December 11, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS RECEIVE $20,700 IN UTRUST GRANTS
Henry County School System has received a $11,600 grant from Utrust to help the schools and school district to recognize and show appreciation to school employees. Dr. Leah Watkins, Superintendent of Henry County Schools made application for a mini grant from Utrust for recognition and appreciation of faculty and staff.
In addition to these funds, Utrust has awarded $9,100 in grants directly to four schools within the district whose principals have requested to participate in specific Utrust programs:
Henry Elementary School received $500 to participate in the Utrust Appreciation Program, a student leadership program which encourages students to show appreciation to school staff who do thins for them each day.
Three Henry County Schools participated in both the Utrust Appreciation Program and the Culture Initiative. The Culture Initiative is also a student-led program which in addition to encouraging students to express appreciation to staff, also encouraged both students and staff to be intentional about expressing appreciation to one another. It also invites parents and the school community to join in helping to create a culture of appreciation where everyone appreciates and everyone is appreciated. Schools were awarde funds based on the student population of the school as follows:
Harrelson Elementary- $1900
Lakewood Elementary School: $3000
Henry County High School-$3700
Dr. Watkins expressed her enthusiasm: “We have the best employees in any school district in Tennessee and we want them to know that we value every one of them and deeply appreciate what they do to make Henry County Schools great places to work and the best places for children to learn. We also want every student in a Henry County School to feel valued and appreciated. The Utrust Program helps us to do both and we deeply appreciate their support.”
Dr. Dan Tollett, Utrust Administrator, commended the district’s efforts: “We’re impressed with Henry County Schools commitment to appreciating school staff and being sure every student is recognized and appreciated. We welcome the opportunity to be a part of this effort. We commend Dr. Watkins for her strong leadership as well as the principals who have committed to making their schools places where every student and every staff member is appreciated. It would be difficult to think of a skill that will serve students better than to genuinely and frequently express appreciation to people in their lives.”
Utrust is an organization that assists school systems in Tennessee with unemployment issues and in fostering a culture of appreciation. Utrust will award grants to 51 school districts in Tennessee totaling more than $1million this month for the tenth consecutive year
Kristi Coleman
1525 Hunt Club Blvd, Suite 300 or
Gallatin, TN 37066
615-714-4190