The Hamblen County Department of Education will be awarded a one-time $600,000 budget increase to cover pay raises, a combined grant writer/communications director and for a tech-refresh, done ideally every four years.

The Hamblen County Budget Committee Thursday approved the Department of Education’s request with a roll call vote it passed 7-0 with six commissioners abstaining. Voting in favor were Commissioners Stan Harville, Brenda Howell, Joe Huntsman, Wayne NeSmith, Mike Richardson, Kyle Walker and Jamie Carden, who proposed the $600K. Abstaining were Commissioners Debbie A’Hearn, Edna Greene, Tim Horner, Rodney Long, Mike Reed and Commission Chairman Tommy Haun.

Hamblen County Superintendent of Schools Arnold Bunch had asked the commission for an additional 1.5% for pay raises, the

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