Ashley Craven

The federal office that manages special education funding is on the chopping block. If it goes, $1.2 million in support for Oak Ridge students with disabilities could go with it. This isn’t a budget tweak — it’s a lifeline at risk.

From Glenwood third graders kicking off the board meeting with the Virginia Reel, to Wildcats victories under the Friday night lights, to the launch of Neighbor2Neighbor, August was full of moments that remind us why Oak Ridge is home. Catch up on the highlights — board updates, student spotlights, and community wins — all in one place.

I tried to wait for things to calm down before writing this update… but let’s be real, that’s not happening anytime soon. So here it is: everything you need to know about Oak Ridge Schools right now. We’ve lost a major afterschool program due to a federal funding freeze, made big investments in our school budget, and launched new programs like telehealth and nutrition classes. It’s a lot (yes, including cookie cake), but it matters, and I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read it.