001Meeting Lord, if you will, please stand and let Mr. Melton lead us in our prayer and then Mr. Henson lead us in the pledge. If you would, let us pray. >> [clears throat] >> Our heavenly Father, we come to you at this time grateful, Father, for our health, Father, for the capability that you give us to be able to come and stand with this board and and and Father, to represent this school system. We pray that we're only here to uh uplift these children, Father, and each other and we do everything, Father, that may be pleasing in your sight. Heavenly Father, we know that there's some that are sick, afflicted, away from from this board, from this community. We pray that you get them back to a much wanted portion of their health, Father, if
002it be in your will. We'd like to say a special prayer for Ms. Amanda Hale, Father, her and her family during her time of sickness. I'd like to uh continue our prayer with Todd Upton, Father. Also like to pray for for Ms. Barbara Butler's family and the loss, Father, of of a good woman. Father, I'd like to continue to to strongly pray for Kevin Hayes and Mitchell Bolt. Father, you know their needs far more than we know how to ask, but we want to lift them up to you at this time. Most importantly, we're thankful for your son, our savior, Jesus Christ. In his name we pray. Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with
003liberty and justice for all. >> [clears throat] >> Good evening, everyone. Appreciate you being with us tonight. Uh Ms. Wanda Weir uh is joining us via phone call tonight. Thankful for her being able to be with us as well. Move to item three on the agenda, approve the minutes of the February 12th, 2026 regular session as received. Make a motion to approve. I'll second it. Motion made by Mr. Sherrill, second by Mr. Henson. Any discussion? If not, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes. Approve the agenda for the March 12th, 2026 regular session as you have in front of you. Make a motion to approve. Second. Motion by Mr. Melton, second by Mr. William. Any discussion? If not, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes. Item five is our public comment period. I
004don't appear to have any comments from the public. Item six, consider bids for A, removal and disposal of coal residue administration building boiler room and B, asbestos abatement, demolition, and disposal of the old gymnasium building and administration building boiler room. You have a copy of these uh bids here in your packet. Uh we'll do them one at a time since uh they are separate. Mr. Upchurch, would you want to address Yeah, I can. I guess it's been close to 2 years ago now we were exploring some potential grant funding for the window project at Hermitage Springs School and in that process we kind of stumbled upon this brownfield grant that is to look at older properties that may be abandoned or underutilized and when we got into the process, we determined that on this area
005that we could apply for this grant. Hermitage Springs School was not eligible because it has students in it and is used daily. And as we went through that grant process, we've had a couple phases of evaluations and the environmental engineers and all they determined from their testing that there was some coal and coal residue in the boiler room of this building and in the boiler room of the old gymnasium as well as asbestos containing materials in the old gymnasium that that grant would pay to remove at no cost to the board. So, we went ahead and pursued that and at this time these two bids in front of you are the ones that our environmental engineer has evaluated and recommended we go with. They both were the lowest bids on both projects and he's done
006past work with these contractors and said they're credible and felt comfortable using them to complete this project. And the wording's a little tricky there on B, but like what they're talking about the abatement and demolition and disposal, they're going to have to take some stuff apart to get some of the asbestos out like the light ballast and things that are in the basement of that old gymnasium. They're not actually like tearing down the building or any type of that thing. They're just removing what they have to to get the asbestos components out. But if you guys have any specific questions, I'll do my best to answer it on that. Thanks, sir. Again, you got an email there from our consultant recommending the selection of these bids as well, which is the lowest cost provider. All
007covered by the grant. Yes. The hot the coal removal that doesn't I mean, that's the only one in there, holes where it is. Exactly, yes, sir. And so that's fine. The difference in the bids between the abatements it's $80,000. That's correct. Did they explain to these people what we really expect cuz Yes. I've been involved in bidding processes where you get some bid that's extremely low and then you come to find out that they thought they're thinking something completely different Yes. than what we're expecting. Both of those people were here for the pre-bid meeting and walked the site with the en- environmental engineer. Sorry, I can't say that without getting tongue tied. I don't want to get down the road and all of a sudden it's like, "Oh, well, we didn't realize that. That's going
008to cost us some more." Yeah, and during the process, part of our contract with the environmental engineer, they have a person on site overseeing the project, making sure they can find to their disposal plan and all the parts. Just make sure that there's no weasel out room for them on this contract. They got to do it for what they said they was going to do it for. Yeah. Well, that's big difference. That's a over 100% increase. That's pretty deep. That ages and B&L. >> [clears throat] >> That's making me nervous talking They might be trying to swindle somebody out of some money and walk away. Yeah. So, regardless which one we choose it's still grant funded no matter if it's $121,000. Or we don't get just a certain amount and we just use from that
009from that grant money. >> I think if you went with the higher bid that would probably go past the allotted amount for the grant. We'd have to come to the table with Correct. But my trust is to explain to them what we want. Yes, they have a scope of work plan that they both have to follow. I just say we probably watch them cuz I think they're going to try to finagle us. He's also worked with both of those companies as well before in other projects. >> But isn't that sort of shocking that there's that much difference Yes. They they looked at the same job. They have I mean, there could be reason that the one place might have other opportunities but it won't tell them that they're really interested in it. But still, I
010just So, I'm just saying we might want to keep an eye on them. Is this What's the fire marshal say about it? Is this something we've had to partake in or is this just something that's come up? It is an opportunity for us just because we know there's asbestos and we know there's coal residue here and like Derek was saying, we got grants to do it. So, Yeah, the big thing for this building is part of the coal, but that's where our electrical comes in and at some point down the road all those panels, breaker boxes, they're going to have to be addressed and that's going to make the environment safer for whoever does that. True. Eventually, if you don't get rid of it, you're not going to be able to do anything with these
011facilities. Right. It tells us the contaminants must be removed first. I'll make a motion to go with the low bid. And that's who you recommend to? That's who our environmental consultant, he evaluated them, said he'd done business with both and felt comfortable with them. I'll I'll second that. You're saying low bid on both, A and So, that will be Holes Environmental for project one and Ages Environmental for project two. Yes, sir. And motion by Mr. Sherrill, second by Mr. Ashworth. Any discussion? I think you're heading I think so. No discussion, all in favor? Aye. >> [clears throat] >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Item seven, uh consider the literacy materials implementation support grant through Tennessee Department of Education in order to receive grant funding aimed at ensuring effective, high-quality materials implementation, and leadership instruction uh for
012students in grades five through 12. Um this is a multi-year contract um that uh ultimately, the state gives us money for and tells us where to spend it as well. So, I guess it's better than not getting the money at all. Um, but they will help us implement this process. Do I hear a motion to approve this? I move that we accept the motion. Motion by Mr. Mayes. Seconded by Mr. Sherrill. Do I hear a better and balanced approach by ourselves? Any discussion? If not, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes. Item eight, consider the following trip request. A Clay County High School FBLA to Chattanooga for state convention from April 7th through the 9th. You have a copy of that trip request in fact. I may have somebody Are you going? Okay. Abby
013wants you to approve it for me. I said that Abby said that >> [clears throat] >> he would like the motion to approve this. Seconded by Motion by Mr. Sherrill, seconded by Mr. Lynn. Any discussion? If not, all in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes. That brings us to number nine, our principal's report. Our people don't go first. Okay, don't have a whole lot. It feels like we were just here the other day. The fire marshal revisited. We are having some issues with the fire alarm system that needs to be addressed, and everything else has been corrected. They may come back next week and check everything. The SO SRO award for February went to third grader Thiago De La Rosa. Miss Tara Asbury put him up. We held Dr. Seuss week last week. Had dress-up
014days and events for the lower grade students. Our parent-teacher conference is this coming Tuesday from 3:00 to 6:00. We'll also do kindergarten registration and pre-K at the same time. Uh, and our attendance reward program is still going strong. There's one day left, but Miss Tara, again, her fourth grade came out on top. Two or four classes were right behind right up until the end. The winners this time will be rewarded after spring break with popcorn prize pack. So, and that's it. Any questions? Mr. Rex Lynn? Uh, we have third nine weeks report cards that will be available for parents to view coming this coming Tuesday, March 17th. Uh, also our parent-teacher conference is the March 19th, and our kindergarten registration as well on pre-K. Uh, we are currently doing our maps and school net testing
015this week and next. Finishing up there. Uh, we'll be having our annual fire safety day and meet the first responders for pre-K through third grades on Friday, March the 20th. And our spring sports are currently playing their seasons. Mr. Any questions? Mr. Stinson? >> [clears throat] >> Uh, first thing I'd like to recognize a couple of students. Nazhoni Castlecawsky was accepted into the Governor's School for Humanities at UT Martin. I want to congratulate her and recognize her. We put that out on Facebook. That's a it's pretty big deal to be accepted into the Governor's School. And also Dalton Davidson was accepted into the Governor's School for Computational Physics at Austin Peay. And is that the one you went to last year with? >> Yes, sir. Yeah, so as I understand that's pretty intense. You learn
016a lot in a very short period of time, so I'm thankful those students have worked hard and get to participate in those opportunities. Uh, just a few things going on right now. Of course, spring sports are happening. We got baseball and softball and um, tennis going on. Coach Jake Evered is our new tennis coach. Got tennis going for us. Next Tuesday is a very busy day for us. We have ACT for juniors. Um, graduation requirement and you know, we've been um, hyping that up and making sure our juniors get there. We're going to feed them and snacks and and hopefully have a good day. Ninth and 10th grade will be taking the taking like a mock ACT. Uh, Miss Tina Drumright organizes that and uh, gives some useful data that for our students and gives
017them experience taking the ACT. Uh, also that evening we have our parent-teacher from 3:00 to 6:00 and freshman orientation at 5:30. Uh, which Gear Up will be there as well to to be with those freshmen they come in and and be able to talk to the parents. Um, then a little further out, but a big day for us will be the I think the first time it's been done on this scale, but there's just two will be hosting on May 12th [clears throat] at 9:30 a.m. Senior Signing Day. So, all of our seniors that sign with anybody, trade school, four-year school, whatever whatever they're doing, they're going to be recognized that day. It's going to be a a large event, so looking forward to that. You guys are all welcome to come out. It's going
018to be a big day for us, so thank you. Any questions for Mr. Stinson? Mr. Rose? The central office staff and I have been reviewing the enrollment numbers with school principals and prioritizing how to best serve our students with intervention. We have been prioritizing instructional time and taking advantage of the state's extended TCAP window, which allows us 15 instructional days after spring break. And that was done because of the two week ice storm that most counties had. The Literacy Network team finished our Tennessee Department of Education state data collection today. And we are planning the next step for the literacy literacy grant for grades six through 12. That's what you guys voted on here in the packet. And notice on both sides of the director's report, I have all of the the departmental heads to
019give you an overview. The Brownfield grant is mentioned in there that Derek has spoken to. Um, uh, thank you again to the board. We're expecting a really delicious meal on April the 2nd. We're looking forward to that. Miss Tia has been trying to find some turkeys for us. Um, and again, coordinated school health, again as some of the principals mentioned, the spring sports are in full swing and our our teams are doing well. And faith education is being presented to all freshman health classes. Uh, and you all can see the rest of it there. And as always, I asked Derek to put the enrollment numbers down here at the bottom for your for your keeping, okay? Thank you all so much. Any questions for Mr. Rose? I have one. I've been asked this by a
020few people. And what they asked do we have any intentions of closing Hermitage Springs School in the next three years? Well, Mr. Mayes, that's up to the board, so you all have to ask the board. I'm asking in general. Well, I'll let the board speak to that. I I have never heard this, but evidently that is a rumor out there. So, if anybody watches this video, there is currently no plans to close Hermitage [laughter] Springs School. That would be news to me. That's the board. That's the board. That's the board. I don't know where we would put those kids, but it's not going to happen. Does anybody have any plans to bring them in? I'll take your silence as no. Well, I just We're spending a lot The Board of Education is spending lots of
021money on the Hermitage Springs building with all the the window repair this summer. >> I explained that. >> Okay, very good. >> [laughter] >> That is not a good enough answer. So, no, there is no plan. You had your chance. Everybody's on video. So, if it happens, everybody else is following my lead. Oaks, do you guys have anything? I'll go. Recently, we did Microsoft Office certifications. It's on your CTE newsletter. And me and Abby actually, uh, we were part of that and we passed our Word certification tests. And uh, we're working on PowerPoint right now, but those those stay with you for life. You can log in and show them to future employers and put it on your resume and everything. And uh, yeah, that class is a great way to set you up for
022your future. So, I'm grateful for that. And we're going to chime in there, too. Board members, I don't know if you guys were aware, but every certification that any of our classes like this class achieves, that adds money that we get for CTE students. For any certifications, we get funding for that. So, congratulations and thank you. Keep at it. All of the CTE teachers are working extremely hard on getting these students to make all of these accomplishments. And I'll go next. First of all, I'm going to touch on the FCCLA section. I'm really excited about us. Um I think we have four girls going. We've got them boys this year. Um we're competing in uh ag business, business communications, or intro business communications, which we've got a freshman going. Um and then we have uh
023Addison Brown and Ali Riding doing like a It's kind of like Shark Tank. Where you make a video and you pitch a um like a product or something like that, but that just kind of gives an introductory kind of like a how the business world works while we're still in high school. Um I'm going to touch on some things in the CTE CTE newsletter. Um ag mechanics, I wish I had names, but I don't. Um we took 11 students there on February 24th. >> [clears throat] >> Um all of them placed in the top Looks like top four. I didn't attend, but um we did exceptionally good. Um as far as like my three years in high school, I haven't seen us do that well, so that's really, really good. Um and then our regional
024FFA proficiencies, um we have a bunch of students that are represented through agriculture, not just farmers, but I'm in ag business, and we have ag communications, and we have horticulture, and pigs, horses, and cattle. Um so, we had um all our names are listed right there and how we placed, so that'd be really cool to read, but we did exceptionally good in that, too, so I'm really proud of us. And then I'll let you take over. Okay. I'll start with our FFA. During FFA week, that was February 20th through the 27th. We done an activity every day. And um one of the main ones was our teacher appreciation I think that went really well. We had less people working less than last year, and I think it just went really smoothly, and I think I
025Um and also on the front of the newsletter, we have our horticulture Um we're going to have our capital seats. We don't have two of those and 30 grading and back board rows before I think it's April the 23rd, so we're we're trying to get to the end of that. I think that's all. I think Ms. Amy Dotson, the CTE director, has been working with the nursing class to try to get some uh EKG machines. If we can get certifications in those kids doing EKG, knowing how to work the machines and doing an EKG, that's more certifications we can add and more funding. That's all we had in the CTE class, too. Exactly. That's I think there's fabulous. I think there's I think there's 10 people in that class, which is really good. It's really
026good. It's really good. And I did know the number at When I had the last time I heard, is it nine out of the 12 have passed their CNA exam so far? Maybe more since then, cuz they they they'll take it again. So, I'm really proud of them. Okay. Thanks, guys. Anything else? Any other business, new business needs to be considered before the board at this time? I'd like to make a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn? I'd like to second. Second. Meeting adjourned. Good job.