Letter to the County

Board Chair Steve Vantrease Asks County to Stay Safe
Posted on 11/30/2020
This is the image for the news article titled Board Chair Steve Vantrease Asks County to Stay SafeTo my fellow Weakley County residents,

My mother worked in a school cafeteria and helped me see “how the biscuits are made.” By that I mean, I learned early on the importance of service, a positive outlook, and treating others as I would like to be treated. (I also learned that few can equal the smell of baked goods wafting through the lunchroom but that’s another story.)

I have been on the board of Weakley County Schools for 20 years and in this community for almost 50 years. I’ve seen our school district face some tough challenges and our communities endure some hard blows. But I have never witnessed what COVID-19 has wrought. We’ve been gut-punched to say the least.

However, I have also watched Weakley County excel academically, steadily claiming higher and higher numbers in ACT testing and reading. I’ve been there as soon-to-be-graduates signed letters of intent to universities and our CTE students committed to trade schools for the finishing touches on their careers in a much-needed trade. The recent Veterans Day celebrations reminded me that we just don’t honor those who serve us in the military, we add to their ranks each year with graduates eager to make this a safer country.

We’ve heralded gridiron champions and basketball greats and have seen trophy cases bulge with awards in soccer, cross-country and golf.

We may be a small county but we have a big impact. And that’s why I’m writing this letter.

If we were heading to a state championship or seeking to reward an outstanding Beta Club or science team and came knocking on your door to ask for your support, I know, because I’ve seen it, you would respond. You always do.

So in this virtual world where we can no longer feel good about going door-to-door, we are still knocking. And with my mother’s positive attitude, I’m still believing that you will respond. The request is quite simple: Stay Safe.

Stay safe so we can keep Weakley strong.

Stay safe by washing your hands frequently and thoroughly.

Stay safe by wearing a clean mask. Stay safe by staying apart.

The key here is that when I do all these things, I’m doing for you what I would like done for me and for the children I serve as chairman of the Weakley County Schools Board.

Thank you,


Steve Vantrease
Chair, Board of Education, Weakley County Schools
Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.