April 16, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Bedford County Board of Education
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I. PROCEDURAL ITEMS
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I.A. Call to Order
Discussion:
The Bedford County Board of Education met in a regular monthly session on April 16, 2026 at 6:00 in the Shelbyville Central High School library, 401 Eagle Blvd., Shelbyville, TN. Board members Glenn Forsee, Michael Cook, David Brown, Dan Reed, Barton Williams, Shanna Boyette, Brian Crews and Lana Craig were present. Andrea Anderson was absent.
Chairman Michael Cook called the meeting to order, followed by a moment of silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Korey Thomas and Jhia’Vahna Macias who are students at Eastside Elementary School. Mr. Cook recognized those from Leadership Bedford that were in attendance. Before the board meeting, the Board took a walk through SCHS and looked at some new safety features and then toured the new athletic facilities. |
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I.B. Moment of Silence
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I.C. Pledge of Allegiance - Led by Korey Thomas and Jhia'Vahna Macias, students at Eastside Elementary School
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I.D. Opening Remarks
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II. CONSENT AGENDA
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
The Consent Agenda was approved by acclamation upon the motion and seconded Barton Williams and David Brown.
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II.A. Approval of Agenda
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II.B. Minutes from March Monthly Meeting
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II.C. Minutes for the March 14, 2026 Board Retreat
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II.D. Minutes for the March 19, 2026 Budget Work Session
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II.E. Policies for Revision
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II.E.1. 6.506 Students from Military Families
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II.E.2. 6.300 Code of Conduct
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II.E.3. 6.411 Student Wellness
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II.E.4. 1.404 Appeals to and Appearances Before the Board
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II.E.5. Community High School Key Club Trip Request
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III. PUBLIC COMMENT
Discussion:
There was no public comment.
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IV. COMMUNICATIONS
Discussion:
Mrs. Garrette gave a brief summary of the Good News Report.
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IV.A. Good News Report
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V. PRESENTATIONS
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V.A. Harris Middle School State Wrestling Champion
Discussion:
Chase Kologniczak was presented with a certificate for his accomplishment at the State Wrestling Competition.
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V.B. John Boutwell
Discussion:
Mr. Boutwell gave a presentation on School Funding. He stated "We have a good school system and that means a lot to our community." In his presentation he showed how other counties are ahead of Bedford County in funding for Bedford County Schools. He pointed out that the state portion was going up but the local portion wasn’t really going up at all. He presented a newspaper article written by a Lambeth University Professor that had a table showing funding for the lowest funded counties and Bedford County was in last place. He went on to explain about funding with local contribution and TISA allocation. There was a powerpoint and a handout for the board members.
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VI. ACTION ITEMS
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VI.A. Mr. Timothy Harwell's Contract
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
The compensation is $165,465.30 that begins on June 2, 2026. This salary includes the 5% raise for the 2026-2027 school year. He will receive annual percentage increases in salary that is paid to licensed staff members each fiscal year starting with his second year. Motion was made by Glenn Forsee and seconded by Brian Crews. Motion was carried with an 8-0 vote.
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VI.B. New Central Office: Construction Manager At-Risk vs. Hard Bid
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Dr. Garrett asked approval to go ahead with the project at the New Central Office. It will include the new Superintendent’s wing, a front facelift, a boardroom and new HVAC. And she also asked to move forward with the Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) and to use Bell Construction. There was much discussion on cost. The Maintenance department has already moved into their section of the building. If we can move forward with the demolition we hope to be in by May 2027. The Finance director can sign to extend the contract with Bell Construction. Will take 30 to 60 days to get the pricing nailed down so we’re looking at an August start date. Motion was made by Shanna Boyette and seconded by David Brown. The motion was amended to include the Finance Director and school administration to work with CMAR and Bell Construction on Phase 1 and not to exceed $1.5 million allotted in the 2025-2026 budget year. Then to come back in June with numbers to present to amend the contract, potentially for additional phases. Motion was carried with an 8-0 vote.
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VI.C. Cascade High School Basketball Coaches Bonus Structure
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
These are bonuses for their basketball coaches from the tip-off club. Motion was made by Barton Williams and seconded by Shanna Boyette. Motion was carried with an 8-0 vote.
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VI.D. Learning Way Elementary Concrete Pad Request
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
This is a request to put in a concrete pad so they can install a greenhouse. Since it’s a facility change it has to come before the board. Motion was made by Brian Crews and seconded by Barton Williams. Motion was carried with an 8-0 vote.
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VI.E. Canon Copier Contract for Community Middle School
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
This is a request to approve the 5-year contract on state bid. Motion was made by Brian Crews and seconded by David Brown. Motion was carried with an 8-0 vote.
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VI.F. ELA High School Adoption
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
The state pulled a particular textbook off the list that we were using. This is a recommendation to use Savvas English curriculum, My Perspectives. This curriculum is on the official state approved list. Motion was made by Shanna Boyette and seconded by Lana Craig. Motion was carried with an 8-0 vote.
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VI.G. Policy 6.201 Compulsory Attendance Ages
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Updated to match TSBA recommendations. Motion was made by Glenn Forsee and seconded by Dan Reed. Motion was carried with an 8-0 vote.
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VI.H. Policy 2.400 Revenues
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Updated to match TSBA recommendations and added a line that says "SACP write-offs and collections must be reported to the board annually". Motion was made by Brian Crews and seconded by David Brown. Motion was carried with an 8-0 vote.
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VI.I. Policy 6.204 Attendance of Non-Resident Students
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Every April the tuition is to be approved for out-of-county students. Dr. Garrett is recommending to leave the tuition at $1200 a year. Motion was made by Shanna Boyette and seconded by Lana Craig. Motion was carried with an 8-0 vote.
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VI.J. Bid 26-19 Ceiling Grid and LED Lighting Renovation at Thomas and Eakin Schools
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
It is recommended to go with Middle TN Solutions for Thomas Magnet School and JHS Build, LLC for Eakin Elementary School as both vendors are the low bidders. Motion was made by Barton Williams and seconded by Shanna Boyette. Motion was carried with an 8-0 vote.
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VI.K. March Monthly Financial Report
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
The amendment that was approved last month is not reflected in this report but will be in next month’s report. Robert Daniel has received the preliminary certified tax rate but not the insurance increase yet. The only concern regarding the budget is the price of diesel but we have asked our supervisors to cut back so we can amend that if needed. Motion was made by Dan Reed and seconded by Brian Crews. Motion was carried with an 8-0 vote.
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VI.L. Quarterly Fiinancials
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
The same as the March Financials. Motion was made by Glenn Forsee and seconded by Lana Craig. Motion was carried with an 8-0 vote.
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VII. REPORT ITEMS
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VII.A. Monthly Tax Analysis
Discussion:
There is nothing new to report.
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VII.B. Attendance Report
Discussion:
Terise Rhodes reported we are down approximately 250 students. We had 90 that graduated early. Just before Spring Break we gave out 3,555 students perfect or improving attendance for the third quarter. Our attendance has been really good for the last few months.
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VII.C. Executive Committee Report
Discussion:
Mr. Cook announced the next board meeting will be May 21st at Harris Middle School and we are having a reception in honor of Dr. Garrett at 5:00 before the meeting for "her service and excellence in our district". Teacher appreciation week is coming up in May and he asked if the board members would let Felecia know which schools they wanted to deliver to.
There was no surplus for April. |
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VII.D. Superintendent's Report
Discussion:
Dr. Garrett announced that TCAP starts next week and also tournament time in the county
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VIII. OTHER BUSINESS
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VIII.A. Additional Acknowledgements
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VIII.B. FYI - Personnel
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IX. ADJOURNMENT
Discussion:
Glenn Forsee moved to adjourn the meeting at approximately 7:26.
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