001Call this meeting to order. Follow me in the pledge and a moment of silence to the flag of the United States of America and to the standy for all. This time I'll call on Anthony Johnson for point of pride awards. >> All right. Good evening board. Tonight we are proud to present several points of pride. The first one, if I could have Avery Young along with his coaches and administrative representatives to come forward, please. So, I've known uh this young man for a long time. Uh his parents, if you know the coaches, Youngs, uh they they've both worked with us in the school system. And we're super proud. but always knew he'd be a star athlete. But we are super proud to announce that at the TWSAA state cross country championship, Avery placed fifth place
002in the AA boys 5K run. Congratulations, Avery. And next, uh, in a historic first for CMCSS, if I could have the Clarksville High School girls volleyball team, uh, along with their coach and administrative representative to please come forward. For the first time in our history, we had a high school volleyball team make it to state and they played a very fierce competition against other uh schools across the state and came out third place in the TWSAA state volleyball championship. Members of this team include Finley Bagot, Carly Bals, Charles Bryant, Olivia Cole, Ava Cruz, Izzy Darnell, Allar Devon, Amari Fleenor, Ella Hansen, Linda Houseman, Ava Hawkins, Sarah Hawkins, Evelyn Hudson, Eliia Jefferson, Reagan Larson, Rianne Larson, Emma McKillip, Candace Parker, Helen Para, Ava Riverio, Kaylee Sharp, Pton Smith, Molly Wolfford, Cara Granger, Ryan Chansy, Katy Hawk,
003Jocelyn Woods, Llaya Sullivan, Paula, Ita Paulie Avery Hawkins, Meadow Moon, Reagan Steinults, Ay Howard, Campbell Boyo, and Lily Ray Bryant. That was their uh we congratulate all of them. That was their JV and senior team. And then of course their coach, Glenn Fox, and assistant coaches Charlie Lemon and Sydney Weatherford. Congratulations, Clark High. All right. And our last points of pride this evening are our 2025 Tennessee reward schools board. You'll remember back in August we were celebrating our 17 schools, a historic number for us that earned a level five. These are our reward schools that performed in the top of the state. Uh meaning that in either uh student achievement and student growth uh they were in the top and across all indicators, all subgroups. So, these schools performed at the top and we're very
004excited. Last year we had seven. This year we have nine. I'm going to call each of these schools up and uh we will congratulate them individually. So, first if I could have administrative representatives from Hazlewood Elementary. if you couldn't tell by their outfits. Their colors are blue and gold and they're the stars and they color coordinated. That's impressive. All right, next. Kenwood Elementary. Congratulations. And next, Kirkwood High School. And right Next door, Kirkwood Middle School. The administrators from Montgomery Central Elementary uh ask for your forgiveness. Uh tonight is their big Christmas musical. Uh along with Sango as well, so I'll just mention it now. They weren't able to be here, but accepting on their behalf are the elementary level directors. So if they could Are they okay so we were Oh, there they are. Okay,
005there's Amanda. And so accepting other half will be Amanda Nicks and Jessica Harris for Montgomery Central Elementary. >> They prefer not to have their picture taken. I understand. Now next and I told that I would share this special story. Uh if Montgome sorry more magnet could please come forward. And as you all know let me congratulate them. As you all know, Miss Cobb, um, Miss Cobb has been at that building for 33 years, and she shared that in those 33 years, they have worked really, really hard, but there's one thing that she's really wanted, and that's for more to be a reward school. And so, for the first time, we're proud to announce that Moore was a reward school this year. So, congratulations. And next, Pisca Elementary School. And although they couldn't be here tonight
006either for a musical, we want to congratulate Sango Elementary School. And last, but certainly not least, our Spanish immersion elementary school at Barksdale was a reward school. Congratulations. That concludes this evening's points of pride. Thank you. Tonight we have public comment from Jordan Renfro. >> Good. Remember to push your button. Good evening board. Dr. Linda Veter. My name is Jordan Renfro and for the last three years I have served as a crime and education news reporter for Clarksville. Now this is a first for me. Normally I'm at my seat sitting quietly observing and writing notes with one hand and recording in the other just waiting for someone to finally throw a chair. Um and you know while it's a good thing that hasn't happened you know on one hand but on the other what a
007headline that would be. So, while me standing up here is a first, you know, speaking with everyone, it will also be my last. My final day at Clarksville now will be December 31st and come 2026, you will have a new reporter to be pestering you on the phone and taking pictures and recording. Um, and I have very high hopes for her and I think she's going to do an exceptional job. You know, five minutes isn't nearly enough time to thank everyone individually for the impact they've had on my life and my career. You know, if only I had the time and everyone else the patience. But I mean, this is from the board to the director to Anthony and Norm and so many others who never failed to teach me something new. When I came
008to Clarksville 3 years ago, I had just left everything I had ever known behind for something entirely new with my husband. I grew up in smalltown Highland home, Alabama. We had a single flashing traffic light near our public school, which served all ages and grades. And what we called the mall was a local Dollar General. When I was swapped from public to private school, I went from being the smartest kid in my class with all A's to the kid who was at risk of being held back. My peers called me weird and annoying and worst of all, stupid. To this day, hearing that word still lights a fire in me because I wasn't stupid. Weird and annoying, yes, but not stupid. As some of you may recall, the No Child Left Behind program. Um, that
009was the school that I attended that operated under that program and it forced me to learn at the same rate as my peers and it didn't really challenge my intellect. And when I went to private school, they demanded so much of my time and my intellect at a rate that I was not familiar with that the teachers were more than happy to leave me behind. Now I'm a public affairs staff sergeant in my unit back in Alabama. I graduated early this year from American Military University with a bachelor's degree in communication and honors like Lambda Pi Ada and Magnaum Lad because I wasn't stupid. I've written over 500 articles, covered dozens of criminal trials, and almost 100 schoolboard meetings because despite being called stupid and dumb when I was a kid, I always remained teachable,
010even now. And that's what CMCSS is, isn't it? It's learning and teaching. It's educating and empowering. Before I leave, I want to offer my two cents for CMCSS and this board. I want you all to look around this room and find who it is that you serve. And if you're not looking at Elijah, you need to. It's not the parents. We did our time. The staff is important, don't get me wrong, but they did their time, too. It's the students. Every choice you make up here directly impacts every single child in this district. It's the kids who are still tripping over their shoelaces and coloring outside the lines to the ones that are cramming for midterms and finals just to walk across that stage with a diploma in hand. and everyone in between. These students
011are who you serve. Adults voted you in, but the children are who you truly answer to because the decisions that you make here impact them through educators, through the staff, and through your actions and words as board members. There is also a reason why the legal voting age in this country is 18. I want you to think about how you feel whenever you see a political headline on TV or on social media. It's the first thing that you see when you open up your phone. We've all done that sigh, the rolling of the eyes, the heavy groan. And kids shouldn't be burdened with that feeling. They should be building castles on playgrounds arguing over who the king and queen of the slide are. You all claimed a party on the ballot when you were voted
012in, but these kids, they don't belong to a political party. I advise you to consider whether the issues that you are taking up here are matters that truly revolve around the students or are an opportunity for adults to have a political tugof-war. Don't forget who it is you guys truly serve. The next generation should always be better than the last and they should be monumentally better than any of us here today. Thank you so much for the last three years CMCSS from the absolute bottom of my heart. Okay, moving on to the approval of consent agenda. Has everyone looked over those items? Is there a motion to approve? Motion by Mr. Mabry, second by Mr. Garland. Um, if you would open the vote. I cast your vote. Is everyone satisfied with your vote? Please tally
013the vote. Motion carries. Okay, we'll move on to policy monitoring EL1. Dr. know better. >> Board members, please find in your board packet information on executive limitation one global executive constraint. This executive limitation has one compliance expectation to ensure the director of schools shall not cause or allow any practice, activity, decision, or organizational condition which is either unlawful, unsafe, imprudent, or in violation of board policy or commonly accepted business and professional ethics. Appropriate measures have been taken to avoid violations of this policy during this reporting period. Specifically, independent financial audits verify that actions were appropriate, lawful, and prudent. Also, there have been no federal and state complaints filed in which there has been a ruling against CMCSS. Finally, annual employee training is conducted in compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations. A large
014list of these trainings can be found in your report. Chairman Lineer, this concludes my update for executive limitation one. >> Motion to accept. >> Okay, Mr. Griffy Mabry. Second. Okay. Do you want to open the vote? Is everyone satisfied with your vote? Please close the vote. Motion carries. This time we'll move on to student disciplinary appeal board. In your packet, you have a student disciplinary uh information. Um, so as always, I'll remind the board if you want to to make a motion, now would be the time to do so. Should you choose to make a motion, I just remind everybody not to uh identify the student or the school in question. So, are there any motions to be made regarding this particular student appeal? Okay. With no motions being made by the board, the affirmation
015of the director, the decision of the director is affirmed. Okay. For Campbell, school liaison officer. >> Good evening, Dr. Luna Veter and the school board. My name is Karen Watkins Juf and on behalf of the Fort Campbell Garrison, we would like to wish you a merry Christmas and happy holidays and we look forward to being of service in the coming year. Thank you. >> All right, CMCA representative. Good evening. I had a little speech, a really short speech I was going to say tonight, but I don't think I can beat Jordan's remarks. So, I want to thank her for for coming up here and speaking. And I just want to wish everybody a merry Christmas and a happy new year. >> P representative Kathy, >> merry Christmas. Um, county commissioners push it again. >> Merry
016Christmas and happy new year. >> Merry Christmas. >> Board um board comments. We'll start with Elijah. >> Um I would once once again like to congratulate everybody that we uh congratulated earlier with our points of pride. Um, another thing that I would like to touch on, uh, with there was a new Tenness Tennessee article that came out, uh, yesterday. Um, and three Clarksville area students were appointed for student of the week, uh, based off best volunteer. Um, and I would like to thank Mr. Johnson for putting my name in the hat. um along with congratulating Mallerie Carol and Hila Long, Jen Hyong for their wonderful uh works of volunteerism. Um and then it is midterm week. Um so this year has flown by. Um and I would like to wish everybody a very restful Christmas
017and New Year. Thank you all. >> Thank you. Board members comments. Miss Bryant, >> I'd like to request that we begin the process of formally participating in board committees as outlined in our governance policy. As representatives of our districts and stewards of the Clarksville Montgomery County school system, I believe we have an obligation obligation to be informed, engaged, and pro proactive in the work that shapes our schools beyond our regular Tuesday meetings. Chris Laneir has already been doing research on what it would take to establish this process. And as our chair, he has stated that he is willing to put in the time and effort needed to help get this set up in a thoughtful and effective way. In working through the details, one of my top priorities is being a good steward of our
018time and resources and focused on productive outcomes. I'd also like to request that the first committee we we participate in relate to the student code of conduct conduct with a specific focus on student behavior. Dr. Luna Veter and the district have made a meaning made meaningful progress in this area over the past couple of years and that work deserves recognition. At the same time, I believe it is our responsibility as board members to work alongside teachers, parents, and student students to continue identifying solutions and supporting positive outcomes for our schools. Serving on committees allows us to move from passive participation to active collaborate collaboration. It gives us the opportunity to listen more deeply, ask better questions, and help shape solutions rather than simply responding to recommendations placed in front of us. My hope is that
019this step strengthens trust, improves communication and transparency, and ultimately supports both our educators and our students. I offer this request in the spirit of collaboration and shared responsibility and would like to see it on the January or February agenda for discussion and consideration from our board members. Okay, we'll add it to the agenda. >> Uh, Mr. Garland, >> I would like to thank Jordan for the speech that she gave because what you said would hit hit my heart. It's because I really do believe also that we are here for the children. You know, it it touched my heart when Elijah went up there with his class to receive that award and I said they had a board member representative from the school. And that is something that is uh new to the district. But again,
020I'd like to wish every one of you uh merry Christmas and a happy new year. And I believe that when we come back in 2026, we still have a lot more work to do. You have done a lot, but the bottom line is we haven't done enough. There's always room for improvement, and that's what I like about the district. That is our focus, and I believe that that's where we will uh make our best I mean do our best challenges for 2026. Thank you again for the chance to speak, Mr. Chair. >> Mr. Mayberry, >> thank you. I just want to echo what Mr. Brian said. That's a great idea. I appreciate you bringing that up. I also want to echo what Mr. Garland just said. It made me smile when I saw you walk
021up there with Kirkwood. So, uh, and you look far better than I do today. So, uh, I appreciate you, sir. Uh, thank you for your service. Um, Jordan, you got here about the same time I did. And I'm telling you, I I mean, I feel like I was tearing up a little bit listening to you there. Um, you're an incredible reporter, member of our community. I appreciate your service to McGomery County since you've been here and I just wanted to say that publicly. Um, I'm going to miss you. I feel like you're a very fair journalist in our community. So, um, man, we love you. We wish you the best. I know you're you're PCSing with with your husband and man, we just wish you the best and praying for the best for you uh
022in your future endeavors. So, um, we do I I did collaborate, of course, with Anthony here and we got a special presentation obviously to give you, um, because I know something that's been your heart to see for three years here in uh, our school board. So, Anthony, if you could >> dare what? >> Oh, >> I was I don't get it. So, you've had your chair thrown and thank you. Uh, that was perfect, Anthony. That's all my comments. Thank you very much. >> All right, Miss Barry. >> There you go. >> My home girl Jordan, we have a lot in common. We're both from Alabama. But I want to say to you, Jordan, that at no time should anyone have called you dumb. I experienced that, too. You're competent, intelligent, and just a pure delight.
023I've enjoyed the time that I've spent with you, and I'm going to miss you. you were always uh your writing was always creative and positive. I thank you and I thank God for allowing me to spend time on this journey with you. With that being said, we are here for the children. That's the only reason we're here. We're not here for any political reason. We're certainly not here for increase in income, but we are servants servants of the children in this community. And if we would just think about it, if it weren't for the children, we wouldn't be needed to be here. So, it's an opportunity to serve. And I just want to thank you. I hope to see you again, Jordan. In addition to that, I want to wish everyone a merry Christmas and
024I hope you have a happy new year. But you know, the greatest thing we do, the greatest gift that any of us could receive is the love, so much love that the father gave his son that we could have eternal life and to have life here more abundantly. I'm not pushing religion. This is who I am. And I'm not ashamed of who I am. That's why we celebrate Christmas. The real meaning of Christmas is because the Savior came. Thank you. Guess that leaves me. Um, I would like to to send a study to the principles now that we're talking about student code of conduct um to see how effective the communication ban has been um how how well they feel it's been, how many cell phone violations have occurred or the principal's allowance their allowance
025of of a certain time etc. um just so we can get some feedback on how they how they feel that that one is um how it's been how it's been working. And again, we thank you, Jordan, for your time. Wish you well in your future endeavors and come back and see us when you can. All righty. With that, director of schools report, Dr. >> Good evening, board members. This week we are wrapping up the final week of first semester filled with high school exams, choir concerts, door decorating, angel trees, and holiday parties. Also anticipated later this week is the release of embargo data from statewide testing. We are anxious to reveal letter grades and district designations that affirm that our district is heading in a positive direction. As we look forward to the holiday break,
026I pray you all have time filled with family and friends. May you all have a very merry Christmas and happy new year. Chairman Laneir, this concludes my report for the evening. >> With that, we're adjourned.