FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2026
Hawkins County Schools Receive $56,000 in Utrust Grants
Hawkins County Schools has received $56,000 in grants from Utrust to support employee and student recognition, school improvement efforts, and districtwide culture-building initiatives.
Grant writer Debbi Pressnell submitted a district application totaling $29,100 to fund nine projects across Hawkins County Schools. The funding will support initiatives designed to recognize employees, enhance school climate, and address specific needs within the district.
“These funds will allow us to support nine projects that benefit both students and staff across the district,” Pressnell said. “The largest will help fund a portion of the competitive HCS Mini-Grant Program, which provides $1,000 to each school. Other projects include support for our attendance program, emergency bags for school nurses, employee and retirement appreciation efforts, and school improvement initiatives.”
In addition to the district grant, individual schools received a combined total of $26,900 through Utrust’s Appreciation Program and Culture Initiative. These grants were awarded based on student enrollment and support activities that promote gratitude, recognition, and positive school culture.
Participating schools and grant amounts include:
Carters Valley Elementary – $1,500
Cherokee High – $3,500
Church Hill Elementary – $1,500
Church Hill Middle – $2,900
Clinch School – $1,500
Hawkins Elementary – $1,500
Joseph Rogers Primary – $1,600
Mooresburg Elementary – $1,500
Mt. Carmel Elementary – $1,500
Pathways Alternative – $500
Rogersville Middle – $1,600
St. Clair Elementary – $1,500
Surgoinsville Elementary – $1,500
Surgoinsville Middle – $1,500
Volunteer High – $3,300
The Utrust Appreciation Program encourages students to express gratitude toward school staff, while the Culture Initiative expands those efforts to include parents and community partners. Together, the programs aim to foster positive, supportive school environments.
Dr. Dan Tollett, Utrust administrator, said the organization is proud to support Hawkins County Schools.
“Utrust is pleased to fund projects that make a meaningful difference for students and staff,” Tollett said. “Hawkins County was one of the first districts to participate in the Utrust Appreciation Program, and since 2008 they have continued to maintain one of the strongest programs in the state. Our goal is to help create school climates where students, staff, parents, and community members actively look for the good in one another and lift each other up.”
Hawkins County Schools Superintendent Matt Hixson expressed appreciation for the partnership.
“We are deeply grateful to Utrust for making these funds available to our schools,” Hixson said. “These grants allow us to do important work that would otherwise not be possible.”
Hixson added, “We want our employees to feel appreciated and every student to feel valued. The Utrust programs help us accomplish both goals, and we are pleased to see students and staff benefiting from these culture-building activities.”
Utrust is a Tennessee-based organization that supports school systems by assisting with unemployment services and promoting employee recognition through its Appreciation Program and Culture Initiative. This year, as in the past decade, Utrust will award more than $1 million in grants to 51 school systems across Tennessee.
Contact:
Kristi Coleman
1525 Hunt Club Blvd, Suite 300
Gallatin, TN 37066
www.Utrust.org
615-714-4190
Matt Hixson, Director
Debbi Pressnell, Grant Writer
Hawkins County Schools
423-272-7629 Ext 2055
200 North Depot St.
Rogersville, TN 37857