Dozens of volunteers, student artists and young inventors were recognized at the Franklin Special School District board meeting in April, and the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents presented a superintendent-of-the-year ring to Dr. David Snowden.

Why it matters: Recognition events highlight community volunteer contributions, student achievement, and district partnerships; the superintendent honor is a statewide recognition that the district highlighted at the meeting.

The board presented its “top 40” volunteer awards, calling the names of volunteers from Franklin Elementary, Johnson Elementary, Liberty Elementary, Moore Elementary, Poplar Grove and other schools. The board president and district staff publicly thanked the parents and community volunteers for their work in classrooms and schools.

The district named eighth-grader Alex Michaud of Freedom Middle School as Franklin SSD’s student artist of the month, citing a series of three paintings that used heavy-bodied acrylics and an impasto technique; the artwork is on display at the central office gallery. The board acknowledged a $15 gift-card donation from Chuck Sugg for the student artist recognition.

The board read a proclamation recognizing Tuesday, April 22, 2025, as Pupil Transportation Appreciation Day. The proclamation stated the district’s transportation team provides daily service to approximately 1,900 students, supports many field trips and events, and that a single school bus can relieve the equivalent of about 40 passenger cars.

Franklin students also earned recognition at the Tennessee Invention Convention. Officials said four projects were selected to present at the national competition in June at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan. Poplar Grove and Freedom-area teams were among those advancing; examples included an adjustable ankle-weight training aid for batters and a portable seat to improve inclusion for people with limited mobility. The district announced an inventor showcase on April 30 at the Performing Arts Center; tickets were advertised at $5.

Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents (TOS) executive director Dr. Gary Lillie presented a superintendent-of-the-year ring to Dr. David Snowden. Lillie said the ring is a new tradition developed by TOS and was created with support from American Fidelity and its representatives in attendance.

Board members and staff closed the recognitions by inviting families and community members to the upcoming Night of Celebration on April 24, and by thanking volunteers and teachers for their contributions.

(Reported from the Franklin SSD board meeting.)