🏛️ Board Work Session This Afternoon, a Civics Honor for Bledsoe High, and the Indians' Playoff Math Made Simple

Or: A Planning Talk Today, a Proud Moment Next Door, and Why Friday Night Still Matters

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Good Tuesday morning. No fog to fight today. The National Weather Service calls for sunshine and a high near 75 in Dunlap with a calm wind, so the bus stop should be an easy, clear-eyed wait.

A school week is a lot like a garden row in October. Most of the work happens quietly, out of sight, and you only notice it when something comes up. Today, a few good things are coming up.

Here’s the roundup: The Sequatchie County school board holds a work session from 4 to 6 p.m. today. Next door, Bledsoe County High School has earned the Governor’s Civics Seal, a fitting bit of news in election week. A Vanderbilt admissions representative visits SCHS Wednesday morning. Marion County High students are helping run Jasper’s Haunted Trail tonight. And the TSSAA standings show the Indians third in Region 4-3A with Friday’s home finale still to play. We’ll keep the playoff math simple.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Today, 4–6 p.m.: Sequatchie County Board of Education work session. It’s a planning talk. The next regular meeting, with votes, is Mon., Nov. 2.
• Neighbors: Bledsoe County High is a Governor’s Civics Seal school.
• Wed., Oct. 28, 9 a.m.–noon: Vanderbilt University admissions visit in the SCHS Student Lounge.
• Tonight, 6:30–9 p.m.: Jasper’s Haunted Trail and hayride, Jasper Park Complex, $7. MCHS Interact Club students are helping. Rain date: Thu., Oct. 29.
• Football: Indians are 3-1 in the region, 5-4 overall. Giles County comes to Dunlap Friday, Oct. 30. Confirm kickoff.
• Don’t forget: Early voting ends Thu., Oct. 29. Clocks fall back Sun., Nov. 1.

🏛️ Today: The School Board Sits Down for a Planning Talk

We told you yesterday that no time had been posted for this week’s working session. Now one has. The Sequatchie County Board of Education holds a work session today, Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 4 to 6 p.m. The board’s public meeting notice lists the location as the Administration Building, Social Studies Classroom. We have not seen a topic list posted.

The board’s next regular meeting is Monday, Nov. 2, at the central office. At its last regular meeting on Oct. 12 at Griffith Elementary, The Dunlap-Tribune reported, fourth graders played drums for the board, kindergartners came dressed as storybook characters, and the board approved selling an unused tract on Jones Drive next to the new bus garage.

What it means for you: A work session is like the family sitting around the kitchen table before a big trip. They talk over the map, but nobody’s packed the car yet. Final votes usually come at the regular meeting. If something on your mind involves your grandkids’ school, Nov. 2 is the date to circle. Call the central office at 423-949-3617 if you’d like to confirm the room or ask about attending.

👉 Read more (Sequatchie County Board of Education: Work session notice)

🇺🇸 Neighbors: Bledsoe County High Earns the Governor’s Civics Seal

Here’s a good one for election week. The Bledsonian-Banner reports that Bledsoe County High School has been named a Governor’s Civics Seal recipient. The seal goes to Tennessee schools that teach civics across many grades and subjects, cover how our state and national governments were formed, give students real-world learning, and use a project-based civics assessment.

Principal Matt Ridley credited teacher Derek Harvey for spearheading the effort. “We want to prepare our students to be informed, responsible citizens who understand their role in their community and our nation,” Ridley said.

What it means for you: Civics is a little like learning to drive a tractor. You can read the manual, but you really learn it by getting up on the seat. This is a fine week to do the home version. If you’re voting early, take a grandchild along and let them see how it works. Then ask what they’re learning about government in class.

👉 Read more (The Bledsonian-Banner: BCHS receives Governor’s Civics Seal)

🎓 Wednesday: Vanderbilt Comes to the SCHS Student Lounge

This is the last of three college visits Sequatchie County High scheduled for October. TCAT Upper Cumberland came Oct. 15 and Maryville College came Oct. 23. Next up is Vanderbilt University on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 9 a.m. to noon in the school’s Student Lounge.

Students can ask about applications, financial aid, campus life and programs, right there in Dunlap during the school day.

What it means for you: Talking to a college rep is like test-driving a truck before you buy it. It doesn’t cost a thing, and you learn a lot by kicking the tires. If you have a junior or senior at home, nudge them to stop by, even if Vanderbilt isn’t on their list yet. Good questions to ask: “What does it really cost after aid?” and “What do students here do after graduation?” Questions can go to SCHS at 423-949-2154.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: College admissions workshops at SCHS)

🎃 Tonight in Jasper: Students Lend a Hand at the Haunted Trail

SValleyNow reports that the Marion County High School Interact Club held its annual haunted house Saturday night with a “Twisted Fairy Tales” theme. Now the students are teaming up with the Town of Jasper for its Haunted Trail and hayride tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Jasper Park Complex on Turner Street. Admission is $7 per person. If it rains, it moves to Thursday, Oct. 29.

What it means for you: Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young people, so this is students learning to serve their town, one spooky hayride at a time. It’s like a church fall festival where the teenagers run the cakewalk. The grown-ups get a night off, and the kids learn how to put on an event. A hayride is easy on the knees, too. Bring a flashlight and a jacket, since tonight’s low is around 49.

👉 Read more (SValleyNow: MCHS Interact Club and Jasper’s Haunted Trail)

🏈 Playoff Math in Plain English: Where the Indians Stand

We’ve told you Friday decides second place. Here’s the bigger picture, straight from the TSSAA’s official standings for Class 3A, Region 4:

• Forrest: 4-0 in the region (9-0 overall)
• Giles County: 3-1 (6-3)
• Sequatchie County: 3-1 (5-4)
• Watertown: 2-2 (4-5)
• Cascade and Community: 0-4

The Indians already beat Watertown, 44-10 on Oct. 2, according to the TSSAA schedule. By our count, that head-to-head win, plus the standings above, should keep Sequatchie County in the region’s top four no matter what happens Friday. The TSSAA makes it official when it posts the playoff brackets. Friday’s game against Giles County is still a big one. The winner takes second place, and a higher finish usually means a better first-round draw.

What it means for you: It’s like a pie contest where you’ve already earned a ribbon, and Friday decides what color it is. Plan to be in the home stands Friday, Oct. 30. Kickoff has been listed two different ways, so check the school’s posts before you leave the house.

👉 Read more (TSSAA: Official football standings)

📊 Statewide: The School-Funding Report Gets a Look Wednesday

This one is statewide, not local. The Tennessee State Board of Education lists a TISA Review Committee meeting for Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Central, held online. Its posted agenda includes going over the committee’s 2026 TISA report and voting to approve it.

TISA is Tennessee’s school-funding formula. It sets a base amount for every student and adds extra money for students with more needs, such as kids in small or rural districts, students with disabilities and students learning English. Our Valley districts are funded through it.

What it means for you: Think of TISA as the recipe card the state uses to divide up school money. Every year, a committee looks the recipe over to see if it needs a pinch more of this or less of that. A report isn’t a change. It’s a set of notes for lawmakers, so there’s nothing to do but keep an eye out for what it says.

👉 Read more (Tennessee State Board of Education: TISA Review Committee meeting)

🗓️ Dates to Pin

• Today, Tue., Oct. 27: Sunny, near 75. Early voting, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., 68 Spring St., Dunlap. School board work session, 4–6 p.m. Jasper Haunted Trail, 6:30–9 p.m.
• Wed., Oct. 28: Vanderbilt visit at SCHS, 9 a.m.–noon. State TISA Review Committee meets online, 9:30 a.m.
• Thu., Oct. 29: Last day of early voting. Bledsoe County early release at 11:30 a.m. Haunted Trail rain date.
• Fri., Oct. 30: Giles County at Sequatchie County. Confirm kickoff.
• Sat., Oct. 31: Halloween.
• Sun., Nov. 1: Clocks fall back one hour.
• Mon., Nov. 2: TN Promise deadline for seniors. Sequatchie County school board regular meeting.
• Tue., Nov. 3: Election Day. No school in Bledsoe County. Not listed as a day off on Sequatchie County’s calendar.

We’re still watching for posted results from the Marion County Board of Education‘s Oct. 22 meeting. We’ll pass them along when we see them.

What it means for you: If you only remember one thing today, make it this: early voting ends Thursday.

👉 Read more (TN Secretary of State: Sequatchie County early voting)

🌤️ A Sunny, Dry Week Until the Weekend

The National Weather Service forecast for Dunlap: sunny today, near 75, with a low around 49 tonight. Wednesday is mostly cloudy, near 73. Thursday is sunny, near 77, and Friday is mostly sunny, near 77, with a mild Friday night around 54. Halloween Saturday turns mostly cloudy, near 73, with a 30 percent chance of afternoon showers and showers likely Saturday night (70 percent). Showers are likely Sunday, too.

What it means for you: Jacket in the morning, short sleeves by lunch. Friday night looks fine for football. Trick-or-treat early on Saturday and keep an umbrella by the door.

👉 Read more (NWS: Dunlap point forecast)

✅ Your Tuesday Fridge Checklist

• ✅ Curious about the school board? Work session today, 4–6 p.m. Votes come Mon., Nov. 2.
• ✅ Juniors and seniors: Vanderbilt visit Wednesday, 9 a.m.–noon, SCHS Student Lounge.
• ✅ Vote early by Thu., Oct. 29. Bring a grandchild along for a little civics lesson.
• ✅ Marion County folks: Haunted Trail tonight, 6:30–9 p.m., $7. Rain date Thursday.
• ✅ Fri., Oct. 30: Home finale vs. Giles County. Confirm kickoff.
• ✅ Clocks fall back Sun., Nov. 1. Seniors: TN Promise by Mon., Nov. 2.

Practical rule: Show up for the planning, not just the final score. That goes for school boards, ballots and Friday nights.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English School Glossary

• Work session: A school board meeting for talking things over and planning. Final votes usually wait for a regular meeting.
• Regular meeting: The board’s monthly business meeting, where official votes are taken.
• Governor’s Civics Seal: A state honor for Tennessee schools that teach civics well across grades and subjects and give students real-world civic learning.
• Project-based assessment: A test where students show what they know by completing a project instead of only answering questions.
• Interact Club: A Rotary-sponsored service club for young people that does community projects.
• Region standings: Win-loss records against teams in the same region. They decide who makes the playoffs and where they’re seeded.
• Head-to-head: When two teams finish tied, the one that won their game against each other usually gets the higher spot.
• TISA: The Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement, the state’s formula for funding public schools.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What time is today’s Sequatchie County school board work session?

4 to 6 p.m. today, Tuesday, Oct. 27. The notice lists the Administration Building, Social Studies Classroom. Call the central office at 423-949-3617 to confirm.

Will the board vote on anything today?

A work session is usually a planning talk. Official votes are expected at the regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 2.

What is the Governor’s Civics Seal, and who earned it?

It’s a state honor for schools with strong civics teaching. Bledsoe County High School was named a recipient, according to The Bledsonian-Banner.

When is the Vanderbilt visit at Sequatchie County High?

Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 9 a.m. to noon in the Student Lounge.

When and where is Jasper’s Haunted Trail?

Tonight, Oct. 27, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Jasper Park Complex on Turner Street. It costs $7 per person. The rain date is Thursday, Oct. 29.

Are the Indians going to the playoffs?

The TSSAA standings show Sequatchie County 3-1 in Region 4-3A, and the Indians already beat fourth-place Watertown. By our count, that should keep them in the top four. The TSSAA makes it official when brackets are posted. Friday’s game against Giles County decides second place.

Does the TISA report change my school’s funding right away?

No. The committee’s report is a review with recommendations. Any changes to the funding formula would come later through the state’s normal process.

🔗 Other Resources

• Sequatchie County Board of Education: Work session notice
• Sequatchie County Schools: Board agendas
• The Dunlap-Tribune: Students show musical talent at board meeting
• The Bledsonian-Banner: BCHS receives Governor’s Civics Seal
• Dunlap.Today: College admissions workshops at SCHS
• SValleyNow: MCHS Interact Club and Jasper’s Haunted Trail
• TSSAA: Football standings
• TSSAA: Sequatchie County football schedule and results
• Tennessee State Board of Education: TISA Review Committee, Oct. 28
• Tennessee early voting lookup: Sequatchie County
• NWS Dunlap point forecast
• collegefortn.org: TN Promise

🏠 Keep Learning — Stay Calm

A planning talk this afternoon, a civics honor next door, a college visit, a student-run hayride and a home game that matters. None of it calls for worry. It just rewards folks who show up and pay attention. Ask a question at the board, take a grandchild to vote, and we’ll see you in the home stands Friday.

For more calm, practical Valley news you can use, keep reading Dunlap.Today.