February 22, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Meeting

Discussion:   (See above)

Discussion:  - Boston led the board members in a Moment of Silence. After a moment of silence, Tay Taylor from the Transition Academy led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Discussion: 
 - Boston advised, next on the agenda is the welcome to visitors. I know we are very crowded tonight and we are very blessed and thank you for being here with us tonight. Our student representatives, Miss Savannah Houston from the Phoenix School, Mr. Owen Brown from CCHS and Miss Nicole Ranson from SMHS. As always, thank you for being here. 

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #1) Dr. Spicer read, Pine View Elementary and Pleasant Hill Elementary would like to nominate Pepe Perron for the Kids First Award. Mr. Perron has been an advocate for students throughout Cumberland County and was one of the first to introduce Christmas gifts for underprivileged students through the 'Blue Jean Project' sponsored by the Rotary Club. Pepe also spearheaded the fourth grade character essays in which the top three essays were awarded prizes. First place, always receives a new bicycle. This has always been an exciting time for the students and families. In addition to these projects, he and his wife Ann, have personally sponsored Pine View and Pleasant Hill to attend a performance at the Cumberland County Playhouse with no charge to the students. This generous spirit has allowed hundreds of students to experience the performing arts for the first time. 

This year, he and his wife have continued that work and Pepe has expressed many times, 'It is all worth it, if it makes a positive impact on one child.' He loves the children of Cumberland County. He understands the power and importance of investing in our community by investing in the children. Community leaders like Mr. Perron set a wonderful example of service, compassion, and generosity. Mr. Stepp presented Mr. Perron with the Kids First Award plaque. 

Dr. Eldridge advised, the CTE Department and Martin Elementary would like to recognized Mr. Ed Camera as a deserving individual to receive the Kids First Award. Mr. Camera is retired from his career as an engineer and administrator for Colinx and chosen to give his time, energy, and passion for learning to the students at Glenn Martin Elementary. Mr. Camera is an outstanding human being and has volunteered countless hours for our students. His impact is shown by how he volunteers 3-5 days a week in the STEM classroom and with the Martin Robotics Club students. Teaching the students about the Lego Robotics competition and the core values was an important skill the students learned from Mr. Camera. His diligence and attention to detail helped the students win their first robotics trophy in the Core Values section of the competition. In addition, he helps with the food pantry that our students take home. Oftentimes, our students who receive these bags of food do not know where their next meal will come from. 

Mr. Camera models leadership in ways that the students need to see because he always puts often before himself. An example of this is shown below in the pictures from his recent mission trip to Guatemala. His positive attitude and impact on everyone he engages with are evident in the smiles he gives and receives with every interaction. He is deserving of receiving the distinguished Kids First Award. 

Words from the Martin Elementary Students - In addition, Mr. Camera has taught us so much about the importance of teamwork and stepping out of our comfort zones. During robotics, we have learned how to work together and make an impact on our community and each other. We've learned many things from Ed about how to build and code robots. His understanding of our problems and frustrations and how to assist us without making anyone feel pressured is greatly appreciated.

Ed inspires us to be better people, work hard, and solve problems. Ed has shown us how we can make a difference in the world using robotics and technology. We are so grateful for the dedication and the knowledge we have learned from Mr. Camera." 

Mr. Stepp presented Mr. Camera with the Kids First Award plaque. 
 

Discussion:   - Dr. Farley advised, the Middle Tennessee Pioneer Award is given to one CTE Director in Tennessee each year. This award was established to recognize those CTE Directors, which have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in their home county and at the state or national level. Dr. Leslie Eldridge won both the Middle Tennessee Pioneer Award and the State Pioneer Award this year. Boston replied, Mrs. Eldridge, thank you for wanting to come back home. Hamby replied, very deserved.

Discussion:   - Polson advised, School Health and Health Services would like to say a huge thank you for Stone Elementary's Nurse Cat or Catherine Reed for her quick response to rescue efforts. She responded to two students while they were choking at school. In response to that the families of those students called me and were so appreciative. They said that she truly saved their child's life. It's the quick responses like this that our school nurses do every day. We're proud to say that there is a full-time school nurse in every school in Cumberland County and because of Nurse Cat's knowledge, life-saving skills, and vast ability to take care of people, our students are safe and well cared for. We really appreciate her and her whole family.

Discussion:   (See Above)

Discussion:  - Declarations of Conflict - Per TCA 49-2-202 Board of Education Members who have relatives (per the statue: relative means: Spouse, parent, parent-in-law, child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, or any person who resides in the same household as you) employed by the system are asked to raise your hands to identify yourself. "Do you certify that the votes that you make tonight will be in the best interest of the school system, regardless of the effect that your vote may have upon the employment of your relative or relatives?" Boston and King certified by saying individually, "I do."

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #2) Boston advised, next on the agenda is the Approval of the January 25, 2024 Minutes. I'll entertain a motion to approve.  Stout replied, move to approve January 25, 2024 board minutes. Boston replied, I'll second that. Stull replied, it says January 25th, 2025. Hamby asked, can we have that changed? Webb replied, yes.  Boston replied, so the motion on the floor is to approve the January 25, 2024 board minutes. We have a first and second. Any discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken. 

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #3) Boston advised, next is the approval of the agenda. King replied, madam chair. Boston replied, yes sir. King continued, I requested an item to be put on the agenda. I don't see it. Boston asked, what is it? King replied, discussion about the director's contract. Boston replied, okay. Do we have a second? Nichols replied, I'll second that. Boston continued, okay so we have a first and second to add the director's contract. Discussion? Is that the motion? King replied, yes. Boston asked, any discussion? No one responded. Boston continued, if not we'll do a Roll Call Vote. A Roll Call Vote was taken. 4-4 Boston replied, motion fails. King asked, may I know why? Hamby replied, I will state my reason for a no is because there's not enough information at this time and I haven't received the final contract to look over and haven't had time to look over and so at this time, I don't think that it would be appropriate to add it for tonight's meeting. Nichols replied, so to my knowledge we aren't discussing the contract. What we were discussing is somebody that would do negotiations for Mr. Stepp. Am I incorrect in that? Hamby replied, but his motion was to add the contract to the meeting. Nichols and King replied, discussion. Nichols continued, which would be the negotiation. Stout replied, right. Hamby replied, my vote of no still stands. Stull asked, isn't that something that the whole board has to do? King replied, that's what we're doing. Hamby replied, yes it is.  Nichols replied, no that's not what they did for the first time. Am I wrong Mr. Stepp? Who negotiated your contract the first time? Boston and Hamby replied, the board. Nichols asked, the whole board? Boston replied, yes. Nichols replied, that's not what the meeting minutes said. The meeting say you negotiated the contract. Boston replied, I did not negotiate his contract. The board did. Nichols replied, that's not what the meeting minute said. King replied, I was on the board and I didn't discuss it. Hamby replied, we can pull the minutes from that. Boston replied, I've got the minutes. King replied, more importantly, Policy 1.403 says any board member may place items on the agenda for discussion. Boston replied, for discussion. Stout replied, and I had also requested that it be on the agenda for discussion, because we have a written request from our DOS to work with him regarding negotiating the contract and to identify somebody who could work on behalf of the board to do. So steps like, what are the steps moving forward and who do we want to have do that negotiation? Boston replied, well we need to move forward. We made a motion and it failed. So can we move forward? King replied, my question was why are we violating policy? Boston asked, how are we violating policy? King replied, I requested to put it on the agenda and it's not on there. Hamby replied, and the Executive Committee chose not to add it to the agenda and then you made a motion and the motion failed. King replied, that doesn't work. Nichols replied, according to Ben Torres, that's not true, because what Mr. King is saying is true. When one of us requests something to be on it for discussion, it must go on there. Boston replied, the agenda is published. You're adding it to the agenda. That has to come in form of a motion. King replied, it was requested before the agenda was put out. Boston replied, that the Executive Committee, Mr. Stepp and I discussed that and it was premature to put it on here at this point. King replied, that's not your decision to make. Policy says it goes on there. Boston replied, well you didn't talk to me. King replied, I sent you an email. Boston replied, I didn't see it. King replied, I've got a copy right here. Boston replied, well you may have a copy. I'm just saying I didn't see it. King replied, that's negligence on your part. Boston replied, well it may be. Stout replied, my request was responded to. Boston replied, I responded to your request. Stout replied, it was denied. Hamby replied, Mr. Patton, can I ask you to respond to his question on Policy 1.403. King replied, 1.403 line two. Patton read, that's if a board member makes a request for a matter to be on the agenda for discussion. Boston replied, it's to be added. Stout replied, that came up in both of our retreats. Boston replied, the request was to the Executive Committee. Patton replied, yes, that's what the policy says. Boston replied, that's what the policy says. Davis asked, it says what? King replied, any board member may. Boston asked, is that after the agenda's been published? Hamby asked, does that mean if the agenda has been published? Boston replied, I mean this is an odd position. Davis replied, well it appears that if we ask for something, it's not to be like, if somebody asked for something on the agenda, we add it. Not decide whether it should be on the agenda. Boston replied, well that's part of the job is to set the agenda. Davis asked, and the agenda comes from any board member. Boston replied, if you request. As the Executive Committee Mr. Stepp and I. I still don't know what we're discussing. Davis replied, why it didn't get added. Boston asked, what are we discussing? Is there a new contract? Is there an old contract? King replied, we can't discuss it until we can discuss it to be put on the agenda. Boston replied, okay. I will refer to Earl's direction on this one. I've never had this happen before. Patton replied, if your policy says any board member can add an item for discussion onto the agenda. I mean my suggestion would be to add it at the end of the meeting. Boston replied, at the end of the meeting even though the motion failed? Patton replied, well I I mean you got this policy that says you know if you were adding something to vote on, I don't think you could do it, but for mere discussion I can't say that it shouldn't be added. Boston replied, so let me ask a question. So that leaves our agenda wide open for anything. Any board member can put anything last minute on the agenda. Stull asked, I thought that if it was already published that we couldn't go ahead and just add things? Boston replied, we would have to amend it. It's been our practice. Davis replied, we've amended a million agendas to do just exactly what we. Boston replied, absolutely, with a vote and we amended it. Stout replied, and there were requests made prior to the meeting tonight, so it's not allowed. Stull replied, it was after the agenda was published though. Patton replied, I don't know. I'm blind to the timing. Boston replied, see I am too. Stout replied, well it doesn't mention anything about timing in the policy. Patton replied, the policy also says at the beginning of each meeting, the board shall by a majority vote, approve the agenda for the meeting, which may involve the addition to or deletion of items previously included on the agenda. The board however shall not revise board policies or adopt new ones unless such action has been scheduled. Stout replied, the requests went out as soon as the written request was received from the Director of Schools to look at negotiating the contract and for a board representative to work with him. Safdie replied, the only thing that I understand is that to add something to the agenda on the night of the full board meeting is an amendment to the agenda and the amendment has to be approved by the board. So there was a vote taking place and I think it was 4-4 the motion to amend the agenda failed. Now if that request to put an item on the agenda had occurred what 7 days ago. When's the deadline for placing items on the agenda? Boston replied, Wednesday a week ago. Patton replied, 8 days prior. Safdie asked, did that request come in Wednesday a week ago? Boston replied, no. Safdie continued, then the amendment has to be approved by the board. Even though it can be just a discussion. Now under old business, you know they can bring up something under old business. Boston asked, is that considered old business? Davis replied, it had been previously discussed. Boston replied, and I don't mind. I don't care either way. Safdie replied, it could be considered under old business. I mean the contract that we signed  with Mr. Stepp was a year and a half ago. So that's pretty old. Boston replied, that's true, that's very true, but are we discussing the new contract, old contract? What are we discussing? Stout replied, I'd like to discuss next steps forward. What we're going to do going forward on this and how we're going to go about picking the representative that's been requested? Hamby replied, that's what I'm confused about. There isn't a representative that negotiates his contract. That is a full board. Davis replied, you do realize that the last time that's not how that went, right? Hamby replied, yes, yes it is how it went according to our minutes. Davis replied, so the minutes say exactly the opposite of what you're saying right now. Becky replied, no. Davis continued, the Contract Committee in April. Hamby replied, the Contract Committee. Davis continued, right. Hamby replied, worked with him. Davis replied, right, which was who? Boston replied, no, no, no. no The Contract Committee reviewed the contract. We come up with a working document. Mr. Inman asked me to make sure that Mr. Stepp received that contract and if he had any questions, whatever. Then he could get back with us. He was represented by council. We were represented by council. We had another meeting, full board meeting in which we made some changes to the contract. It was April the 14th or April 18th, where we made some changes to the contract. We discussed his salary and Mr. Stepp was sitting in the audience at that time and after discussion, after the changes, now correct me if I'm wrong Earl. After those changes and you even had some communication with Mr. Raider. Didn't you? Patton replied, I don't recall having communication with Mr. Raider. Boston asked, did you not? Patton replied, my communication was with Jim Inman.  My recollection was that Mr. Inman had some private meetings with Mr. Stepp. You correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Stepp. I'm just speaking from my recollection and that's been more than a year and a half ago. I remember that Mr. Inman brought, I want to say he brought a contract to my office. Stepp replied, not to me. Patton continued, and that was the one. Stepp replied, I just talked with Mrs. Boston on the phone. That was my only. Boston replied, right, but I didn't negotiate. I didn't represent the board. I was just asked by Mr. Inman to make sure he got a copy of the contract. After the board made the changes and this is the recollection from the minutes. After we made the changes, we agreed upon a salary. Mr. Stepp was in the audience and I specifically, after the board had voted on it. We specifically asked Mr. Stepp if he agreed with the changes and he agreed with the contract itself and he said yes ma'am. So he accepted the contract sitting in a full board meeting. I didn't negotiate. I was not authorized to negotiate. I was authorized to make sure he got the contract. Stout asked, so who was his one-on-one contact? Did he have a one on one contact regarding any questions on the contract? Who did you work with Mr. Stepp when you had questions or you were talking about the contract? Stepp replied, Mrs. Boston was the only phone call I had. Boston asked, and we had what one phone call? Stepp replied, yes. Boston continued, we had one phone call and that was just to make sure he got the contract. If he had any questions. Hamby replied, it wasn't a negotiation. She wasn't a negotiator. Stout replied, so we're doing a lot discussion about how this process works and that's why we wanted it on the agenda. So we could have a discussion about how this process works and what the next step forward needs to be. Boston replied, let's bring it up in Old Business. Stout replied, okay. Boston continued, you know if that's what you want to do. The motion failed. Now I just need to approve the agenda. So do we have a motion to approve? Hamby replied, I'll make a motion to approve the agenda. Safdie replied, so move. Hamby replied, I will second it. Boston asked, any other discussion. A Voice Vote was taken and then a Roll Call Vote was taken. Boston advised, but Robbie made the motion, so the motion fails. So now we have an unapproved agenda. Stull asked, may I say something? Boston replied, you can. Stull continued, we've gone around robin with agenda things for several meetings now. Some people are upset that something doesn't get put on the agenda or that the notifications for the agenda keep changing when they go out, because things get added. What you guys are saying is that there were two requests to have this added to the agenda on the 20th and the 21st. The initial request was sent out on the 19th by Mr. Stepp. That is well past the time that the agenda was published. So in that if you wanted to go ahead and bring that and have that added to the agenda, then it needed to be brought up in the meeting. Everybody's all about the policies until it doesn't work for you. So we're right here about the fact that we've talked about the agenda. It was published. The public knew what was on the agenda. You wanted to go ahead and add things after the fact that was denied. So you bring it up in the board meeting. That's the way you're supposed to do that and then the motion failed. So I don't understand if we're doing this according to policy, why can't we just move on. King replied, the request was made on the 19th and here it is. Stull replied, the 19th. We are on the 22nd. Boston replied, I didn't see that email. Stull continued, today is the 22nd. The 19th was Monday. King replied, the problem wasn't known until Monday. That's why. Stout replied, as soon as we got written notice. We asked to put it on the agenda. Stout replied, we got written notice on the 19th. Stout replied, right. Stull replied, right so the agenda was already published. Stout continued, the first request went out on the 19th. Boston replied, he said don't consider that one, I'll forward a new contract to you. We still have not received that contract. Stepp replied, it's right here. Stepp held up a green folder. Hamby replied, we haven't received it. Boston continued, when I talked to you. Stull replied, the email stated that we would receive it the same day and I don't have anything in my email from that. Stout replied, but the request to put on the agenda wasn't to discuss the contract itself. It was to discuss the next steps forward since we now have received this request. Stull replied, and so as a board everyone has a vote. Everyone has a say an item was brought before the board and we voted. It failed, so we need to be able to move on. Teresa said to bring it up in Old Business. We need to move on and conduct business. Everybody is waiting in this audience for us to go ahead and move on with the meeting. Stout replied, I don't see why we can't move on. Safdie replied, I'm really surprised. Hamby replied, because the agenda fails. Safdie continued, I am really surprised. The compromise was to put it under Old Business for a full discussion and then you have four board members who decided to stonewall the meeting for no particular reason at all, because their item was on the agenda as under old business and yet they still did not want to approve the agenda even though it was under Old Business. This is an embarrassment. Boston replied, well, we can't move forward without an agenda. Without an approved agenda. King replied, move to revote, reconsider. Stull and Boston asked, what are we reconsidering? King replied, the agenda. Boston asked, as is? King replied, with Old Business. Hamby replied, with that added to Old Business. Boston replied, Old Business is already on there. Right? King replied, put this under Old Business. Boston asked, so if Old Business is on there, you're wanting to add Old Business? King replied, no. Put this. Hamby replied, wanting to add the contract discussion. Boston replied, the motion failed. We have to have a new motion. King replied, that's what I'm saying, move to reconsider. Boston asked, reconsider approving this particular agenda? King replied, the initial vote. Hamby replied, he's moving to reconsider. So what we're doing is we are re-voting to approve the agenda with the contract discussion added to Old business. Nichols replied, negotiation discussion not contract. Because we don't know what the contract says, negotiation. King replied, the process. Nichols replied, yes thank you. Hamby replied, the process of the director's contract added to Old Business. King replied, yeah. Stout replied, so you want it added under Old Business on the agenda. so it's actually, we agree to that. Boston replied, you can under anything under old business. You don't have to have it added. Hamby replied, so I'm going to make a motion that we approve the agenda. Boston replied, we've got his motion, but we don't have a second yet. Nichols replied, I'll second it. Boston replied, okay any discussion? A Roll Call Vote was taken. Motion Approved. Boston replied, now may we please move forward. 

Discussion:   - Boston advised, acknowledgment of our elected officials. I think the only elected official we have in the audience is Mrs. Mall. Thank you for being here with us. She is one of our County Commissioners. 

Discussion:   - Boston advised, Community Comments. We have 4.  

Name - Billy Dodd
Breckenridge Dr. Crossville, TN
Subject: 3rd grade tests, the book, "Hatchet", School Bus Drivers, and Auditorium Funding

Name - Chris Goddard
103 Phyllis Street Crossville, TN
Subject: Budget, security, and funding concerns

Name - Jason Futrell
5848 Hwy 70N Crossville, TN
Subject: Middle School Basketball

Name - Craig Clark
2266 Hwy 68 Crossville, TN
Subject: Open records request results and how a board should act. 

Discussion:   - Boston continued, next on the agenda is our School Board Reports. First is the TLN Report, Mrs. Shannon Stout

Discussion:   - Stout replied, thank you madam chair. A lot has happened since we gathered for the last school board meeting up on the hill here in Tennessee. So I'm going to touch on several different things as quickly as possible. Just to bring everybody into the loop, but some of it, if you want to get more information you can reach out to me, because I've got documents or I can send you in the right direction. So last time we met, the Senate Joint Working Group for the Federal Education Funding had put their report out, but the House had not. Since then, the House Working Group has released their report. It looked somewhat similar in the way to that they broke down the material and the information that they gathered. They broke down the education funding in Tennessee. The Federal Funding received laws and requirements associated with Federal Funds. Feasibility of Tennessee replacing Federal Funds. How to eliminate unwanted restrictions. Options for consideration, further questions and considerations the committee had. Reflection on the report mandate adherence and future investigative direction and they had a section for their recommendations as well regarding the Federal Funding and they concluded their report by saying upon receipt of requested data the House of Representatives members of The Joint Working Group on Federal Education Funding will continue deliberations on the important topic of Education Funding in Tennessee. Members of the House Representatives will continue to evaluate options on how to replace certain Federal Funding or eliminate unwanted restrictions placed on the state due to the receipt of such Federal Funds. Through these continued efforts, the representatives aspire to achieve a less restrictive environment for fostering success of all students in Tennessee schools. So very much, we are still in the working process. Like the Senate reported more to come on that. I did want to bring everybody's attention though kind in relation to the Federal Funds to Title 9 briefing webinar that I attended today. Regarding the current administration's initiative to recognize declared sexual orientation. Which will affect how the definition of discrimination by sex is applied under Title 9. This expanded definition will apply to bathroom and locker room usages. As well as boys and girls sports. The Title 9 requirements are applicable to all schools and institutions which receive Federal Funds and so I just wanted to bring this information forward to everyone in attendance for you all to realize that well basically as an FYI and for consideration regarding the timeliness of the Tennessee Federal Funding Working Group research. So if you're a constituent or if you know constituents who are in support of receiving Federal Funding in Tennessee schools, I'd highly recommend that you not only stay abreast of the working group research that's ongoing, but also any Federal initiatives that are going to impact the institutions accepting federal funds and then reach out appropriately to State and National Representatives is warranted. It's an important time when it comes to the funding. We also had our Governor's State of the State Address, which included funds for several education initiatives. Some highlights from that. The Education Freedom Scholarship Act, it's 144 million in reoccurring funds for 20,000 Education Savings Account Scholarships during the program's first year of operation. 30 million to offset disallowed Federal Funds in the Summer Learning Camps Programs. 8 million to increase the number of school-based Behavioral Health Liaisons and the combined 5.7 million in funding for a Universal Reading Screener and expanding access to advanced placement programs. So money coming towards education. How all that's going to roll out? I don't know the details yet, but that was highlighted from the State of the State Address. Regarding that Education Freedom Scholarship Act. There is a bill an under caption Bill meaning it's slated, but we don't have bill wording yet and it's House Bill 2468 and Senate Bill 2787. The bill currently requires the Department of Education to study the school choice programs available in other states and submit a report to the department's findings at the conclusion of the study to the Governor, Speaker of the House and Senate, no later than January of 2025. This bill is moving through, it's on the house K through 2 subcommittees next week 2-27 and the Senate Education Committee Calendar for 2-28. So that is the place cardholder for the bill wording that we're looking for that Education Freedom Scholarship Act that Chris Goddard referred to in his comments tonight. Some information regarding that, last week Mr. Stepp and I attended the Legislative and Legal Institute in Nashville and Speaker Sexton and Senator Lundberg were guests there and got into a lot of this Education Freedom Scholarship Bill information while we were there. What we're hearing it's likely to be an omnibus bill to include reduction in testing and review requirements for high-scoring or functioning schools and teachers. Speaker Sexton is asking for feedback and on that note, Mr. Stepp actually gathered feedback from several of our principals and forwarded that on to speaker Sexton and how workloads can be reduced, because they're looking at trying to work some of that into the bill. There is also some discussion regarding adding building and maintenance fund categories into the TISA Funding. The bill is expected to include requirements for scholarship eligibility limited to a total of 20,000 scholarships in the 20 to 25-year school year, limitations on participation, allowable uses of scholarship funds, and scholarship payments to the institutions, not the families. Final version of the bill like I mentioned hasn't been officially filed yet, but these are all pieces and parts of information that's coming out and there's been some drafts that have been leaked out to the media. So this is the kind of information that's been compiled from that and also last week's Legal and Legislative Institute. In relation to that same scholarship bill. There's another bill that requires that's going through the process right now. That requires non-public schools that receive public funds by accepting scholarships as full or partial payment for students' tuition to comply with the same requirements for student testing and reporting that apply to public schools in the state. So if they're taking public money, those students have to test out just like they would if they were in public schools. They'll be some certain exceptions with that. Requires non-public schools that accept a public funded voucher to pay back a prorated amount of the scholarship if the student leaves and attends an LEA before the end of the school year. So they're not going to be able to keep that whole batch of scholarship money if the student goes back to the LEA and this is a legislation that's supported by TSBA. It's scheduled for 3-5 on the house K through 12 subcommittee calendar and then Mr. Stepp and I heard, correct me if I'm wrong, but we heard that it came out during the discussion that they weren't looking at reducing monies for headcount on us. Stepp replied, yes. The ADM they had mentioned, they put in the law. It's not approved yet. To not decrease the ADM. Stout continued, so some interesting things coming out. So we'll see once the full bill comes out. Just a few bills that I wanted to highlight real quickly for you all that may affect policy or procedure within the schools that are moving along and looking like they might very well be approved or they're making their way to the floors anyway. The AI Bill, which I addressed last month. It's gone through the Senate Education Committee and House Committees. It passed on the Senate floor today and it was on the House floor scheduled for this afternoon as well. So I don't know what the result of that was yet. That mandates that all state universities in K through 12 public and charter schools adopt a policy for the use of AI by students, teachers and staff for instructional and assignment purposes. We've got another one that's going through House Bill 2058 that requires the board in collaboration with the Department of Education to identify math courses that may be substituted for Algebra 2 for purposes of satisfying high school graduation requirements and to submit a report to the Education Committees by October 15th of 2024. That has passed all the House Committees and has passed the House floor and it's placed on the Senate Education Community Calendar for 2-28. That was something that Mr. Stepp has brought up, that Algebra 2 piece. So hopefully, we'll see some change with that based on that bill and we've got a House Bill or I'm sorry a Joint Bill that proposes an amendment to article 11, section 5 of The Constitution of Tennessee to authorize local education agencies to approve lotteries conducted by nonprofit school support organizations. Provided that the net proceeds of the lottery revenues are allocated to Local Education Agency to be used for educational or extracurricular activities. That's a TSBA supported legislation that's gone through the department and agency subcommittee and is on the State Government Community Calendar for 2-28. We've got a couple other miscellaneous ones that are working their way to the floor, but I'll let you know since this was a long report, if those passed or not once they hit the floor, and we can move on. 

Discussion:   - Boston asked, any board members report from any training? Stout replied, just the Legislative and Legal Institute that I attended last week in Nashville, which is really good.

Discussion:   - Boston advised, Mr. Patton your Legal Report. Patton replied, yes ma'am. On the Kirkman versus Board of Education case. The plaintiff's attorney in that case has withdrawn and the plaintiff have been given 45 days from February 16th to retain new council and you know, what'll happen if they don't retain council I don't know yet, but we'll find out and that'll be around the 1st of April. So we'll be taking a look at that. No updates on the JUUL Litigation or the Social Media Litigation. I hope to have you some more information on that next month. That's it. Boston asked, do you want to mention the request or? Patton asked, on the property? Boston replied, please. Patton continued, we've been contacted by a surveyor about attractive land that they have been surveying. Where they have discovered that within that tract there is a 2 acre section of property that was deeded to the Board of Education in the 1930s and there's been a request just by the survey. We've not heard from the owner yet. You know, to transfer that property to the owner, but we've not received an official request from the owner of the property and further, there's no reversionary language in the deed, such that if the Board of Education ceases using that as property for a school or something like that. Sometimes you'll see that in a deed. This is just a straight conveyance to the board. So if anything, this is going to be surplus real property. It's on Genesis Road. I'm not sure how far out. I think fairly, but we'll know more about that at next month's meeting. We're going to find out a little bit more. We're investigating that right now. Does that cover it Mrs. Boston. Boston replied, just to put them on notice, that this is what we discovered. The reversion language, which is quite surprising, but in the 30s I don't know that they did that. Thank you Mr. Patton. 

Discussion:   - Boston advised, next on the agenda is our Director's report.

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #4) Stepp advised,  I would like to recommend for tenure the following candidates: Miranda Sims, Brown Elementary, Jesse Miles, Martin Elementary, Derik Samber, SMHS, Michael Boyd, CCHS, and Michelle Tindell, Central for your vote. Boston replied, I'll make a motion that we grant tenure to those individuals whose names were called off. King replied, second. Boston asked, any discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken. Motion Passed. Boston replied, congratulations you have been granted tenure. 
 

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #5) Boston advised, next on the agenda is the Pine View Roof Bid. You're going to have to help me out. That came in at 160? Stepp replied, 168. So this is the roof bid that I got permission to bid out. The original bidder who got it the first time through the Finance Department said if they will still honor that bid, that they would have that bid. So I recommend we approve this project and there was a budget amendment later on to fund that project. Boston replied, okay, I'll entertain a motion. King replied, madam chair, move to approve. Davis and Stout seconded. Boston replied, okay so we have a first and a second to approve the Pine View bid at 168 for the Pine View roof. Any discussion? Stull asked, the funds for this, that was coming from the additional money that came from TISA. Is that correct? Boston replied, yes. That's the 602. Stepp replied, 601 outcome money from TISA. Boston replied, yes and I think there is a resolution in the packet to approve that. Stepp replied, there's a budget amendment. A Roll Call Vote was taken. Motion Carried. King replied, roll call. Hamby replied, roll call since its money. Boston replied, we're just approving the bid. We'll do a roll call on the resolution.

 - Stepp replied, so before I move on to the next item I would like to brag on some people. So I got three principals that their schools done amazing. All the schools are doing great jobs, but this year we had two schools recognize as Reward Schools. So Crab Orchard and South Cumberland and Mrs. Beaty and Mrs. Dawn Hall are here tonight. So congratulations and for the State Accountability, Dr. Speich is here and Brown Elementary was designated as our "A" school by the state. Lot of great things. So in school nutrition, oh wait we have Riley the Reading Raccoon will be at Pleasant Hill in March. So that's exciting. That's from the state department. Hamby replied, I'm sorry to interrupt, but you skip 14.C. South Renovation Bid. Stepp replied, what I said is, I'm going to take a break real quick, so I can do my brags. Hamby replied, oh sorry, sorry. Stout replied, didn't know you were segway and now I'm coming back. Stepp continued, yeah so I wanted to allow the tenured teachers to sleep up for tomorrow. So our school nutrition, we got all walk-in coolers and freezers at all 12 schools have temperature data loggers now installed. So what this does is this allows us to remotely view what is going on and we get alerts early if there's an issue with any of the equipment. So it's a quick update and if there's a problem we can get to those quick. So great job to food nutrition to get that out. saves us a lot of headaches. CCTE this month is National CTE month. So every school is highlighted each week in February on the CCTE Facebook page. So if you haven't got in there get on. There and like it. Lots of awesome things happening. I would like to introduce our new Director of Human Services, Mrs. Neeli Jolley. We're excited she has 14 plus years experience in HR with large companies, so we're super excited and it's been a great first start. So it's been awesome. So in operations we finally finished the facility walk throughs with Uplands. So we're creating that that whole needs system setup. So we can have it ready for budget times. JROTC, the search is still on for two instructors. Auditorium construction is on track. I'm working on my with my team to have the budget ready to the board chair by March 1st. We got our Safe Schools Grant Application was approved, so thank you Mr. Magnusson for all your hard work on that. We found out summer school will be funded by TDOE this year. Not funded by us locally, so we're super excited about that. That's six plus figures, so excited about that and this week we had our Trauma Informed Resilient School Training this past Monday in partnership with Mrs. Mall and TIKA and the strategic planning is ongoing and we have another Steering Committee meeting tomorrow. So if any board members want to come in tomorrow morning, I think it's at 8:00 here in this building. You're welcome to come join us. Nichols and Stout replied, we're zooming. Stepp replied, okay I'll send a zoom link out right after this meeting if you want to zoom. I'll be here in this building. Stout replied, and by the way that training was fabulous. Sheri and I attended for that along with Colleen. She joined in but I pulled just unofficially several teachers afterwards, and got a lot of good feedback on it. Stepp replied, yeah it was very informative. We're going to work on getting more strategies to teachers make it more effective and they can use a lot more stuff in the school. So I think that was good for sure and we're excited this year. We're going to propose the third year in a row for classified employees to get a raise. So we've already done that for two years. We're hoping to do it for the third year in a row. We love all those classified employees and certified as required by law. So as we know, the governor is requiring us to get up to that $50,000 for first year teachers. So we'll have a raise this year and a raise next year to get to that and also Mrs. Boston and I met with Mr. Sexton at your office. So we were able to talk to him about, you know, Federal monies and how important those are and we were also able to talk to him about public tax money going to private institutions, was not a great idea. So we had a good conversation with Mr. Sexton on our values on all that. So some good stuff going on.

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #6) Stepp replied, now back to the agenda. So next is the South Renovation Bid. So we've done some renovation last year. We got the bid to come in lower than what we thought, so this is the bid that come in for all the renovations at South. We're excited to get that rolling and get the equipment in and get rolling. So looking for your approval of this bid that came in. Boston replied, I make a motion we approve the bid of $546, 752 and I think it's to Stubbs Construction for the South School renovation. Hamby replied, I'll second. Boston asked, any discussion? Boston continued, I just have one question. The renovation is at 750. The bid came in at 546. Are there additional things that we're going to be doing? Stepp and Bray replied, yes. Stepp continued, we did some last year. We got some more that Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Bray are working on. Boston replied, so it's just not included in this bill. Stepp replied, these are big ticket items. Boston asked, but there are other things that we're going to be doing? Bray replied, yes. Boston replied, okay I'm just curious. A Voice Vote was taken. Boston replied, okay so we've got the renovation. 

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #7) Stepp advised, so next item is permission for the Student 4-H Survey. This comes from the UT Extension Service and 4-H Program. We do this every year. It's a survey that they send out, as you can read it. It has a description of exactly what it does, but this is same every year what we do. It needs approval. Boston replied, Mr. Safdie made a motion to approve. King replied, second. Boston continued, Mr. King second. So the motion on the table is for permission for the 4-H Survey. Any discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken. Motion Carried.

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #8) Stepp advised, okay the next is permission to participate and accept Grant Funds for the State Improvement Grant. The SSIG, that is a follow-up grant to our turnaround grant that went to Phoenix. So this grant will be using for personnel and also consultants to come in to help us continue that success at Phoenix. They were on the target list a couple years ago. Mr. Lowe and his team did a great job to get off that list and this is a continuation and the additional Targeted Support Intervention Grant that goes to Stone Elementary School for improvements in their students with disability achievement and that will also go to consulting work to bring in consultants. We've already been using, that's helped us get off the list with other schools and excel. Safdie replied, move to approve. Boston replied, Mr. Safdie has made a motion to approve. Nichols replied, second. Boston continued, Miss Nichols has seconded that. This is permission to accept. So we've already been awarded this grant? Stepp replied, correct. Boston continued, okay just checking. Any discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken.  

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #9) Stepp advised, and the rest of the items are just monthly reports. So first is the Planning Calendar. It shows where we are. We're in the process of budgeting now. Get it ready for March 1st to board chair and in the board.

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #10)

Discussion:   - Stepp continued, the next is our warm body count. As you can see we got a declining ATM, but luckily the legislators recognize that. They say in the legislation we will not get docked for declining ATM. So that's what they said at the legislative. Stout replied, we'll see if it's in the bill. Boston asked, is that going to be for a certain period of time or is that going to be forever? Stepp replied, all they said is there will not be a declining ADM. Your original ADM will be where you start. Stout replied, and that came up more in relation to the discussion of the scholarship program and students leaving the LEA to go to a private institution. Boston asked, what what number did we start? Do you have any idea? Stepp asked, last year? Boston replied, yeah. Stepp continued, so our original number was I think last year was 71 or we're 7100 this year. Last year was almost 72 ish. I don't have that warm body count in front of me. Boston replied, just approximately. Stepp continued, so if we lose 100, if you go by the $6,680 that's $680,000. We would lose if they don't approve the ADM did not decrease and in TISA, I think the number they put in the law it's not approved yet. Is per ADM is now $7,075. Stout replied, yep they mentioned that too. That it'd be going up a little. Boston replied, so if they'll let us stay at 7200 and not decrease us, that's more money in our pocket. Stepp replied, that's the goal. Yes, that's what they said. Boston replied, perfect.

Discussion:   - Stepp continued, Personnel Report, Nutrition Reports and Substitute List. 

Discussion:   - Stepp continued, coming up. So we're adding some more subs.

Discussion:   - Stepp continued, and then all the great news and the newsletter. So board members and anyone else, if you haven't subscribed to your school newsletter, please do so. You can go to their websites and they will get you loaded up on that. So we should be ready to go.

Safdie replied, I've got an additional question to ask about the Personnel Report. Could you explain, Mr. Stepp what new hiring you did this year in the past month regarding the Human Resource Officer? Stepp asked, like are you asking questions about Mrs. Neeli directly or? Safdie replied, no can you tell us the process. What took place? Stepp replied, oh yeah, the process is we've had it posted well over a year. We've interviewed several. The ones we've offered turned it down for different reasons. We finally, Mrs. Neeli had contacted us and we interviewed process, had a second interview and then we hired. Mrs. Bray correct me, did we not ask a couple others to interview. Bray replied, we did. We were turned down. Stepp continued, and we were turned down for those interviews. Mrs. Neeli was an awesome candidate. She has a lot of experience. We're excited to get to hire her. Boston replied, if you've not met her, she's just so happy. Safdie asked, is Mrs. Neeli in the in the audience? Boston replied, yes she is. He introduced her just a moment ago. Safdie replied, I'm sorry I must have been preoccupied. Boston replied, you have a disadvantage. I'm the only face you can see. Safdie replied, thank you Mr. Stepp. I appreciate that background. Stepp replied, yes sir and that completes my report. 

Discussion:   - Boston replied, next on the agenda is School Board Committees. Policy Committee Mrs. Hamby. 

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #11) Hamby advised, okay we have several policies listed here for first reading and it come out of committee and we had made a few changes. Most of them were TSBA recommendations. So since this came out of policy, we don't need a second. So does anyone have any questions or discussions? Most I think, everybody was there except Mrs. Stull and she was sick and Mr. Safdie wasn't there, but does anybody have any questions about these policies that we worked on? Stout asked, you talking about all the policies? Hamby replied, no. The ones that we, 1.300 and then we had the. We'll just take them one at a time. I was going to take it, but like I said most everybody was there. Does anybody have any discussion on 1.300? Davis replied, I guess the two things I would point out that I was happy to see us modify. So thank you' all for adding the arts and the activities. Stout replied, athletics. Davis continued, into that committee. So I'm proud to know that we're going to get a chance to represent that group or groups as well and I guess moving a little further down on line 14. Just wanted to point out also that we have outlined plainly that with issues to be discussed by each committee will be discussed by the board in advance prior to them going to committee. Hamby replied, okay that wasn't brought up during the committee meeting. Can you explain to me what you mean by that? We normally do discuss issues, but it's normally in the committees. Davis replied, well that segment was the same language essentially that we had in our other policy, but just noting that it's in the new one as well as opposed to. That was kind of the sticking point recall that we were having committee meetings and then taking to the board as opposed to coming to the board and then sending it to the committee. Hamby replied, so it's staying the same way. So nothing's really changing about that. Stout replied, just in recognition that's how the flow is going to be based on the policy. Hamby replied, so if there are no other questions or discussions all in favor aye. Boston asked, is this just on 1.300? Hamby replied, 1.300 to move for second reading. A Voice Vote was taken. 

Hamby continued, the next one 1.404 Appeals to and Appearances Before the Board and this has to do almost, it's like the community comments and TSBA had some recommendations and we did some changing on that. If you want to have 5 minutes of speaking time instead of 3. You will need to contact Central Office, the Director of Schools or his designee to with what you're wanting to speak about eight working days prior to the meeting, in order to be put on the agenda to be allowed five minutes. Stout replied, I had a thought on that. I wanted to bring up that actually was brought to my attention by some constituents after the committee meeting last week. That we hadn't really talked about. I was wondering if we should consider adding at a regularly scheduled board meeting, because we've got board meetings like special call meetings that are called that are not within the eight days. Hamby replied, good point, because they should be at regular board meetings. Not special called and of course we don't have Community Comments. Stout replied, so if we wanted to just add that in there, it says individuals desiring to appear before the board at a regularly scheduled board meeting shall submit a written request with. Hamby replied, I'm good with that. Boston asked, where? Stout replied, on line 13 in the red writing. Hamby replied, where it says the chair shall have the right; before the chair. Stout replied, individuals starting on line 12, individuals desiring to appear before the board at a regularly scheduled board meeting is where we insert it. Shall submit a written request with descriptive materials office. Hamby replied, so yes I think regular board meeting should be added in there, because we don't do this at special called. Stout asked, so add that for the second? Hamby replied, well coming out of committee, we don't need a second, but since we changed something else we'll need a new motion on this one. Boston replied, make a motion as amended. Hamby replied, I make a motion we accept 1.404 as amended. Stout replied, with the wording of at a regularly scheduled board meeting. Hamby replied, yes and so is there any questions or discussions on that? A Voice Vote was taken.
 
Hamby continued, now I will say the next seven concern Charter Schools (1.900-1.906). We do not actually have Charter Schools in Cumberland County, but this does cover, Mr. Step explained that please. Why we have the Charter School? Stepp replied, yeah the law has been updated, so TSBA has updated their policies to be more aligned on how we handle it according to the law. Like you said, though this is going to affect larger municipal and county districts more than us, because they're already being introduced, but if a Charter School does come to Cumberland County. They have to present to the board to become a Charter School and then we're kind of their liaison between TDOE and them. Hamby replied, thank you for explaining that. It's easier for you to do that than me. So I'm going to take all seven of these and bundle them together. They came out of policy, so they don't need a second. So is there any question or discussion about these? A Roll Voice Vote was taken.  

Hamby continued, the next one is 2.8041 and this was on the travel and we recommended out of Policy Committee to add the language of, it says under mileage rate. Mileage for properly authorized travel on official school business shall be reimbursed at the mileage rate that matches state and federal rate per mile. So whatever state and federal does that is the mileage that we will follow along with. State and federal always matches. So supposed to agree on the mileage according to Mrs. Bray. Patton replied, the question I had. I wonder you know what happens if they differ. Bray replied, I've never seen that happen. Hamby replied, and if it did, we can come back and amend their policy and this came out the Policy Committee. Any discussion or any questions on this? A Voice Vote was taken. Hamby advised, so that is all on the first reading.

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #12) Hamby continued, on the second reading. 2.200 Annual Operating Budget, 4.700 Testing Programs and 6.312 Use of Personal Communication Devices in Schools and I'm going to go ahead and do all three since it's on second reading. I'm sure everyone has had an opportunity to look at these and if there is any discussion or questions, then we can do that now and if not then. A Voice Vote was taken. Hamby continued, the second reading is done and that was the end of my report madam chair.

Discussion:   - Boston advised, next committee would be Mr. Nick Davis, Athletic. Davis replied, thank you we'll keep it brief today. We had a meeting. We embarked on a fact-finding mission during our committee meeting on the 13th. We had requested to add in the arts and activities kind of to align ourselves with what our Strategic Plan's vision was. To be consistent with that language to give those groups an area to to bring some of their thoughts and concerns. So we can focus on that. We had talked through some of the coaching supplement pays, on proportions, on where we are spending money from a board and how we support the Athletic Departments currently. We didn't really talk much about the other arts or athletics there. So still gathering some data. I know Mr. Stepp and his team are working on some of that. We're waiting on a facilities assessment to come back from Uplands that will provide some knowledge of current facilities and some of their upkeep items and and just the state of those buildings and facilities. So we can be mindful of that coming in the budget season to better support those student athletes and alternative activities. We'd asked about middle school schedules, high school schedules, just trying to get a grasp on what those schedules are and where we can best view them for the future and then also we chatted. We had got an opportunity to hear from Dr. Maddox on some of his reporting and some of his thoughts pertaining to middle school direction of sports and elementary sports and then also we're trying to build some participation data in order to help support our parents. So they're better involved and engaged within their own children or student athletes experience. Kind of segways into the portfolio of construction. We're still building some of those items. I know, I called it construction. It freaks her out, but the idea is that we're going to give these student athletes something in addition to just their letterman jacket and the year that they graduated to say hey we were part of certain things in this community as a County Athletic participant. So that's all I've got for that.

Discussion:   - Boston advised, next on the agenda is the Budget Committee meeting report. We met, we were provided with a proposed salary scale on our certified assistant principals and up. We did not take any action. We're still digesting those and we will pick that up after everyone's had an opportunity to look at them. If you have any questions, Mrs. Bray is excellent explaining them to us, because it took me a while to to figure out what we were doing. Going from the percentages in which what we're trying to get rid of to an actual salary scale. So if you have any questions, Mrs. Bray is your girl and that was all. No action was taken.

Discussion:   - Boston advised, next on the agenda is the Building and Grounds. Mr. Safdie, we had no meeting, because you and Mrs. Stull were ill. Safdie replied, I have a question about the Budget Committee meeting. You know Chris Goddard mentioned certified full-time employees and non-certified full-time employees and I was looking at qualifications for food stamps and I think and I've said this before, that any school employee non-certified that works full-time and draws an income that would qualify them for food stamps is a cardinal sin and I think we should address that and take a look at our non-certified full-time employees. To make sure that no employee salary is so low that they can draw food stamps from the State of Tennessee. 

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #13) Boston continued, okay Mrs. Bray. Bray replied, revenue wise. We're still doing quite well. Collections coming in on property taxes. We did get our outcome based funding here. We still got looks like revenues around 40 million. Our expenditures are at 35, but keep in mind some of the big projects like we just talked about. Those have not been booked yet. So once those start being booked you're going to see this line of come probably more back in line. Boston asked, is the 601, I know the county received it. We received it. Is it in here. Bray replied, it's in here, but it's not in the budget per say. What we would have to do, it's just like tonight where I'm moving that money and I'm putting it in that revenue account and then we're going to put it towards the expenditure. It can be in the bank and in the revenue, but not in the budget. It's two very distinct things. Boston asked, but it just rolled into it, the general fund, general purpose. Bray replied, right it rolled into it and we have to designate how we want to use it. Tonight we're starting that process. 

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #14) Bray continued, as far as Sales Tax. Unfortunately, we're still behind for the year. Now we are still ahead of where we were last year, but we are behind where we had budgeted. We're still down $270,000. Hopefully this will catch itself up, but it's very difficult to budget this. So being off $200,000 on that is not as significant as you might think, but that's just something. As someone used to say, buy local. Is there any questions? No one responded. 

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #15) Bray continued, we'll move on to the budget amendments. The first one is the ever ending ISM Grant. This is just more revisions that are required by the state. Just moving some monies around from one line to the other. Any questions on that one? Hamby asked, what does the, just out of curiosity, other Contracted Services? Bray replied, it's just things that she will contract with outside contractors for. Dr. Eldridge, what would be an example. Eldridge replied, our Career Exploration Mobile Lab. Doing some things where we have to contract out. Hamby replied, okay I was just curious. When it says other. Eldridge replied, I understand. Boston asked, do you want to take these all at the same time or do you want to do them individually? A few board members replied, take them all at the same time. Hamby replied, I'll make a motion that we approve all of 141. Bray asked, you want me to still go through them or? King and Nichols replied yes please. Bray continued, the second one is for the roof repair that you folks just approved. This is moving some of those, that outcome based funding into maintenance repair to repair one of our roofs that has a tarp on it. Which should make the principal and everybody there including me very happy. King replied, I have a question. You said outcome funding. Bray replied, uhhuh the 600,000. King continued, talk about that little please. Stepp replied, so when we got our TISA estimates last year, this was the line item that said outcomes that said TBD. They didn't know how they were going to formulate our success and how it directly correlates to money yet. So we didn't have that until well into December. Once they figured out how they were going to formulate our achievements, our successes, everything that we did. We got, Dr. Farley, it was two days to appeal? Is that correct? Farley replied, yes. Stepp continued, so they sent us all that data and they said figure out how we calculate it and you can appeal if you can prove we didn't calculate it. So this team here locked themselves in their offices for two days and went through all the data and we sent back our appeals and then the next week I forwarded, I think it was December 15th. I forwarded y'all what they formulated as our TISA outcomes for the first payout. Which was 601. Then we'll get a second payout and a third payout going through Spring. It's all based on how successful we were. Bray replied, we actually received the money December the 27th. King replied, followup question. If we hadn't got this money. How would we fund this? Stepp asked, the Pine View? King replied, yes. Stepp replied, I would recommend it from the Fund Balance. Boston replied, well we have it now. Do we not have it now? Stepp replied, oh yeah. Boston continued, we do have it now. King replied, and I understand this expedites process. Stepp replied, correct. Boston asked, the process to do the roof? King replied, yeah. If we had to go Fund Balance we'd have to go the Commission to do that well. Boston replied, it's got County Commissioner on it. King replied, if this is going, we'd have to go ask for a different thing from Fund Balance. Boston replied, State School Improvement Grant. Is that different from the outcomes? Bray replied, yes, this is what the All Safe Schools Grant. This one's on me. We didn't spend all the money last year and I neglected to put the rollover. We had the money. It's in the bank, but here again, I neglected to re-budget it. So this is just my re-budgeting getting from that grant into this year's fund. Boston asked, so it's not coming out of the 601? Bray replied, no, no, no. This is a grant. It has nothing to do with the 601. This is just a Safe School Grant. Hamby replied, this is just a a grant, grant. Boston replied, thank you. Stout replied, and we've already got this. Bray replied, oh ya we got this last year and it just rolled over, but the accountant in me still has to think about this rebudgeting it for the next year.  Even though it's in the bank. Stout replied, and it's already specified on the safety. Bray replied, yes. Stout continued, that was listed in the grant that we got the money. Bray replied, right. It's very specific. Stull asked, this is not the new grant. Bray replied, no this is the previous one. They allowed us to roll what we had and actually this money is already spent for what we said. The next one starts the Federal Grants. The next one is the State School Improvement Grant. This is a new grant and the TDOE requires that all these funds be used and be placed in other charges. So that's what our folks in Federal Program has done. Boston asked, so what will they be?  What's other charges? Stepp replied, so this is once again a followup to the TAG Grant. This is the explanation I gave you earlier for SSIG. That we saw, so Phoenix was under the TAG Grant and they're finishing that out and then this is also going to them to continue their improvements. We got personnel, we got Contract Services, so TNTP and other services is coming in that already work with all the schools. To help continue the improvement. So we can stay off that list. Boston asked, this is the one we discussed earlier? Stepp and Bray replied, correct. Boston asked, is part of this going to Stone Elementary as well? Stepp replied, no. Boston asked, so that's different? Bray replied, this is Phoenix, correct? Stepp replied, this is all Phoenix. Boston replied, alone. Bray replied, correct and then the next one is where they had moved funds from an assistant that were we were unable to hire to some equipment that was needed for Federal Programs. Is that all of them? Does anybody have any other questions? No one responded. Boston replied, I'll make a motion we approve for 141 and 142s. Hamby replied, second. Boston asked, any discussion? No one responded. A Roll Call Vote was taken.  Boston replied, motion carries. All your resolutions 141 and 142 have been approved.

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #16) See 16.C. for detail discussion.

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #17) Boston advised, next on the agenda is the Consent Agenda. I'll entertain a motion to approve. King replied, move to approve Consent. Stout replied, second. Boston replied, okay so I have a first and second motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Any discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken.

Discussion:   - Boston advised, next is old business. Stout replied, discussion I guess of the process for contract negotiations with Mr. Stepp. What is the process? How are we going to proceed? Hamby replied, I would like to ask Mr. Patton if it's alright with you madam chair. Could Mr. Patton explain to us the process of the contract or do you want to explain? Boston asked, absolutely. Hamby replied, it's up to you. Patton replied, it's up to this board to establish a process, but in order to establish I mean a process, I would think this board would need to vote to extend the contract or to enter into a new contract. I think one has got to happen before the other really. That's just my thinking. Stout asked, so we would vote to extend it before we'd know what it is? Or we vote to agree that we're going to look into? Patton replied, right now, you have a contract that is through. Boston replied, June 30th of 2025. Patton continued, 25 and the contract indicates that the board may extend the term of this contract at any time with concurrence of the director, however unless the board acts on or before the first day of March 2025 to extend the contract, such failure to act shall serve as notice to the director that the board does not intend to renew the contract. So this contract, I mean the board has until March 1st of 2025 to give notice of its intent to renew the contract if the board desires to do that. The board certainly can, but I guess my thought is I mean there are some statutory requirements, but I don't think they go so far as to specifically say here is how you negotiate a director's contract. In the past I will say there have been a Contract Committee. Some, I think there have been committees for that specific purpose. Those meetings, obviously, if they consist of more than one board member, those are going to be public meetings. There is an exception to the Open Meetings Act that indicates that the board, the Tennessee Open Meetings Act, defines a meeting as the convening of a governing body of a public body for which a quorum is required to make a decision or to deliberate towards a decision. Meetings to make a recommendation to a single individual such as a County Mayor or Dean of an Educational Institution. I would think Director of Schools would be included in that are not meetings covered by the Open Meetings Act. Now I don't know that encompasses negotiations, which are more of a back and forth type idea. So I don't know that a meeting of that type would fall under an exception to the Open Meetings Act. I think some of what you're wanting to ask is you know how can we have these deliberations. My immediate thought is that those deliberations have to be open to the public just like any other meeting of the board would. Unless the board does establish someone as a negotiator of the contract, but I think in order to establish one person who's going to be in charge, the board does have to come up with some parameters to give that person and that needs to be a board decision. Which would start I would think from the standpoint of hey we want to renew this contract or we want to extend the contract or make an offer. That's my thought. Hamby replied, and then this is just a question. If we had one individual negotiator, it would still have to come before the full board for approval. Patton replied, absolutely. Hamby continued, I don't understand what the meaning of a negotiator or why we would need a negotiator. We did not do that before. We did not do that before. We had a Contract Committee and then Mr Imman, I remember in the meeting. Mr. Imman asked Mrs. Boston during the meeting to contact you to make sure that you were okay with the contract and then it came back to the full board. So I I don't understand. Stout replied, well I guess at this point it kind of doesn't make any difference what happened before, right. We as a board need to decide what's the best way for us to proceed with this now, if we want to do it, I guess, as a full board or if we do want somebody to work back and forth and then come to the full board with something that's been agreed to with Mr. Stepp. Hamby replied, I don't, I'm at a loss. I don't understand why we would need a negotiator. Nichols asked, so what's the vote to extend? What is a vote to extend? I mean what does that? Patton replied, a vote to extend. Nichols asked, just extend the contract, extend the time. I mean if it's good till June of 25. Boston replied, well it's a three-year contract by statute. You can only offer a Director of Schools a four-year contract. So you would vote to extend it one year and then at that time by statute you have to renegotiate. Stout replied, so it would be a more, in the midst of things we've done a couple reviews on Mr. Stepp and his performance and so now at the point do, he's asking for renegotiation of his contract. So we as a board, how do we want to move forward with that? It could be extension, it could be a change in contract. I mean we need to find out from Mr. Stepp what he's looking for with it in his renegotiation request, but that's why we wanted it to be discussed tonight. So we can just decide what are the steps moving forward. Boston asked, Robbie did you have something? Safdie replied, at what point or not just at one point but would it be a service to this board to establish a Contract Committee and if so when would that appropriate time be to establish a Contract Committee? I'm open to suggestions. Stout replied, well if we've had the request to renegotiate, I would think we'd need to be establishing the steps pretty quickly. Whether that be to put a Contract Committee in place or one person or meet as a full board regarding this. Safdie replied, well I see that the Contract Committee can be composed of three board members and it be held publicly and then presented to the board. The discussions that took place and then passed it on to the attorney to make sure that all the "i"s were dotted and the "t"s crossed. Stout asked, are you making a motion or is this is for discussion? Boston replied, this is just for discussion. Safdie replied, I'm not making a motion. I'm just saying you know, when would we first of all, when would we establish a Contract Committee? And second of all, my opinion is that the Contract Committee should be composed of like any of the other committees that we have three members and held publicly. I mean that's just an idea. Now I don't know if there's any urgency. I mean is there an urgency to extend the contract of the Director of Schools one year now? I mean there's a whole year, March 2025 before we have to make a decision on the full contract. So if there's an established reason for extending the contract now at this period, I'd like to hear it. Davis replied, good question. I would imagine that being proactive in retaining the service of someone that is producing results would be in our best interest and if all that entails is going through the negotiation process of understanding what is valuable to Mr. Stepp to feel confident his duties to continue doing what he's doing in beyond. I think we owe that to him and ourselves and community to hear what it is that he feels like is valuable to him. Given where he came in and where we are and where we're trying to go. If there are things that are not included in there. Clearly, if the contract included all of those things we wouldn't be having this discussion. So that that's me reading into it maybe a little bit, but my ask is that we ask Mr. Stepp explain. Boston replied, the contract we wouldn't, if the contract contained all of those things, we wouldn't be having this discussion. What are you talking about? Nichols replied, the old contract. Davis replied, yeah, so the contract that he's currently under was good at that moment in time and given. Boston asked, it's no longer good? Hamby replied, we haven't seen another contract. So how do we know if. Davis replied, what we're trying to get to is the point that Mr. Stepp has asked us to reconsider his contract terms and all we're trying to establish is the best means to hear his stance to understand what it is that he is valuing now and he feels he has the ability to bring to the table and how we should compensate him and measure him based on those terms and I don't think that's much, you know that's that that's not out of our scope. To do proactively versus hope that someone doesn't steal him between now and the time that our contract is up and we are indeed going into a lame duck year. Where we don't have a Director of Schools that's retained and we we disregarded his request to review his contract. Boston asked, so are we looking at his contract or are we looking at a new contract? I think that's, since you're requesting this, that's up to you. Stepp replied, I'm requesting to renegotiate the contract, which could mean a new contract, which could mean a different salary. That's what we do in negotiations. Is we see what one side wants and what another side wants. Boston replied, well I know, but you have a new contract that you were going to forward to us and you had it a minute ago and said it's ready for us to review. Stepp replied, I do have it ready for you to review and I can get that out to you. I also request it, well I don't have it ready, why don't we put my old contract on the agenda and we could just discuss the old contract. Boston asked, do we want to discuss the old or do we want to look at the new or do we want to look at a combination of both? King replied, say that again Mr. Stepp. Boston replied, I mean he's under contract now. Do we look at that contract and re negotiate the terms of that contract or are we negotiating the terms of a new contract? I guess I'm trying to figure out where we are. Safdie replied, we can't negotiate a new contract, because we're only allowed to extend a contract for one year, because he has a three-year contract. Now in this extension, is he asking for, in fact, that extension will go into 2026. Is he asking for an extension to go into 2026 and a salary adjustment made for that one year? Okay so let's assume that all of this discussion could be handled in a Contract Committee, because I haven't seen the contract that Director Stepp is submitting and I think it's something that the Contract Committee and all of the board members who attend that Contract Committee meeting should be in the discussion. Boston replied, well if you're negotiating a salary adjustment, then that's going to have to, is that not going to have to go into budget? Safdie replied, well I think the first thing to do is bring the suggestions on a contract and the old contract to the Contract Committee. Now I know everybody says well you know the contract, it's only got three board members, but that's not the way we've been working this. The way we've been working it, is there's three members who are part of a Contract Committee and the rest of the board can attend, provide suggestions, put input in and have a full discussion at that time as well. I mean it's a triage, right. The Contract Committee is like a triage. Where the discussion of contracts can be brought up and decisions made on what processes we want to use. Davis replied, or it could just be an agenda item on a regular board meeting and save an extra meeting. Hamby replied, madame chair. I think Mr Patton was wanting to say something. Boston replied, yes sir. Hamby asked, I'm sorry you want to say something? Patton replied, all I was going to say is that it seems to me that the appropriate order of the things that should happen are that the board should vote to extend the contract, if the board desires to do that. At that point, if Mr. Stepp is not happy with the contract as it exists. He would propose the change in the contract and then the committee could be appointed to negotiate that contract. That seems like the normal flow of what would happen and I may be off. Davis replied, well I think the extent I would somewhat disagree if I understood you correctly. Meaning like we're going to vote to extend regardless of how good or how bad the contract proposal is. So if he proposes a new contract that says I'd like to work for free and actually pay you and I'm going to do it for the rest of my life. Patton replied, that's not what I'm suggesting. I'm just saying that if the; one way or the other if Mr. Stepp is going to continue working for this board. This board has to decide to extend the contract in some form or fashion. Now if the board makes that offer, Mr. Stepp is absolutely at liberty to say I don't want to do that and here's what I think is fair and at that point the board could consider, you know if what he was proposing made sense for this board and this community. Davis replied, I just think the extension to make a vote on an extension shouldn't be just whether in theory, do we want to extend without having the actual contractual language proposed. To be at least presented, like he's went to he's went to great lengths already to put the contract together that he would like to see us adopt. Why wouldn't we look? Safdie replied, I don't know. I haven't read it. Davis continued, I know.  I haven't seen it either. I'm just saying the point is, let's look at it. Let's figure out what we need to do to look at it. Whether we add it to the next budget meeting. We create a committee. We have a committee that all the members are at and have the same thing as a regular scheduled meeting and then we have another meeting and then we can decide if we would like to, you know discuss all of the items that are in his existing contract and the new contract. So we're going to have to discuss what he's got and what we have. Boston replied, so we're going to and you just said it. We're going to look at his old contract and then we're going to discuss his new contract. Davis replied, I would say we'd have to use one to compare the other. Nichols replied, we would want both of them. Boston replied, that's what I'm trying to get at. Is he proposing a new contract? Are you proposing the new contract? Stepp replied, so when you negotiate you discuss those options. I've asked to renegotiate. So can we discuss options. We haven't itemized anything. You don't itemize when you do a negotiation and standard operating procedure on most boards that I have people that in my Study Council. When you do a director review you also make a proposal to the director after that review. If it's above satisfactory or if it's better than that and you make an offer of an extension or something. So that's just a standard operating procedure. That didn't happen, so I just initiated the Friday that we were setting the board agenda, as one member of the executive committee. I requested to renegotiate my contract. To put it on the agenda. So that's all I did. All I'm trying to do is what all these other boards do. I'm just asking since my evaluation was above satisfactory, well above average. I think the board, most boards would make an offer of some sort to the director. Safdie asked, are you talking about Mr. Stepp, are you talking about removing the old contract that we had for three years and reestablishing a new contract with you? Stepp replied, I'm saying, I'm saying there's multiple options. So if the board decides no new contract, but we'll extend a year, then that's what the board decides. If the board sees a new contract, we'll put everything on the table we negotiate, right. So we'll talk about both options and then the board makes the decision. I don't like that option, but we like this option or we don't want to offer an option. I'm just asking to be considered. Stout replied, and I think to answer the question about timeliness of getting this process started that Mr Safdie asked, and then Teresa's question about budget is. Depending on what discussion has had this may impact the budget. So there is a timeliness factor regarding having this discussion and getting the ball rolling. So if there is a monetary change that is part of the budget process. Hamby replied, I'm going to ask a question I asked during the committee meetings. This sounds like, just I'm trying to make things clear. This sounds like you're wanting an increase in pay, because based off of the evaluation and I will ask again. Do we give our employees a raise according to their evaluation? King replied, I didn't hear him asked that. Hamby replied, he said his evaluation was above average and he believes that he's. (audio) Stepp replied, that's not what I said. I said there's options that we can discuss when you're above evaluation the board usually makes an offer of some sort. Hamby replied, okay that's the same thing I just said. Stout replied, not necessarily. Davis replied, you can pay raise. We could make an offer to reduce it is pay. An offer can go both ways. Stout replied, or extend the contract or change the contract. Davis replied, we could offer to terminate the contract. Stull replied, question though as far as with the evaluation. We're supposed to do that twice a year. So in every evaluation, are we expecting to go ahead and renegotiate or create a new contract every evaluation? Stout replied, no. Davis replied, that's a good question. What is the purpose of conducting research right or making a decision like, hey we come we thought about this performance and this. Stout replied, typically it's annually. Stull replied, well I mean we have a contract. So I guess if you have a contract then, and you do have the evaluations. You're wanting to make sure that they're performing up to the standards that you have in your contract as well, but if we do that twice a year, I mean or even on a yearly basis are we asking to go ahead and look at renegotiating that on a yearly or you know semiannually. I guess. Stout replied, well it sounds like most boards do some version of that depending on the outcome of the evaluation once a year. Boston asked, just once a year or twice a year? Stout replied, once. Stepp replied, usually the observation or the evaluation starts in October and in most contractual languages, you would have discussed the evaluation with me before the actual board meeting and you would have decided on whatever it is you like to do. A one-year extension or whatever. Whatever those options, it could be any option that the board decides to do no action whatever, but that's the protocol for most of the school boards I know of. Stull replied, well I guess I don't understand then why we would have a two, three, or four year contract. If we're looking at redoing that on a yearly basis. That just becomes a yearly contract. Davis replied, our contract terms can state whatever we value and if we value performance to be measured biannually or annually or quarterly and we value those things. We can incentivize him potentially to do or not do whatever we would ask of him to do. Stull replied, right, but I guess my point is why do you have a longer term of a contract if you're just going to go ahead and expect to revisit it every year? Davis replied, it's to be determined. That's what he's asking to do, is renegotiate the terms and conditions of the contract. So all language can be considered. The length, the amount and all the things we're asking him to do can be discussed. Hamby replied, and we're going to start doing this once a year instead of having a three or four year contract. Stout replied, the three year contract helps provide stability from the get-go, but we need to have flexibility to change that contract as needs of the district change or directions change. Nichols replied, job performance. If he's under performing, then we have a way to change that ourselves. StulI replied, I understand that. Stout replied, but I guess that could happen before three years, good or bad. Nichols replied, he could do better. That's what we do. So we motivate him, help him, give him the tools he needs to do a good job, which he is doing. Davis asked, Mrs. Hamby are teachers contracts annual or multi-year? Hamby replied, yes they are. Davis continued, so they are renegotiated every year? Hamby replied, not their pay, but yes. Davis asked, so they can't negotiate pay? Hamby replied, no they do not negotiate pay. Davis asked, so pay is not even a discussion? Hamby replied, not from our employees, no. We do the budget. They get their raise. Boston replied, during Collaborative Conferencing. Davis asked, how often is Collaborative Conferencing? Boston replied, every 3 years. Timson replied, we can bring up salary every year. Davis replied, yeah. Okay so you can discuss it as often as you like. Timson replied, we don't get very far, but yes sir we sure can. Davis replied, I mean it's, you know that's what we're looking for just opportunity to discuss what's valuable to you. So we can incentivize you to go do the best you can and I think that's all that this is about from what I gather. Let's look at what's valuable and consider it. If no action is no action, then it's not, but not allowing us to look at it is certainly telling a story. Nichols replied, so now what? Davis asked, is there anybody that would like to be the person of negotiate a contract? Hamby replied, I think and we're not voting on anything tonight and as far as I know and we're not voting for that. Davis replied, I didn't ask if anybody wanted to vote. I just asked anybody would like to do it. Hamby replied, my opinion would be a Contract Committee, not one person. Stull replied, I don't think there should be one person to go ahead and negotiate that. Safdie replied, I think we should at some point in the next couple of weeks, that the process begins with establishing the Contract Committee and then holding the Contract Committee meeting on Wednesday or whenever we have the other committee meeting. Hamby replied, the second Tuesday. Safdie continued, a full discussion. That way a full discussion and you know, as chairman you have the prerogative of if you want to establish a Contract Committee. You have the prerogative of asking the board now. I think it's part of that policy 1.3. Boston replied, 1.403. Safdie replied, 1.403 to establish the committee and then you can select those people on the committee. Davis replied, just remember that line 14 of Policy 1.3 indicates that the issues that are going to be discussed by the committee are to come from the board. So the board's going to have to. Safdie replied, we have to name the committee. Davis replied, the board's going to have to meet before the Contract Committee to determine the things that they would like them to discuss. Is my point. Safdie replied, if we establish, well that's true Nick. That's right, so if we establish a Contract Committee, then in this particular instance, we would discuss the contract with the Director of Schools. So madame chairperson, you make the decision with the consent of the board and then this discussion can end tonight and we can begin it fully prepared when we have the contracts and we've studied it. So we can contribute to the Contract Committee. Boston replied, well I think the board, which you're just in discussion for tonight. I think the board has to decide whether they want to do this under a Contract Committee or if they want to do this as a whole and that's the next decision that needs to be made. Once that decision is made, then we can move forward with you know, the full board or the Contract Committee and I think if we can send out a copy of the old contract or the current contract let me say that. Then Mr. Stepp can get to us the new proposed contract. Safdie replied, I suggest to do that, we establish a Special Called Meetings, a contract that as opposed to establishing, as opposed to taking the full discussion at the full board meeting. A regular board meeting, excuse me. Boston replied, right. We could do that. Davis replied, I make a motion to schedule Special Call Meeting. Boston replied, you can't make a motion. Davis replied, I can request that we make a motion right? Hamby replied, you don't have to make a motion. Boston replied, so I think the direction is the next thing is to make the determination whether we want to work as a committee or whether we want to work as a full board. Stout replied, I'd like to work as a full board. If we're going to have a Special Called Meeting to look at the contracts and all that. That's a full board. I'd like everybody at the table and everyone's questions to be heard and discussed. Hamby replied, and if it's a committee we're all going to be there anyway. So might as well do it with the full board. Boston replied, if I might make a suggestion. Earl, do you have a copy of the current contract? Patton replied, I do. Boston asked, could you email that to the full board? Patton replied, yes. Boston continued, tomorrow morning and (Stepp) if you could send us a copy of the whatever your proposing? Stepp replied, as part of the negotiation. It could be extension, it could be the contract, it could be whatever. Boston replied, well if you want us to consider it. Please email it to us. Stepp replied, I will. Boston continued, thank you. Any further discussion. No one responded. 

Discussion:   - Boston asked if there were any questions from the media. No questions were asked.

Discussion:  - Boston advised, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. Hamby replied, I make a motion we adjourn. Davis replied, second. The meeting adjourned at 8:04pm.