November 4, 2019 at 5:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Steve Morgan requested moving 2.F. Approval of Cleveland Middle School Carpet Request to the Site Committee report.

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Steve Morgan announced that this project is not ready for approval since the contract is still being worked out. Hal Taylor reported that the contract will specify carpet specifications, financial requirements, and installation specifications. The school will continue to rent monthly to the church until a contract is determined. Matt Ingram, CMS Assistant Principal, stated that the church is working with CMS on the new sound system. Board members asked questions for clarification. Board members expressed support for the project and requested carpet samples. Dr. Dyer will ask our attorney to continue working on the contract and bring back to the Board for approval. 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Dr. Dyer provided an update:
Each Board member received a GuideK12 brochure which highlights our rezoning process. We will present at the TSBA Convention on the rezoning process also.
CCS is moving to a new website/app provider named Apptegy. This will be more user-friendly and help us stay ADA compliant. 
Director's Road Show continued at Blythe-Bower last week. 
Dr. Dyer attended the TDOE Director's School Law Retreat; they discussed many legal matters that are pertinent to our state.
German students from GAPP are visiting Cleveland this month. We are a GAPP School of Distinction. 
There was a joint conference with CCS and Bradley counselors which discussed human trafficking and the opiod crisis. 
November 1st was a teacher-led staff development day with rave reviews.
Board members are invited to a Strategic Planning Meeting with community and business leaders on Wednesday, November 13, 11:30 am.
LEAD Conference starts tomorrow for educators across the state. Mr. Kahrs is up for Supervisor of the Year.
School is open on Veteran's Day, November 11.
Autumn O'Bryan was elected to the TSSAA Legislative Council for the 3rd Athletic District. 
 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Cleveland High School Assistant Principal introduced the AP Scholars. 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Cleveland High School Vice Principal, Cliff Eason, recognized AP Scholars and their families.
AP Scholar is granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. Michael Adriaanse, Kathleen Alcock, Katherine Blake, Elena Burton, Brayden Conn, Torr Coulthard, Chloe Cribbs, Matthew Freake, Harper Fuller, Kali Gilbreath, Evan Griffin, Madison Hobbs, Jacob Lee, Kaitlyn Madson, Oliver McDougal, James Miles, Nathan Pan, Aarsh Patel, Annabelle Pelley, Preston Pham, Ester Proctor, Anna Renshaw, Krista Riad, James Salazar, Gabriel Shoop, Matthew Sonnier, Skyler Stone.

AP Scholar with Honor is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. Jane Anderson, Zachary Bianucci, Joseph Brown, Daniel Collins, Todd Deluca, Sarah Elkins, Kelsie Hartley, Matthew Marino, Savannah Pitts, Katie Rockhill, Jaynae Wright.

AP Scholar with Distinction is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. Emma Brannen, Olivia Eilf, Sara McKay, Lake Preston-Self, Lauren Proctor, Joseph Watson.

National AP Scholar is granted to students in the US who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams. Lauren Proctor
 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  The following employees received professional tenure. They received evaluations demonstrating an overall effectiveness level of above expectations (4) or significantly above expectations (5) during the last two years of the probationary period. Dr. Dyer presented certificates to tenure recipients: Jonathan Adcock, Micah Bradbury, Kirsten Donnelly, Amora Guy, Tianna Hubbard, Ashley Keith, Derrick Marr, Brenda Martin, Amber Montgomery, Crystal Morrison, Hilary Reid, Claire Ruth, Dana Storey, Evan Vermillion, and Nicole Williams. 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Dr. Dyer provided an overview of the policy changes; these updates are due to new state laws and statutes. 
 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Steve Morgan reported that the Site Committee discussed the options from the engineers on the CHS chiller and cooling tower. The Site Committee recommended option 3 which is a newer and quieter option. Hal Taylor reported that the temporary chiller was removed on October 29th since the temperatures were expected to be lower than 70 degrees. He expects to have time to bid the chiller and get it installed prior to the warmer weather in spring.

Motion to recommend Option 3 adding an alternate bid for the West Wing cooling tower passed with a motion from the Site Committee. 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Kelly Kiser provided an overview of the LEANfrog Compensation Study; this included information on the work completed, positions reviewed, market findings, and peer comparisons. The general study recommendations are:
Develop graded schedules that group positions by similar levels of responsibility, internal value, and market value.
Develop ranges for each schedule that are more aligned with market values.
Raise starting rates of schedules where current rates are less than 90% of market. 
Kelly Kiser reviewed specific recommendations on salary schedules and supplements. Board asked questions for clarification. Dr. Dyer stated that this document will be used during strategic planning. 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Hayes Martin provided an update:
The Fall athletic season wrapped up. Senior night was this past weekend, and the football team won on a last second field goal.
Boys cross country team placed 2nd in the region and competed in the State Tournament.
Girls golf placed 7th in the State.
The Volleyball team placed 5th in the State Tournament.
German exchange students have been with us for a couple of weeks. It is always great for the students to meet each other.
The band and colorguard won overall grand champions on all four competitions that they attended this year. The last competition is this weekend. 
The Class Play-Offs started. These are directed by seniors; performances will be in mid-November.
JROTC won 3rd place in a competition; this is impressive for the first year of competition. 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  David Stone provided an update on the Special Education program:
We are serving 818 students identified with a disability. This is 13% of the total population. 
The total budget is $5,769,056.
The extended resource program was restructured this year. Last year 46 out of 55 students left their home school for instruction. This year there are only 6 students attending a program outside their home school. 
Mayfield Elementary school has a new assistant since the program is growing.
Program was awarded 3 grants: IDEA discretionary for behavior support specialist $77,985.90; IDEA preschool discretionary $25,943; Sunrise Rotary Sensory Room at Ross $10,000. Total: $113, 928.90
Challenges for the program include finding another speech and language pathologist. 
Board members asked questions and thanked Mr. Stone for his hard work.

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Paul Ramsey provided an update on the Energy Management Program. Over the past 10 years, we have saved $6.2 million in cost avoidance. He complimented the Board on the geothermal decisions; these schools consistently perform better. Cost avoidance was down in part due to ESG contract improvements. We are paying less than we did 10 years ago thanks to our staff and administrators. 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Kelly Kiser and Doug Moore reported that the subcommittees are working now; the Steering Committee will begin looking into specific strategies in November. 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Dawn Robinson asked Board members if they had any comments or concerns about the TSBA resolutions that will be voted on at the convention.
Please let Andrea know if you want to attend the TSBA Legislative Conference in February. Board members discussed inviting legislators to lunch. 

Mrs. Robinson adjourned by general consent.