Board policy revisions caused some discussion at the Union County Board of Education meeting on June 18. At issue was Board Policy 2.805 Purchasing. The policy revision was not on the agenda. However, Rebecca Lock from Plainview offered a revision to the purchasing policy along with other policy revisions for discussion.
On May 21 Union County Public Schools honored the incredible teachers and staff with an end-of-the-year celebration and several special recognitions.
UCPS truly appreciates the hard work, dedication and commitment shown by each and every employee throughout the school year. All of these efforts help make UC schools a success.
A special thank you to Baked by Grace for providing an amazing breakfast for everyone to enjoy.
The Union County Board of Education honored two current employees for their many years of service. Sarah Maness, a special education teacher at Horace Maynard Middle School has been teaching and mentoring children with special needs for 47 years. She established the Comprehensive Development Class at Maynardville Elementary. She has impacted the lives of numerous children in Sharps Chapel Elementary, Maynardville Elementary, and presently at HMMS. Sarah's students learn life skills, basic numeracy and literacy as well as social skills.
The Union County School Board recognized outstanding teachers of excellence at the meeting on March 19, 2026, for scoring TVAAS Level 4 or Level 5 or scoring above the state average in at least one tested subject.
At Big Ridge Elementary are Derrick Tharpe- 4th & 5th grade English. above state average; TVAAS Level 5, and Renita Malone- 4th & 5th grade Science above state average.
On January 5, Rebecca Lock, Union County Board of Education member, presented Representative Dennis Powers with a Making a Difference Award for his dedication and service to Union County Public Schools. In 2011, Representative Powers was very instrumental in obtaining the Tennessee Virtual Academy as part of former Director Wayne Goforth’s initiative to find additional revenue for UCPS as well as address the need for some students to access an online education.
Terry Washam opened the October UC Board of Education workshop and meeting with the comment that he would follow Roberts Rules of Order and anyone who spoke without recognition from the chairman would be ruled out of order. Then he led the board in recognizing two leaders for their service.
Dr. Lauren Effler, Pre-K director for Union County Public Schools, announces that registration is now open for Pre-K students enrolling for in-person learning next fall.
The Pre-K curriculum, designed to get kids ready for kindergarten, teaches important things such as letters, numbers, shapes, and colors. Children are also taught social skills like interacting with other kids, cooperating and working with others, and how to problem-solve.
Union County High School’s star soccer player, Emma Moyers, broke the school’s scoring record with a whopping 41 goals. The Lady Patriot coach, Drew Richardson, claims that Moyers obtains a great amount of respect from him and hopes she one day would grant him the opportunity of helping mentor future and upcoming soccer players. Richardson also says that Emma has unbelievable talent. He is extremely hopeful that she stays on the path she is walking (or running) now. Moyers is ecstatic to hold the new record. She is most definitely “kicking” her way to the top.
The Union County High School basketball team received a brand new gym floor. The floor replaced the old red border with a fresh new navy blue trim. The floor was designed by the basketball coaches, Roger Murphy and Shane Brown. In a recent interview with the boys basketball coach, Shane Brown said, "It was time for a new one." Coach Brown goes on to later say that it had been over ten years since the floor had been totally redone. A brand new floor and a brand new season for Union County basketball.
The workshop occurs prior to the meeting to provide information on business items and discussion by board members. No votes are taken during the workshop, only the meeting.