria driving a motor vehicle. The officer had prior knowledge of Fullilove’s driver’s license being suspended. He stopped Fullilove and arrested him for driving on a suspended license. Fullilove’s license was suspended for failure to pay child support and also for failing to pay three citations in Wilson County. Bond for Fullilove was set at $1,000 and he will appear in court on November 18th.
50 year old Edward Lynn Taylor of Page Drive Smithville was stopped Saturday by a deputy on Highway 70 East for a light violation. Upon speaking with Taylor, the officer noticed a smell of alcohol coming from within the vehicle. Taylor submitted to field sobriety tasks which he failed. Taylor was very unsteady on his feet and admitted to the officer that he was drunk. Upon an inventory of Taylor’s vehicle, the deputy found a cup, containing a mixed drink, in the cup holder of the vehicle. Taylor was arrested for a 4th offense of driving under the influence and he was issued a citation for having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. Bond for Taylor was set at $6,000 and he will appear in court on November 19th.
Also on Saturday, deputies received a call on Page Drive Smithville about a suspicious vehicle. After arriving, the officers spotted the automobile and found the driver, who was sitting behind the wheel, was passed out. The engine was still running. The officers attempted to wake the driver and found him to be incoherent and confused. He also had a smell of alcohol on his person and was unsteady on his feet. The driver, 40 year old Larry Harold Maddox of Maples Street, Lebanon was charged with a third offense of driving under the influence. He was also issued a citation for violation of the implied consent law. Bond for Maddox was set at $4,500 and he will appear in court on November 19th.
30 year old Scottie Wayne Knowles of Jacob’s Pillar Road, Smithville was arrested Saturday for driving on a suspended license after he was stopped on Highway 70 East. Knowles’ license was suspended for failure to satisfy a citation in Putnam County. Bond for Knowles was set at $1,000 and he will appear in court on November 25th.
On Sunday, 26 year old Clifford Steven Bechtel of Bluff Springs Road Smithville was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. Deputies were called to an automobile accident on Highway 70 east early Sunday morning. The automobile that Bechtel was driving struck a utility pole causing damage to it. The pole had to be replaced. Bechtel then left the scene and later reported the accident to local authorities at around 10:00 a.m. Sunday. Bechtel was then arrested. He was also issued citations for not wearing a seat belt, having no insurance on his vehicle, and violation of the registration law. Bechtel’s bond was set at $1,500 and he will appear in court on November 19th.

Smithville Police Chief Richard Jennings says he has been given an ultimatum by city officials to give notice of his retirement by noon today (Monday) or the city council will most likely schedule a special meeting to fire him. That meeting could come as early as this week.
In a prepared statement released to WJLE Sunday night, Chief Jennings gives his account of how the decision to oust him unfolded last week. “On November 2nd, 2009 while in Secretary Treasurer Hunter Hendrixson’s office, I received a call from Police Commissioner Aaron Meeks. He told me he was going to place a motion before the Smithville mayor and board of aldermen at the council meeting that night, to fire me. He stated that he was going to make the motion to fire me if I didn’t retire. This took me completely by surprise so I did not comment, at that time, to Mr. Meeks. Later that day I called Mr. Meeks, prior to the council meeting. I informed Mr. Meeks I wanted to discuss the possibility of retirement and what his terms entailed. He stated that he would meet with me the following morning, November 3rd, and that he would not bring it up at the meeting that night. But, he stated, if we could not reach an agreement on retirement, he would present the motion at the next board meeting.”
“On November 3, 2009, I met with Mr. Meeks and Hunter Hendrixson at City Hall. Mr. Meeks said he had received a call from Mayor Hendrixson and he told him if I decided to retire I needed to write a letter of my retirement intent and turn it in to Hunter Hendrixson that day, November 3 before 5:00 p.m. Also, I needed to state in the letter I would retire November 30, 2009. I informed Mr. Meeks I had not planned to retire before a couple of years. I asked Mr. Meeks what kind of severance package was the city offering for my early retirement? Mr. Meeks asked me what did I want? I informed Mr. Meeks I would consider retiring December 31st, 2009,with a severance package of a full years’ salary, insurance and a 3% contribution to my retirement plan, for one year from the date of my retirement. Mr. Meeks asked that I put this in writing along with my retirement letter. I gave the retirement letter with my requests to Hunter Hendrixson November 3 at 5:00 p.m.”
“On November 5th, 2009, Mayor Hendrixson asked me to come to his office. Hunter Hendrixson was present. Mayor Hendrixson returned my letter and stated that the city would not give me any type of severance package to retire. He stated that if I chose to retire it must be by November 30th, 2009. Mayor Hendrixson stated he was not sure, and no one had told him, but he thought the majority of the board would vote to fire me. He also went on to say he would like to see me retire and walk out ‘ with my head held high and with the distinction of being the longest serving officer with the Smithville Police Department.’ He stated that he needed my decision by 12:00 (Noon) Monday, November 9th. He further stated that he had already been asked to schedule a special meeting for the board of aldermen if my decision was not to retire.”
In closing, Chief Jennings wrote, ” I appreciate Mayor Hendrixson’s advice about retiring but intimidation and threats have never swayed my decisions to do what’s right and I do not intend to let that happen now.”
“My answer to their ultimatum is…I will not retire.”
Six different men have held the position of Police Chief in Smithville since 1994. Jennings, who has been a member of the department for many years, took over from Tom Hopkins as Chief in 1994, after Hopkins resigned. Jennings served until November, 2003 when the city council demoted him to the rank of Lieutenant. Jennings was succeeded by Jim Baker as Chief, but Baker was demoted back to the rank of patrolman in July 2004. Sergeant Sam Dunbar followed Baker as Chief, but Dunbar resigned in January 2006 under a cloud of controversy after being accused of falsifying documents. Augustine (Gus) Clemente was hired to replace Dunbar in March, 2006 but he resigned five months later, accusing city officials of interferring in police operations and making racial slurs against him. Thomas J Stufano was named Chief in November, 2006 and resigned in September, 2007. In October, 2007, the city council gave Jennings his old job back, promoting him from Lieutenant to Chief.
In August 2007, only two months before he became Chief again, Jennings was fired from the department for alleged violations of police department policies and procedures as well as possible violations of state and federal law. He was accused of removing weapons, inventory files, ammunition, and other items from the police department, some of which were allegedly found in his personal possession. The case against him was presented to the city’s discipline hearing authority, which is made up of the mayor, police commissioner, and city secretary-treasurer and after hearing the evidence, the vote was 3 to 0 to terminate Jennings.
Later that month, by a vote of 3 to 2, the Board of Aldermen, following a lengthy hearing, overturned the termination of Jennings and returned him to work as Lieutenant. After the vote, Mayor Hendrixson considered casting a veto of the board’s reinstatement of Jennings but he chose not to which was met with applause from members of the audience.
In recent months, members of the city council have complained that the police department, even with a larger staff than in previous years, has not done enough to combat the problem of drugs and burglaries in the city. The mayor and aldermen held a workshop with Chief Jennings only a few weeks ago to register their concerns. Jennings says he has been hampered in those investigative efforts by the city administration’s decision to cut out overtime pay for officers who would have to undertake undercover drug operations mostly after hours.