October 20, 2016 at 4:00 PM - Bradley County Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Ted Bryson led the group in the pledge.

Discussion:  No one signed up to address the board.

Discussion: 

Dr. Cash asked Ron Spangler to give an update on the progress made with the track field.  He reported that he talked to the track coach at Lee University.  Lee has narrowed it down to one company to develop a plan for the track.  The plan for use of the track will be developed by Lee and Ocoee Middle School. 

 

 

Discussion:  Candice Natola, from United Way came to present a check to Bradley County Schools for READ 20.   

Discussion: 

Mrs. Newman gave the Board an update on READ 20 since it's kick off on January 14, 2016.  She told them that great strides have been made in this short amount of time.  She also gave the Board some background as to why READ 20 is so important. The GOAL for Bradley County Schools is to have 90% of students reading proficiently by the end of their third grade year. 

 

Discussion:   

Discussion:  Previous Boards have achieved the TSBA Board of Distinction for 2013-2015 and 2015-2017.  Mrs. Beaty explained the steps to becoming a Board of Distinction.  Chairman Dillard asked Mrs. Beaty if she would head up the process for this Board.

Discussion:  Jerry Frazier talked to the Board about only having work sessions if they are needed.  He said that Mrs. Beaty suggested leaving the dates on every ones calendar.  Then the executive committee would decide if it is needed and let everyone know.  There are times when a work session is very productive, Mrs. Beaty told them.  If there is something that is being considered, it gives the Board time to talk in more depth and hear others opinions on the subject.  Amanda Lee asked that if the change is made, please not put new items on the agenda without giving us enough time to get prepared for a vote. 

Discussion: 

The Business Office provides reports to the Board each month.  Due to a change in software the reports are able to be created quicker and easier now.  Susan Willcutt explained to the Board that the proposed report is a much more detailed report.  The Board agreed that the new report would give them what they are looking for and it will be a good change for everyone.   

Discussion: 

Mrs. Calfee asked that the extension of Dr. Cash's contract be put on the agenda for discussion.  She said that the previous board had discussed this several times since her evaluation.  Due to elections and the laws around them, it was not able to be voted on.  The 45 days are up so it could be voted on now.  We need a timeline so I want to open this up for discussion.  She also added that she is an excellent Director and we want to keep her in Bradley County. 

 

Chairman Dillard opened the floor for Dr. Cash to make a statement.  Dr. Cash told them that she greatly respects this board for the full support they always give her.  She would like to request this item be moved to 2nd semester for discussion.  This will give me time to work with the new Board members.  We will be together at TSBA and have great conversation and hopefully, in January have a Board retreat.  We have moved very quickly in a positive direction and this will allow us to all be on the same page.  I think it is in the best interest as a school system and of this School Board to put this off until 2nd semester. 

Mrs. Beaty said that if this is her pleasure she thinks the Board should honor her request but I would hope we will not draw this out to long. Nancy Casson told the Board that she appreciates Dr. Cash bringing this up.  I do think the new Board members need a little more time to look over all the paperwork. 

 

In January, at the retreat, the Board could look at the current evaluation we did and then look at some other evaluation tools and decide what evaluation tool we want to use.  We can look at doing an evaluation sometime in the Spring and then discuss the extension Chairman Dillard told them.

 

Mr. Fraizer added that he wanted to support the extension of her contract but he hasn’t seen the contract. He doesn't know what is in it. He wants more time with Dr. Cash and to see the contract and evaluation.

 

Amanda Lee's concern is that it will take some time to work through the new contract. Mrs. Lee made a motion to have a draft contract for the Board in February and vote on it in April.  It was seconded by Dianna Calfee. Ted Bryson made a substitute motion.  The motion is to wait until later and not vote any earlier than May. Jerry Frazier seconded the motion. Mr. Bryson later changed the motion to "delay voting on a contract until April".  It was again seconded by Mr. Frazier.

 

Chairman Dillard said that he and Dr. Cash would like to be allowed to discuss what would be in the contract.  He does think for the sake of the new Board, an evaluation needs to be a part of the contract discussion.  Mrs. Calfee asked Mr. Dillard if he is planning to evaluation Dr. Cash again before the extension of her contract.  Mr. Dillard told her yes, that it was the typical procedure. 

 

Mrs. Beaty brought up the fact that there is a state law that if the Director has only one year left on their contract, the Board needs to make some type of movement or the Director is put on notice. Chairman Dillard told them that June 30, 2017, is that date.

Chairman Dillard made the following statement:

 

It was brought to my attention this week that there was some misinformation in the public on Dr. Cash’s contract.  Her current contract is good through June 1, 2018.   When she was hired last June it was a 3 year contract.   The discussion lately has been do we bring up a vote for an extension. Just as it wasn’t fair to the 3 out-going board members I think it is equally unfair that we do that to the 3 new board members. And that is really what tonight’s discussion was about.   I can tell you that our board supports Dr. Cash 100%.  We feel she has done a great job in her first year, and, currently is moving us forward in the right direction we all feel.  I haven’t heard anyone say anything different. I want the entire school system and public to know that Dr. Cash has our complete support and her contract is good through June 30, 2018.

 

Dr. Cash thanked the Board for the discussion and support.   

 

 

 

Discussion:  We do not have a current policy 3.219.  It is recommended we adopt the sample policy from TSBA.