Yvonne Gilliam

Yvonne Gilliam

The Bell County school district strives to provide a variety of quality educational services to our students. Through the assistance of several grants this year, kindergarten through 8th-grade students received new instructional materials in reading and mathematics. The district’s six elementary schools have a seven-period-day structure, which affords one period for linear Response to Interventions  to accommodate the behavioral and instructional needs of all students.

Professional development continues to incorporate vertical team meetings for all content areas and in-depth curriculum development. A district-developed on-demand writing project is in place for 9th-grade students and a document-based question program is new this year in social studies for grades 10 and 11.

This is the second year of Bell County’s virtual school program for students in grades 6 through 12 who are not able to attend classes. This year, through grant funding, the district employed a full-time social worker to help meet the needs of students outside of the classroom. Dual credit and Advanced Placement courses originally implemented in 1985 continue to provide early access to college. Also, an alliance with Berea College’s GEAR-UP program further enhances college- and career-readiness opportunities for all students.

Bell County is proud of the accomplishments of all of the district’s schools, but is extremely proud of the kindergarten through 8th-grade facility, the Bell Central School Center, which is a distinguished school at the elementary level and proficient at the middle grades level.

The Bell County Board of Education made the difficult and courageous decision in 2012 to pass the “recallable nickel” tax with tremendous community support. Following this action, the district is proceeding with more than $20 million in needed renovations and new construction.

The Bell County Board and employees take great pride in the accomplishments of our students.