001All right, I would like to call the um July 10th uh work session for the Wild County Board of Education to order. Appreciate everyone being here. Uh appreciate staff being here and you guys summer's afternoon and um so we will go through our uh for for tonight's meeting. Um we will a few policies that be coming through for second reading. uh this evening. Uh some of those are June recommendations uh from PS TSBA uh covered legislative updates that uh passed the last legislative session and then we have a couple of other uh items policies for coming up on second reading. So we'll as board members thanks review these policies. So, uh start with our agenda and uh is there any any items any corrections that need to be made for our excuse me not agenda
002meeting board meeting minutes from and work session meeting minutes from last month. Okay. If not, we'll uh we'll move on to uh budget amendments and transfers. Uh we have uh budget amendments that we need to consider tonight. Uh some Perkins grant monies and also um yeah, both of those related to Perkins grants. So, uh Mr. D, would you like to just update us on that? Sorry about that. We were checking on the uh audio. I think we're okay. Um we have a couple budget amendments for you. Uh one is CTE Perkins uh basic grant um in the amount of $86,852. And then there is the Perkins Reserve Grant, which is an additional grant we apply for each year. Uh we're successful in getting again thanks to the work of uh Mr. Lane Ward and his
003staff another $50,000 of income for our CTE programs. And those are the budget amendments for July. So these are new monies that came in that were outside of our budget that we passed uh last month. They are um we we expect to receive those each year. We can't guarantee the Perkins Reserve. We don't get that every year, but we get it most years. Uh but they were expected uh and received. Okay. Mr. Chair, Mr. I do have a question on that. So with those um expected monies, we we budgeted that money in in with that and with this grant coming in that will lower our budget um number that we were over budget as of right now. Right. Yes. So these are this is a good example of how we overestimate our expenditures and underestimate
004our revenues and then the revenues come in and we're able to supplement some of those expenditures. So, uh, you can see there's there's salaries in here for, uh, for some sal excuse me, some monies in there for salaries, uh, for substitutes, uh, for, um, software and many other things. So, it'll take the pressure off of the the scheduled budget, uh, the approved budget and, uh, provide some extra funding at the end of the year. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Any other questions, comments regarding the um uh budget amendments? And like like you said, thanks to all those uh who are working diligently writing grants to help find this supplemental income. All right. Then um next we'll get into um policy. And as I as I mentioned, uh there were there's several policies that uh coming up
005for for second reading tonight. Those were uh TSBA TSBA recommendations as I mentioned based on u uh legislation that that passed uh maybe also some other cleanups. Um, so we can uh we can address these how however you would you would like. We can take uh go through and and look at each one and see if uh there's any questions or comments on each of those. If you have specific policies that you want to uh you'd like to look at, we can do that as well. So uh if you guys just give me some guidance on that, then we'll uh m Mr. are are you talking about the June policy updates that were a separate folder? Yes, sir. The ones that were it's uh 0C 06CI the June policy updates. Okay. I did have one
006question on um and it may be jumping around a little bit, but there was there was one I was looking at um the Interscolastic Athletics uh 4301 um down in the virtual schools. You know, we're talking about all the stuff that's highlighted. Um virtual school students, if I'm not mistaken, have to play sports if they're they have to play in the county that they're designed for. if I'm reading that correctly. So, do we have students in White County now who are a virtual school student who could play middle school or high school athletic intercolastic athletics? I don't think so. To my knowledge, I don't think we have any virtual school. Um well, there well I take that back. We could have some pen foster students that considered virtual school um students that are but I
007think they're technically considered home school. So, uh, this is a little different in the sense that virtual you could be attending a school in West Tennessee, right? And then be in our jurisdiction for athletics. So, this I think is just differentiating then between the above paragraph, which was homeschool students and actual virtual school students. Okay, that was that that answered my question. Thank you. So, u good question, Mr. McDonald, and appreciate you bringing that up. Let's uh let's just let's try to do this. I think we we should have enough time to to go through this. Um so uh I'm going to start top uh 1407 uh school district records. Uh is there any questions or comments on that policy? This is not a new policy. It's an updated policy. Uh did notice there and
008Mr. D if you could clarify um one of the changes there is designated the uh mentions the U school board secretary um we rely a lot on the central office to help us with those uh with with those responsibilities. Could you just share with us how that's being handled right now? So, we are super thankful to have Miss Kim Sims here and taking our notes tonight and she does a lot of things for us behind the scenes and helps us out quite a bit. Technically with the Tennessee School Boards Association, Linda Ally is listed as the schoolboard secretary. Um, and that just comes down to when legally things come through that have to be filed, someone's name is on there. And so that Miss Allie's name was on those things before Miss Sims joined us.
009And so we've just left it that way. But in this case um as it pertains to um student records or district records, the process is is that someone would notify our office then the director of schools and I don't always physically pull those records. I'll go to Miss Ally and she'll head she'll head that up and she'll get other folks to help and then I submit those records uh or will remit those records as requested. So um that's really uh the the issue there is just marking who is who in that process. Um so the requests come to the office of director of schools but I have other folks that designate in this case the board secretary that helps uh gather those records for me. Okay. Thank you for that clarification. Any other comments on
0101407? Um the next uh next two policies regarding u uh charter schools 1901 1903 um the uh updates on that as I saw were uh regarding the reporting responsibilities. Um and then also on the monitoring side, if there was charter school in uh in our district that uh the board would have some monitoring and reporting oversight on uh on those those on a charter school. We don't have that uh now, but we do have policy in place uh it's compliant in the event that did happen. Yeah, correct me if I'm wrong, but Charter schools have to be approved by this board before they can be um deemed a charter school in our district. That is almost correct. Um there is there is a charter organization at the state level that can supersede the board in
011some cases. Uh but in most normal cases if if procedures are followed that uh the school the local school board approves those. On most cases, the state board doesn't want to do anything. They want the local board to do it all if I'm not That's correct. mistaken. That's correct. But there is a charter school committee that uh that can override a local board if they feel the process has not been followed accordingly. Okay. Any other questions on 1901 1903? Okay. Then moving to uh 2403 uh surplus property sales. This provides this is specifically uh for equipment items purchased with federal federal dollars up for uh where there's no further obligation on the uh on the district uh to uh for reporting or or uh sharing of proceeds um from I think it's $5,000 up to
012$10,000. Questions on that? We'll move on to the next one. 2804. Um the uh request for reimbursements. Um that extended that another 30 days. So uh anyone requesting uh reimbursement for for expenses uh has an additional 30 days to uh to get that in. I I do want to say something right there and I think it's um good to note that this office and Chad's office has always been if you've ever noticed anytime you submit something as a reimbursement it's very very quick turnaround and I just want to you know say thank you to Chad and and whoever here in this office that does it if it's you miss Sims or Miss Ally or whoever it is but um super smooth I would like to see us think about going to a pdeium where it's,
013you know, it's figured the mileage from where from this office or whatever and and and paid straight out. Uh there's other school districts that do it and and I they they really like the fact that they don't have to keep up with receipts. They just, you know, it's paid whatever they're going to be. So, that might be something that might want to be thought about uh in the near future or, you know, whatever's coming up. So maybe Chad, you Mike can give us some ideas on that. Just hold it for a second. It'll come on. Yes. U Thank you. That that's actually in place starting July 1 was the prediums on that. So So we'll have that a new travel policy with pdeiums and stuff like that. So you don't have to keep So that
014So you don't have to keep up with receipt. You won't have to keep up with receipts anymore. And it did Did the monies change any at all? Oh, I mean, yes, it did because we were way way way behind the state averages on on travel and and all that. Yes. It's a percentage of of the It's not the full amount that the state is, but so it was a percentage. So, we're kind of we're we're more than we were, not quite like the state, but it is the same for damn stuff. So, that's uh that's good to know. Thank you. All right. Um, moving along, we had update to uh policy 3202, this emergency preparedness plan. Um, spoke about that about some of the uh changes regarding the uh file saf fire safety drills. Any
015questions on 32. All right, then we'll uh move on to uh 3204. was a section uh regarding threat assessment team as far as reporting. Uh so that was the update there. So uh for emergency preparedness and uh and reports providing uh information on credible threats and things of that nature um those uh we have a policy in place now of how we report those if uh if those are being requested. Couple other things pertaining to that. questions on 3204. Okay. Then U 4100 that's instructional programs. uh basically have a added a statement in their uh introductory statement in general just uh talking about uh board is uh not discriminatory uh based on uh several factors and uh that was uh specifically I think coming out of legislation making sure that we uh included anti- anti-immis
016part of that uh our non-discriminatory policy. Any questions on 40 10 4100. Okay. Then um if I'm not mistaken uh that would be a new policy virtual education. Confirm that Mr. T. Yes. So um there is now allowance for the school board uh for the schools to have virtual education days and so we had to have pro a policy on virtual education program and what that looks like. So uh we'll actually um work we'll be I am working with our technology department will be put forth and our schools and our principles to have a plan in the event that we need to use it for maybe an inclement weather day instead of using snow day per se. So, we have the option to use um some days for that and work on a plan to
017with our teacher the principles and then teachers will have to be prepared uh for what that'll actually look like for a virtual day for students to log in because not all of our students have Chromebooks. They do from 8th grade through 12th. Uh but we'll come up with what virtual programming looks like for our K7 students and uh then we'll be able to utilize those days in the event that we need them for for weather purposes. Thank you for that clarification. Any questions on our new virtual education policy as uh Mr. virtual school uh student participation in in in uh TWWSA or TMS doubleA uh pro athletic programs. Um any questions on the updates to policy 4301. All right. Then we'll uh file uh about uh our library uh collection that materials shall not be
018removed on the sole ground said it isn't a religious item. Any questions, comments on on that policy? Okay. Then uh excuse me 4406 um use of the internet of school internet. Uh there is some internet safety measures. Couple lines have been uh included there. Uh talking about uh access to uh to internet uh that's age appropriate. So, uh that we uh limit that access to to items that are a age appropriate. Um and then uh also for safety and protection and security of students when using internet uh electronic mail chat rooms and things of that that nature. Um and then uh preventing students uh from accessing u applications that uh uh don't protect students from disclosure use of uh disseminating their personal information. So some things there on uh regarding students and use of the
019internets and then uh language in there to prohibiting students from accessing social media platforms over the uh district's website except we're authorized by the teachers and then uh also u have some uh some language in there regarding district staff and uh with who has presence on social media uh networking websites uh And so, uh, covers some updates there covering both students and staff. Any questions on updates to policy 4406? How how closely monitored is our district staff um, as far as their presence during the workday um, on social media. Is are you asking about our staff? Yeah. Yeah. I'm I mean just I'm not saying monitored and and I don't I probably should have used a better choice of words, but um I guess you know Tik Tok and Instagram and Facebook and all that
020stuff. If folks are posting on that during the workday, I mean where who who sees that and when does that get brought to the attention that they're doing that during instruction time? Well, it's not I don't know if it's monitored by the district per se. Uh but we do get reports of that. It's punishable. Um you know it's by you know by whatever but means you know necessary. Um they shouldn't be doing that. It's it's in policy that they shouldn't be on and it shouldn't certainly shouldn't be posting by the day. I received a notification of that last year. So I'd encourage the public to let us know when that's happening and then we will address it accordingly. Uh but I've been clear to our as we look at at the uh more stringent rules
021for cell phones and uh devices for uh our students. I've been telling our principles and I will tell them again next week at our principal meeting that that goes for our instructors during our faculty and staff during instruction time as well. So um they can utilize those for instructional purposes, but they should not during instruction time be on their phones. And if it's what we're going to ask of our students, we need to certainly be modeling that as as educators as well. Kind of where I was going with that, you know, we're asking our students to um adhere to a policy and and I would hope that our our staff and our our instructors and our administrators from top to bottom would adhere to that as well. So, thank you for that. Right. Any other
022questions on 4406? All right, then we'll move on to uh 4601. That's reporting student progress. So, uh looks like we're doing away with the four and a half week u progress reporting going to um once every nine weeks. Correct. Well, this just requires that once every quarter that we include the u uh most recent um screener, universal screening report and dyslexia screener if it's if it's applicable during that time for students is being added to their uh progress report. So, we have to provide uh that that mon that update as well with their progress report at least once per quarter. Okay. If I'm not mistaken, this policy, the the old policy actually had uh progress reports provided every four and a half weeks. Yes, you're correct. This one says that at least every nine weeks.
023So, we can do it more than that, but this the the new wording uh in the legislation requires at least once a quarter. We can do it more, which we we do. All right. Any questions on uh 4601? Then next on 5100 uh personnel goals um board's personnel goals uh we dropped one and u speak to that no not really I I wanted I would to my recollection I think it had some sort of DEI reference and so it was that was taken away so that was reduced to this is what it was prior to well 2017. Okay. All right. Um questions on 5100. Then we go to 5110 uh compensation guides and contracts uh where we looks like we've added uh uh cruel leave and bene for beneficiaries in event of uh death. So
024they would uh their retirements uh would be compensated to their state. Then uh move on to uh several things on employment of of retirey retirees. Um seems like in the uh finding qualified uh qual qualified uh employees and when you you have uh teachers that retire and looks like it's opening up uh giving you a little bit more latitude on how you can address those. Yes. This really came out of COVID and the lack of uh certified teachers that we had and could find. And so the legislature was uh allowed they they made some changes and and the state board made some changes and so that we could rehire um some of the folks who had recently retired at least on like 100 20-day contracts. That was being abused a little bit from what I
025understand and some some districts were pre-arranging uh situations where people were go ahead and retire early and then they were coming right back and jumping right back in taking their that's not what it was intended to do. is really just to find hard when you had hard to staff positions you in a in a pinch you could bring some people back. So the comptor's office has really kind of uh crunched down on this. I know our HR department's spoken about this a few times. So this is just putting into clear language that there needs to be a true clear separation for these employees and then if you get in a position where you need to bring somebody back you can questions on 5119. Okay. Then um we uh have a update in 5305 to our
026family and medical leave policy uh specifically regarding maternity and paternity leave. Questions on that? Okay. If not, uh move down have update to uh uh 5,500 uh or discrimination, harassment of employees based on sexual, racial, ethnic or religious reasons. Um any uh any questions or comments on that policy? Don't have anything highlighted there. I'd have to go back and reference that. While you're looking at that, looking at that, uh, we'll circle on to the next one. uh 5701 um have a certification regarding our certification substitute teachers um extending the substitute for regular teachers been absent for 30 days that was 20 consecutive days. So u the u talks about teachers that'll be substituting for that that length of teachers that'll be out for that length of time. um extending that out where it would require
027a certified teacher to cover cover that them in that absence. Is that correct? Correct, Mr. Chairman. Right. Any other questions on on that? 5710. All right. And uh next we'll go to uh 6200. This is uh attendance for students. Um on the bottom um talked about u uh time release courses students participating in that. Um just making sure to have a uh uh background checks and those things for for those that are uh would be participating in the instructors that would be particip uh providing those those courses. um that would fall in suit with uh our hiring our policy for teachers in the district. Any questions on 6200? Okay. Then uh next is 6303. Um questioning students and searches. Uh there language that was added to this policy uh regarding searches by school principal and
028outlines procedures and and uh uh steps that uh conditions that would apply for a principal to initiate a search. Any questions on policy 6303? Just one quick question. And if a principal is not on campus at the time that a search is needed, is it assumed that his or her design would have that authority? I I I mean I would it's hard to assume anything in that situation. I they would have that. I would think that their design would then contact me. Um any that's usually the protocol is that they would contact this office uh and then one of us would go and stand in in those situations. So um rather than put in some cases it could be a classroom teacher at in an elementary school rather than put them in that legal situation.
029So uh that's usually the protocol when they'll put someone in that regard and at that designate in place if something rises to that level they would involve this office. Okay. Any other questions, comments on uh 6304? I'm sorry, 6303. Next, we'll go to 6304. Um that's uh discrimination, harassment, bullying, cyber bullying, and and intimidation. Um there is um a response and pre and uh prevention language in in inserted into that policy. Um again giving um principal or designate um guidance on on uh on how to uh for response and also um prevention. Okay. Nothing on that. We'll move on to uh use of wireless communication uh devices. Um updated language there to uh uh so that devices are turned off and stored during instructional time. So that makes us u compliant with state law and
030enhances our our wireless device policy. Any questions on Do you know Mr. Do you know Mr. do what um what our plans are. I know we don't we didn't do a a we didn't do a policy to take the phones away or or to turn them off or or put them in lock bags like other districts are doing, but do all of our teachers and all of our administrators in the middle and high school have a good plan on um and I know we've used that in the past, but what what are their do you know their plan or what what's their what's their outcome for that? So what we had in place last year really meets the letter of this law. Um we've not taken the step as you said to remove the phones
031from their from their possession. Um what is going to be um imperative what I've told principles is that we explicitly explain to our students and families that this is a state law. This is not just a strong suggestion from White County Schools. Um and so there's not any wiggle room. I I have seen the plan. They've just worked on it this week from the high school. All the school level plans will be in their handbooks uh will be distributed to the families uh on their policy. So, um they're not allowed to be uh to my understanding, they're not allowed to be on at all at elementary level. Uh they're allowed to have them in a backpack for emergency purposes. Um they're allowed to have them on their on same very similar in 68 where they
032can have them, but they don't have them out and they don't use them. The high school's uh procedure, many of their students use them during class. So, I can see many math teachers use them as calculators and uh many other folks for research purposes. Uh I know Warrior Media uses them extensively to film and video. Um and that's permissible. Uh but what we've instructed our teachers to do is have a protocol for the usage in their classroom that's approved by their principal. Uh and then if they're in violation of that, then they're subject to the uh the punishment, you know, as as are set forth. Um I I I don't want to misspeak but I know that I think that the first offense at the high school is it it's taken up and sent to
033the office. They pick it up at the end of the day. The second offense the parent has to pick it up. Uh then they move into uh ISS and alternative school placements beyond that. Um so um you know there's a there's a district in East Tennessee that um that charges about $100 $50 the first offense and $100 the second offense. Uh there's other districts that uh you know they take them up, they put them in those bags and that's that's very expensive. The bags are great, but they're expensive. Um so we we think we have a good policy in place. We we had a good practice before. As I said before to this board, I wasn't hearing from the high school that it was such a distraction they couldn't teach school. But I also would
034not tell you that they hadn't been out during uh instruction time and being used improperly. So, um, that's going to be a challenge, uh, because, um, I think I feel like our district and especially the high school feels like they have a handle on it, but it's not to the extent that this law will require. So, that's going to be a learning curve uh, and hopefully one that we will learn quickly. What What about um breaks, lunch? Are they allowed to have them out at that time? Yes, this specifically this uh um legislation says during instruction time. So, they're allowed to have them out during breaks when they're traveling from class to class. Um, uh, but when when bells or when class is in session, they should be off unless specifically given specific task by
035the instructor. Okay. Thank you. All right. Any other questions, comments on 6312? All right. Then, um, going to 6411 that, uh, student wellness. Couple of changes there. Um, uh, one this, uh, deals with guidelines for fundraising for uh, for uh, regarding food and beverages that that can be sold and consumed on campus during school day. So uh burning everybody smart stack snacks guideline uh that's that is uh that's being added to our our policy on this 6411. Any questions, comments? I feel like I'm the only one asking questions tonight, but um just wondering on the uh the 40 extra minutes of uh or minimum of 40 minutes a day of physical activity, and I know you may have referred to this before, but where are we getting that extra 40 minutes? And I know it's
036got to come from instruction time. We can't just pull it out of the air. Uh so, can you give me some some ideas of where it's coming from? Um, Miss Fresh can speak to this uh more eloquently than I, but mainly from social studies and science. Um, and that's problematic because we still test on social studies and science. Those teachers are still graded on how they how the students perform in those classrooms and we're taking more time. We're basically taking from core uh subjects in general, math, science, uh, reading, language arts, and u, what did I miss? ELA. So, um, so, uh, it's got to come from somewhere. There is no more time in the day. The legislature has given us way more stuff than we can do in that time. Uh, that's what we're
037trying to share with them. We've tried to share that message, but there's no more time. I want to say, I said it last meeting, I'll say it again. I'm all for recess. I think kids need to run and play as much as anybody, but there's no more time in the day to do it in the school day. There's no more time for us to do these things that they're asking us to do. My personal opinion is when they go home at 3:00, they can play till their heart's content till the till the sun goes down. But there's no more time from 8 to three to do anything else that the legislature is telling us to do. So, it's kind of oxy oxymoronic. I feel like it's talking out of both sides of their mouth. They
038want to have high standards and all these accountability measures, but yet they want them to go play more, you know, and they're taking away the time that we have to teach. So, um, it it was problematic, uh, to me in the sense we had a I think we have a really good elementary school schedule that has served us well. We've been able to absorb all of these changes that have come down the pike over the past 10 years or so. Um, with this schedule and now that schedule's pretty much been blown up because we had to squeeze in 40 more minutes of of recess. Um, I'm all for the recess, but there was no time to do it. And now what we've had to do what was you got me on a soap box but
039um but what we had done uh through block scheduling and Dr. Lynn Kennedy years ago working on this we had com condensed all of our breaks we tried to limit transitions every time you leave class to go somewhere and come back you're losing 10 minutes. So now what we did was lunch and recess were slammed together and when they went to encore or pull out classes music that sort of thing it was slammed together. So you left once, you came back once and you didn't lose that. Now we've had to break that up and we're leaving and going to recess, coming back, and we're leaving and going to lunch and we're coming back. And there was just no way to make that work. And every school's a little bit different because one one school's um
040cafeteria is not as big as the other schools. You got to you got to time those lunch breaks out a little bit differently. So, I applaud what the legislature was think thinking that they were doing, but they don't understand how school works in White County and uh they really made our schedules worse. They hurt academic time uh in our schools and uh but they won't decrease the accountability that is expected at the end of the year. So, our our our schools will do it. Our principles and our teachers and our staff, they'll rise to the occasion. They'll make it work and and they'll still perform well. But what they did hurt our our ability to perform academically. Well, I didn't mean to get you on your soap box and and Miss Fresh, Miss Butcher, um
041I appreciate all the the work that you guys have put into it and all of our principles and administrators at every level. Uh you know, living with a educator in the house, you hear these things and it it's frustrating to know that the state government and you know, they want us to they want us to live to these high standards, but then they want to throw these other things on. So, I applaud you uh for stepping up to the plate and and making sure that our schools run seamlessly uh and making sure that our kids get the best opportunity that they they can have. So, thank you. Any other questions regarding U 600 and that student records and added language in there regarding transfer students when that information should be uh received include including dis
042disciplinary records. uh that may uh be part of that student's uh uh add to that. All right. Um so that's uh policy 6600. Any questions on 6600? Okay. So uh those policies uh if uh depending on approval of the the the agenda uh for tonight and our consent agenda those would be included in consent agenda. So um if not uh there's no objections then we'll uh we'll move on. Uh so next would be also let me pause second item on this um second reading for policy 5501 5100 and 6341. Um is there any questions regarding those policies that were discussed last last month? Those would also be adopted on second reading tonight. Okay. If not, then we'll uh move on. There was a maintenance report uh included in her packet. A lot of activities going
043on in uh around the district. Uh any questions on our maintenance report? We're fortunate to have Mr. Ally here tonight and he may be able to answer any of those if you have have some. Most all projects will be completed before uh before school starts. All right. Well, we we hope so for you as well. Guess one thing, Mr. Al, how did the uh how did the visitors locker room in the in the Roy turn out? Get that microphone over if you don't care. Um it's doing really well. Um, we done redone the floors in there and just doing that and and fixing up the shower part back in there made a big difference. Uh, while we were there, we went ahead and uh done the girls visitors locker room as well. So, uh, it's
044uh it's a major improvement for where where it was earlier. It it was it was really kind of like you don't want to give them any any amenities, but you also wanted to leave them with a good impression when they left, you know. Yeah. Yeah. It it it needed it needed done probably 15 years ago. Yeah, I would agree. I would agree. All right. Anything else, Mr. Ali, you want to make a swear of? Not that I can think of. I I want to note that this is my 10th year as director of schools. And the fact that that wasn't done is proof that I haven't been in the women's locker room. Uh just want that on record. So, nobody told me and I hadn't been in there, but when they told me, we we
045got it fixed. All right. Thank you. Uh, next we move on to budget report. Mr. Smith, due to the closing of the fiscal year, there is no financial report tonight. Okay. So, uh, we will move on and uh and start on regarding budget. Uh, know that uh this question is county continues to work through their uh their budget. Um, just for clarity, is this correct? will be operating on last year's budget numbers up until what point they do get their budget approved. Okay. Thank you. All right. Then uh also included in your packet was personnel report um all indications through our reports that we do have most all positions filled for uh for start of this year unless there's anything need to add or update us on. No. Um if I could, Mr. Chairman, I'd
046like to go back to the previous uh um line item um agenda item, excuse me. So, we talked about um budget the um Mr. Markham and I were discussing before the meeting and he is going to help me craft a little narrative to send out, but because we're operating on last year's budget, we can't institute any of the uh initiate any of the new raises or any of the any of the bonuses. And so um you know that if that could change if the county commission gets something approved and in in in a timely manner um and that's no I'm not u disparaging them or just in any way. I just just the reality is uh that we have to operate on the previous numbers. So I if it what whatever point that gets approved
047we we can go back and pay those raises or pay those bonuses at that point. But just want to be clear for to our employees that they don't need to expect to see any of those changes until that happens. So, we're going to send something out uh just as a precaution, just a heads up to let everyone know uh that that's the case. Our hope is that they'll get something done and we'll be able to move forward, but I don't want anybody to be surprised uh if that's the case. So, uh and that's just the way that procedure works. Uh it's nothing from the school board side or anything that we could do differently. Um, and again, not not to be disparaging towards the county commission. They're working hard to do what they need to
048do. Uh, but we're just all in a tough position and that's just the reality of where we are. Mr. Markhamm, when is the next full county court meeting? So, not not this next Monday, but next. Okay. And there's a chance that the budget could go through then. Yeah. But if it didn't and it's the 21st and somebody's expecting a paycheck by the end of that week, I I wouldn't want to come. Oh, and by the way, so I want to be, you know, honest with people up front right now to be transparent about where we are on July 10th. Is there any concern with the uh the $2,000 bonus that it has to be paid out? Was that written in the bill the that it has to be paid out by July or was it
049just to pass the resolution by June? I don't think that I think the money was available. It wouldn't be available to July. But I would think in this case the comproller rules would supersede that in the sense that until we have a budget we couldn't pay that out. So, I mean, Chad could speak more to that as and then I could, but um I don't think it could be paid out until July because that's not when the funds that's when the funds were released in this fiscal year. Okay. But, um but Chad can speak to the rules on that. Yes, that that would be correct. So, there wasn't anything in the legislation that required it by a certain time period, I don't believe. So, I think we should be good in that regard. And hopefully,
050to Jason's point, something will pass on the 21st. And if that's the case, the only thing that would be affected would be the payroll in the 15th. And those people we can retroactively pay for their increases. So any other questions, comments regarding budget? Oh, I'm sorry. We were actually on personnel. Any questions on a personnel report? We're in good shape to start the year. are we have all we have all certified positions filled right now. Um if we we could use one more school psychologist. So if you have one at home, send them our way. Um but we we have that posted. But we have a few more staff positions, but we have lots of good qualified people that we'll fill those with in the coming days. Um but we are fully staffed right now.
051All right. Thank you. And well done to all those that uh were out recruiting. And thanks to uh all the staff that uh continues to stay in their tenure with uh with our district and doing the excellent job they're doing. All right. So that's uh everything uh regarding items in our consent agenda. Is there anything else uh board members that you want to bring up during the during this time? Okay. If not, we'll turn to six o'clock for our regular board meeting. Thank you. All right, I'm going to give us a twominute warning. Two minute warning. All right. All right. If I could have your attention, like to call the uh July 10th meeting of the White County Board of Education to order. If you would please rise. Miss Tracy Fowler will be leading us
052in our pledge. Thank you, Miss Fowler, and thank you for everyone being here in attendance tonight, whether you're here in person or whether you're watching us on live stream. Like to welcome everyone to our meeting, and also welcome you to the start of the 2526 school year for the board. Uh so tonight's meeting a little light on the agenda side. We've uh recovered uh covered our reports and policies and our work session. Those items will be uh considered in our consent agenda. Uh we do have uh to look at our 2025 2026 calendar for the board and then uh tonight is uh this being the uh first meeting in the month of July, we will be uh electing board officers. So, uh, with that, just like to remind everyone that Tennessee code of annotate and
053board policy 1400 states that every meeting of the board is open to the public except where law allows for a closed session. The agenda for the board meeting is posted on the district's website at www.wh coastschools.net at least three days prior to each meeting. State statute requires that each meeting agenda include an item reserved for public comment. A signup sheet is made available prior to the beginning of the regular meeting. Individuals who have signed up prior to the start of the meeting to speak will be recognized in the order listed on the signup sheet at the point in the agenda designated for public comment. Board meetings are streamed with help of Warrior Media for live or recorded viewing. Links are provided on the district website. Attending and or speaking during tonight's meeting applies consent for
054comments and appearances to be used. So before we consider uh approving tonight's uh agenda, uh is there any board meeting board member that would have a conflict of interest on the proposed agenda for tonight? Mr. Chair, as I do each month, uh no conflict of interest for me tonight, but just to uh make it known, my wife is an educator in the uh in the system and all the um comments that I make tonight will be in the best interest of the students um and for the district. So no conflict for me. Thank you, Mr. McDonald. Mr. Chairman, I also do not have a conflict tonight, but my spouse does work for the district, but the opinions and decisions are mine and made for the best of our county school systems. Thank you, Mr. Officer.
055Likewise, Mr. Chairman, my my wife is an employee at the high school. Uh no conflict with the agenda tonight, and the comments that I may make are are mine mine alone. Thank you, Mr. Smith. So, uh, uh, Miss Sims, if you would just have the minutes reflect that Mr. McDonald, Miss Officer, and Mr. Smith all indicated that they have spouses working for the district, but nothing on tonight's proposed agenda would constitute a conflict for them. So, with that being uh said, uh, next item on our agenda is approval of the agenda for tonight's meeting. Uh, board members, you've had an opportunity to look at the agenda for tonight's meeting. Uh, is there Anything that uh we need to discuss, we can do that now. Otherwise, I'll entertain a motion for approval. So move. Motion by
056Mr. McDonald. Have a second. Second. Second by Miss Douglas. Seeing discussion. Okay. Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Motion passes. Uh next item on our agenda is our consent agenda. Uh consent agenda consists of items that were covered during our work session and were uh agreed upon by all board members to consent to unanimous approval. Uh that will included our board meeting minutes and our work session meeting minutes from our July or June 12th meeting. Uh budget amendments and transfers. uh policies second reading of the June uh policy recommendations from TSBA and also second reading of policies uh 5500 5100 and 63041. We had a maintenance report, budget report and personnel report. There was no TLN uh report or threat assessment report given legislators were out of session as
057well as students were out of session for the uh for the summer. Um so if uh no items in the consent agenda uh are to uh be pulled out and added to new business um then we will adopt the uh consent agenda by unanimous vote and then proceed to our next item on the agenda which is approval of the school board's annual calendar. Mr. Chair, can I make a comment right there on the consent agenda? um just looking around the room and and all these administrators that are in the room and and the folks who put um their blood, sweat, and tears into this district, uh I don't think we thank them enough for taking time out of their days and their evenings on during their summer break to be here um and putting so
058much into just the maintenance report or the policy report or all those budget amendments. So, um, just so you know, thank you from from me. Uh, I'm sure I I don't want to speak for the rest of this board, but, um, I think I can I think I can and say, um, you guys are amazing and the staff that that you have, Mr. D, is uh, top-notch, and I think we could put them up in a wrestling match against anybody across the state, and I believe we'd come out on top. So, um, yeah, thank you for all that you guys do. Echo that. So, uh, we'll continue on to next item on agenda and that's approval of the school board's annual agenda. Um, board members, you're presented with a proposed annual agenda for the 2526
059school year uh, going from July of 2025 to June 2026. uh it has all the items for uh that we need to cover that will be on the agendas uh for the upcoming uh upcoming months and upcoming meetings. Uh so at this time I would entertain entertain a motion for approval of our annual c an annual agenda. So moved. A motion by Miss Bower. Do I have a second? You can second too. Second. Second by Mr. Smith. Any discussion? Reason why there's nothing in the month of January or is that just a just a downtime? We'll be out for snow days. No, I'm just kidding. Don't get those teachers hopes up already. I guarantee you they're already counting down the day of their first day off. So, no, no, just uh the way the uh
060agenda things fall when when we're uh supposed to be looking at various items, there just doesn't happen to be anything in month of January. Okay. Okay. Uh no further discussion. Uh all those in favor signify by saying I. I opposed. Motion passes. Next item on our agenda is uh election of school board officers. Each uh year we are required to elect a chairman, vice chairman and TLN representative. And so uh those positions will be served for one year and uh or until a successor has been named in the event that that situation would occur. So, uh, this time I will open the floor for the, uh, election of nominations for chairman to serve 2526 school year. I'll make a motion for Bob Young. Somebody's got to cease the nomination. So, if that's what we want
061to do. Yes. Yes. I can't I move that we cease nominations and uh vote uh for Mr. Young if you're willing to take it again. You've done a fantastic job. I'm not sure what you're you're you're I'm being sincere, Mr. Young. You already told me where I ranked. Well, that that has nothing to do with the school board ranking. I'm just telling you. Yeah. No. All right. Um uh if uh if that's the board's desire, I'll be more than happy to serve if that's Thank you. that's your desire. Thank you. Okay. I vote I All right. Uh then u with that being said, I guess uh Bob Young will retain the position of chairman for the uh next year by acclamation. I think that's how that is worded. Okay. All right. the next to entertain
062nominations for vice chair. I nominate Jason McDonald for vice chair. Nomination for it's been made for Mr. Jason McDonald to serve as vice chair. Any more nominations? I make a motion that all nominations cease and we vote by acclamation. Officer makes a motion that we uh cease all nominations and vote by acclamation. Any discussion on any I guess would there be a second on that? Second, Mr. Smith. So, Mr. McDonald, as long as you promise to be here at every meeting, we're good. You've done really well this last year, so we're good. All right. Uh, Mr. McDonald's agreed to serve as vice chair for uh next calendar year. Um, so next we'll be looking for a TLN nominations for a TLN representative. I'll make a motion that we nominate John Smith for TLN. So, we
063have a nomination for John Smith serve as TLN representative. Have any other nominations? Okay, I have a motion that all nominations cease. I have a second. Second. Second, Mr. McDonald. So, uh, Mr. Smith, uh, you will be our tail end representative by acclamation. All right. So, uh, Miss Sims, uh, and thank all all positions on this board are are important. So, just because you're, uh, it takes, uh, it takes the support of everybody to make uh, make being a chair, vice chair, TLN representative uh, uh, function. So, we just appreciate all of you and your your support and u Mr. McDonald, Mr. Smith, thank you for being willing to serve. So, uh with that, we'll move on to our next item on our agenda, and that's approval of the 2526 uh testing schedule. Testing schedule
064for upcoming calendar year is provided to you on recommendation from uh from our administrators. Uh any questions on that um before we consider uh taking action? Okay. Hearing none. All those in favor uh excuse me. I'll entertain a motion for approving the uh 2025 2026 testing schedule. Motion by Mr. Smith. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Miss Douglas. Any discussion? Just one question. Is is this typical? Is this kind of the same schedule every year unless the law changes? It it's similar. Uh there are changes in sometimes in the the amount of screenings that we have to do and and when those timings are u but it it's typical I would say it's it's not repetitive say but it's very close. And in that uh in that calendar um the assessment calendar do
065have a uh uh it is designated uh statemandated what the statemandated tests are. Um and uh didn't they pass some legislation where they would not be adding any more statemandated testing? So they're actually um they actually are going to study it. I think they passed something that said they're going to study next year uh reducing um the assessments. They're also looking at um we're part of a study to I'm helping with part of study with toss to help reduce the amount or at least the frequency of the training that our teachers are having to do and there's a full eight hour day worth of training if not more depending on how many times it takes you to pass that cyber security test. Uh it's it's tough. I'm telling you, I could work for the Pentagon
066right now. Um, but it's um, but they're looking at that as well because we're asking there's no need in some cases for our teachers to have to take the same test over I mean if you know in my opinion anyway and and I think in the some legislator's opinion. So, we're going to study that to try and reduce the amount of testing that our teachers and our students are facing uh, next year. Okay. So, uh have a motion and a second for 2025 2026 testing schedule. Uh any other discussion? Okay. Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Motion passes. Um next item on our agenda is fundraising request for uh for this calendar year. I know we had a significant amount of those that were reviewed uh last month. Uh
067but we do have some more that have have come in. Um several elementary school um fundraising requests from from Do uh Bondicoft and I think was there Duel and Bondraftoft. Um any questions on the elementary school fundraisers? So looking at some of these Mr. And you may be able to answer this, but some of these look to be the same fundraisers that we that we in last month's um that we had already approved. It is there a reason for that or is it changes in leadership at different schools or h how does that work? Well, if I remember correctly, we had a lot last month and the board wanted time to kind of look at those. So, we kind of put them on there as a first reading. if I understand. So, we had So,
068you had ample time to really look at those. Um, so you've seen all these. They're not new. They're organized a little bit differently. Um, you know, the one that says Bondicoft, if you scroll down through there, you'll find the other schools down there labeled as well. Um, Doyle had some that came that were separate from the original scan. So, that's why they're in there separately. And then you'll find the ones from the middle school and a separate file for the high school. So, um, you know, the discussion is we're we're in a better place than we were several years ago fundraising wise, but we've got a lot of work to go. We've got a lot to we've got to do a lot of bookkeeping. It's got to be cleaned up. Uh, well, housekeeping rather. Uh,
069we need to get on the same forms and we need to have uh more be more specific about what our needs are. Uh, we need to have dollar amounts on these instead of just, you know, we're raising funds for the program. I we need specific needs. And so I recognize that we have a lot of room to grow here, but uh but based on precedent, I don't see anything uh in these that are out of the norm. I don't see anything that we haven't done in the past that the board hasn't approved uh or that's been overly taxing on our community. Um that's that's our always our concern. You know, we don't want kids to pay to play, but we also don't want to burden our community and our parents to have to foot that
070bill as well. So, um, we'll continue to improve there and I acknowledge there's there is a lot of room to improve in this instance, but I feel confident that the the fundraisers that have been proposed are, uh, within reason. Thank you. I apologize, board members. I didn't I didn't pick up pick up on that. So, Mr. McDonald, thank you for uh for that. do appreciate the fact that they've gone through and and uh provided uh more updates on financial balances for the organization. So, any questions on u any questions on our uh the fundraising requests? I make a motion we approve them. Okay. So, you want to approve I'd like to do them I'd like to do them all at one time if we can. We can unless there's objections. We have a motion to
071approve all all fundraiser requests as presented. Have a motion to have a second. Second, Miss Fowler. Any discussion? Okay. Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Motion passes. Next item on our agenda is our district update. Uh, Mr. Stromber. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and congratulations again. Um, personnel report. As I mentioned earlier, all of our certified positions are filled at this time. Still have a few more staff positions to fill, but we have a lot of qualified applicants and we are blessed to have a lot of people that want to come and work in White County schools. Um, we could still use a school psychologist, as I said, and so we have that posted, but but we're very proud to have all our uh certified positions filled at this time.
072Um, we have several new teachers coming on board this year. We're excited to welcome them to White County Schools and to the White County Schools family. hope that you'll get a chance to meet these educators this upcoming school year. We're excited to be bringing on these folks and to add to our talented team. Uh legislatively, um the board had several new laws and policies before you tonight. Schools are adjusting to these new requirements as they always do. Most notably, we've made adjustments to the elementary resource recess schedule and the district-wide cell phone policies and procedures. Uh academically, um as the director of schools, I could not be prouder of our teachers, staff, and students for their efforts on state TECAP assessments. It is the goal of White County Schools to be above state average in
073every tested category and to rank in the top five of every category amongst the umber upper Cumberland districts. And I'm excited to report that White County schools have achieved both of those goals. In fact, regionally, we are number one in 10 of the 27 tested categories. Our school district has set itself apart in as an academic leader and our community can and should be proud of our public school system. So, congratulations to all of our teachers, our administrators, certainly our students and staff and our families uh for a job well done. Uh safety, this district will conduct uh its first meeting of the fiscal year with first responders on July 22nd. Supervisor Brian Haley hosts these monthly meetings, does an excellent job of coordinating the safety efforts of our district. Mr. Dr. Haley, do you
074have anything you want to say about safety right now as far as the district's concerned? No. Okay. Yeah, he does he does a great job. Um, financially, uh, the district's budget is sound and we're prepared for the school year. Uh, if the county commissioners cannot agree on a countywide budget soon, as we said, that the schools will run on last year's numbers in the meantime. I'm confident we can maintain the same quality programming under that model. But we are I'm also confident that our county commissioners will uh be able to come to a resolution very soon. Athletically, fall sports are already practicing. Many have matches as soon as school begins. Uh our coaches and trainer monitor the weather and heat indexes closely to ensure the safety of our athletes. And as far as building projects
075are concerned, crews have broken ground at Doyle, but there's been little progress uh to date. Um and our construction manager, Mr. David Vidrine, will be providing with me with an update soon. Uh, this completes my director's report. I'll be glad to answer any questions that you have. I I do have one comment and and I don't know whose idea it was, Miss Griffith. It might have been yours. Um, with the middle school putting, you know, breaking them up into teams into into teaching teams. Um, I like that and I like that concept. Uh, I also like that they're introducing the world to those new teachers that are coming in that we may not ever see. You know, we may run into them at a ball game or or see them working something like that. But,
076uh, just the fact that we're getting to meet those folks through Facebook or through whatever their website or whatever it is, um, great idea to break them up. And I don't know where you came up with that the the armor or whatever that was, but good job. Appreciate that. That that you did a good job there. Shamelessly stolen. Okay. So Yep. Yeah. So, it's it it's just neat. So, board members, if you've not been on Facebook or you've not seen any of that, um go and and look at the middle school's uh teams break out and and their names and and meet those new teachers. So, it's it's just I applaud the administrators at the middle school for continuing that that process that Miss Griffith has started. So, all right. Thank you for those uh
077comments, Mr. McDonald. Um any other questions for our director regarding the district update. Okay. If not, appreciate the update and uh best wishes for a great successful school year. Um so next we'll go to public comment. Uh perh policy 1404, we always reserve a spot on the agenda for public comment. Um no uh no no one has signed up to request speak to the board tonight. So we'll move on to our next item and that is new business. We do have a field trip request for White County High School Beta Club uh to attend a convention, state convention in Nashville November 19th through the 21st. It's pretty close to when we'll be down there for uh uh for our TSBA annual uh annual meeting. Um but uh that field trip request uh was presented and
078uh for uh for our approval. So this time I'd entertain a motion for approval of the White County High School Beta Club to attend the state convention in Nashville in November. Salute. Motion by Mr. McDonald. I have a second. Second, Mr. Smith. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Motion passes. Next item on our agenda is old business and we have no old business items. So that leads us to chairman's comments. Um, keep in mind that next weekend we'll be at uh Gatlinburg for our summer law institute. like to thank the director for working hard and getting us all uh rooms at the hosting hotel. Makes logistics a little bit uh a little bit easier. Um but we do have a copy of the agenda for uh for
079you then uh for for next week. Be sure to get that on your as you leave tonight. Also, we will be having a um uh work sessions, excuse me, board retreat um while we're while we're there. And I'm proposing that we break this into two sessions that we have a hour and a half session Friday after uh the uh legislative session is concludes. And then we do the same uh shortly after conclusion on uh on Saturday. break it into one one and a half hour uh time period. That way we can uh we don't have brain drain during during that time. So uh we'll make uh recommend that we we do that and uh if you could just get that posted on on our on our website that'll that'll be happening. Other than that, our
080next board schoolboard meeting will be August 14th uh at here at the board of education. We'll have our work session at 5:00 and our regular board meeting at 6. Uh so that brings us to the final item on our agenda and that's internment. So I entertain a motion for adjournment. So move. Motion by Mr. McDonald. I have a second. Second by Miss Bower. Any discussion? You want to stay longer? No. Okay. All right. All in favor signify by saying I. Motion passes. Thank you and thank you all staff for showing up as well.