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School board approves change in residency requirement

Posted at 11:28 pm August 29, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Board of Education on Monday approved, in the first of two votes, a policy change that would require the superintendent and principals to live in Oak Ridge.

Assistant principals, the executive director of school leadership, and the executive director of teaching and learning would be required to live in Oak Ridge if they are relocating to the region after being hired by Oak Ridge Schools. This would not apply to new administrators in those positions who already live in adjacent counties, such as Knox County.

The policy change would reduce the number of administrative positions with a residency requirement. The current policy requires the superintendent, executive director of school leadership, executive director of teaching and learning, director of pupil services, principals, and assistant principals to live in Oak Ridge “to be thoroughly familiar with the community and to be available beyond the regular day.”

But the current policy is suspected of reducing the number of candidates who apply for jobs at Oak Ridge Schools, according to administrators.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Education, Front Page News, K-12, Slider Tagged With: Angi Agle, Ben Stephens, BOE, Bruce Lay, Erin Webb, Jim Dodson, Keys Fillauer, Laura McLean, Mark Watson, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Board of Education, Oak Ridge Schools, policy change, residency requirement, Rick Chinn, school board, Warren Gooch

Secret City Wildbots alliance wins Smoky Mountains Regionals robotics tournament

Posted at 7:12 pm April 1, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Secret City Wildbots, Team 4265, won the Smoky Mountains Regionals robotics tournament on Saturday, March 30, 2019, as captains of the fourth-seeded alliance, along with alliance partners 2614 Mars of Morgantown, W.V., and 2556 RadioActive Roaches of Niceville, Fla. The win secures a place in the World Championship at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, from April 17-20. (Photo by Angi Agle)

The Secret City Wildbots, Team 4265, won the Smoky Mountains Regionals robotics tournament on Saturday, March 30, 2019, as captains of the fourth-seeded alliance, along with alliance partners 2614 Mars of Morgantown, W.V., and 2556 RadioActive Roaches of Niceville, Fla. The win secures a place in the World Championship at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, from April 17-20. (Photo by Angi Agle)

 

Photos, video, and information submitted by Angi Agle

The Secret City Wildbots, Team 4265, won the Smoky Mountains Regionals robotics tournament on Saturday as captains of the fourth-seeded alliance. Their alliance partners were 2614 Mars of Morgantown, West Virginia, and 2556 RadioActive Roaches of Niceville, Florida.

The win secures a place in the World Championship at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, from April 17-20.

The Wildbots’ alliance remained undefeated until the second match of the finals, racking up two matches with the event high score of 95 in the elimination rounds. The tiebreaker match was won 90-83. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Education, Front Page News, K-12, Science, Slider Tagged With: 2556 RadioActive Roaches, 2614 Mars, Angi Agle, Blake Norris, Dean’s List Finalist Award, Innovation in Control Award, Mack Patrick, Mark Buckner, Patience Sims, RadioActive Roaches, robotics, Secret City Wildbots, Smoky Mountains Regionals, Team 4265

Robotics: After regional alliance win, Secret City Wildbots will compete in World Finals in Houston

Posted at 3:18 pm March 27, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

After a regional alliance win at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday, March 24, 2018, the Secret City Wildbots robotics team of Oak Ridge, Team 4265, is headed to the World Finals in Houston in April. (Photo by Angi Agle)

After a regional alliance win at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday, March 24, 2018, the Secret City Wildbots robotics team of Oak Ridge (Team 4265) is headed to the World Finals in Houston in April. (Photo by Angi Agle)

 

Information and photos submitted by Angi Agle

KNOXVILLE—After a regional alliance win in Knoxville on Saturday, the Secret City Wildbots robotics team of Oak Ridge is headed to the World Finals in Houston in April.

The Wildbots finished the qualification rounds ranked number eight at Thompson-Boling Arena at the University of Tennessee. That made the Wildbots a team captain, eligible to select two more teams for their alliance.

However, captains select their alliance partners in the first round, with the highest-ranked team picking first. Team 2614, MARS (Mountain Area Robotics) of Morgantown, West Virginia, was the number one seed and selected Team 4265 (the Secret City Wildbots) as their first alliance pick.

The two then agreed upon Team 4306, the Robo Komodos of Franklin, Tennessee, as their third alliance partner. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Education, Front Page News, K-12, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Andrew Chan, Angi Agle, Blake Norris, Brennan Brooks, Caden Webb, Connor Shelander, Dalton Davis, Dalton Wilson, Eli Charles, Engineering Inspiration Award, Eric Thornton, Faith Guzman, FIRST World Championships, Julia Steele, Levi Parish, Lisa Buckner, Mack Patrick, Mars, Matthew Wood, Mountain Area Robotics, Oak Ridge High School, Olivia Mahathy, Roane State Foundation, Robo Komodos, Robotics Lab-in-a-Box, Ruth Hammond, Secret City Wildbots, Smoky Mountains Regional, Team 2614, Team 4265, Team 4306, Ty Dahl, World Finals

Ben Stephens appointed to Oak Ridge school board

Posted at 1:01 pm March 27, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Ben Stephens

Ben Stephens

The Oak Ridge Board of Education on Monday appointed Benjamin Stephens to fill the seat being vacated by Vice Chair Robert S. Eby, who is resigning at the end of March in order to serve on the Tennessee State Board of Education.

Stephens will serve through the county election in August. The winning candidate in that election will then serve through the November election, which will have candidates for municipal, state, and federal offices.

Stephens is manager of academic partnerships at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, according to his LinkedIn profile. He has been involved in community activities, and he serves on the Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission.

At Monday’s meeting, BOE member Angi Agle said she and Laura McLean, another board member, served on a 2020 Committee with Stephens and were impressed with his service there.

Stephens said he has worked with the board on several strategic plans, and he is honored to serve on the Oak Ridge Board of Education. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2018 Election, Education, Front Page News, K-12, Top Stories Tagged With: Angi Agle, Ben Stephens, Benjamin Stephens, Bill Haslam, BOE, county election, Keys Fillauer, Laura McLean, November election, Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission, Paige Marshall, Robert S. Eby, school board, Tennessee State Board of Education, Y-12 National Security Complex

Secret City Wildbots competing in Palmetto robotics competition

Posted at 9:21 am March 3, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Secret City Wildbots compete in the Palmetto Regional FIRST Robotics competition on Friday, March 2, 2018. Pictured above, Mantis, the robot, loads a cube for a powerup. (Photo by Angi Agle)

The Secret City Wildbots compete in the Palmetto Regional FIRST Robotics Competition on Friday, March 2, 2018. Pictured above, Mantis, the robot, loads a cube for a powerup. (Photo by Angi Agle)

 

The Secret City Wildbots are competing in the Palmetto regional robotics competition in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina this weekend.

The Wildbots ended the first day of qualification rounds on Friday with four wins and three losses, Oak Ridge Board of Education member Angi Agle said. In two of the losses, the third robot on the team did not play, and Oak Ridge was 2-on-3 for both of those.

The Wildbots ended the day ranked 33rd of 64, with two more matches today (Saturday, March 3). Number 75 is scheduled for 9:42 a.m., and Number 96 is at 12:09 p.m. Alliance selections should occur at 12:15 p.m.

Agle said Mantis, the robot, has performed better with each successive match, so two more wins could significantly improve Oak Ridge’s standing, “thereby improving our odds of being selected for an alliance for the elimination rounds tomorrow afternoon (Saturday afternoon).” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, K-12 Tagged With: Angi Agle, FIRST Robotics, Oak Ridge Board of Education, Palmetto Regional FIRST Robotics Competition, robotics, robotics competition, Secret City Wildbots

School board expects to ask city for more money for salary increases for staff

Posted at 7:54 pm May 17, 2017
By John Huotari 1 Comment

Oak Ridge Schools presented its proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 to the Oak Ridge Board of Education on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.

Oak Ridge Schools presented its proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 to the Oak Ridge Board of Education on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.

 

The Oak Ridge Board of Education expects to ask the Oak Ridge City Council for more money for a 2.5 percent salary increase for teachers and staff members.

The total amount needed to fund the 2.5 percent salary increase is $855,810, after about $98,000 worth of budget adjustments.

Most of the money for the salary increase could be available if the City of Oak Ridge agrees to continue putting into the budget $538,046 worth of funding that was given to the school system last year on a one-time basis to help pay for a digital device initiative that includes convertible laptops for students, among other expenses. In other words, the school board will ask the city to make that $538,046 a recurring source of funding, as opposed to non-recurring (one-time) money.

The school board will then ask for an additional $317,764 on top of the $538,046, or $855,810 total.

Oak Ridge Vice Chair Bob Eby made the proposal to ask for increased funding from the city. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, Government, K-12, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: Angi Agle, Bob Eby, City of Oak Ridge, Karen Gagliano, Keys Fillauer, Laura McLean, Oak Ridge Board of Education, Oak Ridge City Council, Paige Marshall, salary increase

Oak Ridge teams take top honors in FIRST Robotics World Festival

Posted at 5:44 pm April 28, 2017
By Holly Cross Leave a Comment

Secret City Wildbots FRC Houston 10 April 22 2017 Agle

The Secret City Wildbots, Team 4265, were underdogs in the quarterfinals, but they survived to the semifinals where they lost to the number one seed in the First Robotics World Championship in Houston on Saturday, April 22, 2017. (Photo by Angi Agle)

 

From Wednesday to Saturday last week, the Master Builders (Team 3132) from Jefferson Middle School and the Secret City Wildbots (Team 4265) from Oak Ridge High School competed in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics World Festival in Houston, Texas.

“We are pleased to announce that both teams experienced success in the World Festival,” Oak Ridge Schools said in a press release.

The Jefferson Middle School FIRST LEGO League team, the Master Builders, received trophies for the top awards in the world for first place in robot performance and second place in programming during the FIRST Robotics World Festival in Houston, Texas from April 19-22, 2017. (Submitted photo)

The Jefferson Middle School FIRST LEGO League team, the Master Builders, received trophies for the top awards in the world for first place in robot performance and second place in programming during the FIRST Robotics World Festival in Houston, Texas from April 19-22, 2017. (Submitted photo)

 

The FIRST LEGO League team, The Master Builders from Jefferson Middle School, received trophies for the top awards in the world for first place in robot performance, and second place in programming. There were 108 teams present for FIRST LEGO League at the World Festival from all over the globe, the press release said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Education, K-12, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Angi Agle, Farragut High School, FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Robotics World Festival, Flagship, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, Hardin Valley Academy, Jeff Thomspon, Jefferson Middle School, Lexie Scott, Lisa Buckner, Master Builders, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge Schools, RoHawkTics, Secret City Wildbots, Team 3132, Team 4265

Secret City Wildbots survived to semifinals before loss to No. 1 seed

Posted at 10:07 am April 26, 2017
By Angi Agle Leave a Comment

The Secret City Wildbots, Team 4265, were underdogs in the quarterfinals, but they survived to the semifinals where they lost to the number one seed in the First Robotics World Championship in Houston on Saturday, April 22, 2017. (Photo by Angi Agle)

The Secret City Wildbots, Team 4265, were underdogs in the quarterfinals, but they survived to the semifinals where they lost to the number one seed in the First Robotics World Championship in Houston on Saturday, April 22, 2017. (Photo by Angi Agle)

 

HOUSTON—The Secret City Wildbots were underdogs in the quarterfinals, but they survived to the semifinals where they lost to the number one seed in the First Robotics World Championship in Houston on Saturday.

Alliance member Team 3824, Hardin Valley RoHawkTics, suffered a drive train failure after the first semifinal round, and was replaced by backup Team 3140, Farragut Flagship.

“Despite a great performance, the alliance fell to the team led by Team 973, the Greybots of Atascadero, California,” Oak Ridge Board of Education member Angi Agle said.

“This is the first time, to my knowledge, that these three teams (Oak Ridge, Hardin Valley, and Farragut) have partnered on the same alliance,” Agle said. “Hopefully, this will open the door to increased collaboration in future years, embodying the FIRST spirit of ‘coopretition.'” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Education, K-12, Slider Tagged With: Angi Agle, Farragut Flagship, First Robotics World Championship, Hardin Valley RoHawkTics, robotics, Secret City Wildbots, Team 3140, Team 3824, Team 4265

Photos: Secret City Wildbots competing in First Robotics Championship in Houston

Posted at 11:47 am April 21, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The Secret City Wildbots Team 4265's robot, Luna, successfully climbs at the end of the second qualifying match of the day at the First Robotics Championship in Houston on Thursday, April 20, 2017, with the drive team in background. (Photo by Angi Agle)

The Secret City Wildbots Team 4265’s robot, Luna, successfully climbs at the end of the second qualifying match of the day at the First Robotics Championship in Houston on Thursday, April 20, 2017, with the drive team in background. (Photo by Angi Agle)

 

The Secret City Wildbots Team 4265 are competing in the First Robotics Championship in Houston this week.

Qualifying matches started Thursday, and there are matches scheduled for today (Friday, April 21).

Here is a schedule sent by Angi Agle, with Team 4265 playing at the following times and with corresponding match numbers, in case the matches run off schedule: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, K-12, Top Stories Tagged With: Angi Agle, FIRST Robotics Championship, Luna, Mack Patrick, Secret City Wildbots, Team 4265

Photo: JMS First Lego League team competing in Houston

Posted at 11:31 am April 21, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

At the First Robotics World Championship in Houston, the Jefferson Middle School First Lego League team, the JMS Master Builders, is also competing in the FLL Division. Pictured above on Thursday, April 20, 2017, are team members (left to right) Matthew Alexander, Thora Spence, Amelia Thomson, Jessica Mohr, Stella Scott, and Adam Blanchard. (Photo by Angi Agle)

At the First Robotics World Championship in Houston, the Jefferson Middle School First Lego League team, the JMS Master Builders, is also competing in the FLL Division. Pictured above on Thursday, April 20, 2017, are team members, from left to right, Matthew Alexander, Thora Spence, Amelia Thomson, Jessica Mohr, Stella Scott, and Adam Blanchard. (Photo by Angi Agle)

 

At the First Robotics World Championship in Houston, the Jefferson Middle School First Lego League team, the JMS Master Builders, is competing in the FLL Division (see photo above).

The FLL matches began Thursday at 12:50 p.m. Central time.

Photo and information provided by Angi Agle.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Filed Under: Education, Front Page News, K-12, Top Stories Tagged With: Adam Blanchard, Amelia Thomson, Angi Agle, First Robotics World Championship, FLL Division, Jefferson Middle School, Jefferson Middle School First Lego League, Jessica Mohr, JMS Master Builders, Matthew Alexander, Stella Scott, Thora Spence

Secret City Wildbots going to robotics championship

Posted at 9:27 pm March 25, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Secret City Wildbots, Team 4265 of Oak Ridge, celebrate their second semifinals win to advance to the finals at the Smoky Mountain Regional in Knoxville on Saturday, March 25, 2017. (Photo by Angi Agle)

The Secret City Wildbots, Team 4265 of Oak Ridge, celebrate their second semifinals win to advance to the finals at the Smoky Mountain Regional in Knoxville on Saturday, March 25, 2017. (Photo by Angi Agle)

 

The Secret City Wildbots won the Engineering Inspiration Award in the Smoky Mountain Regional on Saturday, and the Wildbots, Team 4265 of Oak Ridge, will advance to the FIRST Robotics Championship in Houston on April 19.

The Wildbots had advanced throughout the day on Saturday, said Angi Agle, an Oak Ridge Board of Education member who attended this week’s robotics competition at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville.

The team finished qualifying in third place, so it advanced to the quarterfinals. They won the first quarterfinal 455-273.

They tied the first semifinal round against a Hardin Valley-led alliance and then won the second semifinal against Hardin Valley, Agle said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Education, K-12, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Angi Agle, D. Ray Smith, Engineering Inspiration Award, FIRST Robotics, FIRST Robotics Championship, FIRST Steamworks, Jessie Pitz, Secret City Wildbots, Smoky Mountain Regional, Team 4265, Thompson-Boling Arena

Secret City Wildbots start qualification rounds Friday morning at Smoky Mountain Regional

Posted at 8:29 am March 24, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Members of the Secret City Wildbots crew work on Luna, the 2017 robot, during the opening practice matches on Thursday, March 23, 2017. At left (in black long sleeves) is Eric Thornton; center (also in black) is Jacob LaRose, Luke Buckner (next in yellow) as a graduate advisor, Caden Webb (in pink), mentor Chuck Agle (in black, back to camera), and Olivia Mahathy (in black, back to camera). (Photo by Angi Agle)

Members of the Secret City Wildbots crew work on Luna, the 2017 robot, during the opening practice matches on Thursday, March 23, 2017. At left (in black long sleeves) is Eric Thornton; center (also in black) is Jacob LaRose, Luke Buckner (next in yellow) as a graduate advisor, Caden Webb (in pink), mentor Chuck Agle (in black, back to camera), and Olivia Mahathy (in black, back to camera). (Photo by Angi Agle)

 

The Secret City Wildbots start qualifications rounds Friday morning at the Smoky Mountain Regional in Knoxville.

The first match for the Wildbots, Team 4265 from Oak Ridge, is scheduled at about 9:45 a.m. Friday. It’s Match Number 7 at Thompson-Boling Arena.

The Wildbots are competing in the FIRST Robotics “FIRST Steamworks” challenge, which is scheduled from Thursday, March 23, to Saturday, March 25. Their 2017 robot is named Luna.

There were practice matches on Thursday. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, Education, K-12, Slider Tagged With: Angi Agle, Caden Webb, Chuck Agle, Eric Thornton, FIRST Robotics, FIRST Steamworks, Jacob Larose, Luke Buckner, Olivia Mahathy, Secret City Wildbots, Smoky Mountain Regional, Team 4265

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Classifieds

Public Notice: Comment period extended for Draft EA for Lithium Processing Facility at Y-12

EXTENSION OF THE COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE LITHIUM PROCESSING … [Read More...]

Public Notice: Draft Environmental Assessment Available for Lithium Production Facility at Y-12

AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE LITHIUM PROCESSING FACILITY AT THE Y-12 … [Read More...]

Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment for the Oak Ridge Enhanced Technology and Training Center (ORETTC) (DOE/EA-2144), Finding of No Significant Impact, and Wetland Statement of Findings

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

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