ZACH BIRDSONG

TCS Contributor

Tullahoma City Schools recently received a $30,000 donation from the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, as Tennessee’s signature music festival works to support the School-Based Behavioral Health Liaison program in all three school districts in Coffee County.

School-Based Behavioral Health Liaisons are master’s-level therapists employed by grantee community mental health centers and funded at the state level by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.  Liaisons work in partnership with their local school districts to help students who are struggling with mental health challenges, serious emotional disturbance and substance use issues, with parent permission. 

In total, Bonnaroo is donating $100,000 to nine schools within Coffee County. Bonnaroo’s investment will help create dedicated counseling and wellness spaces, where these counselors, along with school social workers and other mental health professionals, can meet privately with students and provide care and support.

“Community is the heart of Bonnaroo.  The Farm is a place where people feel seen and supported, and we’ve witnessed fans lift each other through their darkest times,” said Shelby Goodsell, Festival Director, C3 Presents. “Supporting this program in schools across Coffee County is a natural extension of that spirit. By investing in mental health early, we hope to help build a generation with the strength to care for others and the courage to ask for help.”

Tullahoma City Schools had funds allocated to three different campuses. East Lincoln Elementary School, Early Childhood Center housed at Jack T. Farrar Elementary School, and the Alternative Learning Center were all recipients of a $10,000 donation from Bonnaroo.

“These funds will go a long way in ensuring that we have wellness spaces that support students’ mental health needs,” said Dr. April Norris, TCS Deputy Director of Schools, and 2026-27 Director of Schools. “We are grateful to Bonnaroo and the School-Based Behavioral Health Liaison community programs team for their continued support in our schools.”