March 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Johnson City Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion: 

• Cherokee Elementary’s after-school Boomwhacker Choir, led by music teacher Thomas Richardson, performed "Stand By Me" and a surprise final piece.
• Dr. Yecenia "Jesse" Cigarroa noted that Cherokee was named a Reward School. 

Discussion: 

• Asiyah Yett, a eighth-grade student at Indian Trail won the JCCPTA Presidents Award for the artwork "I Belong," to be hung in the boardroom.
• Nora King, a second-grade student at Southside won "Future Scientist" in the Wonder Kids contest, selected from 900 students; the prize included WonderWorks passes, nominated by STEM teacher Heather Atkins.
• Teacher, Ryan Glenn at Lake Ridge was selected for the TVA EnergyRight School program cohort; a $10,000 award planned to support the environmental program and AV team for educational content.
• Four Science Hill students were named National Merit Finalists: Clara Hagemeier, Saxon Mattison, (also a TSSAA wrestling state medalist, placed in 5th), Zoe Norman and Sawyer Ward.
• Wrestling achievements:
  • Sawyer Ward: state champion at 152 lbs; first-ever four-time TSSAA state medalist at Science Hill since girls wrestling that was sanctioned in 2015; career record 152-10; placements listed for grades 9-12.
  • Chase Mullin: first Science Hill student to become a four-time TSSAA state medalist; placements listed for grades 9-12; record 176-9. 

Discussion:  Mr. Joe Barnes spoke on behalf of Mr. Brian Ross: 

• Town Acres: strong progress due to good weather; underground electrical and sewer work advanced; Saturday work occurred.
• Vestibules: nearing completion after team review and walkthrough.
• Indian Trail: doors and related items ordered.
• Foundation work: at Town Acres utilized a "raft" approach with geotechnic fabric to blend unsuitable/suitable soils; first raft larger (expected), second smaller.

Discussion: 

• January revenues: $12,828,000; includes $4,493,000 in property tax revenue.
• Local option sales tax: $1,849,000 for January, 5.6% above the same period last year.
• Expenditures: $8,500,000; net fund balance increase: $2,808,000.
• Ms. Leia Valley noted State-funded per-pupil (TISA, excluding outcomes incentives and state grants): $6,461.

Discussion: 

• January deposits to PEP: $304,000 (city) and $179,000 (schools).
• Month-end PEP balance: $3,371,000.
• Bonds issued for Town Acres (not full amount); net proceeds after issuance costs: $25,550,000 in capital projects.

Discussion:  Dr. Erin Slater thanked Board Members for attending the BOE Workshop that was held last Thursday.  A major part of the work was refining objectives and strategies for the Five - Year Strategic plan. 

Discussion:  Dr. Allecia Frizzell gave an overview of the planning process of the current plan that was developed and adopted by the Board in 2022 to 2027. Each year that plan is reviewed by Board Members and Supervisors then updated. 

Discussion: 

• Dr. Erin Slater noted that the SHAC (School Health Advisory Committee met on February 19. After additional review, the recommendation is to proceed with Stellar Therapy Services to capture additional Medicaid reimbursements in health services and special education.

Discussion: 

• Dr. Ginger Carter asked Dr. Erin Slater to elaborate on item #7. H. Closure due to Inclement Weather. Dr. Slater discussed the unusual winter weather that led to back-to-back closures.   
• The Board approved the administration’s recommendation to pay all employees (classified, certified, hourly, salaried, 10/11/12-month) to avoid harm due to closures within one payroll period.

Discussion: 

• Dr. Erin Slater noted the K-8 tuition recommendations to come at the next board meeting. Ms. Leia Valley agreed and noted the Tuition rates are expected to be set in April (budget meeting), with recommendations in May.

Discussion: 

• Dr. Slater noted that the school-based telehealth services is something that the district is very interested in expanding mental health and physical health services for students. Unfortunately, the intended provider recently determined they could not meet equipment and supply needs within budget. The SHAC Committee will explore other providers and return with a recommendation in the future. 
   

Discussion: 

• House bill 25 state Senate bill 16 was signed into law by the governor by Governor Lee last week as enacted it generally provides that a middle school student or a high school student who transfers from from one member school to another is immediately eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics at the member school to which the student transfers if certain criteria is met there'll be more out on this law and it'll be discussed at the TWSAA  April legislative council meeting,
• State Bill 2434, House Bill 2147, as a mandate would create criminal offense for capturing images or videos over school grounds if done with the intention of conducting surveillance. This is on the TSBA legislative agenda. That's being heard on Wednesday in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.
• H.J.R. 146, this is a constitutional amendment which will allow local boards of education to approve lotteries conducted by non-profit school support organizations. So this is the cakewalk law. Because it's a constitutional amendment, this will need to be passed in this year's General Assembly, then passed again in the next General Assembly, which runs two years, 2027. And then in 2028. Then, if passed in both of those General Assemblies, it will be voted on by the people of Tennessee, in the next gubernatorial election after that, which will be November of 2030. Currently, in order to have any kind of lottery, it has to be approved by the state General Assembly. So, we have to wait until 2030 before we can approve cakewalks for our SSOs. That's actually being heard on Wednesday in House Finance Ways and Means Subcommittee.
• (The next couple of bills are opposed by the TSBA.) Tomorrow in the House K-12 Education Subcommittee, they're listening to State Bill 349 and House Bill 328. As amended, it will require boards of education to allow enrollment of out-of-district students, subject to available space, as well as prohibit the charge of tuition for these students.
• Senate Bill 2310 and House Bill 233 is in the House Education Administration Subcommittee tomorrow as introduced, it prohibits LEAs and public charter schools that serve students in any of grades kindergarten through five from allowing students to access digital device at school, allowing employees to use digital devices to provide instruction, and from administering assessments to students in electronic format, except in certain circumstances.
• Senate Bill 2445, House Bill 2226. is going to education administration subcommittee tomorrow. As introduced, it prohibits professional employees and local boards of education from collaborative conferencing. Prohibits a local board of education from allowing a professional employee's organization, to use or access facilities when such use or access, is otherwise prohibited by local board policies.

Mr. Jonathan Kinnick gave an update regarding vouchers. The Department of Education released some updated numbers last week. The data was a little convoluted. In addition, the application process changed this year. There's five different priorities and the subtotals add up to over 5,500 more than the grand total. Priority four is public schools and kindergartners. Looking at the math, it's not surprising that the vouchers are going to roughly 82% of students that are not attending public school or procedures for community use.

Mr. Rick Smith thanked Mr. Kinnick and reminded the community that this is an informational item presented by Mrs. Treece. The Board did pass a resolution last year opposing vouchers. The other house bills don't necessarily reflect the position of this board as a whole, but we all could vote presumably and can voice our opinions to our legislatures.   Mrs. Kathy Hall noticed some raised eyebrows in the audience regarding the Senate Bill 2310, House Bill 2393 that prohibits the use of digital devices for students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade in public charter schools. Ms. Treece noted that the Senate Bill 2310, House Bill 2393 will be heard in the House Education Administration. On Tuesday, and set for the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, 3-4 pm. Our state senator, Rusty Crow, also sits on the Senate Education Committee.

 

Discussion: 

• Recognitions 
• Draft of the 5 yr Strategic Plan 

Discussion:  6:53 PM