August 13, 2015 at 5:30 PM - Bradley County Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Mr. Dan Rawls signed up to address the board on agenda item 4E. Mr. Rawls just wanted to say that Jennifer Huskins, one of the new principals at Waterville Community Elementary School, did a fabulous job with opening school the first day. He was very impressed.

Discussion:  Dr. Cash just wanted to let board members know that the opening of school went well. We want to say thank you to all board members and county commissioners that joined us. Principals were very excited about your visits. Traffic was heavy but she would attribute that to everyone being excited to get back into school. Enrollment numbers appear to be slightly up. We don't have a total count but expect to have them in about two weeks. Benchmark screening will begin soon. We are transferring into a new program and had some problems so the window was extended for testing. One great thing, according to TVAASS, 53% of our schools were at or above average scoring a grade of 3,4 or 5 overall.

Discussion:  Mrs. Calfee introduced Sheriff Watson to enlighten us about DARE. Sheriff Watson and Bradley County Schools have the same vision and that is to provide the best we can for our kids here in Bradley County. That is why the Sheriff's office promote programs like the DARE program. 750 kids benefited from the DARE program. If this program can change one kids life, that is worth it all. This program doesn't cost the taxpayers one cent. Sheriff Watson asked Lt. Julie Quinn to present a PowerPoint to the board along with some additional information about the program. DARE was founded in 1983 by the LAPD. It is taught by all 50 states and 49 other countries. Here in Bradley County we have 11 elementary school SRO's that are also trained DARE officers. There are 10 lessons that talk about drug information, dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, risky behaviors, peer pressures, stressful situation, communication, and bullying. At the end of the program they get a certificate and t-shirt. Mr. Lillios ask what grade level this is presented to. Ms. Quinn said that this is for 5th grade students. Mrs. Calfee asked that the board come to the front and take a picture with Sheriff Watson and his group while Dr. Cash presents him a plaque.

Discussion:  Mr. Lillios asked if anyone would like to make a motion for Contract Manager vs General Manager . Dianna Calfee asked Mr. Lillios to refresh the board on the definition of design-bid-build process and he did. She also asked does design-bid-build give the opportunity for local people to bid on specific jobs. Chairman Lillios explained that anyone can make a bid to the sub-contractors. Mr. Rose asked if we do nothing, we are going with a General Manager. He also asked when did we get to this point? Mr. Lillios said after the architect is hired and they get the designs completed then a bid is put out. Supervision is a concern for Mrs. Beaty. Mrs. Calfee asked Doug Shover from Lewis Group to speak to this point. He stated that a Construction Manager comes in early on and gets involved in the general oversight. He has agreements with all the sub contractors. He is the general overseer of the project. Construction Managers give you a guaranteed maximum price. With design-bid-build and a General Contractor, the General Contractor will be preforming more of the work with his own forces. He still holds all the agreements with his sub contractors. You have Supervision with either Contract Manager or General Contractor.