To Our Lewis County Community,

As Director of Schools, it is both my duty and my commitment to ensure that our school district operates with integrity, transparency, and in full compliance with state regulations and public expectations. I want to take a moment to address a recent decision regarding the use of Amazon Wish Lists by our teachers on social media platforms.

Our staff members have been asked not to post personal Amazon Wish Lists on social media when using our district’s name, school names, or logos. This decision was not made lightly, and I want to share the reasoning behind it with the community we proudly serve.

First, as a public school district, we are held accountable to the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office and other oversight agencies. When donations are made using the name or brand of a public school, there must be a documented process to verify that items were received, properly inventoried, and used in accordance with public purpose. Currently, there is no consistent way to verify that donations made through individual wish lists were delivered or how those resources were used. This creates the potential for audit findings and concerns about mismanagement, even when the intent is good.

Second, while I fully support our teachers and recognize their passion and dedication to their students, I also want to be respectful of the perception created when wish lists are shared publicly. Many donors believe they are giving items that the district refuses to provide. In truth, we work diligently to provide classrooms with necessary materials and to prioritize spending in ways that benefit all students. When donations are sought outside of our approved channels, it can unintentionally create a misleading impression about the level of support provided by the district.

This policy is not meant to discourage generosity or creativity—it is intended to protect our staff, our schools, and our community’s trust. We are currently working on creating a more formal and transparent process for classroom donations that allows us to partner with families, businesses, and community members in a responsible way.

I am grateful for the unwavering support our community gives to our students and educators. If you are looking for ways to support our schools or specific classrooms, I encourage you to reach out to the district office or school principals. We will gladly connect you with appropriate and accountable avenues to make a difference.

Thank you for your continued trust and understanding as we strive to do what is right for our students, our teachers, and our community.

Sincerely,
Tracy McAbee
Director of Schools
Lewis County Schools

Amazon Wish Lists- PDF