Homebound teacher’s pay was doubled from $15 per hour to $30 per hour at the regular meeting of the Union County Board of Education last month. The pay per hour is the same as the teachers who tutor after school. The increase was necessary to provide services of three hours per week to students who have a medical reason for missing school for a short amount of time. According to UC Schools Director Greg Clay, the pay had not increased in several (at least 15) years.

Hayden Caldwell, UCHS Student Representative, addressed the board of education in February during their workshop. He informed members of several upcoming events including Winter Court, the choir performance at Dollywood, and the band and choir concert on Thursday, March 5. Hayden spoke briefly about the opportunity to participate in Middle College, a program in cooperation with Walters State Community College to graduate with an associate degree while completing high school.

In its meeting on January 15, the Union County Board of Education resolved several issues that had dominated workshop discussions over most of 2025.

At their August meeting, the Union County Board of Education approved a resolution to support the state’s attempt to investigate teacher workload and to allow districts to decide how often to evaluate high-performing teachers. By the board’s action on the resolution, it may become a part of the TSBA Legislative Program and be supported by districts statewide. Legislation with wide local support usually has a better chance of getting the Tennessee General Assembly approval.

At its July 10, 2025, meeting, the Union County Board of Education had a lively and lengthy discussion on policy changes that were the result of changes in state law. Adding a student member to the Board and defining regulations regarding cell phone use dominated the conversation.

New building construction for schools was a central topic at the regular Union County Board of Education Meeting in April. The school system has multiple projects at Union County High as well as the new middle school construction. Walls are being constructed for the TCAT /WSCC high school addition.

Merit Construction has begun erecting the outer walls and even the classrooms of one wing of the new middle school. But construction has not come easy as every shovel of dirt seems to turn up rocks and more rocks. The latest location of rock is at the end of John Deere Drive as improvement on the road began. The construction has nearly depleted the original contingency fund due to the excess of rock, and the Union County Board of Education approved the use of $10,000 more of the original $300,000 contingency at the regular March meeting.

The Union County Board of Education addressed two change orders for the new middle school during its meeting in February. The Lewis Group and Merit Construction requested an extension to the contract completion due to the snowy and rainy January weather, combined with the tremendous amount of time spent on removing rock and addressing voids and a cave at the site. The board agreed to an extension but commented that hopefully construction would not be extended for the full 30-day request.

The Union County Board of Education awarded 46 commendations to Union County teachers for excellence with regards to the state assessments at the December board meeting. Educators were recognized for achievement above the state average, growth scores of 4 or 5, and attainment of Level 5 overall.

The Union County Board of Education approved multiple items to comply with state and federal regulations as well as proceeding as planned for the new middle school construction at the November meeting.