4-3 VOTE EXTENDS TULLAHOMA’S DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS CONTRACT

The winds of change, which swept Troy Bisby from the office of Tullahoma Mayor, almost nixed the contract extension of Tullahoma’s Director of Schools during Monday night's school board meeting.

John Manis, one of three Tullahoma School Board members to oppose Dr. Dan Lawson’s contract extension, said that “there are people in Tullahoma who feel there is a need for a fresh start and a fresh philosophy on how we run the school system.”

The board approved extending Lawson's contract to June 30, 2013 with a 4-3 vote. The vote occurred immediately after Vicki Shelton's motion for an extension, with no discussion from board members. Opposing the contract were Manis, Teresa Lawson and Sharon Vance. Voting in favor were Shelton, Linda Thoma, Daryl Welch and Pat Welsh.

After the meeting, Manis said that his vote was influenced largely by “a difference in opinion on how things are managed within the school system” and not on Lawson's performance as director.

“There are some things that we do very well in the Tullahoma school system, and also some things that we could do better.”

“My biggest thing is a philosophical difference of running the schools as a system and not running them separately, as they have been for the last 25 years.”

Manis believes that the board's vote was a “fairly balanced reflection of how the community feels about the school system. There are some people who feel there should be a change, and others think that things are running just fine.”

According to Manis, he received many calls from administration personnel, parents, teachers and students with views on both sides.

Vance, who was elected to the board last year, said she also had received many emails and calls with concerns on how the system was being run.

“I started receiving them while I was campaigning for the school board,” Vance said. “Basically they feel that it is time for a change.”

And Vance agreed.

Despite their “no” votes, both Vance and Manis said they will continue to work with Lawson.

“I accept the decision [of the board],” said Manis. “We've got great things in Tullahoma. And we'll just continue to move the Tullahoma school system forward.”

Lawson said this was the first time in 20 years that he has failed to have his contract unanimously approved by a board.

Before accepting his position as Tullahoma's school director in 1997, Lawson had performed a similar role in Mountain Grove, Missouri.

“ I would have liked a unanimous vote again, but I'm not truly surprised [by the vote],” said Lawson, adding “A vote like that means you are operating on borrowed time.”

South Jackson Goes Country August 12

It's that time of the year, when South Jackson Civic Center's stage is dedicated to all things country.

South Jackson Goes Country is known as much for its live commercials, as it is for its musical performances. But this year, Saturday's lineup will include Sarah Blair, who will raise the caliber of the show a notch.

Absent from the annual country extravaganza for several years, Blair will be performing two numbers, including Two More Bottles of Wine, made famous in the 1970s by Emmylou Harris.
One might consider this to be an odd selection, considering Blair is a member of the Christian music group, Beyond Me, featuring Jonathan Fly.

But it is all in fun, said Blair.

“They wanted me to sing something old,” said Blair. “I had just met Kenny Wrinn, [a member of the South Jackson Goes Country house band], and he said, 'Sarah, can you do this song.' And he started playing. And I said, 'Oh my gosh. My mom used to [sing] that when I was a little kid.’ And it's so funny that I could remember the words from that time.”

“I just had to perform it, because it was so bizarre he asked me to do that particular song.”

Blair, who grew up in Toronto, Canada, has been living in Tullahoma with her husband, Dr. Mark Blair, a general surgeon, and her two children, for the last 11 years. Music has been an important part of her life since she was a small child, and it remains so.

“I just love it,” aid Blair. “My family is very musical. My thirteen-year-old son, Jake, plays the piano amazingly. And he's begun to write music. My daughter, Faith, who turns eight, will be performing for the first time during the show, by herself. And I think it is awesome that Tullahoma has this arts venue for all ages."

Music could just be in her childrens genes.

Their great-uncle was Johnny Cymbal, a songwriter, singer and record producer, based in Nashville. According to a Wikipedia entry, he was responsible for such hit records as Cinnamon, Mary In The Morning, and I'm Drinking Canada Dry.

“I'm over-joyed that they are both into singing now. It's fun. Maybe the three of us will start a family band,” she said laughing.

And her husband?

“My husband is our biggest fan,” said Blair. “He is really behind us. Today, during rehearsal, he texted, 'I've made sweet and sour chicken for you guys.' So I dropped my daughter off, and he made her dinner, after working all day in surgery. I'm really fortunate to have a husband who is so encouraging.”

Performances are on August 12, 13 and 14. The warm-up show begins at 7 pm on Friday and Saturday, followed by the main show at 7:30 pm. Sunday's warm-up show is at 1:30 pm, and the main show begins at 2 pm. Each day's show features a different line-up.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Reservations can be made by calling 931-455-5321