October 26, 2021 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 
In attendance:  Chair Butch Campbell, Vice Chair David Settles, Wes Ballard, Roseann Barton, Becky Goff, Amanda Moore, and Jimmy Richardson.

Staff:  Dr. Trey Duke, Ralph Ringstaff, Sheri Arnette, Angela Fairchild, Lisa Trail, Greg Lyles, Dr. Kristina Boone, Maria Johnson, Kim Williams, April Zavisa, Beth Prater, Joe Marlin, Sandy Scheele, and Kandy Powers.

Assistant City Attorney Elizabeth Taylor. City Liaison Bill Shacklett was absent.

 

Rationale:  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mrs. Maria Johnson, principal at Scales Elementary, and Dr. Kristina Boone, principal at Discovery School.

Rationale:  Murfreesboro City Schools would like to thank Justin Oldham and Jennifer Windrow for their financial sponsorship of the School Pantry Food Program for the 2021-2022 school year.

Murfreesboro City Schools would like to thank Publix Super Market and Publix Super Market Charities for their donation of 424 gift cards valued at $20 each ($8,480). The cards can be used to purchase school supplies and other items that help ensure students have the tools they need to be successful.

MNS Schools would like to thank our community partners, First Baptist Church Castle St for their generous donation of goodie bags for every staff member at the primary and elementary campus.   

Rationale:  Mr. Michael Dewey was given three minutes to speak.  His concern was on CDC Mandates.

Rationale:  Dr. Duke explained that there was a surplus in the school nutrition funds.  He also explained that there were new expenditures put in place to reduce that surplus.

Mr. Ballard had concerns about hiring manpower and possibly having to let them go when the money is no longer available. 

Mrs. Moore asked if there was a way to improve the quality of food and Mrs. Scheele said that there are certain requirements that she has to follow but she is looking into improving the quality and has already added another vegetable to the menu.

Mr. Settles thanked Mrs. Scheele for her work. He said that he knew that during the pandemic she has been short on supplies and staff and he appreciated her making it all work.

Rationale:  Dr. Duke explained that he and Chair Campbell reviewed the Evaluation Tool and felt that it was detailed and clear. 

He explained the three appendices:
A-administrator survey completed by school principals
B-board observational data completed by school board members
C-a quantitative section aligned to board goals and student achievement

This tool will be completed in June of this year. 

Roseann Barton said that she was glad to see it moved to June.

Amanda Moore said that she compared it to the previous tool and felt that it was a great improvement. Next year, she would like to see the strategic plan added and in the future, she would like to see an improvement in sub group performance and have that added into the tool and a metric for retention of staff.

Wes Ballard said that he would like to discuss more measurable and Ms. Elizabeth Taylor told him that when the 5-year strategic plan is discussed in January, that would be a good time to discuss measurables. That could be lifted out of the plan and put into the evaluation tool in the future.

 

Rationale:  Dr. Duke shared a presentation with the board explaining the need to look at rezoning for the next school year to address overcrowding on the west side of town. 

He explained that the central office staff is now preparing zoning options which will be presented to the board in January at the retreat. Dr. Duke will get input from the community during January and February and then have a final zoning presentation to the board for a board vote on February 22.

Rationale:  Dr. Duke gave the board an update on the construction of the nursing clinics at Mitchell Neilson, Discovery School, and Overall Creek. He said that they should be completed by the end of the semester.  He encouraged board members to stop by and see them. 

Dr. Duke told the board of the upcoming in-service and parent teacher conference days. 

He told them of the things that were happening at the state level as far as a new school funding model.  He also stated that he emailed the links to them for zoom meetings.  Dr. Duke said that he would keep the board updated as far as new legislative actions.

Dr. Duke also informed the board that the COVID numbers are decreasing.  We only had seventeen positive cases last week.

Rationale:  The meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m.