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Dyersburg Board of Education hears of DMS Women’s Choir achievement
By WILLIAM NORTHCUTT
Staff reporter
Monday evening, October 14, the Dyersburg School Board gathered for their monthly meeting, which featured student achievements. The board also welcomed the new Homeland Security Agent and got a Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) accountability report.
Board members attending were Whitney Allmon, Gleyn Twilla, Chairman Jim Coy Houston, Courtney Patrick, Dr. Scott Self, and Carlos Doss. Mike Hickman was unable to attend. Appearing for Dyersburg City Schools Dyersburg City Schools (DCS) were Director Kim Worley, Technology Coordinator/CTE Director Kim Yeiter, Federal Programs Director/Personnel Director Julie Norville, Director of Federal Projects Lenita Click, Curriculum Coordinator Seela Newbill, Dyersburg High School Principal Kamela Rogers, Director of Operations Josh Rogers, and Choir Director Dustin Walters. Attending too was the area’s new Homeland Security Agent Billy Williams, a former Captain with the Dyersburg Police Department.
Held at Dyersburg High School, the meeting began with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and was followed by an approval of September’s minutes, with a motion by Self and a second from Patrick. Consent items included conference and competition travel: a Dyersburg Middle School (DMS) trip to Eureka, Missouri, a DHS Dance Team trip to Henderson, Kentucky, a DHS DECA trip to Seattle, Washington/Vancouver, Canada, and a DHS FFA trip.
Williams introduced himself and said, “I am looking forward to serving.” Worley said, “We are so thankful to have him.”
Walters had asked to speak to the board and said, “I wanted to tell you how special the DMS Women’s Choir is.” He continued, “I want to brag on these kids—they are amazing people.” He explained that they have been asked to perform at the Tennessee Music Education Association (TMEA) concert. He said that he had been attending since the 1990s and that he had seen only one middle school group perform. He said, “Just to give you an idea of how exclusive this is, last year only four groups were invited to perform, and this year only five.” He said that TMEA includes elementary to college/university music programs. He noted, “It’s the highest honor to be asked to perform.” The performance will take place on April 30, 2024, and the DMS Women’s Choir will give a 30-minute performance. Worley expressed pride in Walters and the students.
Click presented the accountability report for TISA. She said that the report had to include data showing how the schools had used the funds and the effects on student achievement. The state average is 70%; Worley stated that there is a formula for helping students to reach the 70% level.
Next, Kamela Rogers and Newbill presented a marketing video filmed, edited, and produced by DHS A/V students. Newbill said that she had talked to students of an A/V class who concluded that to better market DHS, they needed to make an infomercial. Four different groups each produced a video, editing it, adding a soundtrack, and making a final cut. Kamela Rogers stated, “We have great teachers and community partners, including Rough Country.” Houston remarked that the informercials were “Really, really good.”
Houston noted the many recent achievements of Dyersburg City Schools’ students and programs, including:
Clare Bernheisel, who was named a 2025 National Merit Semifinalist.
DHS Band and Color Guard which won awards at the Band Invitational
DHS Student Council for hosting the Powder Puff Games, earning $500 for gate receipts and donating the money to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
2024 Lady Trojans, who received their State Championship rings during halftime at the football game in Bolivar