August 8, 2023 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  This is the yearly MOU with the Health Department. No new additions or changes. 

Rationale:  Our two new head principals and our new associate principals will be  introduced at the August Board meeting. 

Rationale:  The Tenure Teachers list was approved in June and one additional name was added in July. During the August Board meeting we will recognize the  tenured teachers from the 22-23 school year. 

Rationale:  Seeking consent to move forward with contracting a civil engineer to formulate plans on the removal of the debris from this demolition. 

Rationale:  price changes highlighted 

Rationale:  The MOU for Communities in Schools was discussed during our June Board meeting and it was recommended that the School Board's attorney Chris McCarty review the MOU for his approval. I received communication from Chris McCarty's office giving approval to accept the MOU as submitted. I also reached out to Dr. Annette Tudor, Director of Schools for Bristol City Schools to inquire about their partnership with Communities in Schools. Her response was that it was a positive experience during the 22-23 school year (partial year), and they were looking to expand the partnership to include their elementary schools in the 2023-2024 school year. I am requesting approval to move forward with the MOU from Communities in Schools which will provide an additional support member at each middle school. There is no cost associated for the district. 

Rationale:  A new change to state law, Public Chapter 37, requires local Board of Education to notify the Tennessee Ethics Commission of the primary person responsible for administering and enforcing their ethical standards.  TSBA has added language in model policy 1.106 on this practice.  The Board has discretion as to implementation and could select a different individual to be in charge of this reporting.

 

Rationale:  A new law that affects many aspects of school safety (Public Chapter 367) requires several policy changes. This new legislation requires an armed intruder drill, an incident command drill, and an emergency safety bus drill (policy 3.202) as well as a policy on threat assessment teams (policy 3.204). Many Boards currently maintain a policy on threat assessment teams, however, this new legislation requires that all Boards have a policy on this topic. There is also now a requirement for all exterior doors to remain locked during school hours. For events occurring after school hours, Boards can choose to create a local plan on how to admit community members. We have updated model policy 3.205 with information about the default practice found in the new legislation. Per state law, this default practice will be in effect if the Board does not include an alternate local plan.

Rationale:  A new law that affects many aspects of school safety (Public Chapter 367) requires several policy changes. This new legislation requires an armed intruder drill, an incident command drill, and an emergency safety bus drill (policy 3.202) as well as a policy on threat assessment teams (policy 3.204). Many Boards currently maintain a policy on threat assessment teams, however, this new legislation requires that all Boards have a policy on this topic. There is also now a requirement for all exterior doors to remain locked during school hours. For events occurring after school hours, Boards can choose to create a local plan on how to admit community members. We have updated model policy 3.205 with information about the default practice found in the new legislation. Per state law, this default practice will be in effect if the Board does not include an alternate local plan.

Rationale:  A new state law, Public Chapter 472, changes the process for school districts to respond to challenged library materials.  Previously, state law required that all complaints proceed to the Board of Education.  This new law includes flexibility for districts by permitting the Board to create a process with several tiers of review.  Plese note that Boards may change this model language to align with local standards.  TSBA encourage reaching out to your local board attorney if there are legal concerns.

Rationale:  School districts are prohibited from hiring individuals on Tennessee's Department of Children's Services list of perpetrators of child abuse and those on the registry of abuse of vulnerable persons maintained by the Department of Health.  A change to state law, Public Chapter 222, clarifies that districts may not hire individuals who appear on similar lists maintained by other states.  TSBA has updated the model policy to align with this change.

Rationale:  Due to ongoing teacher shortages, the General Assembly passed Public Chapter 425 which allows more flexibility in hiring retirees.  This change allows retirees to work as substitutes beyond the typical 120 day contract and permits retirees to serve as regular classroom teachers on an ongoing basis.

Rationale:  For districts that operate sick leave banks, state law contains restrictions on how those days can be used by employees.  Public Chapter 151 add additional options for employees by creating an option to use this time to care for minor children in addition to being used for the employee's own illness.

Rationale:  Public Chapter 399 gives employees who are required by law to hold a valid license of qualification for employment and who have been employed with the school district for at least twelve consecutive months six weeks of paid leave that can be used after the birth, stillbirth, or adoption of a newly placed minor child.  This leave must be used within twelve months of the qualifying event and does not have to be used consecutively.  Additionally, this leave counts towards federally granted leave under the Family Medical Leave Act.  TSBA has added a provision on this new option to the model policy.

Rationale:  A new state law, Public Chapter 343, clarifies that teachers will receive their full salary while on leave due to a physical assault.  TSBA model policy has been updated to reflect this change.

Rationale:  Teachers are now required to report students who commit certain offenses on school property that endanger the life, health, or safety of others per Public Chapter 153.  As a result, TSBA has updated this statutory list of responsibilities in the model policy.

Rationale:  Two schools have been selected to participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Selected schools represent schools across the nation, and their participation provides an accurate picture of student performance. During the period between January 29, 2024 and March 8, 2o24 Bluff City Elementary will take part in the 4th grade math and reading assessments. West Ridge will participate in the 12th grade reading and math assessments. 

Rationale:  I would like to recommend that the Board approve the request to add a "Floating Manager" position. This will promote consistency and security for the manager's role in our schools. 

Rationale:  Discussion and possible creation of a committee to explore the feasibility of owning our buses and hiring district personnel as drivers.