April 14, 2016 at 5:30 PM - Bradley County Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Students from Waterville Community Elementary School told the Board about their Leaders for Life program they have at their school. Several other students were in period costumes and told a little about some of our leaders in history.

Discussion:  Amanda Lee presented certificates to two teachers at Waterville that volunteer and supervise the Readers Leaders Program that pairs 5th grade students with 2nd grade students that are struggling with reading. The volunteers are Lisa Gwaltney and Lori Stafford.

Discussion:  No one signed up to speak to the Board.

Discussion:  Josh Justice and Penny Howell gave a report to the Board about their trip to TSBA's SCOPE (Students Congress on Policies in Education)this year.

Discussion:  Carissa Sapp received a certificate from Dr. Cash and the Board for Lake Forest Middle School's Student Government Association which won the highest award given by the TN Association of Student Councils. The Platinum Award.

Discussion:  Bradley High School Wrestling coach Ben Smith accepted a certificate from Dr. Cash and the Board for winning the 2016 Dual Championship for the State of Tennessee.

Discussion:  The Walker Valley Boy's Basketball team received a certificate for making it to the 2016 Class AAA Boy's Basketball State Tournament.

Discussion:  The Bradley Central High School Girl's Basketball team received a certificate for making it to the 2016 Class AAA Girl's Basketball State Tournament.

Discussion:  The Bradley Central High School Boy's Basketball team received a certificate for making it to the 2016 Class AAA Boy's Basketball Sub-State Tournament.

Discussion:  Mr. Larry Armour came before the Board to answer questions about a proposal that was made to the Board. The old American Uniform building is for sale and Mr. Armour has offered to sell the building and will owner finance for 10 years. Dr. Cash explained some of the ways the building could be used. Services could be consolidated, a STEM center, and CTE classes in Advanced Manufacturing are just some of the ways. Mr. Armour said the building is 288 thousand square feet on 14 acres. Mr. Lillios told the Board that it is in a great location and it has a building on it that is well suited for our needs. Mr. Turner explained that Mr. Armour will owner finance the building so we would not be asking for any money from the County Commission. Mr. Rose asked about the electrical and sewage in the building. Mr. Armour said that if he was buying the building, he would put all new electrical in the building to bring it up to code. Mr. Lillios explained that the building is a shell. But a shell is a good place to start. It would need a new roof and everything else would need to be built. Mr. Turner told the Board that Dr. Cash included in the budget, interest at prime and principal payments beginning January 2017, with a purchase price at 2.2 million with owner financing over 10 years. It was recently appraised at 2.8 million. Dr. Cash added that if any Board member would like to talk with any supervisor or tour the building, that would be great. Mr. Dillard told the Board that all the positives were laid out but we are looking at 10 years. He wants operations and remodel cost estimates to help make a decision. It was just two years ago that 5 positions were not hired because the Board needed the money in the building fund. We just signed up for Lake Forest. He does not think it will be as easy as 2.2 million and we go buy a building. He needs to know the total cost before making a decision. Mr. Lillios explained that he wants to look at those cost also but he doesn't want that to keep the Board from something that is a great value.

Discussion:  Doug Cawood gave the Board an update on Lake Forest Middle School. Lewis Group is setting up tours for Dr. Cash and Mr. Stepehnson to see other schools to get ideas of what we woud like for Lake Forest. Lewis Group will meet with ESG next week to see what mechanical systems will be used. The systems can affect the layouts of classrooms and labs. Lewis Group will bring a Design Developmenht package to the Board in May. After approval, the summer will be spent on construction documents. We are still on schedule for bidding and construction for the Fall. Mr. Turner asked if there will be moving of dirt this summer. Mr. Cawood told him that they could be if an early site package is done.

Discussion:  The 2016-17 Budget was presented to the Board by Dr. Cash. Budget highlights include step increases and sign-on bonuses, differentiated pay increase, increase for Independent Bus Contracts, lease purchase of American Uniform Building, visitor management and access controls systems added for safety, unassigned equity exceeds state requirement and meets local requirement, reserves over 5% shown in Restricted for Long-Term Capital Projects account, as directed by Board action on June 4, 2014, and Unencumbered funds available for BOE discretion of $79,336.00. Mr. Lillios asked where he could find the funding for the Bradley/Cleveland Public Education Foundation in this budget. Dr. Cash told them it was not in the budget. The Board would need to discuss it before it would be added to the budget. After some discussion, Dianna Calfee made a motion to increase the funding to the Foundation.

Discussion:  After being asked, no one had any agenda items to add to the May meeting. Mrs. Lee reminded the Board about Teacher Appreciation Day, May 6th. Mr. Turner told the Board that if no one had any objections the Voting Meeting for May would be moved to May 5th. The time was changed from 5:30 to 4:00 due to a conflict Mr. Lillios had with the time. May will have no Work Session. Chairman Turner adjourned the meeting.