White County School Board Meeting 5/8/25

001If you don't hear yourself in the thing, they don't hear you on there. So if you are back to pushing So, Miss Barn's qu question is, "Do we need to turn our mics on and off when we speak?" Okay. All right. We've got uh everybody close to getting logged on. Okay. Well, we're showing courtesy to those that u that had a little technical difficulty, so we'll get there. Well, no. I I was part of that, too. Um, Miss Officer, you're on the online. I am. And you can hear us well. Okay, great. Awesome. Um, we'll see you here shortly. Drive uh drive safely. Um, but we'll give just a second. Want to make sure you We're live. Okay. Give Miss Fowler just another minute here. Okay. All right. So, uh, call the, uh, May 8th,

002uh, work session with White County Board of Education to order. Appreciate everyone being here tonight. Um, fair amount of things we need to cover as we start to prepare for our regular meeting at 6. Um in your packet uh you provided information regarding tonight's meeting that we'll need to cover. Um the items will be going over in work session will be to uh address our items in our consent agenda. Uh as always just remind you it is at board's prerogative. If somebody thinks that we need to pull an item out of consent agenda then we'll pull that out that to new business and have proper discussion on that. Uh otherwise if uh if we're all in consent on the items that uh of items in that agenda then those will be passed uh under consent

003at a regular meeting. So uh we'll start going through uh through our packagot items that are listed there in in six A through J. Um we have our uh board meeting minutes and our work session minutes from our April 10th meeting. So, uh, any questions, comments, corrections that need need to be made on those items. Okay. If not, then we'll move on to next item, and that is our uh budget amendments and transfers. Um I want to just point out for for clarity that uh we have the uh budget amen amendments and transfers that you had found in your your folder um regarding just our uh looks like our federal funds and there may be a general purpose fund amendment and transfer just under normal normal business. Um when we get into our main uh

004agenda on our during our regular meeting, uh we'll be having to look at the summer school budget. And so you were given a uh a snapshot from uh from what was uh submitted to the state for those cost. Those dollars will be coming for the state to uh to cover the cost of our our summer school program. Um but additionally what has been added is our uh the budget amendment transfers in this form which uh apply to uh uh Miss Ally and her uh getting getting approval for her to make those uh changes in general ledgers so that way we can have the money appropriated and in place and they can start drawing on that as uh we will not meet uh before uh uh our next meeting uh summer school will have already started.

005So, we'll need to get that uh approved to tonight. But in so there will be two budget amendments that will come up in our uh item number 11 on our regular agenda. But for tonight, we uh have uh budget amendments and transfers uh for uh for our sub fund or our this federal fund 142. So, let Mr. D speak to that and he can u answer what those monies are going to be used for. Yeah, Mr. Mr. Chairman, just to make this sorry I'm making this a little more confusing. There's actually three budget amendments that were act added today and one of those may need to be a new business item. Um that is um fund 142 federal programs. Um this is sub fun 432 which is 21st century. Uh we've moved $5,000 transfer over

006to salaries needed to finish the year. So coming out of uh other supplies and materials. So, if that pleases the board, we may need to move that one to new business um or however the board wants to do it because those were added all at once. The other two budgets that were added, excuse me, amendments that were added are the breakdowns for uh summer programming. So, we didn't have the budget amendments at the time when we put this in your folder, but you what you were looking at were the e-plan budgets for summer programming. So, no, it's the same dollar amounts just moved into the budgetary form that you see here, the amendment form. So, I didn't create a new line item for that. They're just this is just the new format uh or the

007the regular format that you're used to for the budget amendments. But I did add that other one I forgot that came in with uh 21st century for $5,000. So, however the board wants to deal with that one this evening would be appreciated because we're trying to close out that program uh for the end of the year. Okay. Thank you for that clarification. Um, so that was not included in the budget amendments under 6B. That's that's correct. Um, okay. So, there's a separate file in here. Correct. It's in uh 10, excuse me, 14A. Thank you. It's the first one in 14A. So, be amount of $5,000. We're transferring funds out of materials and supplies over to staff salaries. Okay. Uh, totally understand. Um, so let's make a note. We can just since that wasn't in our

008packet before we before we u uh preparing for this meeting, let's pull that budget amendment out. We'll put that under new business and we'll uh deal with that uh at that time given that we we didn't have chance to uh to review and ask questions on that. Okay. So, you can make that on the fly changed our our agenda. Yes, I will. I sure will. Um would you like me to go back now and address the actual 6B budgets? Okay. All right. So, going back to the original uh budget amendments on item 6B, um you have uh $3,400 in federal fund 142 sub fund 102 title one. This is transferring needed funds into the category for retirement and staff development. So, pulling that out of uh unused funds for educational assistance. Next, we have um

009federal fund uh 142 sub fund 411. This is title four funds transferring additional funds needed for substitute teachers and this is amount of $40046. These are some cleanup end of the year type of budget amendments. I'll be glad to answer any questions, but I'll keep moving. Next is um federal program sub fund 432 in the amount of $2,000 uh transferring funds for salaries needed for finishing out the school year. Moving it from staff development inservice training to salaries. And last um again fund 142 sub fund 801. It's a CTE Perkins grant. Um this is an amount of $11,58968. uh cleaning up end of the year using leftover funds to purchase uh a equipment for the a department. So those are the budget amendments in there and again just transferring funds from one line item to

010the other as we clean up uh line items at the end of the year. So just one question, what equipment are we purchasing for the egg department? I will get that answer for you shortly. I'll ask Mr. Ward. He's not here at the time, but I don't I will find out exactly what's being purchased there. All right. Any uh any questions, comments for director on the budget amendments? Okay. Uh then we'll move on. Um last uh last month we uh passed on first reading amendment to uh policy 3202. 3202. Uh that was uh just some language uh changing on that policy in line 18. Uh principal or designate be the shall regularly check the qual uh quantity, locations and conditions of fire extinguishers and shall give all school personnel instruction time on how to properly

011use those fire extinguishers. So uh we will be adding principal or designate to that and that will be our policy. uh that if uh if there's no objection, that policy will be approved on second reading under consent and will go into effect uh after after tonight's meeting. Any questions on that policy? Okay, next item on that was we are to be reviewing section 4 policies and I apologize being negligent on getting you assignments out for that. Um, but I can assure you that will happen and we'll uh be looking at uh doing our annual review of section uh four policies. So, uh be be on the lookout for for that uh that notice from me coming out. Um next we were uh given a maintenance report for the month of May. So, uh have a

012everybody had a chance to review that. Any questions for director? I did I did have one question on the on the maintenance report. What what is the lab renovation, the chemistry element re renovation uh consistent of? I know you have natural gas plumbing, all that stuff, but is it just to the point that the school is in need of a of of an up update? Yes, it probably hasn't changed much since I was there, though you I wasn't going to say you, but yeah. Yeah, it hasn't changed in a long time. Um but u the um uh it it is time. It's some of those items are original to that to that building. So, um So, you're saying that Roberts probably was there whenever those items were installed? Yes, we're we are removing um all

013of the uh tables, all the workstations. Uh we're going to we're going to flush out the plumbing for the gas and water lines. Uh we're going to redo the floor, the walls, all the cabinetry. It's going to be a full restoration. Uh I hats off to uh Mr. Martin, Wesley Martin, who's the chair of the department. and he brought me a proposal over a year ago and he's been very patient as we work through this process of funding this and he has also, as you'll see later on, secured some grant money to help with this. So, he's done a good job of planning that out and so they'll get started as soon as school releases and start working on a full renovation of that space. Okay. Thank you. So, Mr. McDonald, the U table that

014you carved your initials on is probably going to be gone. Just saying. All right. Any other questions regarding our maintenance report? Okay. Then next we'll go to uh school report that was uh submitted to y'all. The uh all the schools and district gave a a report. uh think it's uh uh safe to say that they're uh glad that testing is over and uh a lot of uh a lot of know a lot of work went into that and getting that done and and uh they're excited for festivities as they start approaching the end of the year. Uh, anything regarding our school report? All right. Then, uh, next we'll go to our budget report. Uh, Mr. Smith, Mr. Chairman, uh, the the month of of April, the county added approxim approximately 300,000 to its cash reserve

015balance across all funds. Additionally, during this time, property tax collections crossed 100% of budgeted revenue estimates. As of April 30th, 2025, we have collected 100.06% of the tax year 2024 property taxes. We continue to monitor the local option sales tax revenue closely. During the month of April of 2025, receipts were slightly below that of April 2024 across all stituses. I hope I said that correct, Jed. Fortunately, sales tax revenues have not declined significantly. However, we are certainly not seeing the growth that had characterized the past five years. Why county has historically budgeted local option sales tax revenues conservatively. So, we don't do not anticipate this lack of growth in this revenue becoming a major budgetary issue. We will continue to monitor this revenue stream closely in the coming months. The generalpurpose school fund has continued

016its positive financial trend during the month of April. Revenue growth over the previous fiscal year continues to outpace expenditure growth. And at the close of April, the fund had posted 4.8 million more in revenues than expenditures, which is slightly up over April of 2024. Presently, we have no significant concerns regarding this fund and anticipate being able to increase the fund balance at a similar rate as last year when the books were closed at June 30. Expenditures in the school federal projects fund will start to wind down during the month of May as we prepare to close out the various grants by June 30th. The board should expect to see a flurry of budget amendments requests presented as the staff work to reallocate funds so they may use they may be used on program activities prior

017to expiration. The central cafeteria fund continues to trend in a positive direction. During the month of April, the school nutrition department was able to cooperatively bid with other surrounding districts for non-food and chemical products. The bid resulted in an award to a new vendor which will provide these products and services for the upcoming fiscal year. Also in April, the department was able to negotiate a renewal to the milk and milk products contract for fiscal year 26. Overall, the district remains healthy and appears on track for a good fiscal year close. Thank you, Mr. Smith. Um, any questions or comments regarding our budget report again do appreciate Mr. Markham for uh providing us with this level of detail information and it's good to know that we're trending the right right direction. I also like to uh

018recognize uh uh staff and and uh and our and all of our school administrators the fact that uh doesn't appear that everybody's spending to the budget. So that's uh that's good that gives us options to u uh opportunity to put money back and as um and so appreciate that u frugalness of spending. Any uh any other questions, comments for budget report? So, uh next we'll go to uh Miss Douglas on anything to report from TLN. Okay. Um some of the items of interest this month. Uh SB 143 is a bill that requires that the students report cards now include their current reading level. Uh the success sequence bill legislature passed a bill requiring public schools to teach students that the keys to success are to graduate high school, enter the workforce or military or pursue

019post-secary education, marry and then have children. Um they want it taught in that order. Um cell phones, I we brought that up last meeting as well. A ban on cell phones in public school classrooms is set to take effect starting the 2526 school year. Uh students can use with teacher permission, emergencies or for managing their health. Um tracking that such as diabetes. I do know we will be discussing more of that. um the elementary recess time. Uh it will increase the required amount of recess in elementary schools from two hours per week to 40 minutes per day, an increase of about 16 minutes per day and more than an hour extra per week. Um also meritbased pay uh it is now allowing school districts if they choose they can implement a meritbased pay structure for

020high performing teachers. Uh the bill SB836 that allows Tennessee schools to charge tuition or deny enrollment to undocumented students is dead for the year. Um and lastly, uh the 114th General Assembly adjourned on Tuesday, April 22nd, and will reconvene at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Douglas, for for that report. Uh, any questions, uh, Miss Douglas, about any of the legislation that, uh, that was mentioned? I don't know if it's for Miss Douglas, but more than more than likely be for Mr. Drarerger. Um, just the the recess time. Um, what's that going to do to our instruction time in the classroom for our teachers and and how's that going to be addressed uh, across the district? So, I already have it's going to come out of instruction time. There's

021just no more minutes in the day. And we keep conveying this to our legislators that they've already filled every minute of the day with uh various items. And so, every time that they add something, it's got to take away from something else. So, to answer your question, it's going to come out of instruction time. So, we're working on how that's going to work. Uh it's a additional about 15 minutes a day. Uh, so it's going to come from uh maybe some of the RTI time and certainly maybe ELA and math. We're going to have to pull some minutes uh to make that happen. Uh what's important to note, I think from our standpoint, um is that we really want to try and stay true to our elementary school schedule, which we think is very good.

022We've run that, I think, now for 18 years. Um it's one of the best things that we've I you can't name another thing in public education that's lasted 18 years. Um, so, um, um, I was going to say except for Miss Gurley, she's about toif 50 50. But, um, but, yeah. Yeah. No, no. And she's going strong. Um, no, but in all seriousness, it's a great schedule. Um, other other districts, you know, are trying to copy and are envious of that. We've been able to implement everything that the state has handed down through that schedule. So, we're trying to stay true to that. But, uh, those minutes are going to come from instruction time. um you know on personally um I think if you know at three o'clock you can go and have as much

023recess as you want to but uh legislators keep forcing these things in there's just no more minutes in the day but we have set our schedules I've asked elementary principles to weigh in and and look at their schedules and come up with various versions and so we're we're taking that input right now and then we'll sit down with principles and curriculum and look at the best options to uh you know serve our students and still meet the uh the letter of the law. Okay. Well, I know the legislation legislators have, you know, they tell us what to do, but they don't or tell the the school districts and administrators what to do on this end, but they're not in this every day and like you guys are, and they don't see the adverse effects that

024it has on our students and our teachers and the stress level that they're already under. Uh, I just I I wish they would get more in tune with what's going on on the local level and not just passing things on the state level that they don't have an any idea of what's happening. Agree. And if I could, Mr. Chairman, just have one comment there. I want to make it clear. We're not against extra recess. I mean, we're all for that. We think our students need it. We think uh, you know, we think that it's a it's a good thing, but the the truth remains, there's just no more time in the day. So, it comes from somewhere. And what's really compelling that problem is when you take away from instruction time, that instruction time already

025has considerable accountability tagged to it, attached to it. And so you're still requiring the same math scores, but you're giving us less time to do it. So, uh, that's where the frustration comes. We're certainly in favor of kids having recess and we're certainly in favor of them having uh a good lunch period and all the fun things that go on with school, but uh it it comes at a cost for academics which still have considerable accountability. Any other uh legislative questions? Of course, uh, as typical, TSBA will do a do a great job this summer in educating us and providing some detail of the legislation that will by that time, the time we hear it, unless you go to the June meeting, will already have uh taken effect. Um, so we'll get uh we'll get

026some some u insight on that from a from a from a legal perspective and and what we uh may do or may not have to do as far as board goes. But trust that our administrator under director's leadership is uh is on top of that and and well aware of what needs to happen for us to be compliant going into uh the next uh the next school period. All right. Um if nothing else else on TLN then uh we'll go to uh our threat assessment report that was included in your packet. Uh uh several threats listed and unde credible and and all closed. So a clean report there. Um then we have uh update on our applicants uh and interviews and hiring. Looks like uh you, if I read this correctly, you probably jumped the

027gun and tried to make offers and you provided this information to us in our in our weekly report, but trying to get that done in in March or soon to be able to u uh avoid uh try to get ahead and get the best candidates as soon as you can. So, uh is that process still feel good about where we are personnel wise heading into next year? Yes, sir. We feel um very good at this point where we are with hiring. We feel, knock on wood, most of our uh teaching positions are are confirmed at this point. Uh we have some other interviews going on that could shuffle some of that, but overall um we feel good about that. Several staff positions remain to be filled, but the hiring season now for teachers is March

028into April uh where it used to be June. Um so it's just if there's not that many teachers out there, so you have to get on them early and often. And um so but we feel good at this point where we are in the process. Thank you. Any other questions regarding personnel for uh our personnel report? Okay. And then um excuse me, we've had um just have a couple of travel requests that'll be taking place uh over the over the summer that uh come in. We have U TSA uh requesting travel to Nashville June 27th through July 1st for a national conference and then the junior ROC White County High School junior ROC uh request travel to Greenville, Kentucky May 28th through June 1st for a summer camp. Uh that information was in your in

029your packet. It has administrative administrative approvals. So uh all that u be lacking would be ours. Any questions on those travel requests? Okay. If uh if not um the uh there's as we look at our our agenda and as you're thinking about um uh in our upcoming meeting um we've got several items on there uh regarding uh some some housekeeping. I have a couple of requests that were on there. I think uh one request was uh we take a look at our uh board calendar for 2526 school year and then uh also reviewing of uh some discussion on policy 6312 as that was mentioned by Miss Douglas that was uh we did have some legislation coming out that may affect that policy. We'll have a chance to discuss that uh in our regular regular meeting.

030Um and then also uh review the u the uh uh input we got from the uh our director's evaluation. I appreciate every everyone uh moving on that to uh to get that done. So uh anything else you want to address in this uh work session before we uh turn for regular meeting? Mr. D? Mr. Chairman, uh if I could I got some information going back to the budget amendment for the CTE Perkins basic grant. Uh that's uh fund 142 sub fund 801. That $11,589.68 is going towards a equipment. Uh particularly a chicken tractor uh which is basically a chicken coupe on wheels and um several other items that will go along with that process for the uh production of meat birds. So had to solicit some background information there, but that is what I'm being

031told that funds are being used for. So, um look around the uh the poultry industry um is uh alive and well by by inspiring entrepreneurs. And uh if you're uh if you're paying attention as you drive throughout the countryside, you're able to pick up eggs at half price as my daughter has shown me. Uh so anyway, uh no, that's good that uh that's that's good to know what that's that's going for. All right. Anything else? any board any board members that you uh think we need to bring up at this time while we have a minute. Uh I was wondering on this next thing are we going to discuss this uh teachers freedom act thing or is that what have we decided we was going to decide on all teachers? Yes ma'am that's ESA uh

032bonus resolution. So yes that'll be what we discuss in in that there's a copy of the resolution and so we'll have we'll be having our discussion on that in a regular meeting. Okay. Anything else? All right. Well, then we'll adjourn to uh to our six o'clock uh regular meeting. Okay. Thank you. We'll get uh we'll get started here in just a minute or so. Okay. So, this be our two-minute warning. All right, it's uh six o'clock and I'd like to call the May 8th meeting the White County Board of Education to order. If you would uh please stand. We're going to ask Miss Isabella Sackett to lead us in a pledge. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible,

033with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Miss Sacket. We appreciate you uh leading us in pledge and appreciate everyone's attendance here tonight um and your interest in the uh business white county board of education. Uh this is teachers appreciation week and so on behalf of the board I'd just like to publicly recognize all of our teachers and aids for your hard work this year and you make the difference in the lives of our students and uh just want you to know we appreciate you and your your hard work and your commitment to education. So, uh, on tonight's meeting, uh, we have a variety of items that we want to cover. Uh, some of those housekeeping related. Uh, we do have a, uh, uh, line item on our agenda for, uh, regarding our policy, uh,

03463, uh, 12, uh, regarding electronic devices. And we're also going to be reviewing the results from our, uh, director's evaluation. Tennessee code annotate and board policy 1400 states that every meeting of the board is open to the public except where law allows a closed session. The agenda for the board meetings are 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. Signup sheet has been made available prior to the beginning of the regular meeting. Individuals who have signed up prior to the start of the meeting may speak 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

035the help of Warrior Media for live or recorded viewing and links are provided on the district website. Attending and or speaking during tonight's meeting implies consent for comments and appearances to be used. So, uh, before we, uh, consider approving tonight's, uh, agenda, is there any board member that might have a conflict of interest on the items being proposed? Mr. Chairman, as I do each and every month, um, nothing on the agenda tonight that would, uh, institute a conflict of interest for me, uh, with my wife being a teacher in the system. Just want to make it, uh, public record and known that the the opinions that you hear from me tonight are are mine and mine alone and, uh, are just in the best interest of the school district. Thank you, Mr. McDonald. Chairman, my

036husband works in the school system, so but there's nothing on the agenda tonight that should be a conflict, and so my opinions are my own. Thank you, Miss Officer. Like my esteemed colleagues, my wife is also an employee of the high school, and again, nothing on the agenda, I believe, constitutes a conflict of interest, but my opinions are mine, mine alone. Thank Thank you, Mr. Smith. So, uh, Miss Sims, please let the M state that Mr. McDonald is officer and Mr. Smith all indicated they employees working within the district, but no items on the agenda would constitute a conflict for them. So, with uh that being said, we will uh move to our next agenda item and that's the approval for the agenda for tonight's meeting. The agenda has been posted. Um there is one

037addition that we have made and that's a budget amendment for uh in under new business sent us a budget amendment for our uh uh sub fund uh 142 fund 142 sub fund 432 and that's uh some some monies uh regarding our 21st century program. Uh that was uh everyone was made aware of that inter work session. Uh that would be the only change to uh tonight's agenda that's been proposed. So this time I'd entertain a motion for approval. Motion to approve. Motion by Mr. McDonald. I have a second. Second. Second by Mr. Smith. Any discussion. Okay. Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Motion passes. Uh items under consent agenda tonight uh are the approval for the minutes from our meetings held on April 10th. Uh that was our work

038session along with our regular meeting. Uh we did have uh some budget amendments and transfers that were reviewed. Uh we will be having uh review of uh second reading uh of policy amendment to uh policy 3202. Uh and then this is notice that this is our review of section 4 policies. Uh this month uh we had maintenance report, our school report, uh budget report. Uh for the for the record, uh the school is in uh in good financial standings at this point in during our budget cycle. Uh we had a TLN report uh threat assessment report, our personnel reports. We will also uh in our consent agenda will be approving two travel requests uh for White County High School uh uh groups uh TSA and Junior ROC. So those were items that were discussed in

039consent um in our work session. No uh no items was were recommended to be pulled out. So with that it will not require a motion or a second. So uh we will uh vote for approval. All those in favor signify by saying I. I opposed. Motion passes. Next item on our agenda is uh uh the ESA onus resolution. So, uh, as you're aware, we've had these discussions on previous previous meetings. Um, state legislature passed what is known as the Educational Freedom Act of 2025. It includes a provision for providing a one-time bonus of no less than $2,000 to public tool school teachers in the state. And as a board we have to acknowledge that affirm our intent to participate in that section of the legislation so that the teachers would receive those bonuses. Um there

040is a draft copy of the resolution that is very similar to the ones that uh that we have had out there for uh just for your information purposes as we knew that we would be leading up to this time as a board. we uh to pass resolution. Uh we figured that uh just given the time of where this uh where this we're at in our our planning and and budget cycle for for next year uh that this is an item that we'd want to take up tonight. So this time I'll pause and see if there's any questions or discussion you would like to have about this matter or the uh resolution itself. I guess Mr. Just for clarity, um, this is for K through 12 teachers only, correct? I believe it included preK. Um, but

041it it there's a definition by um the state that defined teachers uh it's by their definition of teachers, which is uh those that have students in front of them more than half the day and for 120 days. Okay. So, is there any provisions that I guess we can do to recognize all of our aids, the ones that are in the classrooms with those teachers all the times? Um, you know, are your RTI, your counselors, those folks. Is there something that we can do as a board? I know we're in in the thick of budget things, but is there some kind of bonus that we can include in that to include everybody uh from top to bottom? cafeteria staff, bus drivers, doesn't matter, anybody because they all are out there in the thick of things every

042day. I I agree and we applaud all those efforts. Um you we looked at that. That was something, you know, we've as a district we've tried to do is winning and losing as a team and uh so we looked at that and there was also some uh feedback that I received that um sometimes, you know, it's maybe good to reward those folks for which the award was given and um you know, we recognize those people. We've had um you know we tried to do some differentiated pay in the past where we recognized maybe tested subjects and things like that and we had some push back on that because people felt undervalued in other subjects. Um so this money and there there was also a concern too of the precedent it sets. You know, this is

043money that was sent from the state as part won't get into the politics of that, but it was it was part of the the Education Freedom Act, which uh I had some teachers said that they didn't want the money because they felt like it was a bribe uh to get people to support this the voucher bill. So, um there's a lot of different opinions on that, but we can do whatever the board wants to do as far as that goes. Um but it's going to cost the local um the local school system um you know a lot of money maybe in the hundreds of thousands of dollars to to give a bonus of some sort to everybody that's not included in this. And then there's also the consideration of setting a precedent that every time

044that the state gives a bonus to someone that the county is going to match that. Um so um those were the concerns and uh so at this time uh you know the recommendation I had for the board was let's award that to everyone that was included in that definition. Uh that's who the award this bonus will go to. And as far as the county goes, we're are we're budgeting for payraises for all of our staff and all of our teachers for next year. So that's what the local will be doing. Uh this is just designated to those that the state has defined as teachers under their definition. Okay. All right. Thank you. I've got a question. Okay. So, did you say it included the prek teachers? It does. I think the original language of the

045bill did not, but I we've got clarification that it does. Okay. So, is there a way to get an amount that it may include the aids? And I'm not by no means trying to get around the cafeteria workers or the bus drivers, but they're not hands-on in the classroom as much time as the aids are. So if we said aids, would we say counselors and administrators, too? No, I'm just saying aids. That's in the classroom, hands-on with the students. So, as I said earlier, we can do whatever the board would like to do there. What I'm suggesting, what I'm proposing tonight is that it's paid exactly for the money that's come in for that purpose. Um, but we can do whatever the board would would choose for us to look at. I can get those

046numbers and um but and we ran some numbers, but it to do the $2,000 bonus and if I'm not mistaken, it's $2,300 and some dollars. Is that correct that it so it comes out? So that there's actually 2,000. I think I saw that number. So it actually So it's not $2,000 minus the taxes. Uh the idea was that it was supposed to be $2,000. Um but to do that for every staff member that's not included in this would be hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars. Um and you know, one of the things we're going to talk about in my director's valuation in a little bit is the fact that I'm not looking at ways to save enough money. Um so um you know but that but if I it's the board's prerogative that we

047look at that I'll be I'm more than willing to to get those numbers. So if I could interject here um what we're doing tonight is that we are passing or we we would are considering a resolution by this board that we will participate in the one-time bonus for the public school teachers. And this is going to be a 2025 2026 payout. It won't be paid out and it technically is from this school year based on this school year, but the money monies won't be released until after July 1. So that would show up in the budget for 2025 2026. Yes. Okay. So the state will provide us that money and that would be incoming funds that we would budget amend and then pay out. So the the matter on the table that we're considering tonight

048is if we're going to participate in if we're going to take the funds received from the state and we're going to flow those through to the individuals that it was intended to and that's the licensed teachers spending. um we're saying preK through 12 50% time instructional time for 120 days out of the year. So it does have parameters set. Um so that's what we're considering. I think your discussion on how do we uh how do we recognize others in uh in in our district who contribute to the educational process? I think it's it's uh uh it's uh it's valid. I think it's also valid that we consider, you know, longerterm impacts on something like this. Um, and I think that would probably be best served for discussion at another meeting and probably get that information

049uh to us for uh as we prepare for budget for 2025 2026. I know that you've done that before. Um, but I would suggest that if any board member has specific information, as Miss Fowler stated, what would be the cost if you included all aids, if I heard you correctly, um, in uh, in including them in a in a payout? Um, I think we would we would have that part of our budget discussion. Um because tonight it's it's the the matter in front of us is are we as a as a board going to uh let it be known to the state that we resolve that we will uh affirm our intent to participate in this uh this part of the legislation of the Education Freedom Act 2025. Mr. Chairman, uh two quick things. um

050in that production of data, if you could look at it from different thresholds, if it were to be a $500 bonus, $1,000 bonus, $1,500, uh for for all staff, because I think all staff, teachers included, uh provide value to the students experience, educational experience. Second thing, I I think I mentioned this at a previous board meeting. I would like to amend the resolution to where it says a graduate prepared to enter a post-secondary institution, the military, armed forces, or the workforce. I know that may be a minor addition to the resolution, but I think it speaks to the students that have are taking that option to to serve. Hey, so Mr. Smith, you're saying you have some language clarification you like to make that resolution. That's correct. So I'm going to suggest if uh if

051we could if we could do this in in this manner. I think this is the right the proper way to to go with this. Um we um um when we have discussion if we'll if uh somebody brings it to a motion to approve this resolution. We have discussion if you could uh make a motion to make your amendment then we'll vote on your amendment. Then uh we'll vote on the resolution as amended. Miss Fowler, does this have to be voted on tonight or could we do it? Okay. Yes. I don't imagine they can't see my head shaking on on or hear it on the on the uh Anyway, uh yes, it does have to be approved. We have to submit this by June 1st or we are not eligible to receive the funds. So, I

052know we're going to have our budget one. Is are we allowed to maybe get some numbers and move it to the budget one for the 29th? Yes. Um, Miss Fowler, I apologize if I wasn't clear on that. Um the um if we would want if we as a board would consider uh some of the things uh that were suggested about recognizing other uh uh other contributors uh in the to the uh the educational process of the students. If we want to consider that then what I'm going to suggest is that board members you you ask uh Mr. be to uh compile various uh scenarios of what you'd like to see and that we would bring that up in our discussion as we start preparing our 2526 budget because we would not pay those funds out

053of this year's budget. It would be a next year's budget item if we chose to do anything. I've had some teachers actually reach out to me because they feel like the aids need to be included in this because they're a very big part And I appreciate that and appreciate uh teachers will wanting to recognize the role that aids aids play. Um again, aids weren't included in the state legis the uh in the the legislation that was passed and so we're just dealing with the legislation and so we can address that at the uh at uh at the appropriate time and I'm suggesting that would be in budget. Any other comments, questions? Okay. So, we understand the purpose of the resolution and and why we're it's uh being brought to us uh tonight. Uh so, at

054this time, I'd entertain a motion to pass the resolution uh by the White County Board of Education to participate and our intent to participate in the uh educational freedom act of uh 2025 and its onetime bonus to the uh teachers uh of public schools. I have a motion. Mr. Chairman, I think Miss Sack may have had no. Okay. Okay. Okay. So, entertain a motion. So, move. Motion by Mr. Smith. Have a second. Second. Second, Miss Douglas. Uh, no discussion. And we're discussing the resolution itself. I I I think it needs to be noted that this is just section four of the Education Freedom Act uh and not the entire act. Um, I think that's needs to be made public that this is only one section of that huge bill that was um talked about in

055the in the legislature this year. Thank you, Mr. McDonald. And I'll if I could just reiterate what what you said that uh this resolution is u uh and if you don't mind if you indulge me, I'll just I'll just read it for the record. It's a resolution by the White County Board of Education. Whereas the White County Bo board of education is charged with governing the school system so that students receive the best educational opportunities in order to graduate prepared to enter a postsecondary institution or the workforce. And whereas the Education Freedom Act of 2025 includes a provision for providing a one-time bonus of no less than $2,000 to public school teachers in the state. And whereas section 4 of the Education Freedom Act 2025 requires that local boards of education for an ELL e

056LEA seeking to participate in section 4 of the proposed act must affirm its intent to participate by a resolution in order to receive state funds to issue these bonuses. Therefore, be it resolved that the White County Board of Education affirms its intent to participate in section 4 of the Education Freedom Act of 2025 relative to the bonuses for the teachers. So, that would uh provide the clarity that we are just affirming our our intent to participate in the bonus in the bonus program and not uh taking a position on the uh bill as a whole. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If I could offer a an amendment to the first paragraph to where it would read, White County Board of Education is charged with governing the school system, so that all students receive the best educational

057opportunities in order to graduate prepared to enter a post-secary institution, comma, the workforce, comma, or armed forces. Okay. So, Mr. Smith is you're making that as a motion, correct? Yes, sir. All right. So, Mr. Smith has uh made a motion to uh uh uh change the language of the uh of the resolution to include postsecondary institution uh workforce and military. So, we would be adding military to that first paragraph. So, that's the the the uh motion to amend. Do I have a second? Second. Excuse me. Second by Mr. McDonald. Any discussion? Okay. Uh hearing none. All those in favor of approving the amendment signify by saying I I opposed. Motion passes. So uh with that amendment uh paragraph one would uh design would uh uh would uh state postsecary institution workforce or andor military. Uh

058so that's would be the amendment. So now we will uh we have a a motion and a second for approving the resolution. Are there any other discussions? Okay, hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I opposed. Motion passes. Get that updated so I can All right. Um All right. So, uh next we'll move to item on our agenda and that's uh the 202526 school board me meeting calendar. Excuse me. Um so uh we get into the uh season where we'll have to start planning our meetings for next year and uh it's been some discussion about uh the dates. The dates are primarily set with the uh within policy of the uh second Thursday in of the month. However, we have made some adjustments to accommodate uh breaks not to be holding uh

059board meetings during during breaks. such as spring break and fall break. Um, but there has been some discussion about the location locations and so Mr. McDonald, you brought that up. I'd like to give you a chance to speak to that. Yeah, I I'll give you a chance to clear your throat. So, um, thank you. No, Mr. Mr. Chairman, thank you for for that and allowing me to uh to bring this forward. We we have this great boardroom here. Um, I don't get me wrong, I love going and seeing our our schools and seeing our principles, but there's a lot of work that goes on to um make this meeting happen at a satellite location. Um, our IT department has to pack up all of these cameras and microphones and and things. Um, I I would

060just like to see us make the and and make this meeting be held at the board of education every month and be able to recognize our schools just as we do uh recognize our schools here during this meeting. you know, whether we we make the the first meeting of the month, the high school, you know, high school appreciation month, uh, for our meeting and recognize those folks. But, uh, I would like for us to, uh, take some work off of, uh, our IT department, uh, and instead of having to get all of this equipment to a to a satellite location, uh, we can get all these cameras mounted on the wall and get the microphone set up to where it would be a uh, an easy transition for them to come in and and turn

061everything on and be as seamless uh, as possible. and also take some work off of our principles and our and our teachers and administrators at those schools instead of having to stay till seven or eight o'clock at a on a you know once a month on a night um that they could be home with their families. So um I would just uh I would like to I guess put in a formal motion that our schoolboard meeting calendar for 2526 be uh all meetings be held here in the Robinson McBride boardroom at the board of education building. Mr. Thank you, Mr. McDonald. I have a motion on the floor that uh the location of 2025 2026 school board meetings be held here at the Robinson McBride board meeting here at the board of education central. One

062thing one thing, Mr. Chairman, I don't want the teachers and and administrators at at our schools to know that we don't want to come see them. We just want to take a little work off of them and and make their lives a little easier. Uh but we can go visit those schools at at any time during the during the week. So, um, that would be my only other comment for that. Okay. Do duly noted. Um, and, uh, but I don't think I'm going to try to include that in expression of your motion. Um, so I have a motion that, uh, the 2025 2026 school year board meeting calendar uh, has the board of education uh, central office as our meeting location. Have a motion to have a second. Second, Miss Bower. Any discussion, comments? echo

063Miss uh uh Mr. McDonald's uh statement about appreciating uh work of uh Miss Rust and Miss Barnes for uh accommodating us on this uh on our field trips and uh just amazed at their ability to do that and do that in a a way where the technology all comes together. I I will say this that we are the only district that I can find that does field trips each month to their school. So nobody around us um has a has a meeting at their schools. So we we are one of the last. Thank you, Mr. McDonald. So I have a motion in a second. Any other discussion? I I think if we don't go to the schools, we have to be more intentional. I'll I'll say I have to be more intentional about getting out

064and seeing the schools than than what I've done so far. So that's on me. Not that I'm implicating anybody else, but they'll welcome they'll welcome you with open arms. Yeah. All right. Any other discussion? Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Motion passes. Next item on our agenda is review policy. uh 6312 and that's the uh use of personal communications electronic devices in our in our district. Uh we do have policy uh regarding those uh those uh personal communication electronic devices. Um but we also know that uh legislation that has recently passed may impact our policy. Um but then we also know that this is a uh some other districts are taking a different approach and so uh we're going to have a little discussion on that tonight. Um I do

065know that uh uh been asked that Miss Amy Hawkins uh come and speak to us uh regarding uh this subject from a high school's perspective. But I'm going to at this time uh give Mr. uh Mr. D the opportunity to uh to lead us in this in into this discussion. All right. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, this is obviously um an endeavor that some school systems have taken upon themselves and uh this new law really doesn't impact our policy uh that much. We already had a policy in place that restricted cell phone use during instruction time. Um, as I shared with the board in the past, uh, the way I've approached that is, um, you know, until the high school tells me that it was a a huge problem, I was allowing them to run

066their school and handle that accordingly. And that's not what I'm hearing. Now, do cell phones cause disruptions? Absolutely. As a distraction sometimes, yes. But I'm not hearing overwhelmingly from the high school and from teachers that they can't teach class because of uh cell phone use or inappropriate cell phone use. Um so our policy doesn't necessarily have to change according to this law. We have that already in place. Um but there we did solicit uh feedback from parents and students. Uh that is in your packet. Uh you know teachers overwhelmingly say no cell phones. Uh uh the statistics students say overwhelmingly yes cell phones. Uh and parents are split somewhere in the middle and divided on the issue. Um a lot of conversation about parents being able to get a hold of their students throughout the

067day. Um, and uh, so there's there's varying opinions on that, but again, uh, from the conversation I've had with administrators, and Miss Hawkins is here to answer any questions. Thank you, Miss Hawkins, for being here this evening. If you have any questions specifically from the high school administration, um, you know, that's not what I'm hearing as the director is that, uh, this is a policy that necessarily needs changed right now. Um, uh, you know, and we look at students, um, a good point was brought up. I think Miss Hawkins and I actually talked about this was, you know, we're looking at ways to keep our students engaged and happy at school. Um, and I think when they when 80% say don't take our cell phones and you take their cell phones, that's we're we're you

068know, we're losing students in a lot of different ways right now. And so, uh, that's a consideration u as, you know, one more thing that might sway some folks to to leave our public schools. So, um, again, not hearing that that's an issue that we need to tackle right now. Uh I think our current policy seems to be doing its job and um and from in my discussions with them and uh so that's my those are my thoughts on the subject. Um I you know romantically as a parent I like the idea of not having them at all in the building. Um but as a director I'm not hearing that it's a problem that we need to solve right now uh at White County High School. Thank you, Mr. D. Um Miss Hawkins, did you

069come with anything prepared you like to share with us? But you can give us some some insight that would would certainly like to recognize you. And you will have to turn the microphone on when you come up. If I may, while she's approaching the mic, our current policy is in line with the current legislation. Correct. Okay. So, we've had about 700 discipline referrals over the course of the year. out of those um when we checked it two weeks ago I believe only 60 were cell phone violations. Currently our policy or our procedure is that um students are not allowed to have cell phones in the classroom. They can have them in the hallways in the cafeterias. Um and it's really we are not seeing issues with students using them in an inappropriate way during the

070school day. Does it happen? Yes. But as far as discipline goes, we've not had a lot of that going on. Um, most of the issues we have with cell phones are using social media sites um at home. So, they're going to come in and they're going to tell us that somebody posted something on Snapchat at home. So, we can't control that already. As far as um a cell phone ban, our policy is actually um we well we went to we were going to go to Warren County and our policy our number one um violation, our number one punishment is actually more harsh than what they have right now with their cell phone ban. So, um we were going to go visit and then when I talked to one of their assistant principles, um we were

071really right in line with what their policy says. We just don't take them up from students. So, we don't as an administrative team, we don't see a need for a cell phone ban. Thank you, Miss Hawkins. Any questions from uh for for our guest? May not necessarily be for Miss Hawkins, but so are the students allowed to have them on their person like for guys have them in their pockets or Yes. Okay. I got a question. So, I'm hearing different from the teachers that they want a cell phone ban on them. And I'm one of the old schools that if I want to get in touch with my kids, I'm going to call the school. I I don't feel like a parent should be reaching out to the child on a cell phone when you're

072in school. And we do have some teachers who say self they want a cell phone ban. and and what teachers feel those teachers feel that if if we say there's a cell phone ban there then they can just put that on the school board that the school board says this but there are also teachers who like Mr. said they've talked to their students and we have students who are saying I wouldn't come to school if I couldn't have my phone and not because they want to use it during the school day um and not because their parents are contacting them but it's just where where it is right now. Other questions, comments for Miss Hawkins or anything about the subject? I uh I know that some of the other places has some kind of uh

073policy where they're not allowed to take them in their class. They're stored in a pouch or in their locker or something like that. That would probably be somewhere in the middle. Correct. where they couldn't be like cheating on a test or uh you know asking their friends a answer on a test or something like that if they didn't actually have them on their person, right? Some some um districts are doing that. What most of our teachers do is they have a pouch area in their classroom where they the students turn their phone in in the classroom. So like our math department overwhelmingly that's the system that they use and they really are concerned about cheating on in the classroom but that's the that's what they use is they have a like a shoe pouch and

074students and they're numbered and students it in the math department they actually have a calculator there. They trade the calculator out for their phone and that's how they pick their calculator up. I think miss I think Bella could talk on that as well. I think uh you know if every classroom had that that they could designate a place for their cell phone because um when they get out in the workforce they're not going to be able to be glued to their cell phone and they need to be separating. They're going to have separation anxiety. Right. I agree. And our policy is that there are not to be cell phones in the classroom. So that is our policy. So um we um and thank you for those comments, Miss Hawkins. We we did do a a

075survey and um and you you uh those results were posted in your your folder and and as uh as it was stated that uh uh there is a varying degree of what uh students and and teachers say and and also what what parents say too. We we have uh appreciate the good insight from administrative standpoint. But given the fact that we do have the privilege of having a student representative on our board, I would like uh for Miss Sacket to to speak to that from just from a student's perspective if she doesn't mind. Yeah. So, um I think our policy is a good policy. I don't foresee a lot of problems with cell phones, but I'm also not a student that has to have my cell phone on me all the time. I'm fine with

076putting it up in my backpack or putting it in the calculators p pouch. Um, all of the classrooms that I'm in, I do uh put my cell phone up because that's the requirement of the teacher. And also, I think sending the survey out, um, I was working on it in class and just asking one of my teachers one of the questions before the survey was actually sent out. There were some there was a lot of student backlash towards me even filling out a survey. So, they were already upset with just a survey going out about whether or not there should or should not be a cell phone ban. And I think that if you have a policy in order that's working well that you're not seeing many problems with, uh, the students are happy, uh,

077I wouldn't change it, um, and anger them. I guess I know that we're trying to benefit them and and keep them in a good learning environment, but I think that right now you have a good learning environment. So changing that might um, make problems that aren't there right now. So why add problems? And also I don't think that the results showed an overwhelming amount of teachers that really really wanted cell phones completely out of there and uh students opinions and their parents' opinions were in line. So I wouldn't change the cell phone policy that we have right now unless we absolutely had to. Thank you Miss Sacka. That's a a good uh perspective for us to have. Other comments from board members. I will uh take a moment to say that you know and I

078appreciate Mr. putting in um policies from our neighboring counties. And uh if you look at those and if if you look at the the their policies that they implement, uh I think ours is thorough uh not just high school level, but we also have uh uh cell phones being brought in at elementary schools as well and middle school. Uh I think uh I think our policy is very thorough and so I appreciate the work that that went into uh putting that uh together and the um and it does have consequences. It does have some guidelines. It does have parameters in which everybody knows and if I'm not mistaken those are also signatures. Uh you sign off on the uh student handbook at the beginning of the year that say you've read these you understand these

079and you intend to abide by these. Is that correct? Yes. So there is in a sense a uh uh a uh kind of a a loose contract there uh between the students and the in our district that this is what we're allowing and you know the expectation is that you uh you don't break the contract. Um so and when you do that consequences and obviously we have those those listed. So uh um so I I feel really good about our policy. Um but unless there was uh you know somebody uh wanted to uh make a motion to uh to take any action regarding this then uh um if if we'll we'll entertain it. But otherwise uh we'll just ask that administrators uh at all levels make sure that the enforcement's there and uh so that

080way the policy actually has has merit. Any comments, discussions, motions. Just another question. I apologize but our policy breaks out K through 8 and 9 through 12. Are both sections compliant with what the legislation is doing legislature is doing? Okay. Okay. Anything else on this subject? All right, Miss Hawkins, thank you for joining us and and uh for your thorough explanation. Appreciate that. All right. Well, then uh if that's uh nothing else, we'll move on to our next uh item of business. Um I do appreciate board members you going through the process of uh uh going through our director's evaluation. Um, we do have policy uh that was included in your packet that uh policy 5803 uh it says the board shall uh review uh annually and provide a evaluation of our director of schools.

081So we have uh just as a reminder um we have uh we have used and this year we use continue to use the same evaluation form that we have uh used in the past that I guess ever since uh uh Mr. Troberger has been under contract with our district. It's a 52 question uh uh evaluation uh that covers a variety of different uh topics um overall leadership uh staff and personal relationships, business and finance, strateg uh strate strategic planning skills. And so uh we we did have a uh uh a survey uh sent out or evaluation you provided and have the uh composite scores on uh category u uh on questions 1 through uh 23. Uh composite score was 3.16 on uh staff and personal relationships. Uh that was questions 24 through 35. Composite score

082was 3.06. Educational leadership uh questions 36 through 44 was uh 3.14 business and finance uh three questions uh questions 45 through 48 those are 318 and then strategic planning skills questions 49 through 52 uh 2.89 89. So if I'm not mistaken, a composite score of uh cumulative score of of all those uh around 3.1 uh round enough if I'm not mistaken. Uh this is on a four-point scale. So uh with uh uh scores of two or lower uh they have to uh have be uh provide comments on on uh what why that would be considered below expectations and u comments for the director because if we uh score in a a two or lower without any explanation of what we're seeing that's not uh providing adequate feedback for our director to uh to make course

083correction. Um but three and higher would be considered uh meeting expectations. So uh I'll pause here just uh just for a minute uh giving any opportunities for anyone to uh comment over our uh director's scores. sorry, the director's scores, but I did go back and in February 2024, we did make the motion to change the thing. I know we had talked about it before. I just wanted to bring that up. Yes, ma'am, we did. And we had some discussion about that um past 2024 and I I'll look to that. But we did have a consensus that con came to the consensus uh with our director that he was okay with the the format that we were using and he was comfortable with that. But we did come back and ask that the addition was that

084he would provide objective evidence for us because uh using that I think it was more of a hindrance to the board that um that we um uh didn't have enough evidence to how we could make an eval a proper evaluation. And so this year the change was that he provided that objective evidence for each of those questions and you were provided that information. So, as going through doing your evaluation, you had something to refer to um from what he thought was objective evidence of how he was he was meeting that. If that's something we want to revisit, um that would be something that we can uh we can have bring that discussion up again. uh this so this was would be an evaluation that I would say was different from how we've done it in

085the past just because we had that extra amount of resources for us to uh to refer to and and and we did have some evidence rather than just being what we uh may have discovered on our own. I do want to say and and I appreciate the uh u the feedback that was given as getting to read through those questions and uh and Mr. D, I want you to know I think you're doing a great job for our district. I I don't um I don't know that we would be where we're at if we had anybody else in that uh in that seat. Um it's a tough job. Couldn't pay me enough money to do it. um not smart enough to do it in the first place, but uh I appreciate the uh the constructive

086criticism that you take um because there's a lot of people out in the in the c in the county in the community that that love to give constructive criticism and uh I appreciate the way you take it. I appreciate the the way that you offer uh resolution to a lot of those issues uh even though when even when it's hard. Uh, so I I appreciate that and I uh you know I just uh have enjoyed the time that I've gotten to work on this board and with this board. Uh so it's it's not an easy job to sit up here and go through all these uh these laws and and all of these budget numbers. So um I appreciate you doing that on a on a daily basis and uh just uh continue to do

087the good work. Thank you, Mr. McDonald. Appreciate that. M. Douglas, anything you'd like to share? I think I'll probably just go around the table. Um, I would like to say, um, as a former teacher, um, there's things that I knew already dealing with education, but this is a whole different side of of what I ever dealt with. Um, and I've enjoyed it. Um, learning a lot. Uh, but I will have to say I've had some questions along the way and I could ask a board member or Mr. Droberger and everyone has been so good to help. You know that doing this legislative report each month, you know, that's that's difficult from someone that doesn't know legisl legislators. So, I was um, you know, that that's been a learning curve for me. But, I do appreciate

088everyone's work here and I I definitely have learned some things along the way and I appreciate it very much. Smith. Yeah. Ne next next week will be my 30th evaluation at at Tech and I've never gone through an extensive evaluation as this. So the the evidence that you provided was extremely appreciated because I think as a board we we don't know answers to all of those whether this is being done by you or by your your team. So uh I I thought I think you do a great job for our school. Um, I think you've done a great job for our school system. So, I appreciate you. Thank you, M. Smith. Miss Officer, I agree with Mr. Smith about the extensiveness of this evaluation. Um I think that you're doing a great job. Thank you

089for the feedback. But um this instrument was very challenging and so the evidence that you gave that shows so much more than any number on a piece of paper and I think you're doing a great job and I think this board is um benefiting from you being in this position. Stone Mr. Drumberger, I know you uh went to a lot of work uh preparing all your answers and it was extensive and I think if we had went to an another evaluation it would have probably been easier to score because like they said it was very extensive. Um and I'm also like Mr. McDonald. I hope uh any criticism uh you take it as constructive. Fowler, I just want to say thank you and I need to apologize because this week I've had some personal issues

090so I didn't get to go over it as well as I probably should have even though I started it when we got it Monday and I apologize for that but had to rush out today. But you do take it well on your shoulders. I'm telling you, you got some big ones and I mean I do appreciate you. You love our teachers and our students and thank you for what you do. So, I'm just going to share a couple of thoughts um as I go through and think about your uh your performance. Uh Mr. D, one of the things that uh stands out to me is um you seem to be very um uh very proactive in your uh effort to support your team and support our our district and our staff. uh particularly when I

091look at um the updates that you're providing our principles um and and department from the department heads uh it shows me the uh your ability to to delegate and and lean on them for uh as subject matter experts over those areas and you not trying to do uh take all the burden of every department upon yourself and holding people responsible for that and then communicating that out throughout the district. um your general sessions to start the uh start the year I think is uh something that is uh whether you did that on your own uh when you started or whether that was something that was carried on I do think it that's a u a very effective way to start the uh school year uh setting the tone for the upcoming year. So I I

092would commend you for for that. Um, and I also like to say that I appreciate uh you um being supportive of of innovative ways uh to teach and also going uh above and beyond by when uh when our our legislature seems to think that they have a better uh better idea of how we need to teach uh math than than uh what we do here at a local level. Um going to bat for that innovative math teaching model and and and uh promoting that. Uh that was one thing and and promoting innovation throughout our district and teaching is um a lot of different ways you could go with that but that's one that that is is different. It is effective and uh and provides results. So I appreciate you taking a stand on that. Um,

093so, uh, I think, you know, from, uh, as a board standpoint, from from as a board member, I think, um, uh, some of the areas as far as strategic planning and things of that nature, um, haven't given you the opportunity to succeed in in in those areas. And so uh hopefully as a board member and as uh as a board member whether chair chairman or not uh can can do some things to help you in that that area because that is how we are evaluating you on that and it's not it's not uh fair for us to evaluate on something that uh we're a participant in and we don't uh uh we could be more effective at. So uh so with that that's just a few comments I'd like to just share with you and

094appreciate the fact that uh you have to get your evaluation public and most people uh have the uh have the luxury of having evaluations done in private. So I appreciate you uh your you you doing that and and the way you way you accept that. So give you a chance if there's anything you'd like to say. I just want to thank the board for your time and uh you know you you do a difficult job as well and and face a lot of uh feedback and criticisms as well but I thank you for your time and uh in my evaluation and your confidence in me and I thank the uh the county for the same. Uh it's not a perfect school system but it's a very very good one and it's be mostly because of

095the people that uh I have the luxury of standing on their shoulders. Um and uh I I get to take credit for the really hard work that's going on in our schools each and every day. And so I'm so thankful for those people uh and the job they do with kids. Um you know, love kids work hard and pursue excellence is not something that I just say. It's something that we try and emulate in our school system. Um most of almost all decisions that I make start with students first. That's not always popular with some big people, but uh that's always my main motivation. Uh then we work really hard and I try and be a good example of that of working hard every day and being here and putting in the time and the

096effort and then we pursue excellence, not perfection. There's no perfect school system out there, perfect director, perfect school. Uh but we we try and get better every day and when we mess up, we fess up and move on. And um so um you know, we I'm really I'm really proud of our school system. I'm proud of the accomplishments that we've made. Uh and u I'm proud to lead u the fine people that work here. um several things that we I need to work on and I made note of those and and I appreciate that. Um you know, I appreciate the board sharing those things and uh you know, I think strategic planning is is one and I think that that's something that I can use the board's guidance on and I think the board should

097and would want to be involved in in helping to guide that and not the other way around. So, uh but I I'll take all those things u all those things to heart and try and get better as we pursue excellence together. And I just thank the board for your uh your positive um evaluation this evening. It's Fowler. I just want to say that I want to thank you and I want to make sure the public knows I don't care what time I call this man. It can be 8:00 at night if I've got a question about something and he answers his phone. If he can't get to it, he texts me and says, "I'll call you back." I don't care if it's me asking a question about something or a parent has reached out to

098me and I just want to say thank you. All right. Any other questions or comments? Just just one. Miss uh Douglas and and uh Miss Officer and I went to the orientation in October of last year at TS T TSBA does and there were a lot of good conversations that happened. But I think we quickly realized that that we have an outstanding school system here based on some of the other things that go on uh within this state. and and it starts at the top and it permeates through through that leadership uh throughout the principles, the staff, the faculty. Uh so I think we should consider ourselves very blessed. Comm. Thank you, Mr. Smith. Any other comments? Okay. If not, I entertain a motion to for board approval of the 2425 director's evaluation as was

099scored. Move. Motion by Miss McDonald. I have a second. Second by Miss Fowler. Any discussion on the evaluation scores? Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Motion passes. Next item on our agenda is our district update. Mr. Mr. Drumberger. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I'll try and be brief. Uh, personnel reports in your folders. Lots of employment transactions for this month. more than more than normal due to this being the retirement and hiring season for next year. We're currently interviewing qualified candidates for next year and most of the vacancies are filled right now, but we still have a few interviews to come. Legislatively, the general assembly is officially adjourned for the session for the year. Uh now we'll adjust to the new laws and directives affect affecting education. I will

100attend a toss legislative briefing next week and the school board will have their TSBA summer law conference in July. Academically, uh, raw data from spring TCAP testing will return in the coming weeks, which will help us in making personnel decisions for next year. Full data reports in the fall semester, which will greater influence student decisions. Uh, our precap test data was very promising and we're expecting good results on state exams. In the realm of safety, uh most of the door projects in the schools are complete, the door lock projects. Uh supervisor um Brian Haley has conducted monthly C meetings with our local responders and administrators. Much progress has been made in regards to safety in our schools. Uh we are budgeting for further safety improvements in fiscal year 26. Financially, the general purpose school fund

101has continued a positive financial trend during the month of April. We anticipate this increase to to to uh be able to increase the fund balance as similar rate as last year. And this is significant because we discussed at this this time last year about really trying to uh maybe uh take a close look at keeping our budget a little tighter than normal. And so it's we did that and it's good to see that we're still going to be able to positively contribute back to fund balance. So I think that speaks to the the good job that all of our folks have done in the schools at watching the the pennies and dollars. Uh athletically the WCMS softball team is in the sectional round. Uh having a great season. WCMS golf is headed to the state.

102Congratulations to Coach Griffith over there. Um, WCHS soccer just finished one of the best seasons in school history. Flag football had a great year. We had four athletes sign scholarships to play sports in college. WCH baseball had a strong finish to the school year or to the season and a few other sports are still wrapping up their seasons. So, some great sports going on in White County schools. Uh, as far as building projects go, the bid opening for bid opening meeting for the Doyle School project uh was on May 14. Excuse me, is on May 14th. That's when we'll open the bid. Sorry, we did the project meeting. Uh, we're looking forward to this small addition to the school. Um, at WCHS, assistant principal Scott Wilson and science chair Mr. Wesley Martin have secured a

103TVA learning environment grant in the amount of $25,000. And this money will go towards the purchase of a fume hood during the summer's science lab renovation. There are 8.5 days of school left. Uh May uh May 14th is Balorate Service. May 15th is the Warrior Academy graduation. May 16th is White County High School graduation. Uh students are off on the 21st for a teacher inservice day and we'll report for an abbreviated final day to pick up report cards on May 22nd. So that's a brief summary of what's going on in the schools right now. I'll be glad to answer any questions that you may have. Qu any questions for our director over schools report? Thank you for that report. Um I'm not sure it's eight and a half. It's probably more like 8.25 something. Um

104we according to the state it's 8 and a half. That's what I'm going to say on the record. We'll go with that. Um we have several coaching vacancies right now. If you could uh talk to the board about how the process by which we go to recruit new coaches, the process by which we go to to hire them. um do they have to be school employees or district employees to coach? If you could just give us some insight of that, please. So, we post our coaching vacancies just like we do teacher vacancies or any job openings on uh a program called my benefits channel. Um and we uh so we post those publicly and take applications that way. Um usually those are most of those decisions done at the building level. Principles unless I have

105something big picture from a district standpoint we need to address. We allow principles and supervisors to hold those interviews and select those candidates and then we go about the process of checking background checks and references before they're recommended for hire. So we do the same process with coaches except uh the athletic directors involved and works with the principles and uh some other uh team designates that may be on those on those interview teams uh to select those folks. They do not have to be schoolboard employees. They do have to be background checked and vetted uh in that regard. Um we do give preference to folks that are in the system just because it gives us a little more control and um and knowledge of who's with the kids at what times, but uh we have

106several great parent volunteers that are in and uh in our community and in our sports programs that are helping out. So um I think did I address everything that you asked? Thank you. Any other questions for our director? Okay. If um what I would like to do is um we do have uh a budget item that we need to address tonight. That's a summer school budget. Um it was uh provided in your packet that we um uh the budget for for summer school that uh we'll this these funds will be reimbursed to us by the state uh summer school program uh as a whole uh $410,90.31 is what's budgeted to provide that uh that summer school and that does run the month of June. Um and so uh so that is the the budget that

107is in place for that. So along with that now that's that was for yourformational purposes of what that was going to be as a from a board standpoint. We have to sorry just want to make sure I was clear. uh learning camps would be the allocation for summer school $410,90.31 but then we have the transportation component of that as well $74,37912 so all total roughly about $485,000 uh uh give or take and that money will be coming reimbured to us by by the state. So that's the uh the budget for uh providing that service this year. And in addition to that, we have in our packet, we actually have the uh the district general ledger budget that we will have to approve uh for that's the allocation of these funds. So that that way they

108can go on and start summer school without waiting for us to uh uh have a special called meeting or uh and by the time we have our next board meeting it would be uh too late to uh for those uh would be past start the summer school. So they need to start with funds approved. So uh pause there. Any questions on the summer school budget? How how many students do we service prek through 12th grade? You have an estimate, Dr. Butcher, but what is it? Okay, thank you. Does prek involved in the summer school, too? So, what's what what facility is the summer school at? So we're at Finley and middle school is where where we hold um yeah at the middle school and then we have a very little but going on at the

109high school as far as credit recovery. Correct. But but we have the middle school students are at the middle school and all elementary are at Finley. Is summer school just credit recovery or is it enhanced education? No, it's enhanced for those students but we do do some credit recovery for high school students. So, but that's part of our summer programming, but it's for the K8 PreK8 students. It's uh it is enhanced education. Any other questions regarding summer school? Okay. Then um this time I'm going to uh entertain a motion for the approval of the uh for our fund 141 general purpose school fund for the um uh summer school program. Uh the numbers in our uh budget ledger match the ones that were provided that were uh to the state for uh for the monies

110that would be uh we'd be uh planning for for this uh for this program this school year. So, uh, this time I'd entertain a mo motion for that budget approve budget amendment approval. So, move. Motion by Mr. Smith. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Mr. McDonald. Any discussion? Okay, hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Motion passes. Next item on our agenda is the one I look forward to uh each meeting and that's our student representative report. Miss Sacket. Thank you. Um, I did want to just circle back around to what Mr. Smith said. Uh, being able to serve on the Student Engagement Council under the Tennessee Department of Education. I get to hear from students all across the state of Tennessee from really rural communities to um,

111super urbanized popular populized communities. Um, and I'm very grateful for the school system that I'm enrolled in. And I did actually move here from across the country. So, I've been in different school systems and got to witness what those are like, too. So, I did want to say that I am very grateful for this school system and all the opportunities that it's given me. Um, and with that, I have a pretty extensive student uh report this month. So, I'm really excited. And Joy is not here. She's at a band concert. So, um, the science club recently took an exciting field trip to the Lost Sea. So, that offered students a really unique opportunity uh to learn about geology and the ecosystem and all that fun stuff. We're also really proud to announce that we we

112received a TVA grant in the amount of $25,000. So, that's really awesome. Um, and additionally, Mr. Keith Brown's dual enrollment classes were able to attend a guest lecture from an Auburn University professor at Tennessee Tech University. Uh, so further enhancing their academic experience. We've continued our rigorous academic testing schedule with students participating in dual credit exams across three subject areas. On top of that, 10 AP tests are currently underway involving a total of 122 students. Um, and we just did something new and really exciting called Warriors for Wellness. I am very blessed to be a part of that organization as well. So, we had our fourth and fifth graders from all the elementary schools come to the high school. Uh, we got to teach them about the dangers of tobacco, what it does to their

113body. We got to have a digital footprint class. We had classes about stress and anxiety and what that really does to your body internally. So, they got to learn a lot. And we also had an award-winning guest speaker um that I actually got to listen to at Tennessee Strong Summit this summer and he is super awesome. His name is Nathan Ray and he got to speak to them and they absolutely adored him and loved it and learned a lot. So, we were very excited about that and plan to um build on that as the years come. And finally, we are thrilled to cheer on one of our students, Marian Swindle, who's going to be competing in the regional tennis tournament on Monday. So, best of luck to her. I'm cheering her on. She's literally so

114awesome, guys. I'm not even kidding. She like gets out there and does her thing. She's so awesome. And uh last thing, I'm excited that our FFA officer team just had our interviews and we have our new team. So, I was going to call them out. Starting with Addie King. She's the senior vice president and also newly elected regional uh middle Tennessee regional reporter. So that's a very big accomplishment and we're very proud of her. Hunter Riggsby is the junior vice president. Sam Tele sophomore vice president. Katie Eller as secretary. Olivia Hart which is back there. Um she's treasurer. Reese Selby reporter Sam Burton Sentinel. Justin Cannon student advisor. Landon Kerr is our chaplain. Riley Luna is our historian and Maline Savage is our parliamentarian. So, we're very proud of everybody and excited for um the

115new year of service. Great report. Miss Sacket, any uh questions for Miss Sacket or student representative. I just have a comment. I was able to attend the FFA banquet uh just a last week, I guess it was, and it was just it was excellent. It's student le and it was very well attended and the the students just did an excellent job. I I was very impressed. Yeah, thank you. I was going to touch a little bit on that. Um our banquet was very successful. We had tons of students and actually when we went to the Middle Tennessee awards banquet, we were awarded uh best in the whole state of Tennessee for SAE category. So that's the supervised agriculture experiences and that's um the student projects. So we were awarded the best district in that. So

116that's something to be very proud of because that um is a reflection of the students that we have coming out of that organization. Great. Any other questions, comments? Say that I'm very impressed with Miss Sacket and her ability to lead and she is very well spoken. Echo that. Um so um several years ago uh and this was one that uh under Mr. McDonald's leadership and he pushed um uh recommended and the board uh adopted the uh uh student representative uh to be on be on our board and through policy we have a junior and a senior representative and we're very fortunate that u uh we have that in place and have the opportunity to have these reports and get insight from from our from the a student perspective. Um the uh the term for this

117the students it is a uh it runs from through the school year. Uh so that' be uh I think September would be your first after they have the nominations uh by the uh by the uh administration and it runs through the school year. So in May, this would be actually the last meeting that uh that Miss Sackett it would be required to attend. Uh if you chose to come back uh at any of our other meetings, the the uh the rest of this term, June meeting, uh we would certainly allow you a seat at the table. But uh we uh this is would be the end of your required term. And so what we have for you tonight is a certificate of appreciation. And this certified certificate is proudly presented to Miss Isabella Sackett in

118appreciation for your dedication of service as a student member on the White County School Board for the 2024 2025 school year. Signed by myself, the chairman and Mr. D, the director. So, Miss Sacket, if you would come, I'd like to present this to you at this time. [Applause] Mr. Chairman, I I I want to I want to say too, just to add on to what you said, we are one of only about 15 stu uh school districts across the state that have student representatives. So, not everybody is uh is getting the the knowledge that we are from inside the school. Uh although the the legislature tried to tried to push for every every district to have that. So, uh, I'm glad we're ahead of the curve on that. So, thank you, Miss Sacket, for serving.

119And, uh, we'll get Miss McGill when she's here. Miss Fowler, I just want to say thank you. You are amazing. You are so bubbly and I love it. Keep it up, girl. I I know you've got to you've worked with my wife in the in the program quite a bit and I I think if I hear how great Isabella Sacket is just one more time I might No, it's true. It's true. I agree with everything that she says and everything everyone else has said. You do a great job and thank you for representing White County Schools so well and uh pleased to have in tennis tonight your your parents and I see some smiles coming back there and a little little heart-shaped. uh you are very fortunate um well spoken uh highly highly articulate and

120very well thought uh thinks through her her uh her comments and and subjects very well. So a lot of lot of bright things in in your future, Miss Sagen. We appreciate you being on serving on the board. All right. Um, if no other comments on our student representative report, uh, that brings us to item 13 on our agenda, and that's public comment. Public policy, uh, uh, 1404 states that we allow time on our agenda for, uh, public to, uh, have them give them the opportunity to address, uh, the board. Um, we do have tonight, uh, two individuals who've asked to be recognized. Uh, Selene Bradley from district 7, Luke Teeple from district 6. um items that they uh would like to discuss it would be our upcoming event. And so uh uh listed on order

121of uh on the uh signup sheet. Uh is Miss Bradley here? Okay, Miss Bradley, if you would uh come to the microphone. Uh Mr. McDonald, vice chair will uh will run the clock, but we will give you uh five minutes and uh you can speak to uh the item you'd like to discuss. First of all, good afternoon. My name is Selena Bradley and I thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. Um, I realize that my time is limited and I have made some notes that I'm going to read from, so forgive me. Um, however, I want to cover my position thoroughly while being very respectful of your time. Um, I do realize that the school year is drawing to a close and because of that I felt like tonight was the best time to

122speak to you all as a board as you are working and I think it's already been stated tonight that you are in the thick of the upcoming budget for the upcoming school year. Um, I'm not here to reinvent the wheel. Uh, but to renew a request to add a 12-month contract for the two agriculture teachers at White County High School. I do believe that Mr. Ward had made the same request last year to Mr. Mr. Donberger. Unfortunately, I think the timing of that request maybe came after the budget for the 25 uh I'm sorry, 2425 school year budget had already been approved. Uh however, I'm hopeful that you all as a board are open to considering it for the 2526 school year. Uh I do have some packets if anyone's interested or I would love

123to share them with you. Uh that has some numbers in it. It shows the hours worked by Mr. Kyler Moore and Miss Kimberly Eller from June 1st of 2024 through March 28th of 2025. It only goes through March 28th because I asked them specifically for their numbers on the 1 of April. So therefore, these numbers do not include April and May. Um during the time frame, Miss Eller worked 407.5 hours out of contract hours. 111 of those were worked during the summer of 2024. Mr. Ker Moore worked 353.5 out of contract hours with 104 of those worked during the summer of 2024. TCA code 495416 subsection A states any person employed in a public high school as an agriculture education teacher may be employed on a 12-month contract or as recommended by the local agriculture

124education craft advisory committee. These contracts shall be subject to approval by the local board of education. And I'm here tonight asking you all to consider approving that contract. And also, as a reminder, the federal funding through the Carl Perkins Act would cover the majority of the increase to the budget for that additional month. Subsection B of the same TCA code 495416 further states all high school agricultural education programs that were 12-month programs for the 1992 1993 fiscal year or any fiscal year thereafter shall be maintained as a 12-month program by the local board of education so long as a quality agricultural education program as determined by criteria established by the career and technical education division of the Department of Education is maintained. It is my understanding that at one time White County did have the

125agriculture teachers on a 12-month program or a 12-month contract. I'm not sure why or when that that was changed. And if I'm not mistaken, I believe that Mr. Tim Mackey was the last agriculture teacher to be on a 12-month program or 12-month contract. But when he retired a few years ago, the same contract was not extended to our current agricultural teachers. I can assure you that our agriculture education program at White County High School is not only maintaining a quality education program, but an exceptional educational program. Our White County FFA chapter has won two three-star national awards, which signifies that the chapter not only meets the highest tier of standards set out by the Tennessee Department of Education, the White County chapter exceeds those standards. Mr. Moore and Miss Eller have poured into our students.

126They've shaped our chapter into something that you all as a board should be proud of. White County had the largest group of students at the 97th annual FFA state convention back in March. Think about that for a moment. White County ranked number one in participation out of all 95 counties. Um, I will close by asking you all to review the numbers yourself. You're welcome to these packets. review the criteria that's enclosed for the 12-month contract and do the right thing by reinstating the 12-month contract to our agriculture teachers. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Miss Bradley. If you set your information over there, I'll see that all board members get a copy of that before we leave. I do only have three packets, but I'm happy to email packets to everyone. If you u

127if you would mail email that to Mr. stronger and he can submit that to us and I'll be glad to get copies to everyone. Okay. All right. Thank you. Uh Mr. T will recognize you and again you'll have five minutes. I'm Luke Temple. Um I said I'm in District 6 I do believe. My grandfather, Lewis Temple, served on your board back in the 60s, I do believe, and my mother was an educator till she retired in this organization as well. I'm here again with Miss Bradley to recommend that Miss Eller, Mr. Moore be on this 12-month contract. Heard that it's a proposed that they're going to get a 2% because of a loophole. Um, so if you all are wanting to approve a 2% loophole, you all are cheating these people. I do f I

128do believe that from all my heart that if you all approve a loophole, that's cheating. Like Miss Sacket said, they won the award at the Middle Tennessee banquet the other night. These two have go to bat for these kids. They work during the summer. They work during the winter when there's no school. They've got to come up and tend to the animals to the farm, tend to the greenhouse to make sure everything's all right. Unlike some of these other event other clubs or groups, whenever there's no school, there's nothing going on. So again, I'd appreciate if you all were to consider this 12-month contract of their full pay instead of the 2% that is supposedly pres going to be presented. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Tles. For uh I think for the record, for for

129public sake, um uh board has not been presented with any budget numbers to uh to consider. Uh and that will be done at a later date. So u um so board members, I just like for you to keep that in mind. We have not seen budget and uh regarding uh regarding uh funding of positions. That would be something that we'll discuss later this uh this month. So when it comes to budget, we do appreciate the information that you shared. Uh we'll uh make sure Mr. D will make sure that we get that as we go roll into uh to budget season. But appreciate you coming and sharing your comments with us tonight. So, uh, next, uh, next item on our on our agenda is, um, uh, a new business item. We did pull this, uh,

130this is a budget amendment that came in late, uh, but we do need to take, uh, take action on, uh, tonight. We pulled that out of consent, uh, and put it in new business so that way we could, um, uh, have, uh, be informed and and, uh, let Mr. speak to that to make sure we fully understand what it is we're being asked to approve. Okay. So, this budget amendment is for 21st century. As we end the end the year, we're shuffling $5,000 from the supplies category into instructional materials. Uh this is fund 142, sub fund 432. And as we and as again as we end the school year, just to make sure we're making the best use of those funds. Okay. So, uh board members, we've been asked to approve a transfer of funds

131in 21st century program as they try to wind down the year for uh uh with uh the funds and put them in appropriate place. So, uh with uh with that explanation, I would entertain a motion for for approving the budget amendment for fund 141 sub fund 432 as presented. So, moved. Motion by Mr. McDonald. I have a second. Second. Second by Mr. Smith. 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 old business. And there is no old business to report at this time. So that leads us into chairman's comments. Uh, our budget work session will be May 27th, 2025, 6 p.m. here at the White County Board of Education. Uh, that will be f that will be a

132work session. Uh, following that will be a budget meeting on May 29th at uh 6:00 here at Board of Education. Uh, and then our next regular schedule schoolboard meeting will be June 12th, 2025 at the White County Board of Education. Uh just as a reminder um the um uh our gradu our warrior academy graduation is next Thursday night, a week from tonight and followed up with our uh our graduation for the high school at uh on Friday at the uh weather permitting at Warrior Stadium. So those are comments and announcements I have. Uh next time our agenda is for adjournment. So at this time I'd entertain a moment for adjournment. Motion by Mr. Smith. Second. Second by Miss Fowler. All those in favor? I thank you very much and appreciate everyone being here tonight.