November 8, 2022 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  In attendance:  Chair Butch Campbell, Vice Chair Jimmy Richardson, David Settles, Wes Ballard, Amanda Moore, Karen Dodd, and Barbara Long

Staff:  Dr. Trey Duke, Ralph Ringstaff, Sheri Arnette, Kim Williams, Joe Marlin, Lisa Trail, Katie Johnson, Maria Johnson, Sonya Cox, Quinena Bell, Angela Fairchild, April Zavisa, Kim Frank, and Victoria Shields

Assistant City Attorney Elizabeth Taylor and City Liaison Bill Shacklett

 

Rationale:  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Aiyosuke Clifton-Johnson, a kindergarten student at Hobgood Elementary, and Elias Espejo, a 5th grade student at Mitchell Neilson Elementary, along with his sister, Estefania Espejo, a 3rd grade student at Mitchell Neilson Elementary.

Rationale:  Scales teacher Andrea Tousignant was nominated by a member of the community for being an outstanding Teacher. Mrs. Tousignant was selected as the Teacher of the Month by Farmers Insurance Agency.

On November 2, the Middle TN STEM Innovation Hub Meeting had an Innovative Educator Workshops for Elementary Educators. The focus was focused on programming for elementary educators and included the opportunity for teachers in the area to attend four separate one-hour workshops. The presenters included 6 teachers from Murfreesboro City Schools.

Curiosity Didn't Kill this Cat-Teaching with Inquiry
Mallory Eaton, OCE 5th
Tamara Cosby, OCE 5th

Integration All Day with STEAM
Taylor Brown, SA Academic Coach
Cherry Ross, OCE Academic Coach

Into the Deep: Robotics in the Elementary
Chris Penrose, OCE Computer Science

Robust Engineering in the Elementary Classroom
Lea Bartch

Congratulations to Salem Elementary on the installation of their new outdoor classroom.  This was a PTO funded project.

Northfield Elementary is hosting an alumni night on Thursday, November 10. Alumni will be recognized between the JV and Varsity Basketball Games

Congratulations to Hobgood's 5th and 6th grade students on their Radial Symmetical Paper Sculptures art display and art show that was held last month at MTSU's Todd hall.

The Bradley Academy Choir performed last Saturday at the Cooking To Build fundraiser.

Discovery School Applications are now open.  Applications and information about school tours are available on the school website.

American Education Week-November 13-19

Inclement Weather/School Closing Procedure

Rationale:  Mrs. Johnson gave an overview of the work being done by our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion task for this year as well as our Lead and Inspire Affinity Group.

Rationale:  Dr. Duke presented Board Policy 4.603 Promotion and Retention to the board for approval on first reading. 

After repeatedly stating her frustration and concern with the new 3rd grade retention law, Amanda Moore made a motion to approve this policy on first reading, and Karen Dodd seconded the motion. 

After more discussion, Ms. Moore amended her motion and made a motion to split the policy into two versions, 4.603 and 4.6031, so that one will cover general promotion and retention and the other will cover 3rd grade promotion and retention.  David Settles seconded the motion.

The board felt this would be easier for parents to refer to and understand the process of promotion and retention for all grades.

Rationale:  Since Kim Frank was very instrumental in retaining the five year 1.4 million dollar School Based Healthcare Solutions grant that will provide a full time mental health counselor at Reeves Rogers, Bradley, and both Mitchell Neilson schools, Dr. Duke asked her to come to the podium to speak about this new grant. Mrs. Frank said that this is a comprehensive program that will not only support students, but their families as well. She said that the total amount of the grant is $1.417,128.00.

Jimmy Richardson thanked Mrs. Frank for her hard work to get this grant into our school system and for the hard work that she's done over the years for Murfreesboro City Schools.  He said that her work would change lives for decades.

Rationale:  Dr. Duke told the board that Mrs. Williams had prepared the budget preparation calendar, and it is very similar to the budget calendar in years past.    

Rationale:  Dr. Duke asked April Zavisa to come to the podium to go over the internet safety policy, 4.406, Use of Internet, that requires an annual report to the board. 

Rationale:  Dr. Duke asked Ralph Ringstaff to come to the podium to give a report on substitute teachers.  Mr. Ringstaff stated that there is a shortage of substitute teachers across the nation.  He said that although there is a shortage, MCS has maintained a 65-70% sub fill rate over the last few years.  He explained that ESP workers also help out when there is a large amount of substitute teachers needed.  He told the board that principals are also encouraging parents to sign up to substitute teach to help with the shortage. 

Mr. Ringstaff added that when teachers are out and subs can't be found, principals have two options: one is to us an EA to cover the class or to split the class among other teachers in that grade level so that students are guaranteed quality instruction. 

Dr. Duke added that there are labor shortages across the city and country.  He said that we don't contract ours subs, they are our employees, and he feels that that is why we are seeing the fill rate stay consistent.  He added that we also make sure that we are competitive with pay for substitutes.  He said that if we have to ask teachers to take on more responsibilities, we will try to compensate them for that. 

Mr. Ringstaff told the board that if we have to split classes, the money that a substitute teacher would earn that day would be divided among the teachers in that grade level that take the extra students. He said that this is not a large amount of money, but would be a token of appreciation.  If a regular ed EA has to be placed in a class, they would receive their normal pay since they already make more than a sub.  This would just be a different duty for the day and not additional work.

Several members of the board were concerned that this process would be done instead of trying to find a sub. Mr. Ringstaff assured them that this would not be the case.  We will continue to try to get subs and this would be done only as a last resort.  

Dr. Duke added in closing that this was a report for the board and he would be glad to receive further feedback from them on their thoughts.  He said that in December, he will bring a complete comprehensive plan to the board for approval.   
 

Rationale:  Elizabeth Taylor presented Dr. Duke's updated evaluation to the board that now includes TNReady scores.  She said that this updated evaluation brings his mean score to 4.53 and his overall evaluation score to 4.65, which is above expectations. 

Chair Campbell congratulated Dr. Duke on a job well done. He told him that it is truly a privilege to have him leading Murfreesboro City Schools. 

Rationale:  The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.