The Smith County Board of Education spent much of its meeting Monday night discussing disciplinary action involving Smith County High School teacher Jason Robert Smith, following allegations of inappropriate comments and conduct involving students.

According to documents presented during the meeting, Director of Schools Barry Smith recommended the suspension of Jason Robert Smith, a tenured teacher at Smith County High School, citing allegations of unprofessional conduct, conduct unbecoming a teacher, insubordination, and violations of board policy and the Tennessee Teacher Code of Ethics.

Board members were told their role Monday night was not to determine whether the allegations were true, but rather to decide whether the charges, if proven true, would warrant suspension or termination and whether the charges should move forward through the due process procedure.

Among the allegations discussed during the meeting were claims that on or about April 10, 2026, Smith told a student to “get a zero, burn in hell. I don’t care,” after the student allegedly ignored him.

Board member Joe Taylor made a motion to terminate Smith’s employment if the allegations were true. During discussion, board members noted that approving termination would begin a formal hearing process in which Smith would have the opportunity to respond to the allegations and defend himself.

The motion to terminate failed.

The board later approved a motion to uphold Smith’s suspension through the remainder of the school year, which ends May 22, 2026.

Following the meeting, tensions escalated inside the meeting room during an exchange between board member Joe Taylor and a member of the public.

After the meeting took a recess, a man approached Taylor and told him he “shouldn’t point his finger at people” and that it was “a sign of weakness.” Taylor responded that he was not weak and stated he would “knock the hell out of him” while raising his fist toward the man. Taylor also told the man to “meet him outside.”

No physical altercation occurred, and the situation was quickly diffused by others in the room.

You can find video of the meeting and footage of the altercation on Smith County Insider’s facebook page during Part 1 of the May 11, 2026 Smith County Board of Education Meeting. 

Memphis, TN—Today, U.S. Congressman John Rose (TN-6, R), a candidate for Governor of Tennessee, joined President Donald Trump in Memphis as the President highlighted the achievements of the Memphis Safe Task Force and ongoing efforts to improve public safety in the region.

Congressman Rose joins President Trump in Memphis alongside law enforcement and National Guard members to highlight the work of the Memphis Safe Task Force.

Rose, who has made strengthening public safety a cornerstone of his gubernatorial campaign, reinforced the importance of restoring public safety and stability in Memphis as a key step toward ensuring the success of the entire state. 

“I want to commend President Trump and the Memphis Safe Task Force on their work. Tennessee will only reach its full potential when Memphis is safe, strong, and thriving,” said Rose. “That means standing firmly with our law enforcement officers and making it clear that crime has no place in Tennessee.”

Rose emphasized his commitment to a law-and-order approach as Governor, including appointing judges who will hold violent offenders accountable, ensuring law enforcement agencies have the resources they need, and sending the message that lawlessness is not welcome—in Memphis and in Nashville.

Rose’s visit underscores his campaign’s focus on public safety and his belief that strong leadership and decisive action are needed to address crime, strengthen communities, and improve quality of life across the state.

Congressman John Rose (TN-6), an eighth generation Tennessean, announced his candidacy for Governor on March 20, 2025, at the site of the Tennessee State Fair in Wilson County. His conservative record in Congress, mutual support with President Trump, and deep roots in agriculture have helped him gain support from voters across the state. Rose is a successful businessman, served as Tennessee’s Commissioner of Agriculture, and represents the 6th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He and his wife Chelsea have two children, and live on their Dekalb and Smith County farm which has been in the Rose family since 1790. 

To learn more about the campaign, visit johnrose.com. Early voting begins July 17 and election day is August 6.

MEMPHIS, TN — Democratic candidate for Tennessee governor Jerri Green has released her first campaign ad, “Watch Me,” delivering a message of urgency and determination as she prepares for a challenging race against Republican frontrunner U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn.

The ad introduces Green through her personal story: raised by a single mother in Memphis, becoming the first in her family to go away to college, and building a career as a public defender and Memphis City Council member. It then pivots to her central argument that Tennessee voters are ready for a new kind of leadership.

“They say we can’t win,” Green says in the ad. “Watch me.”

That message is underscored by the campaign’s early strategy. While Blackburn has faced criticism over the years for failing to hold public town halls, Green’s campaign has emphasized direct voter engagement, touting more than 70 stops across urban, suburban, and rural communities statewide, with more planned in the coming weeks.

“Jerri is showing up, listening, and earning support the right way,” said Alex Hensley, Campaign Manager for Green. “Marsha is doing controlled photo-ops. This campaign is literally on the ground in every corner of Tennessee.”

Green’s platform focuses on paid family leave, affordable childcare, a living wage, fully funded public schools, expanded healthcare access, and protections for reproductive freedom.

She has also released a “Day One Plan” aimed at immediate economic relief, including housing support, expanded childcare access, and medical debt elimination. The plan outlines broader structural reforms such as ending private prison contracts and maintaining public control of utilities.

Framing the race as a modern David Vs. Goliath contest, Green positions herself as an underdog challenging one of the state’s most established and well-funded political figures. Her campaign points to recent Democratic wins and impressive gains in states like Virginia, Georgia, and Texas, as well as well as unexpected overperformance in Aftyn Behn’s recent run for Congressional District-7, as signs the 2026 landscape is ripe for change.

“Tennesseans don’t want gilded ballrooms, they want groceries they can afford. They don’t want a renaming of the Kennedy Center, they want a reimagining of public schools. They don’t want warfare abroad, they want healthcare right here at home,” Green said. “Tennesseans are ready for change, and they aren’t afraid of a tough fight. The odds may seem long, but as I always say: hard is not impossible. Watch us.”

The full ad is available on youtube: https://youtu.be/p8uo718P1JE

Jerri Green is a mom of three, Memphis City Councilwoman, and proud Democrat. A lifelong Tennessean, she was raised in Memphis, educated in Knoxville, and began her career in Nashville. Choosing Memphis as home, she’s fought for her community by championing living wages for public employees, securing funding for food at senior centers, advocating for Shelby County’s first free gun lock by mail program, and more. Most recently, she advocated for free bus rides in light of federal cuts hurting low-income and vulnerable communities. Jerri flipped her seat blue for the first time in its history, also helping to secure the Council’s first woman majority.

For more information about Jerri Green visit: greenforgovernor.com.
Contact: press@greenforgovernor.com

Photo caption: Gubernatorial candidate John Rose visits with a voter at the sold-out Putnam County Republican Party Reagan Day Dinner where he won the straw poll with 75% of the vote.

Cookeville, TN—Momentum for John Rose’s Tennessee Governor’s campaign continues to build, notching a fifth Republican straw poll win — this time in Putnam County.

At the sold-out Putnam County Republican Party’s Reagan Day Dinner on Saturday, March 14, local Republicans once again made their preference clear. Ticketed dinner attendees cast ballots in a secret ballot straw poll conducted by county GOP officers. Rose came out on top by a commanding margin:

John Rose: 75% (201 votes)

Monty Fritts: 14.6% (39 votes)

Marsha Blackburn: 10.4% (28 votes)

Of the eight county Republican Party annual dinner polls conducted during the campaign, Rose has prevailed in five including Lawrence, Lewis, Overton, Pickett, and now, Putnam.

“Listening to everyday Tennesseans has been John’s top priority since day one,” said Campaign Chair Chris Devaney. “Their ideas have helped form his vision for Tennessee, which is centered on conservative values and protecting what makes Tennessee special. John is winning by uniting Republicans around the bright future that lies ahead for this state.”

Rose was the first Republican candidate to enter the race in March 2025 and has become known as the grassroots candidate, visiting small town city squares, livestock arenas, veterans halls, and community gatherings in every county to build a coalition of support.

Rose has a deep well of rural and suburban support, a place where many candidates often struggle to gain the traction it takes to win statewide. That’s thanks to his background as state Commissioner of Agriculture, Chairman of the Tennessee State Fair Association, and Chairman of the Tennessee Future Farmers of America Foundation.

With his rural background and record as a successful entrepreneur of two Nashville-based IT training companies, Rose’s stump speech offers something for Tennesseans from every zip code. The campaign also announced contributions from every county, as well as more than 1,000 signatures of support, including voters from every county, on his petition for office.

Congressman John Rose (TN-6), an eighth generation Tennessean, announced his candidacy for Governor on March 20, 2025, at the site of the Tennessee State Fair in Wilson County. His conservative record in Congress, mutual support with President Trump, and deep roots in agriculture have helped him gain support from voters across the state. Rose is a successful businessman, served as Tennessee’s Commissioner of Agriculture, and represents the 6th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He and his wife Chelsea have two children, and live on their Dekalb and Smith County farm which has been in the Rose family since 1790. 

UPDATE 3/3/26. The original video had the ending cut off, this is the full video: https://youtu.be/lm_lVhaok64

The search for Smith County’s next Director of Schools continued Saturday, Feb. 28, as the Smith County Board of Education interviewed the four remaining candidates at the district’s central office.

Those interviewed were Tim Towns, Elizabeth Lackey, John Ash, and Bobby Storie. The four are now the only candidates under consideration after the two other applicants previously selected for interviews withdrew their names from the process.

Prior to the interviews, the board asked that Smith County Insider not live-stream the proceedings. Board members said the request was made to maintain fairness in the process, explaining they did not want candidates tuning in during the interviews to observe how other candidates performed or responded to specific questions.

Earlier this month, the board had voted during a special-called meeting to advance six applicants to the interview stage. With two candidates removing their names from consideration, Saturday’s interviews focused solely on the remaining four finalists.

The board has agreed to use a standardized interview format to ensure consistency for each candidate. Members have also set a minimum salary of $130,000 for the position and approved a three-year contract term. A more detailed discussion of benefits is expected as the field narrows further.

The process will continue in the coming weeks. On March 9, the board plans to narrow the field from four candidates to three. Those three finalists will then return for a second round of interviews on March 16. A final decision on Smith County’s next Director of Schools is expected to be made at the board’s regular monthly meeting on March 17.

Smith County Insider will continue to follow the process and provide updates as they become available.

Link to video of the interviews: https://youtu.be/lm_lVhaok64

John Rose speaks with voters during a visit to the Chattanooga Civitan Club January 16, 2026

Cookeville, TN – Congressman John Rose (TN-6), a Republican candidate for Governor, is “geared up for victory” after announcing his campaign’s total receipts at $6,456,005. That is $1,101,624 ahead of his closest primary opponent. The Rose for Governor campaign also leads in cash on hand with $4,712,735, despite being the only candidate to run a statewide television and mail campaign.

Most notably, 92% of contributions to the Rose for Governor campaign came from Tennesseans while only 22% of contributions to Republican candidate Marsha Blackburn came from the Volunteer State.

“I’m proud to say that everyday Tennesseans from all 95 counties have donated to this campaign,” said Congressman Rose. “We’re seizing the momentum and we’re geared up for victory with grassroots support, a plan for Tennessee, and the resources it takes to win.”

Rose was the first Republican candidate to enter the race in March 2025, giving him a five month headstart, which has proved valuable. He has become known as a grassroots candidate, visiting small town city squares, livestock arenas, veterans halls, and community gatherings in every county to build a coalition of support around his mission to protect what makes Tennessee special and grow the state without losing its unique character.

Rose has a deep well of rural and suburban support, a place where many candidates often struggle to gain the traction it takes to win statewide. That’s thanks to his background as state Commissioner of Agriculture, Chairman of the Tennessee State Fair Association, and Chairman of the Tennessee Future Farmers of America Foundation.

With his rural background and record as a successful entrepreneur of two Nashville-based IT training companies, Rose’s stump speech offers something for Tennesseans from every zip code.

As the campaign enters the final six months, it will take resources and facetime with voters to deliver a win. The Republican primary election will be held August 6, 2026 with early voting starting July 17.

Congressman John Rose (TN-6), an eighth generation Tennessean, announced his candidacy for Governor on March 20, 2025, at the site of the Tennessee State Fair in Wilson County. His conservative record in Congress, mutual support with President Trump, and deep roots in agriculture have helped him gain support from voters across the state. Rose is a successful businessman, served as Tennessee’s Commissioner of Agriculture, and represents the 6th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He and his wife Chelsea have two children, and live on their Dekalb and Smith County farm which has been in the Rose family since 1790.

To learn more about the campaign, visit johnrose.com.

CARTHAGE, TN – The clock is ticking on the search for the next Smith County Director of Schools.

During their regular meeting on Tuesday night, the Smith County Board of Education voted to officially post for the hiring of the next Director of Schools. This comes as the board prepares to replace current Director Barry Smith, whose contract ends this coming June.

Board members briefly discussed modifying the qualifications during the meeting but ultimately decided against it. “This satisfies everything we need to have,” noted Board Chairman Tommy Manning during the discussion, pointing out that the current policy meets all state requirements.

The Board has planned a tentative timeline with a goal to bring in the next director by April. Applications are open and will be accepted through 3:00PM on January 12, 2026. Once the application window closes, the board will review all the applications and conduct the first round of interviews on Saturday, February  28th, starting at 9:00AM After the first round of interviews, the candidate field will be narrowed down for a second round of interviews in March. The plan is to make a decision and have the new director working in the central office in April to help the new director get up to speed before officially taking the reins on July 1.

As with previous searches, interviews will be open to the public. Although only Board members will directly ask question of candidates during the interview sessions, the Board typically compiles interview questions in advance and may consider input and suggestions from parents, teachers, and the community.

All applications for the Director of Schools position will go through their attorney rather than the central office. Attorney Robin Moore’s office will receive and vet the applications to ensure candidates meet the position’s qualifications before passing them on to the board.

The qualification for the Director of School’s position are as follows:
•    Professional educator’s license
•    Master’s degree in education (Doctorate preferred)
•    Three years of experience in school administration

Applications may be found on the Board of Education’s website at https://www.smithcoedu.com

Nashville, TN — Republican gubernatorial candidate John Rose has once again demonstrated
his grassroots momentum, winning the Lewis County Republican Party’s gubernatorial straw
poll in convincing fashion. Rose took first place by a 31-point margin when the results were
announced by Tennessee Republican State Executive Committee member, Chris Morris: John
Rose with 55%, State Representative Monty Fritts with 24% and United States Senator Marsha
Blackburn with 21%.

Rose’s victory in Lewis County comes on the heels of his August win in Lawrence County,
where he defeated Blackburn by a margin of 60% to 35%, with approximately 5% of votes cast
as write-ins.

“As a farmer and former Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture, I’m proud of my rural roots
and love connecting with everyday Tennesseans, one-on-one,” Rose said. “The people of
Tennessee know that our state needs a governor who shares their values and understands the
importance of agriculture, small business, and conservative leadership.”

The Lewis County result underscores Rose’s strong connection with rural voters, a decisive
force in Tennessee Republican politics. In 2018, the rural vote propelled 7th generation
Tennessean and farmer Bill Lee to a 12-point upset victory in the Republican gubernatorial
primary over two well-funded, big-city candidates. Rural voters are connecting with John Rose
over his background as a farmer and lifelong Tennessean.

Lewis County is yet another bellwether for Republican primary sentiment. The county has been
represented by Marsha Blackburn for more than 14 years, first as a U.S. House member and
now as a U.S. Senator. Rose’s ability to win handily in both Lawrence and Lewis Counties is a
window to the broad appeal of his candidacy outside his congressional district and highlights the
strength of his grassroots-driven campaign.

The straw poll was conducted by officers of the Lewis County Republican Party for registered
guests of the sold-out 2025 Lewis County Reagan/Trump Dinner in Hohenwald, TN. The final
tally was Rose 82 votes, Fritts 36 votes, and Blackburn 32 votes.

Since announcing his campaign for Governor on March 20, 2025, at the Tennessee State
Fairgrounds, Rose has built the largest campaign war chest in the race—reporting over $6.1
million raised through June 30 with donations from all 95 counties in Tennessee. His
conservative record in Congress, strong support from President Trump, and deep agricultural
roots are fueling his statewide rise ahead of the August 2026 primary.

To learn more about John Rose’s campaign for Governor, visit johnrose.com

Carthage, TN — August 26, 2025 — The Smith County Republican Party Executive Committee has officially called for a Republican primary in the 2026 local elections and has submitted its letter of intent to the Smith County Election Administrator.

Previously, concerns were raised about the cost of a local primary, which at that time was funded by the county. However, since then, the Tennessee General Assembly has allocated state funds to cover the expenses of conducting local primaries—just as it already does for the presidential preference primary. The Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office has confirmed that sufficient funds are available to cover the entire cost of administering the 2026 Republican primary in Smith County, ensuring that no taxpayer dollars from Smith County will be required.

“Our committee believes that Smith County voters should have the opportunity to elect candidates who represent the values of the Republican Party,” said Jon Henry, Chairman of the Smith County Republican Party. “With the state covering the cost, this primary gives elected officials and voters a real choice while protecting the county from unnecessary expenses.”

The Republican primary will be held Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Early voting will run from April 15, 2026 through April 30, 2026. Candidate qualifying deadlines and additional voting information will be announced by the Smith County Election Commission.

For more information and updates, please visit www.fb.com/SmithCoRepParty.

Smith County Sheriff Steve Hopper has officially announced his candidacy for re-election in the May 2026 Republican Primary.

Sheriff Hopper, a 1978 graduate of Smith County High School, lives in the Riddleton community with his wife, Donna (Nesbitt). Together they have four children — Michael, Stephanie and her husband Craig West, Charlie, and Joel and his wife Jessica Lafferty — along with six grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Hopper’s commitment to public service began in the early 1980s as a member of the Smith County Rescue Squad, where he also served as treasurer. He went on to serve with the Central District Volunteer Fire Department, including time as Fire Chief until 2020, and worked as a paramedic with the Smith County Ambulance Service.

In 1995, Hopper began his law enforcement career with the Carthage Police Department as a patrol officer after graduating from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy. He was promoted to Sergeant, then to Chief of Police in 2003, a position he held until his election as Smith County Sheriff in 2010. Over his career, he has received numerous specialized certifications.

Currently, Sheriff Hopper serves on the Finance Committee for the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association and on the Board of Directors for the 15th Judicial District Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force. He is also a graduate of the Smith County Adult Leadership Class of 2014 and a retired member of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police.

Reflecting on his time as Sheriff, Hopper stated that he and his staff have worked hard to uphold honesty, integrity, and professionalism while staying within budget and maintaining the safety of the community.

“These past years serving as your Sheriff has been an honor and a privilege,” Hopper said. “If re-elected, I will continue to conduct the Office of Sheriff in a manner that serves all Smith County residents fairly and equally. I humbly ask for your vote and support in the May 2026 Republican Primary.”

Nashville, TN — John Rose defeated Senator Marsha Blackburn in the first straw poll of the contested Tennessee gubernatorial republican primary by a margin of 60.8% to 35.2% with write-in votes accounting for 4%. John’s grassroots driven campaign has seen a groundswell of support from local GOP activists across Tennessee. The poll was held at the sold-out Lawrence County Republican Reagan Dinner in Loretto and was overseen by the chairman of the Lawrence County Election Board of Commissioners using an electronic voting machine.

The win is a notable bellwether in the race. Lawrence County has been represented by Marsha Blackburn for more than 14 years, first as a U.S. House member and now as a U.S. Senator. The rural county is less familiar with Rose, as it is located more than 100 miles from the nearest

point in Rose’s House District. Voters in the poll chose Rose nonetheless, whose background as a Trump-supporting farmer and small business owner resonated with the crowd.

“I am honored to have won this straw poll and it shows what I have seen all across our state. Republicans are looking for a principled conservative with executive experience who can defend our Tennessee values,” said Republican gubernatorial candidate John Rose.

Since launching his campaign for Governor on March 20, John Rose has reported over $6.1 million through June 30, the largest campaign war chest for a Tennessee gubernatorial candidate at this point in the race. The campaign received support from every corner of the state, with donations from Tennesseans in all 95 counties. That broad base of early support is part of Rose’s strategy for victory in the August 2026 primary.

Rose announced his candidacy for Governor on March 20, 2025, at the site of the Tennessee State Fair in Wilson County. His conservative record in Congress, mutual support with President Trump, and deep roots in Tennessee agriculture have helped him gain strong support from voters across the state. To learn more about the campaign, visit johnrose.com.

Wednesday, August 6th, Nashville, TN – Statement from Campaign Chair, Chris Devaney: 

“John and Senator Blackburn have a mutual respect. Like most Tennessee Republicans, John has voted to keep Senator Blackburn in Washington.

But Tennessee is at a crossroads and now we get to have a 365-day conversation about who would make the best CEO of the state. Senator Blackburn is going to talk a lot about Washington. John is going to talk about his record as a CEO, an outsider, and a reformer.

This is going to be a great debate about the future of Tennessee. With a six month head start, John Rose has made a lot of new friends across the state and raised an historic level of resources that will put us on a path to victory.” 

To learn more about our campaign, visit JohnRose.com.

Carthage, TN — The Smith County Republican Party is proud to host the 2025 Reagan Dinner on Friday, July 25, at the Smith County Ag Center, located at 159 Ag Center Lane, Carthage. The event will begin at 6:00 PM and feature Congressman Tim Burchett as the keynote speaker.

This year’s Reagan Dinner will also welcome special guests including Smith County Mayor Jeff Mason,State Representative Michael Hale, and Senator Paul Bailey. The evening will be a celebration of conservative values, community engagement, and political insight as leaders from across the region gather to connect with local citizens.

Tickets are available for purchase via the QR code on the flyer attached or by visiting the Smith County Republican Party’s Facebook page at www.fb.com/SmithCoRepParty. 

For more information and updates, please visit www.fb.com/SmithCoRepParty.

June 23, 2025

WASHINGTON, DC—On Monday, U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) applauded his House colleagues for passing his vital legislation to improve the homebuying process for millions of Americans. H.R.2808, the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act, would dramatically reduce the number of unwanted calls and messages that follow applying for a mortgage in the United States.

The legislation passed by a voice vote.

Currently, credit bureaus are notified when a consumer applies for mortgage financing. That information (which is referred to as a trigger lead) is then often sold by the credit bureaus to data brokers and other lenders without the consumer’s knowledge or approval. Consumers are then often bombarded with hundreds of unwanted solicitations. 

Rep. Rose released the following statement after the bill’s passage:

“Buying a home is a fundamental part of the American Dream,” Rep. Rose said. “Unfortunately, the process has become more of a nightmare due to abusive mortgage trigger leads. I want to thank my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for supporting my bill. It will no doubt benefit millions of Americans.”

The legislation was co-led by Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) and garnered more than 80 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle. The legislation is also bicameral. The U.S. Senate version of the bill, introduced by Sens. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Jack Reed (D-RI), passed the chamber just last December. It was reintroduced in April. 

Background:

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act would amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to prohibit a credit reporting bureau from furnishing a trigger lead unless an individual chooses to opt-in while also preserving the use of trigger leads in appropriately limited circumstances. 

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act is supported by a broad coalition of financial trades and consumer groups, including the Independent Community Bankers of America, Mortgage Bankers Association, Tennessee Bankers Association, National Association of Mortgage Brokers, American Bankers Association, and the Broker Action Coalition. You can find some of their statements of support here.

U.S. Representative John Rose is currently serving his fourth term representing Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District and resides on his family farm in Lancaster with his wife, Chelsea, and their two sons, Guy and Sam. The Sixth District includes Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, and White counties as well as portions of Davidson, Scott, Warren, and Wilson counties. Representative Rose is an eighth-generation farmer, small business owner, and attorney.

The Carthage City Council held its monthly meeting on June 5, 2025. Several items were discussed. Watch the full meeting above.

Thanks to Teresa’s Gifts for sponsoring Smith County Insider’s live broadcast of this meeting.

Subscribe to Smith County Insider’s YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on meeting coverage, business spotlights, video features, and more!

The Carthage City Council generally meets at 6:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at Carthage City Hall, located at 314 Spring Street in Carthage, Tennessee – 37030.

All meetings are open to the public and streamed live at https://www.facebook.com/smithcountyinsider/.