January 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:   In attendance:  Dr. Trey Duke, Sheri Arnette, Jaci Saunders, Lisa Trail, Maria Johnson, Don Bartch, Daniel Owens, Ken Rocha, Jenny Ortiz, Angela Fairchild, and Dr. Liz Rueby

Assistant City Attorney Lauren Bush and City Liaison Bill Shacklett, 

Discussion:  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jenny Ortiz, principal at Overall Creek and Dr. Liz Rueby, principal at Reeves Rogers Elementary. 

Discussion: 
 

Discussion: 

Ken Rocha presented the Period 4 enrollment report to the Board, including information on pupil-teacher ratio (PTR).

Dr. Duke noted that the current PTR is 18.34 and asked the Board to keep this in mind as the district enters the budget planning process.

Discussion: 

Ken Rocha and Dr. Duke reviewed enrollment projections with the Board, including current enrollment, projected enrollment, and program placements for the 2026-2027 school year.

Dr. Duke informed the Board that the General Assembly entered session today and noted there may be an increase in the number of vouchers next year.

Chair Amanda Moore asked about kindergarten enrollment projections and when those numbers would be available. Dr. Duke stated that final projections would not be known until May. Mr. Rocha added that some kindergarten numbers would be available in April, followed by an additional registration push in May. Chair Moore asked whether there had been any correlation to the anticipated increase in kindergarten enrollment. Dr. Duke reported that the district has received a higher number of Discovery School applications than in previous years, with 220 applications received to date for only 60 available seats.

Dr. Duke stated that Mr. Rocha’s PowerPoint and graphs reflect projected growth based on Period 4 enrollment. He explained that the district is required to post open seats for 30 days and that in past years, lotteries were conducted when applications exceeded available seats. He noted that the district is operating in an era of school choice and, after considering this, currently has no fully closed-zone schools.

Mr. Rocha reviewed the open seats available by school and grade and explained that the list would be presented for Board approval at the February 10th meeting.

Board member David Settles expressed a desire to see increased enrollment at Bradley Academy, noting that it is a choice school for the arts and a high-achieving program. Board member Jeanette Price asked how families are informed that Bradley is an arts-integrated school and how that message is being promoted. Lisa Trail stated that the district continues to emphasize Bradley’s arts-integrated focus and will continue promotional efforts. Board member Barbara Long asked whether the school’s marquee could be updated to better promote the arts. Ms. Trail noted that approximately 50 percent of Bradley’s enrollment is parent choice. Dr. Duke added that 131 students currently attend Bradley on zone waivers.

Dr. Duke stated that his primary focus in the coming weeks would be addressing open seats, zone waivers, and continuing to embrace school choice.

Dr. Duke outlined next steps, noting that Period 5 ends January 29th, updated enrollment information would be available in early February, and the Board would vote on February 10th. He explained that the district would then meet the two-week legal requirement for the open enrollment period and process nearly 1,000 zone waivers, the majority of which are for children of staff members. He clarified that zone waivers are approved only within the city and that the district does not recruit students outside city limits.

Dr. Duke discussed plans for sixth-grade placements for the 2026-2027 school year. He stated that while six grade is currently offered at nine schools, he would recommend reducing that number to seven schools. He invited Board members to review placement recommendations included in their packets and shared current sixth-grade teacher counts and PTRs. He emphasized the importance of providing sixth graders with the best possible experience and noted challenges in staffing self-contained sixth-grade classrooms. He also explained that consolidating sixth grade would create additional space for other grades.

Board member Barbara Long commented that maintaining very low PTRs in sixth grade is not financially sustainable and may not be healthy for students. Dr. Duke also expressed concern about ensuring parents receive advance notice of any changes.

The Board discussed Discovery School. Dr. Bullard and Dr. Duke proposed that the current fifth-grade cohort returning for sixth grade next year would be the final sixth-grade class at Discovery. They explained that eliminating sixth grade would allow the addition of a fourth third-grade classroom, followed by a fourth fourth-grade classroom the following year, increasing overall capacity at Discovery. Dr. Bullard and Dr. Duke wanted to be sure that parents be given at least one year’s notice of this potential change. It was noted that 11 applications for sixth grade at Discovery have already been received for next year; the sixth grade would remain one self-contained class if continued.

Dr. Duke reiterated that the discussion was informational only and that no decisions were being made at this meeting. He asked the Board to consider whether to continue offering sixth grade at Discovery with low enrollment or transition to a K-5 model to increase seats in other grades.

Chair Amanda Moore stated that she sees the merit in the proposal but emphasized the importance of providing parents with advance notice. Dr. Duke also asked the Board to consider whether a minimum enrollment threshold should be established if the issue is revisited later in the year.

Chair Moore requested that sixth grade at Discovery be brought back for further discussion in May.

Dr. Duke also noted that recent licensure changes moved from a 1-8 license to a K-5 license, meaning teachers licensed to teach sixth grade may only teach that grade.

Dr. Duke concluded by stating that at the February 10th meeting, the Board will vote on open-zone seats, Pre-K placements, and sixth-grade placements, with parent communication to begin on February 11th.

Discussion: 

Don Bartch presented an update on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), including the option of exploring solar energy initiatives as a potential cost-saving measure.

Vice Chair Butch Campbell inquired about obtaining pricing to add a parking lot at the former playground site at Mitchell-Neilson Elementary School. Mr. Bartch stated that he would look into the cost. Dr. Duke noted that this option had been discussed previously but was not advanced due to other projects taking priority; however, he stated that he would be willing to revisit including it in the plan.

 

Discussion: 

Dr. Duke provided a brief budget update and informed the Board that he is currently working on the district’s budget. He stated that as the district approaches budget meetings, he would like to meet individually with each Board member prior to the April meetings.

Dr. Duke reported that he met with city officials earlier in the day to discuss fluctuating enrollment. He noted that the district is down 309 students, a trend consistent across the state, and explained that as a K-5 district, MCS is not balanced by middle or high school enrollment. He stated that the loss of 309 students in TISA base funding equates to approximately $2.2 million. He reminded the Board that funding for the upcoming year is based on the current year’s enrollment.

Dr. Duke further explained that over the past four years, a total of 21 pennies have been shifted, and assuming no property growth, the district has lost approximately $9.9 million during that period. He noted that sales tax revenue has helped offset some of this loss and discussed the district’s fund balance. He stated that the district’s goal is to maintain a fund balance of no less than 10 percent and that the district is no longer able to rely on the fund balance to the extent it has in previous years.

Dr. Duke stated that the district will need to closely monitor sales tax revenue and align expenditures with available revenue. He noted that sales tax trends are currently increasing.

Dr. Duke shared that he has not yet met with the Teacher Advisory Council or principals to gather feedback but outlined several budget priorities, including cost-of-living considerations, moving calm coaches to the general purpose fund, extending classified staff step increases beyond nine years, and implementing a new student information system. He stated that the district must balance doing as much as possible while remaining competitive.

Board member Jimmy Richardson stated that he would begin to have concerns if the fund balance reaches 15 percent.

Dr. Duke informed the Board that department heads have been instructed not to request new expenditures unless required by the state. He reminded the Board that approximately 86 percent of the district’s budget is personnel-related. He stated that the district will not be hiring additional staff while maintaining a 1:20 student-teacher ratio.

Dr. Duke stated that the district will sharpen its focus on initiatives with the greatest impact and emphasized that every budget decision directly affects the student experience.

Board member Karen Dodd thanked Dr. Duke for his transparency and stated that the Board was aware these challenges were coming and should not be surprised.

 

 

 

 

Discussion: 

In closing, Dr. Duke shared the mandated gun safety video with the Board and stated that all three gun safety videos would be sent to the Board for review. He noted that the K-2 video was shown during the meeting.

Dr. Duke stated that students will not be permitted to opt out of viewing the video. He also informed the Board that all safety videos will be sent to parents the week prior to Safety Week, which will take place during the last week of January.

Discussion: 

Chair Amanda Moore distributed tickets to the Frist Art Museum exhibition featuring student artwork. She noted that Ms. Potter, art teacher at Hobgood Elementary School, had sent the tickets to each Board member.

Board member Barbara Long informed the Board that the City Schools Foundation Excellence in Education Gala will be held on March 20 at Maca Villa in Lascassas and that Martha Touchton will be honored.

Mr. Shacklett invited the Board to attend the Legacy Recognition event honoring former city employees, to be held at 4:00 p.m. on January 22 in the City Hall Rotunda.