Director of Schools
Richard VanHuss is an Elizabethton native and 1990 graduate of Elizabethton High School. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee (1995), Master of Education from Milligan College (1997), and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Administration & Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University (2010). During his 24 years at Elizabethton City Schools, he has served as a Mathematics Instructor and an Assistant Principal at EHS, before moving to the Central Office. While there, he has supervised a variety of departments, as well as serving in the role of Assistant Director of Schools. He has served on the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is a current board member of the Elizabethton/Carter County Lions Club. His wife, Crystal, is a Physical Education Instructor at West Side Elementary School. They have two children, Bryce and Bailee, who are students at EHS. They are active members of Oak Street Baptist Church.
Assistant Director of Schools for Academics
Dr. Myra Newman is a 1987 graduate of Sweetwater High School. She holds a BS in Special Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1993), Master of Science in School Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1996), Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership/Administration from Lincoln Memorial University (2001), and a Doctorate of Education in Instructional Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University (2011). Through the years she has held the following positions: special education teacher, diagnostician, school psychologist, elementary principal, Supervisor of Special Education, Curriculum, RTI2, Related Services, and currently serves as Assistant Director of Schools for Academics. Myra is married to Mark Newman, a pastor at First Baptist Fall Branch. They have two children, MaKayla and Craig.
Assistant Director of Schools for Operations & Title IX Coordinator
John Hutchins is a graduate of Elizabethton High School with a BS in Health and Physical Education from Milligan College, a Masters from Tusculum College, and an Education Specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University. He is beginning his 33rd year in education, teaching Government at Sullivan East for one year and History at T. A. Dugger for 9.5 years. He served as principal at Harold McCormick for 5.5 years before moving to the Central Office as a supervisor. He has been married for 34 years to his wife Pam. They have two sons, Joshua (his wife Lindsey, and their children Adriana, Veda, and Maverick) and Michael (and his wife Maddie). John and Pam love camping, fishing, and their three dogs Annabelle, Lucy, and Juanita. They attend First Baptist Church, Elizabethton.
Director of Wandell Early Learning, Attendance, Director of Accountability, Prek -12 Testing, and Virtual Learning Program
Travis Thompson is a 1995 graduate of Sullivan East High School. He obtained his BS in K-12 Physical Education from East Tennessee State University in 2006, M.Ed. in Elementary Education from East Tennessee State University in 2010, Ed.S. in Educational Administration & Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University in 2013, and is currently working towards his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from East Tennessee State University. Before moving to Elizabethton City Schools, he served as a physical education teacher, assistant principal, and principal for Washington County Schools.
Director of Special Education & RTI2
Josh Boatman is a 2002 graduate of Tennessee High School in Bristol, TN. He holds a BA in English from ETSU (2006), a Master of Arts in Teaching from ETSU (2008), and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University (2013). In his 12 years with Elizabethton City Schools he has served as an English/Language Arts teacher at both Elizabethton High School and TA Dugger Junior High School. He also served as an assistant principal and principal at Elizabethton High School. His wife, Heather, is Children’s Minister at Poplar Ridge Christian Church. They have three children: Addyson, Hudson, and Emmerson.
Director of Business & Fiscal Management
Beth Wilson earned her MBA in 1994 from East Tennessee State University. She then worked as a Payroll Accountant from 1995 to 2001, as a General Ledger Accountant from 2001 to 2004 and as the Elizabethton City Schools Finance Director since 2004.