Public Meeting Minutes: February 24, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

2. Pledge to the Flag/Moment of Silence

3. Presentations

Class Act Award: Dr. Clark presented the Class Act Award to Ms. Valerie Speakman, General Counsel, for her dedication and diligence to the district and students of Arlington Community Schools. Ms. Speakman also volunteers time to mentor Model UN students.
IKEA Parent Volunteer Awards were presented to volunteers for their countless hours of dedication to our students and schools.
- AES: Abby Volner (January) and Sommer Moll (February)
- AMS: Amanda Schmidt (January) and Joy Walker (February)
- AHS: LeKeysha Anderson (January) and Sabrina Shultz (February)
- DES: Rachel Silvers (January) and Ashley Walker (February)
Board Appreciation: As a token of appreciation, students presented board members with a song (video presentation) and portraits designed by students and other tokens of appreciation for their support and commitment to the students, staff, faculty and administration of ACS.

4. Citizen Comments (limited to 2 minutes per speaker)

Discussion:

No citizens comments.

5. Approval of Agenda

Attachments: (1)

02-24-26 ACS BOE Agenda REVISED

2/23/2026 at 8:19 AM

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion Passed: Motion to approve the agenda Passed with a motion by Dr. Dale Viox and a second by Mr. Jonathan Dunn

Barnes: Yea
Benjamin: Yea
Conley: Yea
Dunn: Yea
Viox: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

6. Reports

Attachments: (2)

January 26 Board Budget Report

2/13/2026 at 2:05 PM
February 26 Board Budget Report

2/13/2026 at 2:05 PM

6.A. Chairman

Discussion:

Board members and the Superintendent attended the TSBA Legal and Legislative Institute.
Kudos to all schools for attending board meetings and being apprised of the state of the district.
ACS Principals are leading their schools well.
Board of Distinction Awarded to the board by TSBA and the plaque will be displayed at the district office. ACS board members work well as a team!

6.B. Superintendent

Discussion: Superintendent:

District Learning Day/FutureReady Day - Focus on students and programs
- Kudos to Todd Goforth, Kim Douglas and Jason Winkler who orchestrated the entire event in collaboration with the Principals.
- All district employees were able to experience the programs offered at the high school.
- The event tours and program demonstrations were student-led.
- Lunch was coordinated by Todd Goforth, Rochelle Douglas, Kim Douglas and Jason Winkler.
Open House
- Shoutout to Sarah Kelley's amazing Student Council students who were knowledgeable, friendly and went above and beyond to make Open House a success.
- 100-115 estimated families attended with 64 total registered and 79 interested contacts.
Teacher Job Fair
- Kudos to Lisa Walker and her team, Sally Lucas, Vicki Hayslett, Stephanie Moore, Jeremy Yow and Brad Turner.
- 34 were interviewed and 8 applied for jobs.
School Highlights
- DES:
  - Literacy Night — hundreds of families attended this event!
  - Ainsley Hill received the prestigious Apple Distinguished Educator Award (2nd in the ACS district history).
- AMS:
  - Perennial Math students win big with five 1st Place finishes.
- AHS:
  - Emily Collins received the All-West TN Theatre Teacher of the Year.
  - Five students receive All-West TN Distinction for Theatre.
  - Swim Team placed 3rd overall in the Shelby County Tournament and sends 4 to State.
  - Wrestling claims State Champion, 4th Place and 10th Place in individuals.
  - AHS Boys and Girls compete in Regions after tough district match-ups.
AHS and AMS Dance Teams host Fan Night after 2nd, 3rd Place National Finishes in Hip Hop and Game Day Performances.
ACS Alum and MVP LX Super Bowl Champion, Kenneth Walker!
Tyler Hill recognized as TNSPR TN 2026 Communicator of the Year!
A-Team was awarded TopWork Place for the 9th year in a row.
Professional Development
- Identify and develop a K-12 college and career platform that helps learners discover interests, strengths, and post ACS goals to create long-term road map.
- Define and implement student-centered approaches to teaching and learning by emphasizing K-12 project based learning and blended learning strategies to ensure students are actively engaged in real-world learning.
- Continue rigorous and inclusive PD content by seeking administrator, educator, and staff input.
- Build essential student skills, one to communications and another to professional communication.

Human Resources, Lisa Walker:

Staffing - Certified:
- SPED: AES
- Speech: AES
- ES Teacher: DES and AES
- ESL/ELL Teacher: ACS
- Science Teaher: AHS
Staffing - Classified:
- Nutrition Tech: AHS and AMS
- SPED Behavior Para: AMS/AHS
- SPED Teacher Asst.: AMS
Intent Survey:
- Retiring: 6
Rates:
- Attendance Employee: 95%
- Substitute Fill Rate: 88%
Job Fair
- Attended: 36

Accountability, Rochelle Douglas:

Centegix (Crisis Alert System)
- This alert system gives every employee the ability to request individual assistance from the school response team (3 signals) or call for a building-wide lockdown (8 signals). A building lockdown includes immediate notification to Shelby County Sheriff's Office dispatch and responders.
- The system is live in all four schools as of February 23rd.
- Employees have been issued a badge and training on how to use the two types of alerts and what to do in the event of a personal or school-wide crisis situation.
- Kudos to Jeremy Yow and Russell Overby for their diligent work in researching and implementing this system from the ground up.

6.C. Legislative Liaison

Discussion:

The Legislative Liaison Report was provided to board members, and key bills were highlighted.
Approximately 250 education-related bills have been filed.

6.D. Student Board Representative

Discussion:

State Board of Education will be voting on the following on February 27th:
- World Language Credits
  - Require 1 credit to graduate instead of 2
  - Require 4 elective credits to graduate — 3 being within the focus areas and 1 elective of the student's choosing.
  - Offer World Language as a focus elective
  - Encourage districts to add Dual Enrollment World Language courses and consider a student's beyond high school plan when choosing a focus area.
  - AHS student's varied view points were shared.
- AI
  - Adopt and align an AI literacy framework outlining skills and competencies with core standards.
  - Update computer science and digital readiness standards.
  - Ensure educators gain the skills to leverage and model effective, responsible use of AI.
  - Create an AI state task force in K-12 education that engages partners across sectors to connect AI with state priorities.

7. Consent Agenda

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion Passed: Move to approve the Consent Agenda Passed with a motion by Mrs. Courtney Barnes and a second by Dr. Dale Viox

Barnes: Yea
Benjamin: Yea
Conley: Yea
Dunn: Yea
Viox: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

7.A. Approval of December 16, 2025 Minutes

7.B. Resolution 2026-01 of the Arlington Community Schools Board of Education Amending the 2025-2026 Schools Budget

Attachments: (1)

Resolution 01-2026 - Budget Amendment within categories - JANUARY and FEBRUARY 2026

2/18/2026 at 11:55 AM

7.C. Resolution 2026-02 of the Arlington Community Schools Board of Education Amending the 2025-2026 School Fees/Field Trips

7.D. Policy 1.704 Charter Schools

7.E. Policy 2.804 Expenses and Reimbursements

7.F. Policy 4.204 Summer School (RESCINDED)

7.G. Policy 5.701 Substitute Teachers

7.H. Policy 6.406 Student Wellness

8. Business/Recommended Action Items

8.A. Renewal of Special Courses (African American Literature and Humanities Honors) at Arlington High School

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion Passed: Motion to Approve Renewal of Special Courses (African American Literature and Humanities Honors) at Arlington High School Passed with a motion by Dr. Dale Viox and a second by Ms. Lyle Conley

Barnes: Yea
Benjamin: Yea
Conley: Yea
Dunn: Yea
Viox: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

Abigail Cronau, Student Representative, commented that renewing the African American Literature and Humanities Honors courses is incredibly beneficial as it allows students to further delve into areas of study they are interested in as well as expand the content a student is able to learn about.

8.B. Approval of 2027-2028 Instructional Calendar

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion Passed: Motion to Approve the 2027-2028 Instructional Calendar Passed with a motion by Mrs. Courtney Barnes and a second by Dr. Dale Viox

Barnes: Yea
Benjamin: Yea
Conley: Yea
Dunn: Yea
Viox: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:

This instructional calendar was created using input from the Superintendent's Leadership Roundtable employees and parent feedback surveys.

9. Adjourn

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

Motion Passed: Move to adjourn Passed with a motion by Mr. Scott Benjamin

Barnes: Yea
Benjamin: Yea
Conley: Yea
Dunn: Yea
Viox: Yea

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

Discussion:
February 24, 2026 Minutes Approved on March 24, 2026

_____________________________________
Mr. Scott Benjamin, Board Chair

_____________________________________
Dr. Allison Clark, Superintendent

February 24, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting

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