September 8, 2015 at 5:30 PM - Bradley County Board of Education Work Session

Discussion:  The New Teacher Reception began at 4:30. The Board welcomed the New Teachers to Bradley County Schools.

Discussion:  Doug Shover,Lewis Group, Dr. Cash and Principal Stevenson meet to discuss Lake Forest Middle School. They looked at the square footage which started at just over 93,000 square foot but during the meeting they were able to get it down to about 88,500 square feet. Lewis Group was working with the assumption that there would be an enclosed corridor from the new building to food service. In the course of the discussion, it was decided that there will be a protected walkway but not an enclosed walkway. That is approximately a 10,000 square footage savings. The auditorium, gym and food service are to be remodeled. The buildings to be demolished are just under 110,000 square foot. Programmatic square footage is about 88,550 and the total square footage is approximately 137,400. Mr. Turner asked Mr. Shover to explain the difference. Programmatic square footage is the interior square footage for the instructional rooms. Total square footage includes the thickness of the walls, toilets, mechanical spaces, corridors, stairways, etc. Mr. Turner stated that $120.00 a square foot is $16,500,000. Mr. Lillios asked if the demolition square footage was considered under roof. Mr. Shover answered yes that he believes there are 9 or 10 buildings that will be demolished.

Discussion:  Mr. Rose said the board has something like $831,000.00 from the Blue Springs project left. He would like the Blue Springs students to get some benefit from the money. They feed Lake Forest Middle School. He suggested that the money be used along with money from the Restricted Capitol Outlay account so the board can set aside 1 million dollars and fulfill their promise to the commission. Mr. Turner said that if they put the $831,360.00 and enough from the Restricted Long Term Capital Projects account to make 1 million dollars they could take care of the architect fees and the money spent for surveys. Mr. Lillios agreed that this would be a good idea. Mr. Turner explained that they could create a new restricted account called Lake Forest Middle School. Then take $831.360 from account 34585 - Restricted for Capital Projects and enough to bring it to 1 million from account 34586 - Restricted Long Term Capital Projects account.

Discussion:  Danny Coggin explained a few changes with Extended Contract distribution for the 2015-16 school year. Extended Contracts were placed in an order of priority. Schools were provided with supplementary contract amounts where test scores showed the most need. Each school received a bump except GOAL and Virtual. They will receive some instructional money that they haven't had in the past. There is also money to help with ACT scores for both high schools. Mr. Coggin met with principals and guidance counselors from both high schools to be sure everyone is on the same page with Dual Enrollment. New Dual Enrollment criteria that students will follow are attached in eMeeting. When it comes to ACT scores, Lee University and Cleveland State are a little different in that Lee only accepts a 19 across the board for sub test scores and Cleveland State will allow 18 on the ACT English. Chris Turner asked if there are targeted disbursements where extended contract money will be spent this year. Mr. Coggin explained that each school will come up with their own targeted priority. Mr. Turner went on to say that the board had a lot of discussion about if they would fund extended contracts this year because 0% of funding would come from the state so 100% would come from local money. Dr. Cash explained that before there were no screenings to see where they were spending the money. Now when they apply they will have to identify where they will spend the money during the application process. Priorities were set up so that when they apply we will look at scores and benchmarks to see if this is what their school needs. If not, we will send them back to look at their needs again. Dianna Calfee is looking for an evaluation piece for these and she is very excited after talking with Mr. Coggin earlier about that.

Discussion:  Emily Brown, School Nutrition Supervisor, presented to the board a hand out that helps to explain the requirements of the lunch program. She explained the difference in Offer vs Serve. Students are offered up to five servings. For grades K-8 a student is able to receive one cup of milk, one ounce of protein, one ounce of grain, 3/4 cup of vegetables and 1/2 cup of fruit. Grades 9-12 receive one cup milk, two ounces protein, two ounces of grain, one cup of vegetables, and one cup fruit. Mr. Turner stated that two ounces of protein isn't anything like they are accustomed to getting. Students are accustom to a quarter pound of meat or a six ounce steak. He asked if they are getting a half of a chicken nugget. Dr. Cash said that when she has been to the schools they get a cup of chicken nuggets. She also said that if they go through the sandwich line, the sandwich is about the same as they would get at a restaurant with fries and fruit. The salad bar also has soup and potatoes to choose from. Mrs. Beaty asked what has changed in the last few year. Mrs. Brown said that sodium has been restricted but there has been a freeze put on several of the changes because the industry has not caught up with the new regulations. Charlie Rose asked "They" who is they that is making the changes. Mrs. Brown explained that "They" are the federal government. "Why" asked Mr. Rose. Mrs. Brown responded because we accept federal money. We receive $3.06 for a free meal, $2.60 for a reduced meal, and .36 for a paid meal. Students pay $2.05 for elementary meals and $2.30 for secondary meals. Dr. Cash told the board that the School Nutrition program is totally self funded. Mr. Rose said he had some complaints that if you have third lunch, you do not get your share or choices. Mrs. Brown explained that might have been a problem but they have adjusted and taken care of that problem. She also let the board know that Tennessee is ahead of the game and that her group has won some Best Practice Awards and she is very proud of her program. Chris Turner asked about the drop in revenues. Also, he wants to clear up some rumors about trash pickup. It has been said that trash pickup has gone up due to the students not eating and throwing away so much more food. Ms. Brown said she didn't pay for trash pick up so she didn't know. Dr. Cash suggested that we might want to do an analysis of the program. Mrs. Brown finished up by inviting the board to come eat with her. She eats early or late. She eats with students, teachers or with her employees.

Discussion:  Dr. Cash introduced representatives from Five Points Employee Benefits Coordinators. Five Points is located in Franklin, TN. They specialize in school districts and work with over 80 in the state of Tennessee and 120 in 6 states. Mike began by telling the board that beginning 2014 everyone must have insurance or they will be penalized when filing their taxes. Because of this law the board will see an increase in members. If you have a 5% increase in membership and do nothing, you will see a $342.846 increase. If you look at the 2015 Current Plan Cost and compare to 2016 Option 2 Budget for Limited + Gap, you will see a reduction of $951.430. When you compare your 5 year projected costs and 5% annual increases based on the Limited PPO + GAP plan strategy by year 5 you have a reduction of $1,653.044. Then compare that to Current plan strategy to see an increase of $5,498.645. If employees move to Limited PPO and the board offers GAP insurance, it will reduce the premiums for the employee and the board; but the employee will have increased deductables, co-insurance, and out of pocket cost. The GAP insurance will help with the increased cost. It reimburses eligible inpatient and outpatient expenses. The major medical plan will reimburse $6,000 for inpatient and $4,000 for outpatient. Five Points gave a few scenarios of actual surgery expenses. One said that the patient owed $11,000. Mr. Turner said that most people are not able to pay $11,000 up front and then be reimbursed. The Five Point representative explained that you can use this as a reimbursement or you can use the other option which is to fill out an Assignment of Benefits when you go to the doctor or hospital. Five Point works with hospitals so they will expect you to give them your insurance card and your GAP medical id card. With the Assignment of Benefits, they will bill your insurance company first.

Discussion:  Laura Bauer, Chief Financial Officer, reported that during the enrollment for Telemedicine 127 of the 1100 employees enrolled. Andy Williams, a Telemedicine Representative, told the board that because this is not an insurance the enrollment can be left open all year.

Discussion:  Second reading for policies 2.800 – 2.805 – 5.200 – 5.201 – 5.202 – 6.205

Discussion:  Amanda Lee gave a report from the Student School Board Representative Committee meeting. They met September 4, 2015, with Amanda Lee, Danny Coggin, Kari Ivester, Sponsor from BCHS, and Ann Pickens, Sponsor from WVHS, being present. Vicki Beaty was not able to attend. The purpose of the meeting was to study the advantages of having a Student School Board Representative. There were some suggested changes to the application packet. There will be one student from Bradley and one from Walker Valley. They will alternate attending regularly scheduled work sessions and board meetings. The representatives will attend one county commission meeting and one city school board meeting. The selection committee will narrow applicants down to three at each school and then down to one. Interested students will obtain application packets in March.

Discussion:  Dianna Calfee asked Scott Humberd, Technology Director, to explain the benefits of using google calendar. Mr. Humberd explained that the district uses a calendar on the Bradley County School's website that tracks items for the public and also on the private side that district and school administrators have access to. He asked if this calendar might serve the purpose. Mrs. Calfee explained that she would like to see a district wide google calendar so you could log on and see events at every school. Mr. Humberd said he would look into a calendar solution for the board.

Discussion:  Dianna Calfee asked the board to look over the proposed additions to the Annual Agenda. Mrs. Calfee said Dr. Cash questioned the budget items in October and November during their conversation about the agenda. Chairman Lillios said if we move the budget items there will be no mention of the budget until February. The rational for the change last year was to start the conversation early about priorities explained Mr. Turner. In October each board member brought one priority item for budget consideration. Mrs. Calfee asked if a change should be made to the budget dates. Dr. Cash told the board that she was not here and didn't understand beginning so early because information will not be available to create a budget that early. Now that she heard the rational she suggested Board Input in October and Rough Forecast of Budget in November. Mr. Turner said he was interested in the forecast of unspent revenues. Starting the process early is why we were able to contribute to the restricted equities. This is the first balanced budget in Bradley County Schools in a long time.

Discussion:  Just before adjournment, Mr. Turner reported that the Energy subcommittee meet with representatives from the School Board, County Commission, Sheriff's Department and County Government. They had great conversation. He said the state has a service provider that does consulting that we will engage with in early October to survey our schools for an energy footprint, along with county buildings and the justice center. They will meet again in October to hear the preliminary thoughts and hope to be ready to put out a request for proposals in November. He reported the state helped them to understand their options very well. Charlie Rose agreed. Chairman Lillios adjourned the meeting.