Board Recognitions

Deerfield Emergency Team

The Deerfield Emergency Team was recognized at the May 2026 school board meeting for their life saving training when they had a life threatening situation with a student. Their quick response and training saved that students life.

DECA members attend the International Career Development Conference

4 DECA students were recognized for their achievement at the May 2026 school board meeting for attending the International Career Development Conference in Atlanta. Will Rogers placed 6th in the world in Sports and Entertainment Marketing. Other attendees included Christian Galindo, Grace Anderson and Gianna Phan Le.

2026 Graduates entering the Military

Several 2026 graduates were recognized at the May school board meeting for joining the Military after high school. Damien Thomas (Army), Salem Anthony (Air National Guard), Cooper Shirk (Army), William Olszowy (Navy), Kaleb Dodson (Air Force), Mason Harding (Air National Guard), William Connelly (Marines), and Serenity Ridner (Air National Guard)

VFW Teacher of the Year

Roy Slaughter and Robin Walker were recognized at the May 2026 school board meeting for being Teachers of the Year by the VFW Local and State Chapter. Ms. Walker served in the Air Force and Mr. Slaughter served in the Army.

American Flags and TN State Flags for each classroom

Tim Bumbalough, along with the WoodmenLife Group Chapter 6297, donated American flags, TN State flags and flag poles to each classroom within our school system. Thank you for your donation!

2026-2027 District Level Teachers of the Year

The 2026-2027 District Level Teachers of the Year were recognized at the April 13, 2026 School Board Meeting.

Prek-4: Tierra Miller- North Coffee Elementary

5-8: Rebecca Weitzel- Coffee County Middle School (not pictured)

9-12: Kristi Stewart- Coffee County Central High School

2026-2027 School Level Teacher of the Year

The 2026-2027 School Level Teachers of the Year were recognized at the April 13, 2026 School Board Meeting.

Deerfield:

PreK-4: Courtney Stephens
5-8: Nikki Anderson

East Coffee:

PreK-4: Tim Eaton
5-8 : Christy Ledsinger

Hickerson Elementary:

PreK-4: Shannon Dawson
5-8: Michael Avey

Hillsboro Elementary:

PreK-4: Tiffany Newman
5-8: Cassie Harrell

New Union:

PreK-4: Brooke McNeese
5-8: Liz Eaton

North Coffee:

PreK-4: Tierra Miller
5-8: Carmen Kittinger

Coffee County Middle School:

6th: Rebekah Schoen
7th: Corey Simmons
8th: Rebecca Weitzel

Coffee County Raider Academy:

Amie Keele

KOSS/CCVA:

Greg Gann

Coffee County Central High School:

Tobey Alonso
Deana Crosslin
Rebecca Koger
Kristi Stewart

SCOPE Attendees

Attendees of the SCOPE Convention were acknowledged at the April 13, 2026 School Board Meeting: Carleigh Freeman, Bella Van Zandbergen, and Lucas Turner. Not pictured: Isabelle Saner.

Barnhill recognized for heroic efforts

Diane Barnhill was recognized for her heroic efforts in saving a choking student by performing lifesaving techniques.

Board Secretary Retirement

Mrs. Melisa Westmoreland was recognized at the March 2026 board meeting for her retirement as the Director and School Board secretary. We appreciate her service!

2026-2028 Tenure

Teachers were recognized at the February School Board Meeting for obtaining tenure.

Congratulations to these teachers!

CHS- Lacy Cote, Charles Rece Chumley, Benjamin Holl, Della Smithey, Donna Jones

CCMS- Jonathan Adels, Megan Harmon

Deerfield- LeAndra Kennington

New Union- Brandy Kelly, Madison McKenzie

Koss- Greg Gann

VFW Statewide Teacher of the Year

Robin Walker, Deerfield Elementary teacher, was recognized at the January 2026 school board meeting for being awarded the VFW Teacher of the Year. This award process included interviews with the commander, resumes and projects and photos submitted.

New Union Basketball

New Union boys basketball team was recognized for their season at the January 2026 school board meeting.

Coach Christy Clouse

At the November 10, 2025 School Board Meeting, Coach Christy Clouse was recognized for her remarkable 35-year tenure in the district. For 34 of those years, she has served as a dedicated cheer coach while also teaching science. Her influence extends beyond the district, as demonstrated by her leadership roles within the Tennessee Cheerleading Coaches Association, where she currently serves as both President and Director. This statewide respect was recently formalized when she received the Distinguished Service Award from the TSSAA (Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association), an honor celebrated by the board.

Recognition of Daniel Ray

Daniel Ray was recognized at the October school board meeting for his unwavering dedication to Coffee County Schools and his passion for school safety. We are grateful for his guidance and leadership!

Summer Feeding Program

Jesika Pobanz and Kelly Arnold were recognized at the September 8 School Board Meeting for Co-Managing the Summer Feeding Program. This highly successful program distributed 137,000 meals during the months of June and July with the help of other cafeteria staff, students and a host of volunteers. We are grateful for their dedication and willingness to serve our Coffee County families!

Randy Damewood receives the Chief Technology Officer Award

Our very own Director of Technology, Mr. Randy Damewood, has been awarded by the TN Education Technology Association as Chief Technology Officer of the Year at the August 2025 School Board Meeting. Congratulations!

Michelle Mullican recognized for receiving Grants

Michelle Mullican from Hickerson Elementary was recognized at the August 2025 School Board Meeting for being awarded a $15,000 grant from the Lillian Ashley Foundation to build an outdoor classroom with a kitchen, received $2,000 for the Rural STEM Collaborative for a project in conjunction with the outdoor classroom and was awarded a Native Garden Grant to plant native fruit-bearing bushes. Congratulations!

Administrator of the Year for Fine Arts

Mrs. Parsley was recognized at the July school board meeting on being Administrator of the Year for Fine Arts.

CHS Graduate Jaelynn Grantham

2025 CHS graduate Jaelynn Grantham was recognized at the June school board meeting for enlisting into the military and will serve as a Marine.

Thank You, Dr. Powell!

The school board members acknowledged Dr. Prater Powell at the June 2025 board meeting for the time he served as Interim Director for the Coffee County School System.

Sworn into service

At the December 9, 2024 school board meeting newly elected member, Chris Koon, was sworn in to begin his service with Coffee County Schools.

Sworn into service

Newly elected and re-elected school board members were sworn in to begin their service with Coffee County Schools at the September 2024 board meeting.

L-R Scott Hansert, Beth Yentsch, Gary Cordell, Robert Gilley, Holly Matthews

Outgoing Board Members- August 2024

We would like to thank Dr. Gary Nester, Mrs. Kathy Rose and Mr. Larry Crabtree for their time and dedication to our school system by serving as board members these last few years. We appreciate you very much!

20 years of service from the Dusty Elam Foundation

The Dusty Elam Foundation was recognized for their 20 years of service to our students at tonight’s board meeting. They go above and beyond for our community and we are grateful for their continued support!
Our Special Olympic athletes were also recognized for their hard work!