February 11, 2019 at 5:30 PM - Jackson-Madison County School Board Combine Meeting

Discussion: 

Kevin Alexander wanted the Education Capital Fund #177 removed from the Consent Agenda and put under #9, item removed from Consent Agenda.  Morris Merriweather made a motion and James Johnson seconded the motion.  The motion was unanimously approved.  

Wayne Arnold made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda after the removal of Education Capital Fund.  Shannon Stewart seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously approved.

Discussion:  The School Board was aware and all were fine with the addition of Surplus Property to be added under Action Items.

Discussion: 

Arlene Pugh has a student at North Parkway Middle School and is concerned about bullying at the school.  Ms. Pugh would like for the Board to review the situation and find ways to help with bullying.  

Shiela Godwin spoke concerning the pay for Substitute Teachers.  Ms. Godwin would like for Substitute Teachers to have a pay increase and to be trained better to help students with their subjects.  

Discussion:  There were no appearances before the Board.

Discussion:  Earlene Price, JMCEA President spoke to the Board thanked everyone that has been supporting the Teachers and students in the system.  Ms. Price stated that she hopes everyone will continue to work together for Teachers and Students.

Discussion: 

Mike Nichols will be retiring from the Finance Department at the end of June 2019.  Mr. Nichols read the Budget Amendments to the Board.  Homework Diner, (new money) is at no cost to the Jackson-Madison County School System.  Dr. Eric Jones and Ray Washington answered questions concerning Budget #5, Education Capital Fund #177 the was removed from Consent Agenda and moved to line item #9. 

James Johnson, Chairman of the Budget Committee would like for more discussion concerning the Education Capital Fund at the Budget Committee meeting on February 21, 2019.  

Discussion:  Holly Kellar reviewed the General Purpose with the School Board.  Mrs. Kellar stated that the Revenues are finished around the 10th of a month and they were not ready for the Board at this time.

Discussion:  The Board will need to approve the following Impartial Hearing Officers; Bill Barron, Christopher Hayden, Thomas Minor, Valerie Speakman, Jonathon Steen, Jennifer Craig, Michael Hill and Craig Kennedy.  

Discussion: 

Janice Hampton, Chair of the Policy Committee began the review of policies from the meeting with policy 1.101 Role of Board of Education. Ms. Hampton stated that there would be no changes to this policy at this time.  

Ray Washington mentioned that their would be some revisions at a later date to the following policies; 1.407 School District Records (form is included), 3.300 Equipment and Supplies Management, 3.403 Traffic and Parking Controls and 3.404 Private Vehicles.  

Vivian Williams mentioned that policy 5.602 Staff Time Schedules would need to be reviewed or revised if the start times for schools were changed. Mrs. Williams mentioned field Trips/Excursions/Competitions policy 4.302, updated wording and issue date to the policy.

Jared Myracle spoke on policy 4.600 Grading System for the following changes; word Duel needs to be changed to Dual, percentage points will replace quality points.  Mr. Myracle stated that on policy 4.603 Promotion and Retention, updating wording used in years past to fit what is used today while grading schedules and retention.

Vivian Williams mentioned with policy 6.203 School Admissions was reviewed and only the issued date would be needed to be updated.

Jared Myracle stated that they will use TSBA wording at the end the policy 6.208 Release During School Hours.

Vivian Williams stated that the policy 6.402 Physical Examinations and Immunizations was reviewed and the issued date would need to be updated.

Tiffany Green mentioned with policy 5.603 Staff Meetings that the wording of 48 hours notice would need to be deleted and give Principals flexibility to call meetings with staff.

Janice Hampton stated that the policy 3.601 Student Insurance Program would be deleted since students do not have insurance.

After the February Combined meeting, it was mentioned to Vivian Williams, Chief of Students Support/Improvement and Janith Stack, Board Secretary, that the motion was incorrectly stated by Janice Hampton for approval of policies.  Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Stack listened to the recording and confirmed that the motion was incorrectly stated by Ms. Hampton.  The Policy Committee will bring these policies revisions back to the School Board for approval in March.

Discussion:  Ray Washington stated that Jackson Central Merry has been a holding place for all furniture and items not being used by the system.  These items have been left after Teachers an Staff have picked up items to be used.  Mr. Washington will be scheduling an Auction to sell these items and will notify the Board when the date is scheduled.   

Discussion:  Wayne Arnold gave an update concerning the Technology Committee meeting.  The Committee learned that the process of replacing technology will be starting and that the Technology Department will be getting quotes.

Discussion: 

Morris Merriweather gave an update from the Long Range Planning Committee concerning having the later start times for schools.  Further discussion will continue among the Board and Dr. Jones after more information has been given.  

The Long Range Planning Committee was to of made a recommendation from the committee minutes to the Board as follows; Doris Black will recommend to the school Board a motion of approval for an additional $30,000.00 to secure the K-8 land for another six months.  James Johnson seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously approved by the Long Range Planning Committee.

Morris Merriweather, Chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee, read a written recommendation from the Committee stating; The second recommendation that I bring to the board as a courtesy to Dr. Jones is his request that the Board approves $30,000.00 to extend the option an additional six months fro the the property on Ashport road.  If we fail to purchase later, we lost this $30,000.00 and the $10,000.00 we paid earlier for a total loss of $40,000.00.  I make this in a motion to the board.

Kevin Alexander, Chairman of the Board, is making a motion to the School Board to table the recommendation with extending the option of land for a K-8 school from Morris Merriweather and the Long Range Planning Committee.  Mr. Alexander stated he would like to see a high school being built on the same land.  Doris Black seconded the motion and there was not to be discussion concerning the motion.  The results from motion to table the recommendation with a roll call; 4-Yes, 4-No, 1-abstained

Wayne Arnold - No, Doris Black - Yes, Jim Campbell - No, Janice Hampton - abstained, James Johnson - Yes, AJ Massey - No, Morris Merriweather - Yes, Shannon Stewart - No and Kevin Alexander - Yes

Kevin Alexander mentioned that they would go back to the recommendation given by Morris Merriweather.  Mr. Merriweather read the written second motion again for the Board.  

Morris Merriweather, Chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee, read a written recommendation from the Committee stating; The second recommendation that I bring to the board as a courtesy to Dr. Jones is his request that the Board approves $30,000.00 to extend the option an additional six months fro the the property on Ashport road.  If we fail to purchase later, we lost this $30,000.00 and the $10,000.00 we paid earlier for a total loss of $40,000.00.  I make this in a motion to the board.

Kevin Alexander motioned to table the recommendation with the timeline of March 14, 2019 and Morris Merriweather seconded the motion.  The results from motion to table the recommendation with a roll call; 5-Yes, 4-No

Wayne Arnold - No, Doris Black - Yes, Jim Campbell - No, Janice Hampton - Yes, James Johnson - Yes, AJ Massey - No, Morris Merriweather - Yes, Shannon Stewart - No and Kevin Alexander - Yes

Kevin Alexander motion to table the extension until March 14, 2019, passed. 

Discussion:  Dr. Eric Jones mentioned that the Education Foundation Committee met and had a phone conference with a member from the Clarksville County Education Foundation committee.  Mr. Jones stated that the Committee is considering Scholarships be given to the Teacher Assistants and Teachers to further their education with teaching.

Discussion: 

James Johnson reviewed the discussion from the meeting with Senator Ed Jackson, Representatives Johnny Shaw and Chris Todd.  

James Johnson, Janice Hampton, Doris Black and Shannon Stewart will be attending Day on the Hill February 18th and 19th.

Discussion:  James Johnson, Chairman of the Budget Committee, mentioned that the Committee will be reviewing the budget items at the meeting.

Discussion:  Kevin Alexander mentioned that the item removed from the Consent Agenda, budget amendment #5, Education Capital Fund #177 will be discussed and voted on at this time.  

Discussion:  Jared Myracle presented an Academic Update power point for the School Board Members.  The following items were discussed in the power point; ELA Curriculum Implementation, Closer Look at K-2, Changing Activity and Percent Above Average/Well Above Average.  

Discussion:  There were no questions unrelated to Board agenda items for the Superintendent.

Discussion:  The School Board and Dr. Eric Jones will schedule a meeting to further discuss the JMCSS Strategic Plan 2019-2014.  The Strategic Plan is required by the State of Tennessee to be in place for the school system.  

Discussion:  The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 pm.