June 21, 2022 at 5:30 PM - Bedford County Board of Education

The Community High School Softball Team were recognized and presented certificates by Dr. Tammy Garrett and board member Dan Reed for their achievement in representing the school in the state tournament.

Ron Cosentino with Kline Swinney Associates along with Enoch Jarrell, a civil engineer with Huddleston-Steele Engineering, came and presented a site plan to the board for consideration for the new elementary school.  Mr. Jarrell explained about how the traffic would flow at the new site.  Their site plan has 2 entrances with the front of the school facing Fairfield Pike.  They gave a handout to the board members and had a slide show.  Brian Crews asked, "if you have an estimate on how much roadway that is within the site and what the upkeep would be over time?".  They answered they will come up with some estimates for the site once they get through the design development stage.  Mr. Cosentino and Mr. Jarrell spoke about the lanes for car riders, buses, and parking.  Mr. Cosentino talked about the building explaining where the cafeteria, media center, gym and administrative offices will be located.  He went on to say, "this is the most concise plan based on the original concept that was about 1,000 or more square feet than what is shown here".  The plan will be a two-story building with Pre-k, Kindergarten, First Grade and Resource classes on the first floor.  Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth grades will be on the second floor along with additional offices.   Mr. Cosentino also explained that the school is laid out in such a way that with the sunlight coming in the southern windows it helps to minimize the heat load and helps to minimize other factors that go into maintaining the HVAC system.   The cafeteria is set up for 360-380 seating capacity.  Michael Cook asked, "on the cafeteria how high are the ceilings?".  Mr. Cosentino replied it could be 16 feet depending on structural systems and cost.  The school will be built with precast hollow concrete plank.  He showed a concept of what the school would look like with a pitched roof and a flat roof.  Both roofs were comparable in price with both having 30-year warranties.  Glenn Forsee asked, "so you said with the pitched roof, shingles rather than standing seam metal?".  Mr. Cosentino replied, "it could be either one, we would be looking at cost."  The school will have a geothermal system and Mr. Cosentino explained the process of having that type of system.  He explained with depending on which plan the board chooses, option A or option B, they will provide more detailed information.  It all starts with the selection, A or B.  He concluded with the proposed schedule of construction.
Mr. Forsee wants the team that Dr. Garrett put together along with the Road Superintendent and the Emergency Management Director to look at it from every perspective.
The board members are to look at it and email Dr. Garrett with the option they prefer and any questions they may have.

Quitclaim Deed regarding small strip of property located across from Cascade that was recorded incorrectly at some point on Bell Buckle-Wartrace Road.

The year-end accounts payable list for the schools was presented.

The year-end school gifts and bequests were presented.

Grant to get $800,000 of computers.

Motion made to approve Instruction Partners for the Math Implementation Grant.

Motion made to approve Pearson as the online platform for BCVS 9-12.

Bid for the Community High School wing.  Fellowship Construction is the low bidder.  Motion to approve by Dan Reed with a second by David Brown.  Dr. Garrett stated the bid is $5,691,405.00.  Glenn Forsee asked, "In the current environment that we are in do you feel good that that bid will build the building?"  Davis Stokes representative replied, "We do." "We feel comfortable that 4 bids came in this close".  The motion carried with an 8-0 vote.  Fellowship Construction will build the addition for Community High School.

Daniel Kleindienst recommends Preferred Glass Co. at $304,000.  They were the only bidder.  He did contact another company, but they could not give him any better numbers.  Motion to approve by Glenn Forsee with a second by Brian Crews.  Glenn Forsee asked, "What is the time frame estimated for this whole project?".  Daniel answered, "They are hoping to get it done by Christmas time".

Mr. Kleindienst recommends to reject this bid.  Motion was made to recommend to reject and bid at some point in the future due to the high cost.

Mr. Kleindienst recommends using Southern Heating and Cooling as the low bidder. 

Mr. Kleindienst had planned to recommend the bid from Preferred Glass but today received a phone call from them that they could no longer honor this bid price because they got a call from their vendor and the cost is going to go up $34,000 plus for this job.  Mr. Kleindienst recommends to reject the bid and re-bid at a later date. 

Instructional Supervisor to oversee secondary instruction and secondary ESL 

This policy allows retired teachers to come back and teach and still draw their retirement.  The school system would have to pay their portion of the retirement. 

Updated policy. 

Updated policy. 

Updated to match model policy.

2022-2023 budget.  Budget has been approved by the state. 

Dr. Garrett asked to combine Budget Amendments M through U.

Motion made to discuss budget made by David Brown and seconded by Glenn Forsee.  Michael Cook stated "We have needs, we know we have needs.  I believe we could use funding from the county commission to increase salaries. I believe we could use funding to build a wing at Liberty School. I believe we could use funding to purchase the TCAT building that’s coming up for sale. I believe we could use funding from our county commission to put SRO’s in every school, I believe 6 would put SRO’s in every school. There’s a dollar amount to that.  I believe if the county commission is going to increase our taxes that we ask in a letter that these things be considered if that is the will of the Board." 
Andrea Anderson reported that the collaborative team met with the teachers after the last study session on June 13, 2022.  The team presented Proposal 1 to the teachers that is in the proposed budget.  We are trying to help correct some deficits in our step increases and in the salary schedule.  The teachers wanted to meet again on June 17, 2022.  The teacher team presented a counter proposal raise of 7% with no step increase below $300.  The cost of the Proposal 1 is $2,150,017 that is in the proposed budget.  The cost of the teacher team proposal is $3,221,976.   Any change that is decided tonight of the proposed budget will require the board to come back together in July to make the amendment.  Michael Cook explained Proposal 1 would be a 4% increase.  Dr. Garrett clarified that the 4% is on the base then trickles down according to the salary schedule.  Andrea Anderson reported the teacher team could not support Proposal 1.  They felt that it is fixing the deficits in the salary schedule but still some disparity in the schedule.   Brian Crews explained that on the salary schedule for Proposal 1 years 21 through 30 would be catching up the teachers, who had flaws in the pay scale, at 7.9% and 6.57% depending on their degrees.  There’s a lot of numbers where we are finally doing good for the tenured teachers.  Diane Neeley said that we understand the frustration of the teachers.  Proposal 1 does address the majority of our employees.  Dr. Garrett stated that the state will require the minimum salary to be $45,000 by the year 2026.  This increase is only for principals and teachers, supervisors are not included.
Glenn Forsee brought up about the one school bus purchase on the budget highlights.  In the budget it allows for a $.50 cent per hour for bus drivers.  He said Mr. Kenny Parker asked to not purchase the bus but take the $135,000 and give it to the bus drivers.  This would give them a $2.93 increase per hour.  Brian Crews and Diane Neeley talked about the insurance benefits for bus drivers.  Robert Daniel explained that they could do an amendment in July to move the money over to salary. 
Motion was made to approve the budget as is by John Boutwell, seconded by David Brown.  A roll call vote was taken with David Brown voting yes, Brian Crews voting yes, Dan Reed voting yes, Diane Neeley voting yes, Michael Cook voting yes, Andrea Anderson voting yes, John Boutwell voting yes, Glenn Forsee voting yes.  Each board member read aloud the Disclosure Statement* before casting their vote except for John Boutwell and Glenn Forsee.  Mr. Boutwell and Mr. Forsee are not related to any employee in the school system.  Motion carries by a vote of 8-0.     

*Disclosure Statement
Because I am related to an employee of Bedford County Schools, I have a conflict of interest in the proposal about to be voted upon.  However, I declare that my argument and my vote answer only to my conscience and to my obligation to my constituents and the citizens this body represents.

 

Robert Daniel pointed out on page one that 91% of the revenue has been collected.  Expenditures spent were 79%.  Four payrolls coming in June so it will go up.  Any anomalies will be cleaned up in a July amendment. 

Robert Daniel reports for property tax 105% has been collected of the budget.  Sales tax collected $387,000 ahead of this time last year with June still to go.

Surplus property declared for Community Elementary, Community Middle, SCHS and Technology.
Mr. Cook thanked everyone for their time, effort, and commitment. 
June 28^th will be a Special Called Meeting at 12:15 for budget amendment. 
The next board meeting will be July 19^th, 2022, 5:30 pm at the Central Office.  The board will start meeting on the 3^rd Thursdays beginning in August at 6:00

Dr. Garrett gave a shout out to all the folks who have taken care of the summer learners. 
Michael Cook commended Dr. Garrett for all she does for the school system.
Brian Crews asked if the executive committee will be presenting to the commission the other requests.  Mr. Cook said he wants to put that in a letter to the commission.  Mr. Crews would like for the letter to show the steps the board took to fix the pay scale.  He would like for that request to be in bold. 
Diane Neely acknowledged the Good News Magazine.  There have been very positive articles in their magazine about the school system.
Brian Crews gave kudos to the Adopt-a-Teacher program on Facebook. 
Dr. Garrett acknowledged an anonymous donor for all that has been given for band uniforms, elementary basketball uniforms, and money donated for incoming kindergartners to attend a one-week camp before school starts.
Glenn Forsee questioned about the letter to be sent to the commission.  Mr. Cook wants to get that letter to the commission before their next meeting because they are looking at a potential tax increase.  

Glenn Forsee moved to adjourn the meeting at approximately 7:48.