Oak Ridge Today

Loaded pistol found in parking area at Clinton Elementary

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A teacher found a loaded pistol in the upper parking area at Clinton Elementary School at about 6:50 a.m. Monday, authorities said.

The school contacted the Clinton Police Department, and officers arrived to ensure the weapon was made safe, a press release said.

“The weapon hasn’t been reported stolen, and we will be taking measures to ensure it isn’t tied to any criminal activity,” the CPD said.

The rear parking area of the building is open to the public after hours. Friday night, the school hosted a fundraiser, and it is possible that the weapon accidentally fell from a vehicle that evening, the press release said. [Read more…]

More on Clinton schools’ decision to close on Eclipse Day

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Information from WYSH Radio

As you are no doubt aware, there will be a total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, with the path of totality expected to pass over East Tennessee. Several area school systems will be closed that day, including those in Anderson County and the city of Clinton.

Originally, the school system had planned to keep schools open and allow parents to join their students to view the eclipse with their teachers to take advantage of the unique educational opportunity, but that has changed over the past week or so, as Director of Schools Kelly Johnson explained Wednesday morning, with many parents citing safety concerns associated with viewing an eclipse and a desire to have more of a role in determining the level of their student’s involvement. [Read more…]

Clinton teachers, principal of the year honored

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Information from WYSH Radio

Clinton City Schools Director Kelly Johnson recognized the school system’s teachers of the year and principal of the year during the Clinton City Council meeting on Monday night.

Leslie Goins of North Clinton Elementary School, Abbey Kidwell of South Clinton Elementary School, and Kimberly O’Dell of Clinton Elementary School were voted teachers of the year from their respective schools by their peers.

Leighann Bonesteel, principal of South Clinton Elementary, earned principal of the year honors.

A banquet will be held on April 11 at First Baptist Church in Clinton to recognize these individuals as well as the educators of the year from the Anderson County school system.

Clinton City Schools’ assistant director accepts director’s position

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Kelly Johnson

Kelly Johnson

By Jim Harris/WYSH Radio

On Monday, the Clinton City School Board voted to offer current assistant director of schools Kelly Johnson the director’s position, succeeding Vicki Violette, who is retiring after 10 years as Clinton’s top educator.

Johnson, a Clinton native and alumna of the city school system, has accepted the offer and will negotiate a contract with the School Board and take over on July 1.

Johnson also currently serves as the three-school system’s director of curriculum and has been with the system for three years. She began teaching in 1993 in Knox County, eventually moving on to school administrative positions and eventually spending three years supervising Knox County’s 18 elementary schools. [Read more…]