October 24, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Meeting
| Regular Board | |
| Attendance Taken on 10/24/2024 at 6:00 PM | |
| Mr. Travis Cole | Present |
| Mr. Nick Davis | Absent |
| Ms. Anita Hale | Present |
| Mr. Chris King | Present |
| Ms. Sheri Nichols | Present |
| Ms. Shannon Stout | Present |
| Ms. Elizabeth Stull | Present |
| Mr. Scott VanWinkle | Present |
| Present: 7, Absent: 1 | |
| Minutes | |||||||||||||||||
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1. Call to Order-Chairman
Discussion:
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2. Moment of Silence/Pledge of Allegiance
Pine View Elementary BETA Club
Discussion:
William Stepp: Right after the moment of silence our Pineview Beta Club is going to help us with the pledge. So, moment of silence. (Everyone stands for the moment of silence) Chris King: Thank you. Now to the pledge. (All recite the pledge of allegiance lead by the Beta Club) Chris King: Thank you very much. |
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3. Welcome to Visitors/Acknowledgement of Elected Officials
Discussion:
Chris King: We want to welcome all the visitors here tonight. Glad to see you here. |
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4. Special Recognition
Student Representatives CCHS-Marleigh Gargac Phoenix-Isaac Cross SMHS-Hayden Houston
Discussion:
William Stepp: If we want to recognize our student representatives for the school board tonight, we have Hayden Houston from Stone Memorial High School and Isaac Cross Phoenix. Logan Cross. Diane McCartney: No. William Stepp: Logan Weird. Diane McCartney: He's a fill in tonight Mr. Stepp. Isaac couldn't make it at the last minute. William Stepp: Oh OK I got you. Let’s update my agenda. Thank you Logan for coming. Thank you Hayden, we appreciate you all. |
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4.A. Kids First Award-Christopher Howard
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Discussion:
(See Exibit #1) William Stepp: Next is our kids first award. Miss Kathleen? Mr. Howard come on up. (Kathleen Martin reads off the kids first award, exhibit #1) Kathleen Martin: And I truly believe every word of this. I actually entered this into transportation magazine. And he was a bus garage star chosen out of thousands of entries. (Applause) (Christopher Howard is presented with the award.) William Stepp: For exceptional selfless service to the kids of Cumberland County Schools. Thank you for your continued support and love of our kiddos. (Applause) William Stepp: Chris and Kathleen are only two of all of this awesome transportation department. They do amazing work and I ride on buses and I know he's doing an awesome job because no of them have broken down on me. |
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4.B. CCHS Suicide Prevention Recognition
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Discussion:
(Marsha Polson reads off the suicide prevention recognition, exhibit #2) (Audio) (Applause) |
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5. Roll Call
Discussion:
Diane McCartney: Mr. Cole? Travis Cole: Here. Diane McCartney: Mr. Davis? (Silence) Diane McCartney: Miss Hale? Anita Hale: Here. Diane McCartney: Miss Nichols? Sheri Nichols: Here. Diane McCartney: Miss Stout? Shannon Stout: Here. Diane McCartney: Miss Stull? Elizabeth Stull: Here. Diane McCartney: Mr. VanWinkle? Scott VanWinkle: Here. Diane McCartney: Mr. King? Chris King: Here. |
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6. *Approval of September 26, 2024 Minutes
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Discussion:
(See Exhibit #3) Chris King: We need to approve the board minutes from last meeting, do I have a motion? Shannon Stout: Move to approve September board meeting minutes. Travis Cole: I’ll second. Chris King: Motion and second. Anita Hale: Mr. Chair, I have a question on the Minutes. I asked last time about the conflict of interest on page 27. You said it was done before and there was something that we signed. I never saw that. And I was wondering how will the public know? Who has raised their hand for that conflict of interest, and how will we know who is on that list? Maybe this isn't the place to ask this question? Chris King: You could have asked it sooner yes. Anita Hale: Say again? Chris King: You could ask it at another time, but since you didn't. We sign our names if we have a conflict that is in person in our family that works in the school system. For the record every meeting. Before the meeting. So. Anita Hale: But how will the people in the audience or the public know who has signed that? If we're not asked to raise our hand and say that we have a con, you know that we we're not going to let it deter us on our road or conflict with our vote? But. Chris King: Are you through? Anita Hale: Yes, sorry. Chris King: Anybody that has a conflict, raise your hand. Let the record show me, Mr. King. Mr. Cole. Mr. VanWinkle. Are there any others? (Silence) Chris King: That answer your question? Anita Hale: Thank you. Chris King: OK, we've got a motion and a second for the Minutes to be approved. Is there any other comments? All those in favor say aye. All board members: Aye. Chris King: Those opposed say nay. (Silence) Chris King: The ayes have it, minutes are approved.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve XX minutes.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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7. *Approval of Agenda
Attachments:
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Discussion:
(See Exhibit #4) Chris King: Now we need an approval of the agenda. Any motions? Anita Hale: Move to approve. Travis Cole: I’ll second. Chris King: Motion and second to approve the agenda for tonight. All those in favor? All board members: Aye. Chris King: Those opposed? (Silence) Chris King: The agenda is adopted.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve the agenda.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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8. Community Comments
Discussion:
Chris King: The community comments no one signed up. Diane McCartney: Correct. Chris King: OK. |
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9. School Board Reports
Discussion:
Chris King: So on the school board reports. |
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9.A. Legislative Liaison Report
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Discussion:
(See Exibit #5) Chris King: Which, first one is TLN report which I think is now a legislative liaison report. Anita Hale: Thank you. I'm starting my report tonight by reviewing and sharing the chart I received at our Fall district meeting and from an e-mail I received from TSBA legislative notes. These are some items that are trending and you can see topics right now. This chart seeks to inform the public of some misconceptions concerning some of the invaluable services offered by Tennessee public schools. While all of the items on the chart are associated with public education. Only two are required by law. The rest are offered to enhance the students well-being, interest and overall success. Item number one, education. The Tennessee State Constitution states that a system of free public schools shall be provided and maintained, making public schools required by law. Item number two, meals. Public schools are required by law to provide a school lunch program. Federal funds help to provide free lunch and reduce meals, so these are required by law. Miss Hamby and her team have made it possible for all our children who attend public schools in Cumberland County to receive a free lunch. Thank you, Miss Hamby and your team for taking care of our children, in this regard, we appreciate that. Item number three on this list. Buses and transportation. Although many believe that, districts offer busing due to a legal mandate, busing is a choice and service school systems have to provide safe and reliable transportation for students to and from school. Having buses as a form of transportation help school systems with attendance. Now there is a note in here that if it's Special Ed student needs a school bus, then the federal law says that we have to provide that child with the bus. But that is federal law. It's different from the state. But we are not, by law, mandated to have to worry about buses, except that's something that we provide for the students. Hats off to our bus garage. Our bus drivers for all they do for our Cumberland County children, getting them to and from school safely every single day. Thank you guys. And I'm glad that one of you got noticed tonight. Item number four, school nurses. Our school nurses play an important role for student health and well-being. Their presence in our schools is a great benefit and another adult resource for our children. But the decision to hire school nurses is a district decision. It is not law, except for that Special Ed student that might need a nurse that comes under the federal law. That's a different law. So they have to provide nurses for that student only. Thank you, nurse Polson for seeing that we have a nurse in every school and I'm told by Miss Polson because we have nurses for all of our schools. We have a 90% return to class rate kudos to your team. Item number five, SRO's. This is school resource officers. These are not required by law, yet. These are the officers that are placed in our schools to help keep everyone safe in these trying times. Not only do they keep our children and staff safe, but they are building positive relationships between students and law enforcement. We are fortunate to have an officer in every school, including our three high schools. Special thanks to our officers and to Mr. Magnusson, who helps oversee this valuable program, I had a tour that I did with the Sheriff's Department yesterday and they were mentioning their SRO's and all of the schools and how they're, you know, working on providing us with two per high school. It was very. Interesting. I learned a lot from the officers there. And last six, number six, athletics. Sports and athletics are a valid experiences for students, parents and the community. They are fun, everybody enjoys them. We root for our favorite teams, but they are not required by law. Schools recognize the importance of this kind of participation and invest time and resources for these programs. Thank you, Dr. Maddox, coaches and teachers and, Dr. Maddox, your team for all you do to make athletics a positive and fun experience for our students. Item number 7, extracurricular clubs. School clubs like glee clubs, chess clubs, theater clubs, meeting clubs, guitar clubs, any kind of club you want to help start, I'm sure would be appreciated. These clubs are offered to enhance and enrich a students education and experiences, but they are not required by law. These clubs are all supported by resources, staff and parents who volunteer their time to do this for our students. Thank you to all the teachers and volunteers who make these extra activities available for our students. In conclusion of this chart, public schools are more than just education for our children. Our children's school go over and above and beyond to provide for the needs of the students and community. You've heard the old saying. It takes a village to raise a child. That is what our Cumberland County schools do. We all chip in together and to raise our children. So I thought this was something that needed to be pointed out to the public. It is trending in, in our legislation now just for a little touch on what's going on in the federal topics. The committee, the House Education and Workforce Committee and recently approved several bills on hazing on college campuses, gender identity and sexual abuse awareness in schools. The Protect Kids Act, this is HR 736. Requires parental consent for gender identity changes and sex based accommodations in schools receiving federal funding. The Stop Campus Hazing Act, HR 5646, strengthens hazing reporting requirements and then they and mandates preventative programs at colleges, the Jenna Quinn Law of 2024, HR 7233 authorizes federal grants for child sexual abuse awareness and prevention training for school staff. So there's a lot going on in our country, though. Protection for kids, and that's all the report I have tonight. I'll have some more for you next time. Chris King: Thank you, Miss Hale. |
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10. Board Member(s) Report from Training(s)
Discussion:
Shannon Stout: I was able to attend the, webinar on meeting the academic needs of your homeless students. Very informative. Chris King: OK, any others? (Silence) |
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11. Legal Report
Discussion:
Earl Patton: Yes, Sir. I don't have a formal legal report. I know that the letter from Mr. Hill is that specifically on the agenda tonight Mr. King? Or, did you anticipate that we would have any? Chris King: It's not on the agenda, but it's under your report. Earl Patton: OK, well, I will be happy to meet with them more privately about that matter pending controversy. Chris King: OK. Earl Patton: Concerning some land from, that we received letter about from David Hill. Chris King: OK, I think we can recess to meet across the hall somewhere. Yall standby and will be back. (Board recessed to meet privately, recess began 6:21 pm and lasted 30 minutes) Chris King: OK, we are back from recess. The thing the kids don’t want to hear. (Laughter) |
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12. Director's Report
Discussion:
Chris King: On to the directors report. |
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12.A. *Lighting Proposals
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Discussion:
Shannon Stout: Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the Excel Energy Group lighting proposal at a 9 1/2 year term with an ESSI loan at the 1.5%. Chris King: Is there a second? Scott VanWinkle: Second. Chris King: Motion and second to accept the Excel proposal. Shannon Stout: Yes. Chris King: Discussion? Miss Stout? Shannon Stout: And looking at the different proposals between the SG and Excel Energy. Excel Energy stood out to me for a few reasons. They have been in business for 30 years, so they've upgraded almost 50% of the Tennessee districts, school districts. Mr. Stepp has had personal experience working in Putnam County schools when they came through and did the upgrades there. As on the material that they guarantee the savings that they laid out for us or they reduced purchase price by the shortfall. So I thought that was a great (Audio) Shannon Stout: with them and per our discussions that we had regarding the term. The length of the term, the 9 1/2 year gives us the opportunity to pay that loan off with our savings without having to come out of budget with extra funds for it and would give us the opportunity to put the savings towards principal should we choose to do so to pay it off earlier when the money have here. Chris King: Mr. VanWinkle? Scott VanWinkle: So I agree with everything Miss Stout said also like the fact that they're all internal. There's no subcontracting. And then I like the fact that they're local as well. Chris King: Can everyone hear? Any other comments, questions? Anita Hale: I'm still at a quandary about spending this money. At this particular moment in time. I feel like maybe our maintenance personnel could take care of some of the lighting. And maybe we should put our money somewhere else. Now I understand about the lighting for the, but we've not entertained that the sports lighting, our maintenance people could not do that. But I'm just wondering if we're not spending money unnecessarily at this time. Chris King: Any other comments, questions? (Silence) Chris King: Director, have any comments? (Silence) Chris King: I guess we are ready to vote then. We're voting on a proposal to, from Excel, to accept it. Any question on what we are voting on? (Silence) Chris King: Madam secretary, would you call the roll please? Diane McCartney: Yes Sir. Mr. Cole? Travis Cole: Yes. Diane McCartney: Miss Hale? Anita Hale: No. Diane McCartney: Miss Nichols? Sheri Nichols: Yes. Diane McCartney: Miss Stout? Shannon Stout: Yes Diane McCartney: Miss Stull? Elizabeth Stull: No. Diane McCartney: Mr. VanWinkle? Scott VanWinkle: Yes. Diane McCartney: Mr. King? Chris King: Yes. Motion passes.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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12.B. *Board Attorney
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Discussion:
(See Exibit #7) Chris King: Next item, board attorney. We've got several, that have sent us interest. Is there a motion? Shannon Stout: Mr. Chairman, I move to hire Chris McCarty of the Lewis and Thompson firm as the Cumberland County School Board attorney at the hourly RFP rate. Sheri Nichols: I second that. Chris King: Motion and second on Chris McCarty. Other comments or questions on this? Scott VanWinkle: Yeah, I noticed that the attorney Cagle and attorney McCarty both from the same firm with different prices is there because they may know the reason for that? Chris King: I think they're the same major firm but two different parts of the state. Shannon Stout: I think there's a different number of years that they practiced too, that there's a difference in what's charged. But from what Chris said in his write up. Is that we do have access to anybody at that firm. Scott VanWinkle: Thats why I was wondering why prices were different. Thank you. Chris King: Any other comments or questions? Sheri Nichols: I like Chris McCarty seeing, watching him at TSBA. I like his experience, I like the number of boards that he represents and I like that he's in Knoxville. Chris King: OK. Shannon Stout: The fact that he's got experience in the school system and he's represents more than 25 school boards around the state and he was less expensive than some of the others as well. So there's some cost savings with that. Chris King: Before we vote anything else on McCarty? (Silence) Chris King: So we're voting on a board attorney. The motion and second and discussions been on Chris McCarty, you know what your are voting on. Anita Hale: I have one question. Will he come and sit at that board or only. Chris King: When we invite him. Anita Hale: So he will not be a regular unless we think that we need him to sit here? Chris King: Right. Or if there's some pending litigation we have to talk about. Anita Hale: OK. Chris King: But he'll be available anytime we need him. Or any of them will according to their resumes. Madam Secretary? Diane McCartney: Miss Hale? Anita Hale: Yes. Diane McCartney: Miss Nichols? Sheri Nichols: Yes. Diane McCartney: Miss Stout? Shannon Stout: Yes. Diane McCartney: Miss Stull? Elizabeth Stull: Yes. Diane McCartney: Mr. VanWinkle? Scott VanWinkle: Yes. Diane McCartney: Mr. Cole? Travis Cole: Yes. Diane McCartney: Mr. King? Chris King: Yes. Diane McCartney: Yeses have it. Chris King: Unanimous on Chris McCarty.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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12.C. *Gear Up Grant Approval
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Discussion:
(See Exibit #8) Chris King: Now the gear up grant approval, we’ll let Mr. Stepp talk about that. William Stepp: OK. The gear up grant, as we discussed earlier, we're one of six counties in the state of Tennessee that has been offered this grant money. It is a 7 year project that works primarily 7th through 12th and doing anything and everything listed you saw in the job description, all the stuff that they have to do. To increase our college readiness and career readiness, and this grant fits right into our career framework that, K12 Career Framework we have. So it is funding the first year would be $135,000 second year$ 271,000 each year after that and it would start in January if we accept this grant money and the money primarily. Funds site coordinator positions. Anita Hale: Question, so will we? Chris King: Is there a motion to accept? Travis Cole: Motion to accept it. Chris King: Is there a second? Sheri Nichols: I'll second it. Chris King: Mr. Cole? Travis Cole: I think it's a great opportunity to be one of six schools to be able to get this grant. I would like to see data, trackable data. So we can see going forward if it's something that is beneficial that we need to continue. I think it's a great opportunity for our kids. Chris King: Miss Nichols? Sheri Nichols: I agree. I think anything that we can get them to be college ready and the younger the better. Chris King: Miss Hale? Anita Hale: Will we be hiring teachers, another teacher, or where we hire somebody from our staff already? William Stepp: So once you approve this, I put on the next item on the agenda is two site coordinator positions. They can be certified or non-certified, so if you're see in the job description so it. Could be a teacher or a teacher assistant or somebody that that's super organized and knows high school systems really well. And the money comes completely out of the grant. Anita Hale: OK, so it's coming out of the grant and for the seven years? William Stepp: So for the first three years, the grant pays 100% and then what they encourage you to do is not require that. They encourage to keep one of those positions. It's just like the ISM Grant paid 25% the 4th year, 50% the 5th year, you know 75% and 100% when the grant is over. So you continue the program. So they're what they're wanting to do is create a continued program of support for students. Not one, that's the one hit and then we're gone. Anita Hale: Thank you. Chris King: Other questions or comments? Scott VanWinkle: What would be the accountability metrics for those two roles? William Stepp: So as you saw in the job description, there's a whole list of things that they have to keep up with in Doctor Eldridge will be the district coordinator overseeing the accountability of this. We already track almost all of this stuff. So this gives us another person to do it for the high schools. But this also includes 7th and 8th grade, so this is more prep for high school and college starting back in 7th grade. But we have all kinds of spreadsheets. Where we're tracking every child and we have to do that for the TISA accountability. Because you only get paid for certain things you do in certain orders and that's that sort of thing. Shannon Stout: So a lot of the tracking is already built and you're saying maybe you have mentioned in the work session that you were going to? Keep us abreast so you know as we get up to that 3 year mark through the seven-year where we are as far as 2 Coordinators, 1 coordinator and what we need to be funding is recurring results. William Stepp: Absolutely. Shannon Stout: Kudos to our CTE folks for getting opportunity to take this grant. Chris King: So the motion is to accept what you have printed. Do we have any questions or comments? (Silence) Chris King: Madam secretary? Diane McCartney: Miss Nichols? Sheri Nichols: Yes. Diane McCartney: Miss Stout? Shannon Stout: Yes. Diane McCartney: Miss Stull? Elizabeth Stull: Yes. Diane McCartney: Mr. VanWinkle? Scott VanWinkle: Yes. Diane McCartney: Mr. Cole? Travis Cole: Yes. Diane McCartney: Miss Hale? Anita Hale: Yes. Diane McCartney: Mr. King? Chris King: Yes. Diane McCartney: Yeses Have it. Chris King: So that motion passes.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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12.C.1. *Gear Up Grant 2 Site Coordinator Positions
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Discussion:
(See Exibit #9) Chris King: The next item is the gear of grant, two site coordinator position. Travis Cole: Mr. Chairman, I'll move to approve. Shannon Stout: Second. Chris King: Motion and second to approve. The gear up grant two site coordinator positions. Travis Cole: So, I reviewed the job description and it appears to be in the correct purview for the grant. So, you have the people to make your grant work. Chris King: Any other questions, comments? Sheri Nichols: Do you have anybody in mind? Local. William Stepp: So, Dr. Callahan's been working with Dr. Eldridge and seeing what's available. The big thing they're waiting for is approval of these positions, and they want to post their jobs tomorrow. Starts January 1, but they've been working diligently, trying to find the right people that would be the right fit to do a great job. Sheri Nichols: Great, awesome, thank you. Chris King: So the motion is to approve the gear up grant two site coordinator positions. Any questions? Scott VanWinkle: I have here one question where all these two positions, I guess report, will they be at Central office? At the high school? Scott VanWinkle: OK. Thank you. Chris King: Any others? Madam Secretary, call the roll, please. Diane McCartney: Miss Stout? Shannon Stout: Yes. Diane McCartney: Miss Stull. Elizabeth Stull: Yes. Diane McCartney: Mr. VanWinkle? Scott VanWinkle: Yes. Diane McCartney: Mr. Cole? Travis Cole: Yes. Diane McCartney: Mr. Nope. Miss Hale? Anita Hale: I'm confused. I didn't understand what we're voting on? Chris King: 12.C.1. Gear up grant two site coordinator positions. Anita Hale: Oh, Yes. Diane McCartney: Miss Nichols? Sheri Nichols: Yes. Diane McCartney: Mr. King? Chris King: Yes. Diane McCartney: Yeses have it.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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12.D. *Upper Cumberland Child Advocacy Curriculum
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Discussion:
(See Exibit #10) Chris King: The next thing is the upper Cumberland child advocacy curriculum. Mr. Stepp? William Stepp: So I was working with Miss Polson on this. These need the mandates by two different laws. There's Tennessee code annotated the family life curriculum law and this is. And then also the Aaron's law, which is a federal law. So the curriculum in, this Upper Cumberland child advocacy curriculum is based on almost completely on the law, so we match curriculum to law, so we already, through our counselors, provide some of these services, but this would be a great supplement and there's no cost. And this is a person that would be teaching this. Is very experienced. Been around doing this for a long time, so Miss Polson and I both feel this would be, a great resource for the school for second grade. Chris King: Is there a motion? Sheri Nichols: I'll move to approve. Chris King: Motion to approve is there a second? Shannon Stout: I'll second that. Chris King: Second, Miss Nichols? Sheri Nichols: Well, I'm, in a ministry outside of this that I'm a firm believer that the younger that we can talk to them about safety, bathing suits, I know that we're going to write our own curriculum and make sure that we're watching over that. But the gentleman that teaches this, I know the organization that he works through. They're amazing. What they do for youth and children is bar none. Chris King: Miss Stout? Shannon Stout: I would like us to see the book. That they referred to. I tried to find information on that but to see the entire book, you have to get the book. So I would like for the board to. Be able to. See it. William Stepp: Review It. Shannon Stout: Or you and your administration and nurses and counselors. And then, of course, anything that you feel for our school or community culture and that you and your staff feel might need to be tweaked a little bit. But I'm I echo Sheri on that. I think there's a lot of good information and this and the fact that the parents have to opt the children in. Sheri Nichols: Yes. Shannon Stout: That does give them the choice. That attending and being involved in it. Chris King: So, Mr. Director, you oversee that curriculum? William Stepp: Absolutely, and I'll have the book ready to. Sheri Nichols: Thank you. Chris King: Any other questions or comments? Scott VanWinkle: Mr. Chair? Chris King: Yes? Scott VanWinkle: So is it my understanding that the curriculum will change from what's in the agenda? William Stepp: The what's in there now, currently talking with Miss Polson, matches what is required by law, but if there's a for our community, if there's certain things we have to tweak so that it fits, you know, for our parents and to allow the kids to participate, we will do that. Scott VanWinkle: So we're voting to approve this curriculum or the program, I don't understand. Chris King: Subject to your review? William Stepp: Yeah, the curriculum subject to my review and also the programming in that second grade. Scott VanWinkle: So wouldn't make more sense for us to see the curriculum before we actually. William Stepp: The current curriculum that you do see that is. Right out of the law. Correct me if I'm wrong, Miss Polson. Shannon Stout: So there's certain things that can't change apparently, right? William Stepp: Well, the law, if you look at it, the family life curriculum law. It goes through what you can and what you can't do. So it says. Specifically, you talk about safety. You can't talk about acts, you know, indecent acts and stuff like that. Sheri Nichols: Right. William Stepp: And I can send that law to you guys. Elizabeth Stull: So the law is tell us what we can and cannot do? William Stepp: As far as the curriculum. Elizabeth Stull: But is it saying that we have to have this kind of curriculum? William Stepp: We currently do this type of training with children. It's just we have one counselor for nine grades in elementary, so they get what's required by law done. It's if you use an outside resource, you have to get it approved and then if the board approves that, then we have to have public review of that curriculum. So we give a 30 day notice and parents come in and look at that curriculum and give their feedback. That's what's required by law. Anita Hale: So you are saying that the parents would get to look at the curriculum and? William Stepp: It's required by law. Anita Hale: And they would decide whether or not they wanted their child in this program. William Stepp: Correct, yeah or they can opt out. They have to opt in and opt out. Elizabeth Sull: I guess I also am in agreement with the fact that. I guess I would like to see the actual. William Stepp: OK. Elizabeth Stull: book and curriculum before. William Stepp: Yep, I can get all that to you. We can, table if you like and we can get all that in your hands, for the, before the next work session. Shannon Stout: And Mr. Stepp you advised when we talked about this earlier. That would still be enough time to roll this out in the spring semester, which is what the. William Stepp: Sometime in spring I got to give that 30 day notice, that's required by law and we have it open for public review. Sheri Nichols: So do we revise the motion? Chris King: You can withdraw the motion. Sheri Nichols: Withdraw the motion? Chris King: Or we can table the motion. Anita Hale: I suggest we table it. Sheri Nichols: Table it, until we get the book? Yes? Chris King: And the curriculum. Sheri Nichols: And the curriculum. Chris King: So the motion has been. Moved to be tabled until we get the curriculum and get a chance to review it. Sheri Nichols: Yes. Shannon Stout: Next work session, right? Chris King: All those in favor say aye. All board members: Aye. Chris King: Any opposed? (Silence) Chris King: The ayes have it.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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12.E. *TISA Accountability Report
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Discussion:
(See Exibit #11) Chris King: So next to the TISA accountability report, if you would. William Stepp: This report is required by State Tennessee. It's currently now in public review on our website. You're not voting to, not to approve it. Just saying that you saw it and you know that we did what we're supposed to do. I will say we've had some feedback and we we're already updating it. The format you're looking at right now is what was accepted last year by the state of Tennessee so. We kind of mirrored it. Several counties do it in that format. But it was also asked to have more details. In there, as far as cost number so we're updating it. So this will be, what you're looking at is, is going to be updated with more information from public comment and from any comments that I get from you guys. So this is this is the report, it's just the one you're looking at was approved last year and we're just going to add more detail to it and you will. Definitely see it. Before it's time to. Turn in. It'll be in your hands. (Audio) William Stepp: That's something to vote on. Chris King: It doesn’t have an asterisk? William Stepp: 12.E. Chris King: 12.E. does have a star. So is there a motion on the TIA Accountability report? Sheri Nichols: A motion to accept? William Stepp: Yeah, just a motion to accept it. Sheri Nichols: I’ll move to accept. Shannon Stout: Second. Chris King: Motion and second to accept. Miss Nichols? Sheri Nichols: I'm not really sure. (Laughter) Sheri Nichols: Just to be honest I am moving to accept. I mean, we can't do anything. To say we're not going to accept this, right? Because this is what you have to do by law. William Stepp: Yeah, we have to turn it in by November 1. So. Sheri Nichols: This is what was. The one we weren’t in compliance with? William Stepp: No, this is this is what we use TISA money and other money that was graded together. So they want us to report our accountability of how we used TISA. So that's what this report is. Sheri Nichols: And then this document, OK. William Stepp: 3rd grade and then. College career rating is information CCR data. Ready graduate data. Chris King: Miss Stout? Shannon Stout: So we're accepting it in this format knowing that it's going to be built upon and, we'll see it again before. William Stepp: You definitely will see it again. Shannon Stout: OK. Chris King: Other questions? Mr. VanWinkle? Scott VanWinkle: Mr. Stepp, I know you already addressed some of my questions about this via the e-mail. One of the other questions I had is the. I guess the materials that we're using currently in our action plan, how long have we been using those materials? William Stepp: And I'm sorry. I wasn't here when they started it so Dr. Farley will have to answer. Becky Farley: So the CKLA, the ELA high quality instructional materials we've been using those since the 2020-2021 school year. Mastery Connect, we started using that this week. We started last year, but fully this year. The ACT prep stuff that started this year and then interventionist you all voted or the board previously voted to put an intervention in every school. Last year we had them there, but they had a different name. And then RTI has been around since probably 2010, that's in the plan as well. And I can't think of anything else that's in the plan specifically. We've been a part of the Literacy implementation grant. I know that's in there for the last four years. This is our last year of that. That's mentioned in there. We've worked with TNTP probably for eight years now. And they're mentioned throughout the grant as well. Scott VanWinkle: Can I ask another question? Becky Farley: Absolutely. Scott VanWinkle: So is there any way to determine the effectiveness of those individual materials that we're using and how that's helping to know that we're well below what the state is expecting on, especially 3rd grade ELA. Becky Farley: Correct. Scott VanWinkle: Is there any way to determine the effectiveness of those? Becky Farley: I'm not sure how we could do that each one individually. You know, we've been hearing and hoping that each year we would see the growth with ELA and with this new curriculum, because now five years old and we are still waiting for that to happen and see that Big Bang. So I don't know how you would assess each one. You know, this year with Mastery Connect we've added that and we've made some changes in the classroom. So maybe if we see a big jump, we could say that that could be contributed some to master connect. But individually I just don't know how you could do that to assess the effectiveness individually. Scott VanWinkle: OK. Thank you. Chris King: Other questions? Anita Hale: So are we voting on trying to keep this program? William Stepp: We're just voting to accept the TISA accountability report that I'm going to be turning into the state of Tennessee. Chris King: Other questions? (Silence) Chris King: So the motion is to accept the TISA accountability report format, how it's done. As presented. Anybody have any questions? (Silence) Chris King: Madam secretary, call the roll please. Diane McCartney: Miss Stull? Elizabeth Stull: Yes. Diane McCartney: Mr. VanWinkle? Scott VanWinkle: Yes. Diane McCartney: Mr. Cole. Travis Cole: Yes. Diane McCartney: Miss Hale. Anita Hale: Yes. Diane McCartney: Miss Nichols? Sheri Nichols: Yes. Diane McCartney: Miss Stout? Shannon Stout: Yes. Diane McCartney: Mr. King? Chris King: Yes. Diane McCartney: Yeses Have it.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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12.F. FYI
Discussion:
William Stepp: So 12.F. is all the monthly reports that I provide to you, are there any questions? Elizabeth Stull: Yes, the compliance report. Are we? Is this the one that you were talking about in the work session? William Stepp: I think so. OK, so that's the one where we're out of compliance right now. The first one, we're working on hiring people. So we are in compliance. The goal is to be in compliance by November 29th. So we're working on hiring that teacher. They'll put us back in compliance in that grade band. Elizabeth Stull: OK. William Stepp: But if we don't hire a teacher. Then I'll have to turn this in. Mr. King's signature also that we are not compliance and what our corrective action plan is for that. Scott VanWinkle: I still I have a question on the reports. On the personnel report I see we're adding a teacher at Crab Orchard? William Stepp: Yes. Scott VanWinkle: What was the reason for adding the teacher and what grade is the teacher? William Stepp: Doctor Farley? Becky Farley: We're adding in second grade and the reason we're adding is because that cluster was over and we had to have that. We've been trying to get this person since September. We finally found someone. They were a teacher in another system that system held them for 30 days. Scott VanWinkle: So it's second grade, the warm body count says there's 46 students in second grade at Crab Orchard, so that the student teacher ratio would be 1 to 15 now? Becky Farley: Yes, because if you do the cluster average for all of them, it's over the 20.49 I think. It actually comes out to 21.5 if you do it with the eight teachers that they have. So that's why we're needing to add that and she chose to put that. There in second grade. Scott VanWinkle: OK. That's the highest number of students in that cluster? Becky Farley: Yes. Scott VanWinkle: Gotcha. Do you think that would have any help, any effect on the? On the 3rd grade, ELA, having that lower teacher to student ratio. And would it help in other schools? Becky Farley: I don't know the dynamics of that individual second grade group or that third grade group. I know this was the first year that her third grade went from three teachers to two based on numbers. And how many she earned. And yeah, you know when you can have lower ratios, that always helps. But there's the money side of that too, that comes in. Scott VanWinkle: So the funding. I guess. Law, on that is that's the maximum that we can have is that number in that cluster, but we can have. Becky Farley: So you. Scott VanWinkle: More teachers than that? Becky Farley: Yes, you can have 25 kids in that K-3 cluster in each individual class, but when you divide out the cluster for K-3, the average cannot be more than 20.49. Scott VanWinkle: OK. So is that something that we could track going forward in that grade to see if it helps our ELA in the future at Crab Orchard? Becky Farley: Sure, you know, I mean. There's lots of different variables when you track because you know you got to deal with the kids and their individual differences, and then the teachers and the strengths and weaknesses that they bring. So sometimes that's hard to isolate. But yes, we can definitely track that group of students you know. Scott VanWinkle: So you know that group of students. You know what they scored in first grade. Becky Farley: What we would use there would be their universal screener score, aimsweb score. We could definitely look at that. Scott VanWinkle: OK, and just see if that student teacher ratio actually helps that ELA on it, because that might be an action that we could add later and that TISA accountability. To reduce that student to teacher ratio in the K3 cluster, they have the third grade ELA. Becky Farley: Yes. Scott Van Winkle: Thank you. William Stepp: And currently what the formulas we use are the state minimum requirements just to be good stewards of the taxpayers money. But anytime the board wants to move on an initiative like that. Scott VanWinkle: I mean, if you have the data in the back it. Williams Stepp: Oh yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Thank you, Sir. |
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12.F.2. Textbook Adoption Members
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
(See Exibit #13) |
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12.F.4. Annual Planning Calendar
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
(See Exibit #15) |
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12.F.6. Personnel Report
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
(See Exibit #17) |
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12.F.8. School News Articles
Discussion:
(See Exibit #19) |
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12.F.9. School Calendar of Events
Discussion:
(See Exibit #20) |
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13. Chief Financial Officer's Report
Discussion:
Chris King: OK, Chief Financial Officer report. |
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13.A. Monthly Financial Report
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
(See Exibit #21) Kim Bray: OK. We'll start with financial statements. Through the end of September, we've had revenues of $13,426,907.00. Need to keep in mind that this is only two months of TISA because we do not get a piece of payment in July. So this is just two months. As far as our expenditures, they came in at $14,722,687.00, which has a deficit of $1,295,000.00. It's really not too bad at this point in time. Because when our TISA catches up and our property tax payments start flowing in, it should be much more close to even. Anybody has any questions about any of the detail on this account? I’ll be happy answer. |
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13.B. Monthly Sales Tax Report
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
(See Exibit #22) Kim Bray: If not, we'll move on to sales tax. I'd just like to remind everybody that sales tax is two months behind. So what you see in the month of September are going to be cash register sales from July because there is that lag time. We are currently $11,426.00 ahead of what was budgeted. And we are ahead of where we were last year. If you remember, we did come in below this with budgeting, but we did come in last year ahead of the previous year. Is there any questions on this? |
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13.C. *141 Budget Amendments
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
(See Exibit #23) Kim Bray: And then we have one budget amendment from CTE and I spoke with Doctor Eldridge regarding this as this is simply she had budgeted to build greenhouses. The cost of these greenhouses has now been bid out. We have the actual cost has come in less than what she had projected originally. So she's moving some of those leftover funds from construction. Down to her equipment accounts, materials accounts. And this will require an action by the board. Shannon Stout: Move to approve the 141 budget amendment. Overlapping audio: Second Chris King: Motion and second, I'm not sure there's like 3. (Laughter) Chris King: We're good. So the motion and second. Miss Stout? Shannon Stout: Just reallocating the funds based on the description that Dr. Farley gave us in the work session, Miss Bray just did now. So, it looks like it's ready to be moved over. Chris King: Who wants to claim second? Anita Hale: Second Chris King: Comments? Any other questions or comments? (Silence) Chris King: The motion is to accept the 141 ISM Grant. Madam secretary. Diane McCartney: Mr. VanWinkle? Scott VanWinkle: Yes. Diane McCartney: Mr. Cole? Travis Cole: Yes. Diane McCartney: Miss Hale? Anita Hale: Yes. Diane McCartney: Miss Nichols? Sheri Nichols: Yes. Diane McCartney: Miss Stout? Shannon Stout: Yes. Diane McCartney: Miss Stull? Elizabeth Stull: Yes. Diane McCartney: Mr. King? Chris King: Yes. Motion passes.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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14. *Consent Agenda
Discussion:
Shannon Stout: Move to approve consent agenda items 14.A through 14.D. Travis Cole: Second. Chris King: Motion to approve 14.A through 14.D. Miss Stout? Shannon Stout: Everything was in line regarding the fundraiser request, overnight requests, the inventory pieces. We discussed the policies that needed the new policy, that needed to be put in place per state law and then also the change that was required per state law that TSBA recommended. Chris King: Mr. Cole? Travis Cole: Nothing to add, I agree. Chris King: All right. So we're moving approve. The consent agenda. Those in favor say aye. All board members: Aye. Chris King: Those opposed? (Silence) Chris King: The ayes, have it.
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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14.A. First and Final Reading of Policies
Discussion:
(See Exibit #24) |
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14.B. *Approval of Overnight and Out of State Field Trips
Discussion:
(See Exibit #25) |
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14.C. *School Wide Fundraisers
Discussion:
(See Exibit #26) |
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14.D. *Approval of Disposal of Surplus Property
Discussion:
(See Exibit #27) |
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15. Questions from Media
Discussion:
Media: I'll have one later, but. After the after the meetings adjourned. Chris King: Alright, no questions from the media. |
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16. Adjournment
Discussion:
(Silence) Chris King: If not this meeting is adjourned.
Comments:
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion to adjourn at X p.m.
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