Fore Note: Mr. Clabough is the nephew of Lenoir City mayor, Tony Aikens. Ms. Murray is the Lenoir City Hall receptionist.

Lenoir City names new school board leadership

Adam Delahoussaye news-herald.net

In a brief session held by the Lenoir City Board of Education on Thursday, May 8, new leadership was named — as the current school year winds down and the school board continues to prepare for the next school year and beyond.

Board member Chris Clabough was named the 2025-2026 board chairman in a unanimous vote at Thursday’s meeting. The motion to nominate Clabough was made by BOE member Laci Murray, with a second coming from new member Tammy Powell.

The motion and vote was preceded by a nomination for Mitch Ledbetter, the current chairman, by school board member Rick Chadwick. But it received no second and failed.

The vice chairman position will be filled by Laci Murray, who received her motion for nomination from Clabough, and a second from Powell. Murray replaces former Vice Chairman Rick Chadwick.

No other members or candidates were nominated, and Murray was elected to the position unanimously.

ADDITIONAL BUSINESS, BONUSES

School Superintendent Millicent Smith also stated that the onetime bonus voted on back in April will be hitting teacher payrolls this week, with an estimated date of Monday, May 12.

The bonuses are directly tied to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s new school voucher program, which is set to roll out in time for the 2025-2026 school year.

“I heard a lot of feedback from teachers and staff,” Smith said. “They appreciate it being done so quickly.

“It was apropos for it to be the week of teacher appreciation.”

The Lenoir City Board of Education will reconvene on May 22, 2025 at 4 p.m.