Public Meeting Minutes: November 23, 2020 at 5:00 PM - Called Meeting

I. CALL TO ORDER

Discussion: Mr. Day called the meeting to order.

The Board discussed funding to put back a health science teacher at Daniel Boone High.

Chad Fleenor asked if this would bring back the industry certifications that were lost. CTE Director Crystal Fink said that it would with the right hire.

Dr. Jarrod Adams explained the CTE bids approved at a previous meeting needed to be revisited. He continued notification had been received that Baldwin, who had been awarded the bid, was not permitted to service Tennessee. He continued that Kentech had the next bid and would match the bid amount submitted by Baldwin.

Dr. Adams presented research on propane vs. diesel buses and fuel comparison.

Mr. Fleenor asked how many buses would be purchased. Dr. Adams answered six.

Dr. Flanary presented the COVID numbers from the day that reflected Northeast Tennessee remaining in the "red." snapshot of earlier today.

Ms. Buchanan asked for Kelly Wagner's professional opinion of returning to school.

Ms. Wagner said the numbers are increasing and foresees numbers not plateauing or declining until a vaccine is approved and administered in the community.

Mr. Fleenor made a motion to remain virtual through January 8th and the Board to reconvene Monday, January 4th to see what numbers look like. This allowing one week after Christmas Break. Ms. Dellinger seconded the motion.

Ms. Buchanan expressed the need to get PreK-3 students back in school, physical plan. She continued to obtain barriers for the classrooms. She said they are affordable and would allow for students to be able to return to the classrooms - It is time to make a plan to get them back in.

Ms. Dellinger reiterated Prek-3 are the students missing out the most.

Mr. Hammond said it is hard to teach PreK through 3 to read by remote learning and need to also think about High School labs and 7-8 academic labs as well.

Student Board Member Caleb Anderson shared he had sent a survey to all Daniel Boone High students, he said 488 responses had been received and from 75% want to return to school. He continued with concerns with back to school and virtual:

Virtual Concerns: No access to internet; CTE/Electives - loss of opportunity online; Assigning more work than in-person; Missing personal connection - especially young kids; Mental health; Domestic violence; Child abuse

In-person Concerns: COVID; Sports jeopardized

Mr. Ervin said kids need to get back in school. Let’s get them back in there for a couple of weeks after Christmas and see where we are at. CTE kids are doing nothing.

Mr. Hammond asked for clarification on families not having access to the internet?

Dr. Flanary said hotspots had been distributed, but in some cases the hotspots do not help because of being in remote areas.

Mr. Hammond asked if the board could help with monetary needs.

Dr. Flanary said the system has non-connected families down to 3%.

Mr. Hammond asked if there was a way to bring those children (3%) in.

Dr. Flanary said another help is there are places where those families (parking lots) have wireless access.

System grantwriter, Twana McKinney, said it may be possible to use the Kajet hotspots to fill the gap with Daniel Boone High students who say they do not have internet access. She continued only 100 more kajets were needed to get every family connected.

Mr. Masters said students are looking for consistency. He continued it is a real concern with what Mrs. Wagner said - numbers aren’t coming down until vaccines.

The motion carried.

Mr. Masters asked Director Flanary a update on Santiclean program.

Director Flanary said the consideration is on the December 1 workshop. He said there are three bids. He added it is a costly process, but doable.

Mr. Fleenor said some schools can occupy more people in regards to the two ticket allowance to middle school athletic events.

Mr. Hammond made a motion for Dr. Flanary and his staff to work with principals (7th grade and up) to allow labs in a safe and healthy way in science or any other class that requires labs. Chad Fleenor seconded the motion.

Ms. Buchanan said it was her understanding that principals created consistency with middle school athletics. She said it would create chaos if some schools allow more to attend events.

Mr. Masters said there was reference in the newspaper to an Assistant Athletic Director at David Crockett High. Mr. Masters asked Dr. Flanary to follow up as to there being an assistant.

Ms. Buchanan asked for Dr. Flanary to look into barriers for PreK-3 in order to get them 100% back in school.

Mr. Riddle said the system needs quicker action than waiting on approval of the energy savings contract to install the Ionizer systems for HVAC in schools to mitigate the environment and HEPA filters.

Ms. Dellinger asked if there were extra funds from the Cares Act.

Dr. Flanary said there was no extra funds.

The meeting was adjourned.

Action(s):

Motion 1 carried:

Mike Masters moved to transfer $65,000 from the general education teacher appropriation line to the career and technical education teacher appropriation line to hire a health science teacher for Daniel Boone High. David Hammond seconded the motion which carried on roll call vote:

Mike Masters: yes
Whitney Riddle: yes
Keith Ervin: yes
Annette Buchanan: yes
Jason Day: yes
Mary Beth Dellinger: yes
Chad Fleenor: yes
David Hammond: yes
Mitch Meredith: yes

Motion 2 carried:

Chad Fleenor made a motion to accept Kentech Machinery, Inc.'s bid of $88,615 for the purchase of five lathes and two vertical milling machines. Mary Beth Dellinger seconded the motion which carried on roll call vote:

Mike Masters: yes
Whitney Riddle: yes
Keith Ervin: yes
Annette Buchanan: yes
Jason Day: yes
Mary Beth Dellinger: yes
Chad Fleenor: yes
David Hammond: yes
Mitch Meredith: yes

Motion 3 carried:

Chad Fleenor moved to purchase six propane buses from Cumberland. David Hammond seconded the motion which carried on roll call vote:

Mike Masters: yes
Whitney Riddle: yes
Keith Ervin: no
Annette Buchanan: yes
Jason Day: yes
Mary Beth Dellinger: yes
Chad Fleenor: yes
David Hammond: yes
Mitch Meredith: yes

Motion 4 carried:

Chad Fleenor moved to remain virtual through January 8th and the Board to reconvene Monday, January 4th to see what numbers look like. Mary Beth Dellinger seconded the motion which carried on roll call vote:

Mike Masters: no
Whitney Riddle: yes
Keith Ervin: no
Annette Buchanan: yes
Jason Day: yes
Mary Beth Dellinger: yes
Chad Fleenor: yes
David Hammond: yes
Mitch Meredith: yes

Motion 5 carried:

David Hammond moved for Dr. Flanary and his staff to work with principals (7th grade and up) to allow labs in a safe and healthy way in science or any other class that requires labs. Chad Fleenor seconded the motion which carried on roll call vote:

Mike Masters: yes
Whitney Riddle: yes
Keith Ervin: yes
Annette Buchanan: yes
Jason Day: yes
Mary Beth Dellinger: yes
Chad Fleenor: yes
David Hammond: yes
Mitch Meredith: yes

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

II. CTE POSITION

III. REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF CTE BIDS

IV. REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF PROPANE BUS BIDS

IV.A. Propane Bus Analysis

Attachments: (3)

V. REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF SCHOOL OPERATING STATUS

VI. ADJOURNMENT

November 23, 2020 at 5:00 PM - Called Meeting

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