💛🦅 Meet Our New Assistant Principal! 🦅💛
Spencer Elementary School is excited to welcome our new Assistant Principal!
"I am honored to serve Spencer Elementary School as the new Assistant Principal. I am 36 years old, a proud husband to my wife, Hollie, and a father to two wonderful children. Hollie and I have been married for 15 years, and family is at the heart of everything I do.
As a lifelong resident of Van Buren County, I was raised in Spencer and am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve the community that has always been home. I have proudly served Spencer Elementary School for the past nine years, and I am excited to continue my journey here in this new leadership role.
Outside of school, I enjoy sports—especially basketball—and love coaching, mentoring young people, and spending quality time with my family.
I look forward to partnering with our outstanding staff, students, families, and community as we continue building on the tradition of excellence at Spencer Elementary School. It is a privilege to serve this wonderful school, and I am excited for a fantastic year ahead!"
Spencer Elementary School is excited to welcome our new Assistant Principal!
"I am honored to serve Spencer Elementary School as the new Assistant Principal. I am 36 years old, a proud husband to my wife, Hollie, and a father to two wonderful children. Hollie and I have been married for 15 years, and family is at the heart of everything I do.
As a lifelong resident of Van Buren County, I was raised in Spencer and am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve the community that has always been home. I have proudly served Spencer Elementary School for the past nine years, and I am excited to continue my journey here in this new leadership role.
Outside of school, I enjoy sports—especially basketball—and love coaching, mentoring young people, and spending quality time with my family.
I look forward to partnering with our outstanding staff, students, families, and community as we continue building on the tradition of excellence at Spencer Elementary School. It is a privilege to serve this wonderful school, and I am excited for a fantastic year ahead!"
Job Opening with the Ayers Foundation
Position: Student Success Coordinator
Location: Van Buren County High School
Link: https://ayersfoundationtrust.org/jobs/student-success-coordinator-van-buren-county-high-school-2/
Position: Student Success Coordinator
Location: Van Buren County High School
Link: https://ayersfoundationtrust.org/jobs/student-success-coordinator-van-buren-county-high-school-2/
Welcome to the Spencer Elementary Family, Mr. Bates!
Hello! My name is Gary Bates, and I'm very honored to have been selected to be the new principal of Spencer Elementary. I'm excited to be returning as a principal to an elementary setting. It is a role I am familiar with, having served for twelve years as the principal of a prek-6th grade elementary school. I began my career in 1991 as a fifth-grade teacher and have held many different positions over 35 years. For the last four years, I have served as an instructional coach in Bledsoe County for the middle school and high school.
I live just a few miles down the road with my wife of 35 years, two of my adult children, my mother, my mother-in-law, a dog, two cats, four ducks, six chickens, and a rooster. I'm looking forward to being part of the Spencer community and serving you. I'll see you all in August!
Hello! My name is Gary Bates, and I'm very honored to have been selected to be the new principal of Spencer Elementary. I'm excited to be returning as a principal to an elementary setting. It is a role I am familiar with, having served for twelve years as the principal of a prek-6th grade elementary school. I began my career in 1991 as a fifth-grade teacher and have held many different positions over 35 years. For the last four years, I have served as an instructional coach in Bledsoe County for the middle school and high school.
I live just a few miles down the road with my wife of 35 years, two of my adult children, my mother, my mother-in-law, a dog, two cats, four ducks, six chickens, and a rooster. I'm looking forward to being part of the Spencer community and serving you. I'll see you all in August!
High School Volleyball tryouts girls entering grades 9 through 12 for the 2026-2027 school year will be held Wednesday, May 20th from 3:15-5:00 at the auxiliary gym. If your child will be trying out, paperwork needs to be picked up in the front office and brought to the tryout. Please dress appropriately for the tryout wearing shorts, t-shirt, and tennis shoes. Knee pads are optional, but encouraged. Pickup will be at the auxiliary gym at 5 pm.
Families and Community: For those attending tonight’s VBHS Graduation Ceremony, please note that all campus traffic will be redirected via Sparta Street from the Veteran’s Square side. This will be the only open route for entry and access to designated parking areas.
This adjustment is being made to ensure the safety of our pedestrian traffic.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
We look forward to celebrating the incredible accomplishments of the VBHS Class of 2026 tonight!
This adjustment is being made to ensure the safety of our pedestrian traffic.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
We look forward to celebrating the incredible accomplishments of the VBHS Class of 2026 tonight!
Coaching Opportunities for the 2026-2027 School Year
A huge thank you to our Energy Champions, Angie Bouldin at Spencer Elementary School and Rachel Sparkman at Van Buren County High School, along with our outstanding partners at TVA, for helping secure $10,000 grants for each school through the TVA School Uplift Program. Grants like these play a vital role in improving our facilities and creating better learning environments for our students and staff. We appreciate everyone who helped make this opportunity possible!
Van Buren County Board of Education will have a work session on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 5:30pm.
REMINDER
Middle School girls basketball tryouts will be tomorrow, Monday May 11th, 3:00 to 4:30 at the auxiliary gym. Tryouts are for girls who will be in 6th-8th grade next year. The girls will need to wait on Coach Roberts in the high school gym, so everyone can walk over together.
REMINDER
High school girls basketball tryouts will be tomorrow, Monday, May 11th from 3:00 to 4:30 in the high school gym.
High school girls basketball tryouts will be Monday, May 11th from 3:00 to 4:30 in the high school gym.
Middle School girls basketball tryouts will be Monday May 11th, 3:00 to 4:30 at the auxiliary gym. Tryouts are for girls who will be in 6th-8th grade next year. The girls will need to wait on Coach Roberts in the high school gym, so everyone can walk over together.
REMINDER:
Middle School boys basketball tryouts will be tomorrow, Thursday, May 7th, 3:00 to 4:30. Tryouts are for boys who will be in 6th-8th grade next year. Tryouts will be at the high school gym. Pickup will be in the back parking lot.
Van Buren County Schools would like to spotlight Ayers Foundation College Access Counselor, Mrs. Amanda DeBord! We want to recognize the incredible impact she has on our students. Mrs. DeBord works tirelessly with all seniors to create their postsecondary plans and organizes important events such as College App Week, campus tours, and Senior Signing Day. Her work is truly invaluable, playing a key role in guiding students into their futures. Thanks to her dedication behind the scenes, our seniors were awarded an impressive total of over $727, 000 in scholarships at our awards day program. Thank you, Mrs. DeBord, for everything you do to support and inspire our students! And by the way, Mrs. DeBord is a proud Van Buren County High School Alumni.
Middle School boys basketball tryouts will be Thursday, May 7th, 3:00 to 4:30. Tryouts are for boys who will be in 6th-8th grade next year. Tryouts will be at the high school gym. Pickup will be in the back parking lot.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, middle school girls basketball tryouts have been canceled today. When a new date & time has been set everyone will be notified. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Boys high school basketball tryouts are Tuesday (May 5th) & Wednesday (May 6th) in the high school gym from 3:00-4:30.
REMINDER:
Girls middle school basketball tryouts are tomorrow, Monday, May 4th from 3:00-4:30 in the high school gym. Tryouts are for any girl who will be in middle school next school year. Please wear proper attire to tryouts.
🌟 Join the TN Kids Serve Summer Challenge! 🌟
Looking for a meaningful (and fun!) way to keep your child engaged this summer? The TN Kids Serve Summer Challenge is back!
Open to rising Kindergarten through rising 6th grade students, this annual challenge runs June 1 – August 1 and is designed to inspire a lifelong love of serving others. 💛
Families will receive weekly ideas, resources, and simple ways to give back—making it easy for kids to support their neighbors and strengthen their communities in creative and exciting ways.
🎉 Bonus: Students who complete the challenge will be invited to a special carnival celebration at the Tennessee Residence in September, hosted by the Governor and First Lady Lee!
📲 Ready to get started?
Visit the First Lady’s website for details and registration, or contact Tennessee.Serves@tn.gov for more information.
Let’s make a difference together this summer! 💫
Looking for a meaningful (and fun!) way to keep your child engaged this summer? The TN Kids Serve Summer Challenge is back!
Open to rising Kindergarten through rising 6th grade students, this annual challenge runs June 1 – August 1 and is designed to inspire a lifelong love of serving others. 💛
Families will receive weekly ideas, resources, and simple ways to give back—making it easy for kids to support their neighbors and strengthen their communities in creative and exciting ways.
🎉 Bonus: Students who complete the challenge will be invited to a special carnival celebration at the Tennessee Residence in September, hosted by the Governor and First Lady Lee!
📲 Ready to get started?
Visit the First Lady’s website for details and registration, or contact Tennessee.Serves@tn.gov for more information.
Let’s make a difference together this summer! 💫
Any girl who will be in middle school next school year, and is interested in trying out for the basketball team, tryouts will be held on May 4th from 3-4:30 in the high school gym. Make sure that the girls wear proper attire to tryouts. If you have any questions contact Coach Roberts, thank you.