Carolyn Spoone Holt

Board Positions currently (or formerly) held:
· Chairman of the Hamblen County Board of Education
· Vice Chairman for the HCBOE.
· Level V Master Boardsman with TSBA
· TSBA Ambassador
· TSBA All-Tennessee School Board (2003)
· Board member representative to the HC*ExCell Board of Directors
· Formerly represented the board on the system-wide Policy Committee and Safety Committee
· Member of P-16 Council and Sustainment Committee

Educational Background:
Master of Science Degree, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
A former honors' graduate from Morristown Hamblen West High School and attended Fairview Marguerite Elementary School.

Current Position:
Director of Nutritional and Diabetes Management Services, Morristown Hamblen Healthcare System. Currently serving as president of the Tennessee Dietetic Association.

Professional Background:
A registered dietitian with the American Dietetic Association and licensed to practice dietetics in the State of Tennessee. Achieved the distinction of Fellow of the American Dietetic Association and a former Outstanding Dietitian of the Year in Tennessee. A healthcare professional with 28 years experience in clinical and administrative management, community relations, marketing, and a former educator on the post secondary level.

What are your goals for the board?
1) Focus on the P-16 Goal of making education the number one priority in Hamblen County
2) Provide leadership in the strategic planning process and board development leading to a unified team approach throughout the entire school district
3) Implement new and enhance existing programs and services in the Hamblen County School District that will directly impact student achievement in all subject areas.
4) Expand the early childhood education program
5) Involve parents, business and industry, elected officials and other community groups in programs that will benefit the academic environment for our students and staff
6) Safe learning environment for students and staff
7) Focus on our major responsibilities including a clear vision for the
school district, developing board policies, and promoting the school district
8) Improve communication with the community and elected officials focusing on the school improvement plan and the financial impact of the plan to achieve system-wide goals.
9) Staff Development of personnel in the school district.

What are your areas of expertise on the board? What do you bring to the table?
Management experience in goals setting, strategic planning, and budgeting
Expertise in child health and nutrition matters
Program development and implementation
Networking and relationship building.

What do you see as two major issues facing Hamblen County Schools?
1)Budgeting and Finances-presenting system-wide needs, attaching these needs to the budget process, and educating the community of the impact finances has on the total picture of education in Hamblen County.

2) Continue to meet the challenge of educating an increasingly diverse population of students.

What do you see as the strong points of Hamblen County Schools?
Our system-wide personnel who exemplify a strong love and commitment for the academic and personal growth of children in Hamblen County.
Proactive approach to implementing programs and services within the school district.
Programs in our school district that involve community partnerships (Character Counts, DARE, HC*EXCELL teacher grants, Middle School Achievement Banquet).

If you could wave a magic wand and do one thing for Hamblen County Schools what would it be?
Additional funding that would allow competitive salaries for personnel, update existing facilities, and focus on technology improvements.

Share a positive school board experience
I enjoy Serving Children! I've had many positive experiences since being elected to the school board. I particularly enjoy interacting with students and staff. Visiting and interacting with the students and staff in our school district whether it be reading to students in an elementary classroom, presenting a program to middle school students, attending a forsenics program, presenting a motivational speech to the football team, attending a community-wide event that invites the participation of our students, or presenting diplomas to our high school graduates. Knowing that I have given a small part of my life to make a positive impact on our future leaders makes it very worthwhile.

Family
Wife of the late Lynn C. Holt and mother of son, Matthew, who is a sixth grader at Lincoln Middle School.

Hobbies, favorite leisure-time activities, pets, etc.
My hobbies include collecting Christmas ornaments, cross stitching, and volunteering in the community when time allows.

My favorite leisure time activities include spending time and traveling with my family, offering assistance and encouragement to Matthew in his academics and sports activities.~

What else would you want the community to know about you?
I have a passion for education and always will be a strong advocate for children. When making decisions, I spend a great deal of time studying the impact the decision will have on children. I have always tried to be visionary in my work as a board member.

Content and Photography courtesy of Teresa Ayers