BOE hears about Unify Champion Schools program

TOP PHOTO: Local Special Olympics Director Brandon Johnson addressed the Campbell County BOE on Tuesday about the Unify Champion Schools program.

By Charlotte Underwood 

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Local Special Olympics Director Brandon Johnson addressed the Campbell County School Board on Tuesday evening regarding a program initiative called Unify Champion Schools.

Johnson said he had spoken with Director of Schools Jennifer Fields and that a memorandum had been signed to incorporate this program into all 12 schools in the system.

“It seeks to make our sports more inclusive. Make sure our PE classes are inclusive and to promote inclusive leadership. It gets students with intellectual disabilities to involved with Beta Club and Student Council and more,” Johnson said.

The program also promotes kindness days at the elementary and middle schools, among other inclusivity initiatives.

“We’re really excited about this program. We have identified educators at each school who will step up and help integrate this program at their school,” Johnson said.

The program will also provide $1,500 in funding for each school and each teacher that steps up as a liaison gets $1,000 a year for their work with the program.

According to Johnson, Campbell County will be the first county-wide school system where each school in the county is signed up on the program.

“It is certainly a worthwhile program and I know that our board certainly appreciates that and approves that,” said BOE Chair Steve Morgan. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 06/12/2024-6AM)