001and with all nine board members present we'll call this meeting to order thank you for being here the moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance will be led by miss Fugate tonight okay just one announcement as this is our last regularly scheduled board meeting for 2017 on behalf of the board I want to extend best wishes for a wonderful winter break to all of our students staff and families are there any elected officials in the audience seeing none we'll move on to changes to the agenda just a reminder board members that is noted during our work session the wording on item 7c 18 was correctly was corrected to accurately reflect the amount and funding on the Marriot Knoxville agreement for the house high school academic banquet and item 8a has been withdrawn are there any
002other changes to the agenda madam chair I would like to move item if I get in here to see this e and replay d and e I would like to hear the proposal before we take any action on the agreement okay do I have this beverage has made a motion do I have a second to that miss Fugate second set any discussion mr. Norman your lights on now [Music] okay we have a motion to change the agenda putting the proposal before the vote and I just want to say that I find it unnecessary to change the order and will not support the change in vote to change the agenda requested by mr. rich the two are not codependent I believe that termination of the current agreement to be an emergency with a December 31st deadline
003and should be heard before the proposal so I'm going to ask mr. duper to give me his thoughts on that as well thank you madam chair II you know I would say that items 11 D and E are not codependent they're not there I mean in fact independent of each other our offices recommendation to this board is that the current leadership academy agreement is deficient and the best way to to correct that is to end it tonight and you know that has no bearing whatsoever our office has no position whatsoever on the merits of the Leadership Academy and this board is fully free to decide if it wants to continue with leadership academy in any shape form or fashion but but the at the memorandum agreement our office strongly recommends that it is terminated thank
004you thank you madam chair I just wanted to concur with what the law director just said and I believe that's consistent with what you said last month was something to the effect that in the law department's opinion there were questions about the legality of this agreement and before you could create a new agreement you had to make sure that this matter was resolved with whatever has occurred in the past and I I will not support changing thank you okay seeing no their lights we have a motion by mr. Etheridge seconded by mr. Fugate to change the agenda and move 11e before 11:00 d and so we'll take a roll call vote starting with mr. macmillan mr. macmillan yes he'll miss horn mr. Fugate miss Roundtree mr. Norman no no no that's for Bob no and
005for yes - no I'm sorry two years and six now I'm sorry okay so the motion to change these two items on the agenda has failed and we will move to approve this I've got I've got one more check oh I'm sorry mr. okay thank you madam chair I just like to on that first contract for millsaps gallon I'd like to take personal privilege on that for a month I'm just not comfortable with it yet but I'd just like to take a moment when it has to be I'm sorry madam chair I was I was reviewing the the line item and it does it does have a term where it where it purports to start January 1 that would that would be the only difficulty that I see with with what's presented but but this
006board could take it up in January and then and then ask that the agreement extend from the time that the board takes it up I certainly respect your need for personal privilege on this a concern that I do have and I guess this would be the law director then with three other entities involved in this contract and the fact that the next legislative session will actually start before we have a chance to review this again do you have any feel for how that might impact impact our our board with with this delay thank you Miss Hill madam chair a the way I'm reading the agreement I mean it's fairly short I would think that if this board were to approve it say at the January session I would think that Millsaps Gowen would probably be
007you know have the same you know fee and effort into it so I would think that they would want the same fee regardless of whether it started in a January 1st or the middle of January so madam chair just one thing to add you know first of all my apologies to the lottery for popping this on him right here last minute I should have done that earlier I think the contract also said that we're invoiced at the first of the month and payments due at the end of the month so our January meeting would be prior to this payment being due and we could I think that could be done and we would probably still fit with the contract thank you we'll go ahead and grant your personal privilege then to I mean great your
008personal privilege so we're back to voting on the agenda and this round tree moved to approve do I have a second just thank you so Miss Horne second did it all in favor say aye aye all opposed motion carries we have a couple of special recognitions tonight two in fact as superintendent Thomas will share information on both of these outstanding educators superintendent Thomas thank you madam chair members of the board as you said two special recognitions for staff this this week and this month so we're very proud of these recognitions first we want to recognize Sonny Poe whose principal of Hardin Valley Elementary Sonny join Knox County Schools in 2004 as a teacher at a l-lot elementary and has taught at a variety of schools across the district 2008 she became an assistant principal at
009Hardin Valley Elementary before serving as an assistant principal at Amherst elementary dr. pol is a Bachelor of Arts in psychology a Masters of Science degree in education from the University of Tennessee Knoxville she also has an education specialist degree in educational administration and supervision and a doctoral degree in executive leadership conferred by Lincoln Memorial University this year dr. pol was recognized as one of Knoxville Business Journal's 11th annual class of 40 under 40 this is a distinguished group that are recognized for making Knoxville and surrounding is and better communities better communities through professional and philanthropic efforts Sonny shake the work you do for Knox County Schools and the community please come forward as we congratulate you on being named to the 40 under 40 class of 2017 [Applause] we also want to recognize Paula Franklin
010a West High School teacher she was among 45 honorees who will receive the national Milken educator award for 2017-18 and is one of two teachers selected in Tennessee this year mrs. Franklin is a graduate of the University of Tennessee where she earned a Bachelor of Arts and political science with minors in history in secondary education in 2011 she earned a Masters of Science degree in teacher education 82% of mrs. Franklin students passed the AP government exam with an average score of 3.5 nine which far exceeds the national average and enrollment in her changing courses doubles since she took the course of over at West High School she sets high expectations and prompts students to learn a known wave while also delivering the necessary preparation tools to help them succeed she also leads professional development sessions
011and mentors new teachers serves as the prom advisor and cheerleading coach we're grateful for her work and thankful to have her educating students and teachers in Knox County Schools please join me in congratulating mrs. Franklin [Applause] okay miss coutny consent agenda with exception of item 7c one which is deferred to January okay all in favor say aye all in favor say aye all right all opposed motion carries item 8a approved ii really am NOT skinny board of education policy i 200 class size as amended motion motion by mr. norman seconded by Ms Olin any discussion on board policy a seeing none all in favor say aye aye all opposed motion carries 8b approves second reading of Knox County Board of Education Policy I 210 textbook selection distribution and care as amended motion by mr. norman
012seconded by Ms Owen any discussion all in favor say aye all opposed motion carries item 8c approved second reading of Knox County Board of Education Policy I 220 access to electronic media as amended motion by mr. Norman seconded by mr. Owen any discussion all in favor say aye aye all opposed motion carries 8d approved second reading of Knox County Board of Education Policy I 231 duplicating copyrighted materials as amended motion by mr. Norris I could have done this Owen any discussion all in favor say aye all opposed motion carries 80 approved second reading of Knox County Board of Education Policy I 242 community instructional resources as amended motion by mr. Norman seconded owing a new discussion all in favor say aye aye all opposed motion carries 8f approves second reading to rescind Knox County Board
013of Education policy i 300 remediation and intervention services motion by mr. norman seconded by mrs. Owen is there any discussion all in favor say aye all opposed motion carries 8 G approved second reading of Knox County Board of Education Policy aye 340 promotion retention acceleration as amended motion by mr. norman seconded by Miss Owen any discussion all in favor say aye aye all opposed motion carries 8h approve second reading of Knox County Board of Education Policy aye 350 repeating high school courses as amended motion above mr. norman seconded by miss Owen any discussion on this item Hey all in favor say aye aye all opposed motion carries 8 I approve second reading of Knox County Board of Education policy i 373 graduating with honors or distinction as amended motion by mr. norman seconded by Miss
014Owen any discussion all in favor say aye [Music] motion carries 8 J approved second reading of Knox County Board of Education Policy aye 381 integration of TCAP scores and student grades as amended motion by mr. norman seconded by Miss Owen any discussion all in favor say aye aye all opposed motion carries 8 K approved second reading in Knox County Board of Education passing I 441 Wellness Policy physical activity as amended but mr. Norman seconded by mrs. Owen any discussion all in favor say aye aye all opposed motion carries 8l approved second reading of Knox County Board of Education Policy aye 450 public charter schools as amended motion by mr. norman seconded by Miss Owen any discussion all in favor say aye all opposed motion carries item 8m was withdrawn 9a approve receipt of funds for
015my priority school state grant in the amount of five hundred and thirty one thousand three hundred and forty two dollars designated for green magnet elementary Lonsdale Elementary Sarah more green magnet elementary environmental magnet schools motion made by Miss Death Ridge seconded by Ms Brown tree any discussion all in favor say aye all opposed motion carries 9b approve receipt of funds from an IDE a discretionary grant in the amount of one hundred and two thousand dollars designated for a special education instructional coach stop ins for staff trainings staff development and support equipment mr. Rowntree seconded by Ms Horne any discussion all in favor say aye aye all opposed motion carries 9c approved donation of $20,000 from Kelsea Ballerini in the partnership with iHeartRadio an Academy of Country Music Awards designated for the central high school choral
016program motion by Miss Ellen seconded by mr. Norman any discussion all in favor say aye aye opposed motion carries 9 the approved donation from Lifetouch national school studios in the amount of $16,000 designated for sponsorship of the Teacher of the Year banquet motion by Miss Rowan tree seconded by Ms Fugate any discussion all in favor say aye aye all opposed motion carries 9e approved donation of $10,000 from the southeastern conference through donorschoose.org designated for new classroom materials at Farragut high school most of them is foreign seconded by Ms Roundtree any discussion all in favor say aye aye all opposed motion carries 9 am pre proceeded friends from Farmers Insurance where I thank America's teachers grant in the amount of $2,500 for a string program at Beaumont magnet I mean don't here emotion ocean by miss
017ronberry seconded by mr. Owen any discussion all in favor say aye aye all opposed motion carries 9 g preceded funds from Farmers Insurance right bank America's teachers grant and even have $2,500 for a student television broadcast at Cedar Bluff middle school motion by mr. Norman seconded by Ms Fugate any discussion on this item okay all in favor say aye aye all opposed motion carries not an H a pre receipt of funds from a Tennessee foundation for agriculture in the classroom grant an email of $500 designated for South to Middle School's outdoor classroom ocean by Miss Roundtree second of them is fugate any discussion all in favor say aye aye all opposed motion carries oh I'm sorry I just want to quickly point out because we've got some students here from Hardin Valley Academy that are
018taking very diligent notes I had spoken with their government class and I'm just wanting to be sure that you put in your paper that we have already discussed all of these things fully at Monday night workshop and also had policy review meetings so the appearance may be to you that we are not doing due diligence but for your information and for miss guys information please tell her we are thank you miss hell for that clarification that would be important to their paper okay Adam TNA approved contract with the University of Tennessee for provision of cultural competency training at an annual cost of approximately one hundred and seventy thousand dollars for the term of January 1 through December 31 2018 which may be extended for an additional four years one year at a time for a
019total of five years motion by mr. Andre do I have a second miss fugate discussion I saw miss Roundtree slide first and then we'll go to you mr. McMillan I'm sure we have to do yes we do have we do have some folks signed up for a public forum on this agenda item okay so our first agenda item is crystal Yamazaki and as you're coming up I just want to remind everyone that you're granted time to speak when your agenda item is being dry a dress so please do I know some folks signed up for a multiple agenda item so just as a reminder not specifically to you mr. Yamazaki but just in general for everyone Thanks my name is crystal Yamazaki my daughter is a second grader in Knox County Schools and my son
020will be a kindergartner next fall I'm speaking tonight as a parent and as a representative of the voices for trans youth campaign the mission of the voices for trans youth campaign is to help create safer and more supportive schools for LGBTQ youth in Knox County Schools the UT cultural competency training program will be an invaluable tool to help us advance towards this goal and move forward as a community Knox County Schools has a long way to go towards eliminating educational disparities and providing equitable educational opportunities to minority group students inadequate and discriminatory policies and practices bias fuel disparities in discipline and hostile school climate all contribute to disparities and educate educational outcomes students of color students with disabilities and LGBTQ students face disproportionately high rates of academic struggle absenteeism poor mental health outcomes dropout push-out
021involvement in the juvenile and criminal justice systems and diminished opportunities for their futures students with intersecting identities trans students of color for instance are at an even greater risk of poor educational outcomes our children's education well-being in futures depend on our ability to create a culturally responsive and inclusive school environment we're all students regardless of race ethnicity ability gender identity and sexual orientation have equitable access to all the benefits and opportunities offered in our schools when I read the UT proposal I was immediately and very thoroughly impressed this program addresses issues of race culture ethnicity religion class ability gender identity and sexual orientation the program includes modules on hetero and cisnormativity anti LGBTQ bias and the historical power structures that came to contribute to the systemic oppression of the LGBTQ community this program starts with
022an examination of implicit biases and works up to the development and implementation of culturally responsive and inclusive curriculum and pedagogy it includes hands-on training and restorative teaching practices proposed activities take into account different occupational needs and learning styles there is a framework for creating community led growth and long term sustainability of cultural competency this is the training program we need to start effectively addressing the system why deficit in cultural competency among teachers and administrators this is the program we need to begin doing the hard work of reducing and eliminating unjust and deleterious educational disparities among racial minority disabled and LGBTQ students in Knox County Schools I know you have received multiple proposals for corporal competency training programs I am grateful that the UT program is the one that you have chosen to advance to a
023vote on behalf of the voices for trans news campaign I encourage you to approve this contract thank you [Applause] our next speaker on this agenda item is John Butler Reverend Butler we're sorry we're fixin the we're fixin the timer since you wanted to you're just letting your time that's okay okay thank you I'm John Butler 1324 Iroquois Street Knoxville Tennessee 37919 I'm also the president of the Knoxville branch in ACP I served on the disparities on education outcome task force which this proposal came from and it's boy adopted and also I've served on the D OE steering committee so I just encouraged the board to approve this contract that concludes public forum on this agenda item thank you madam chair I just wanted to state for the record and let the board know that I
024plan to recuse myself from this vote as a graduate assistant for the theory and practice and teacher education I am paid as a graduate assistant in that department so I feel that I should not vote on this item thank you thank you Mary - I have no problem with with the program I'm sure it will be a successful program and as we discussed on Monday evening I believe mr. Massey tol told us that we would have an annual report along those lines since it does involve a rather large amount of money and a multi-year contract I would simply like to offer an amendment that it comes back to the Board for approval and that we get that report sometime prior to the renewal mr. dinkler do you see any problem with that just a simple
025amendment doing those two things yes that's fine you can make a motion and with the second and and a vote that that amendment can be added as a matter of fact you know as a matter of course most of these contracts are renewed through the superintendent and his office but but certainly by making a making it explicit in the record it would come back before the floor I think it does two things I think it draws attention to it and allows the board to if we have the report prior to that to see how successful it is me horn all in favor of the amendment say aye aye all opposed motion carries so now we'll go back and vote the actual contract is there any further discussion okay motion carries item 10b approved contract with
026life safety inspections LLC for provision of kitchen hood exhaust and fire suppression inspections up to $20,000 annually for the term of January 1 through December 31 2018 which may be extended for an additional four years one year at a time for a total of five years Norman second by mr. on trade any discussion all in favor say aye aye all opposed now recognize mr. Massey yeah thank you I just wanted it for a point of clarification we will be doing some training days this second semester so I just want to be clear on the expectation that we'll vote again just to make sure you get the timing correct because I want it'll be really critical that we be able to start in August so some of those trainings may happen as late as May but
027I could is it okay that I we've not completed all of the training but maybe I did a report in April so that we can have a vote at either the June or July meeting so that we're ready to start in August does that make sense my question is won't the contract start today and I mean with this approval so so I would assume the contract we go January to January okay mister so yeah you're correct mr. fugate's I mean the yeah the terms January 1 through December 31st of 18 so so you would have until the end of 18 to be I just think of school years okay thank you miss Massey for bringing that to our attention adam-11 a pre fiscal year 2017 school nutrition fund balance designation in the amount of two
028hundred and eighty one thousand five hundred and eighty seven dollars and twenty-six cents mr. Norman do I have a second second second by miss Hill thank you is there any discussion okay all in favor say aye aye all opposed motion carries 11 be approved additional fiscal year 2018 general operating fund vegetarian for the purpose of allocating resources to give the middle school in Hardin Valley Middle School approval motion made by mr. McMillan seconded by mr. Norman any discussion miss day three thank you and eat just as I know it's an additional funding is that gonna be that's fine 2018 foot budget so I guess if we use this amount of money for this will it interfere with anything else mr. super mr. C mr. Steiners coming up here - Thank You mr. Snyder yeah thank
029you madam chair mr. Etheridge can you repeat that word well just thinking we're gonna take about four or five hundred thousand dollars out of our budget for this which was not allocated in the beginning would that affect what we're trying to do with the arrest of mean how would it affect it I guess right so we we had a conservative estimate on our BEP revenue okay and so we realized actually an additional million dollars and so this 489 requests will come out of this way if they won't impact any of our other budgeted expenditures okay thank you any other discussion further discussion on that okay all in favor say aye aye all opposed motion carries item 11 C approved charter monitoring report for emerald Academy most of them others Fugate not you seconded by mr.
030Ridge any discussion okay seeing no lights on all in favor say aye aye all opposed motion carries 11 d discussion an action regarding the Leadership Academy memorandum of agreement motion by mr. Roundtree I have a question what is the motion this says discussion impossible action is the motion to terminate I mean I just I mean because the motion is to discussions but a motion usually is on an item that we're gonna vote on I don't care one way or the other I'm just trying to figure out what I'm voting for and no I I mean thank you madam chair and I grade miss Fugate I mean that there needs to be a I believe this was this was the line item for for the work session but at this point you are correct that there
031needs to be some type of emotion for an action either for or against yes do we have a motion I'll make a motion to terminate made a motion to terminate do I have a second mr. McMillan has seconded so the motion on the floor is to terminate the Leadership Academy memorandum of agreement this has her lied on its own motion in a second and we have public term for this item thank you madam chair we have multiple people signed up for this agenda item so our first speaker for this specific item is Shelley McGill so it being two items I don't know exactly which one I'm speaking to but I'm speaking about the Leadership Academy okay does that work yes all right good evening thank you for listening to and considering my thoughts I'm Shelley
032McGill I'm the proud principal of non-gaap elementary school and I was also a fellow in the Leadership Academy cohort for being a part of the Leadership Academy was something that was important to me for a long time I already had my master's degree in my EDS so I wasn't going to be getting any sort of degree on from the program but I knew that there was something special about the Academy that I needed to be a part of it seemed very similar to the preparation that I had the robust preparation that I had from the University of Tennessee when I was becoming a teacher through that program I was able to spend four days in the classroom miss bounces my liaison at that time as I was an intern at bricking McLeod I was able
033to spend four days in the classroom and then the last day of the week I went to classes well I don't remember which day it was but I went to classes and was able to they learn about theory and practice I had sorry I had the opportunity to serve under a mentor teacher four days a week and go to classes one day a week where we would learn theory and reflect on our practice as a cohort with that experience I was able to make and learn from mistakes in a safe environment that internship year was one of the best years of learning of my life so of course when I thought about becoming an administrator I craved that same type of preparation and learning I was blessed with the opportunity to become a fellow after
034having served as an assistant principal at Carter Elementary School for two years I was so excited because I knew that I was embarking upon the best professional development that I could have in order to hone my craft I knew that after I finished the Academy I would be able to be more effective in supporting teachers and in supporting students I would be able to effect positive change in my school community and work toward my mission and I was right as a leader I am continuously learning reflecting and improving my practice but after the Academy I became a more confident leader it is very easy in this position in any position in education to get bogged down with all of the minutia but the Leadership Academy equips the fellows with the tools to be able to
035step back from a situation see a bigger picture and create a plan of action why would we want to stop that for our system yesterday I had the privilege of hearing dr. Candace McLean speak I'm almost out of time I noticed the University you have more time the timer was messed up okay so yesterday I had the privilege of hearing dr. Candice McQueen speak at the TTA conference Tennessee principals Association conference she spoke about principal preparation how important it is and that it is the focus for the state I noticed that on her slide the University of Tennessee's Leadership Academy was listed among the top three leadership preparation programs in the state and so afterward I stopped her and talked to her about her thoughts about the Academy one of the things that she told
036me was that the Leadership Academy is held as an example of how partnerships between school districts and higher ocation institutions should be in order to improve student learning why would we walk away from that how can we be a successful school system if we do not have a robust plan in place to build the capacity of our leaders I encourage you to keep Knox County Schools in the fold of leadership development and continue a partnership with the University of Tennessee's Leadership Academy thank you our next speaker on this item is Alisha [Music] madam chair board members and superintendent Thomas thank you for the opportunity to speak this evening my name is Alisha Hinton and I currently serve proudly as the principal at Sequoia elementary school prior to my placement at sequoia assistant principal at AO
037lost elementary as a 3rd grade teacher at bricky McLeod elementary and a 3rd and 4th grade teacher at new Hopewell elementary I like to say I've almost covered all sectors of Knox County Schools I'm a proud graduate of Pao High School where I completed grades K through 12 in the Powell feeder pattern my parents my grandparents and my great-grandparents all benefited from education provided by the Knox County Schools I tell you my personal background to emphasize the appreciation and the connectedness that I feel to the Knox County Schools teachers like my third grade teacher Annie Hendrix my middle and high school science teacher Debbie Arnold and my high school French teacher Madame Sarah Lee Pecola Taylor all greatly impacted the mindset and the passion that I have for education each of these educators helped me
038to learn that I mattered and they helped me to learn that I have a mindset that I can develop and grow throughout my education that my journey as a learner and a leader was and it continues to be important they also helped me to learn understand that I have a voice whether I'm a young third grader in miss Hendricks classroom or currently as a school principal I'm a very proud graduate at the very first cohort of the Leadership Academy during this unique professional learning opportunity my knowledge and abilities grew in many areas having already completed a principal preparation and licensure program I was unsure how the Academy would benefit me at the end of this very rigorous program one in which is highly aligned with best practice and current research in the field of educational
039leadership my abilities and understanding on how to implement educational change and support high quality instruction in addition to developing teacher leaders was drastically drastically improved and developed by the opportunities that I was given and afforded in the Leadership Academy the benefits of Leadership Academy greatly overshadow other programs that are touting the same goals the partnership with a major university one that's a stakeholder in our own community and the benefits of learning from practitioners many of who are are or who have served in the Knox County Schools helps me gain a better understanding of the importance and opportunity within my role as a principal in the Knox County Schools I believe several of our current school board members have served as classroom teachers so you will understand the idea of experience based learning in the classroom
040the more time you spend in a given role the more knowledge and expertise that you may gain this is the same with the principalship those educational leaders who have served as principals throughout our district have a unique frame through which we look each day until you have walked in those shoes it is only textbook based knowledge the Leadership Academy affords its fellows the unique opportunity to merge theory and practice and for me that was the greatest benefit of Academy the collaboration with the University of Tennessee professors who are experts in the theory of educational leadership merged with the leaders mentors and current principals who are living and leading the day-to-day challenges of the principalship there is no better training for the challenges of principle faces than merging theory and practice each day I'd like to
041finish by saying that our own Knox County school strategic plan outlines the importance of this principle train program through goal to would investment our people it places a focus in objective 2 on building and supporting our community of leaders our theme this year at Sequoia elementary is entitled clear your path I work with students within the faculty and staff and in partnership with parents is to strengthen our abilities to chart new pathways especially when that pathway is new or very challenging so just that today I stand here in an effort to model for my students and for my teachers a way to use your voice in an encouraging and supportive way for things that are passion to you I'm thankful to have already received the benefits of the Leadership Academy I've had my opportunity so
042this evening I'm speaking on behalf for those who will follow me in the role of the principal the future leaders could and would greatly benefit from this continuing partnership and for the students faculties and communities who could and would benefit from passionate and well trained knowledgeable school leaders thank you next speaker is Quinn he come out good afternoon my name is Connie thermo I am a Knox County resident miss Hill I live in your district um madam cherry I want to thank you and the rest of the board for allowing me this opportunity to share my concerns regarding the principles the Leadership Academy excuse me I come to you all as a parent a single mother to a young man being raised in a city where he is part of the minority in a school
043district where students like him often seem forgotten where students like him can exist in this system for years before ever seeing a teacher that looks like him and longer before he sees an administrator through pre-k kindergarten first second third and fourth grade my child never had a teacher or administrator of color and this is not to discredit any teacher of color however we do know based on research the students of color perform perform better when sought by teachers of color and this has been the case for my son but the teachers of color conversation is an entirely different agenda item for an entirely different day but I must say that my son has been truly been blessed this year with two amazing african-american teachers in two talented and caring african-american administrators both of whom are
044Leadership Academy fellows and more than anything he has been profoundly impacted seeing a man of color lead in his building daily as a parent I've interacted with numerous administrators in this county and I can recall my interactions with each of them I can recall the seasoned administrator that didn't seem to have the best interest for parents or students at heart only test scores I can recall the rookie administrator in Leadership Academy fellow that spent his personal time attending every back-to-school event in East Knoxville getting to know parents families and our community and the Leadership Academy may not have been the only difference between the two but I like to think that it's a great start I also come to you as a pragmatist a pragmatist that realizes that teachers of color represent less than 7%
045of the total teacher population in this school system that educates nearly 30% students of color and while administrators make up 13% of our administrative pool ending this system's connection to a program that is a reliable source for recruiting leaders of color will mitigate recruitment and retention efforts in a system that cites investing in leaders in eliminating systemic disparities based on race it's the top priorities I come to you as a professional a professional that understands the importance of accountability working in the nonprofit world for nearly ten years I understand the importance of outcomes data in Metrix and I agree with your sentiments there does need to be information provided based on the Leadership Academy and I believe the board should amend the contract with the university specifying our requirements of Frank and if at that
046time you don't receive what you're asking for then it's time to begin this discussion I come to you as a friend a friend to dozens of teachers working in this school district many of whom have long deserved an opportunity to lead and some of whom have received it but only through the Leadership Academy and as you heard Monday night some of whom will not have been able to afford it otherwise because unfortunately as we know African American households have a significantly lower income than that of our white counterparts making these scholarships important for young black and people of color aspiring educators many of whom remain in classrooms were their leadership skills go untapped I also come to you as a community member a community member concerned with the training of our school leadership especially in
047high needs communities well we don't see the same leadership for 10 plus years where our students do not enjoy the luxury of consistency where the superintendent's four-year commitment Clause comes in handy because sadly people do not stay in our community I also realize our community is not a place where administrators should learn on the job they should come in equipped with the knowledge of how to set up schedules how to complete a plans and how to collaboratively lead our teachers because doing your job and doing your job and inner-city school is nearly because doing your job by managing the demands of an inner-city school is nearly impossible but learning how to do your job by managing one it actually is but most importantly I come to you as a person a person that's not always
048perfect much like this program an individual that's currently taking a look at herself and hopefully making improvements to save our day I'll take a look at my areas for improvement and I make changes I don't quit skills out of my repertoire one of those skills being solution-oriented because well I find that it's easy to point our issue it takes the most work to find solutions so as an imperfect pairing and an imperfect professional rolled into an imperfect person living in an imperfect community I ask that you take a look at this imperfect program and we revamp it but please don't discontinue the relationship with the relationship academy let's work as the community to make it better so students like my son in this district will continue to have administrators and teachers who look like him
049to look up to as he continues through Knox County Schools thank you our next speaker is Warren Hopson Lauren Hopson Knox County the issue of the Leadership Academy can be convoluted in a number of ways one can make the case that we need it to train our administrators so we can fill vacant positions however we have way more applicants than we can place and our very own dr. Rodney Russell is probably more qualified than any of us to Train administrators we could say that the issue is about recruiting minority administrators an issue that interestingly only surface once the program was in jeopardy however the majority of minority administrators were already in our system we didn't recruit them I also have to add that our former interim superintendent who has attempted to rally support around the
050racial issue was not too interested in helping to retain a minority teacher that I worked with last year the story of her situation is is that her husband was being transferred and so she turned in her resignation shortly before Christmas break a day later a personal situation arose which necessitated the fact that she needed to stay here and she asked her principal to resend her resignation what's her principal refused to do even though she had good evaluations I talked several times with HR and with her interim superintendent about trying to place her in a permanent position come January I talked to them several times she is still to this day substitute so we weren't too interested in retaining them on a minority teacher last year I don't know why all of a sudden we're worried
051about it clearly that's not the real issue what it really boils down to is a matter of trust we apparently have a partnership with the University of Tennessee to help train administrative candidates however we or more specifically miss Owen has had a great deal of trouble getting requested information from them at least until she was on the receiving end of a document dump just a few days ago not nearly long enough to go through all that stuff before tonight's meeting we all know or should know what a document dump means it means you either didn't have the requested information which is problematic or you would desperately like to hide it do we trust that they are making good decisions about applicants we have been told that they seek the best and brightest candidates if so
052how can a Tennessee Teacher of the Year finalist not even get an interview and sadly I would love to give some credit to the commissioners appraisal of the Leadership Academy but after all the debacle with our testing and the misinformation and the untruths that have been told I can't give that any credence at all and then we have the issue of our former superintendent a superintendent that ordered the sending of conference of concern letters to many teachers who have since been recognized as school level teachers of the year between slush funds illegal grants unnecessary buyouts unapproved research studies and failure failure to deal with documented bus issues and failure to provoke repay agreements with teachers how is it possible that we could still be okay with this man having any part of training our school
053systems leadership any counselor worth their salt will tell you that you can't have a healthy relationship with someone you can't trust so the only question really is do we trust this man to continue to have influence over a school system or not can we trust you to end this night mayor or not nine years is more than long enough don't think Butler Reverend Butler he's still here oh there you are you moved okay you get that other half of your time now sir okay that's her I wasn't I wasn't running the timer so we'll see if we can get it adjusted before you start we're gonna adjust the time now if I take four minutes there you go yeah John Butler Knox County the reason why I doubt if I take four minutes because quite
054honestly seem like your mind is already made up and I've seen that very often when I come to a public meeting you say you have a public forum but you already have your mind made up doesn't matter what the public says you're gonna make your decision the way you formed it before you came here that's it we're critical it's all so hypocritical say you want to have excellent administrators and not provide a program for them I trust this board is sincere when you say it's something wrong with the contract you have your attorney saying that I trust that because he's not just your attorney but he's my attorney too so I trust that but what I also trust is is that you realize you have to have a program that's going to prepare excellent administrators
055I also agree that this program wasn't put in place to recruit or develop african-american administrators it may have been something that has happened because 75% of african-american administrators who are now placed came to the program but I would believe that any program that you develop should be intentional about having excellent administrators and should also have a result of diversity you shouldn't have to create a program to promote black folk because black folk are capable of being administrators through any program you develop so we're not here at the end of ACP to argue about this program we've already sent your letter how we feel about it and questions we have about it so but we do believe you have to have a program to so while I say okay I trust you enough to know that
056the contract got problems you need to fix it we'll fix it but make sure we have a program that we can that's gonna give us the success we have and also that you're gonna evaluate in less than nine years that you don't have just 60 days to make a decision about whether you're going to keep a program and then also keep the public informed of how this program is doing so that you're not killing the programming to public really don't know why we still as much as I trust you you know when one of the politicians presidents that we quote a lot he said trust and verify some of you all know who I'm talking about so not at all I can do is trust because I don't have any verification because you haven't given
057us any and that's what I think the public deserves its transparency we need to know what's going on and the other thing I think is if you're going to have a public forum have one that when we come and we share with you you're going to be listening and not already have your mind made up now if I have judge you harshly I do apologize because I know the Bible says judge you not he shall be judged and I'm I'm late for Bible study so I'm gonna start right now [Applause] that concludes the public forum speakers for that agenda item madam chair okay I'd like to thank everybody that came to speak to that tonight we have a motion to made by mr. Norman and seconded by mr. McMillan and so now the board will
058entertain any discussion and mr. Roundtree had her light on for a long time so mr. Roundtree you may go first thank you madam chair I just wanted to state on the record and clarify since I had recuse myself from about earlier regarding the same college at UT that this program takes place in a totally separate Department within the college I'm not affiliated with that department any what in any way shape or form and so I do plan to vote on this item this evening thank you okay thank you mr. Etheridge I thank you madam chair and I think most of the comments that I made or a plan to make have been made already and that is the value of this program and value of leadership of Academy in reading the termination letter it says
059the MOU is in question is fashion for routine review by the board and this board is considering a replacement or revised contract and our program that is best suited for the board and in Knox County Schools which means that you plan to terminate a contract with the University of Tennessee before we even start on doing a revision are starting on coming up with some type of program to replace it every district or every in Knox County has benefited from their Leadership Academy every one of us sitting at this table has benefitted from a leadership Academy fellow and like the ladies say to see the determinate but it's harder to try to come up with some solutions I think we need to come up with some solutions on how we can make changes to the MOU
060but not to terminate it because it's very valuable it has produced a lot of qualified better experienced better administrators ready to take on and move forward with the school system we have benefited and I just really plead with this board that can take that in consideration for we decide to do anymore you with you UT Knoxville just because of the individual we are it's about the individual even miss Hobson said it was mentioned the individual and while we shouldn't continue to work with him we're not working with him working with UT he just happens to be the person that's administering the program but the program is so valuable and something the gentleman said on Monday he said it very eloquently if it hadn't been for this program he wouldn't be where he is today and
061because the experience he he got from working with mentors and all the things he's very passionate about it and we need to take in consideration what the the Leadership Academy fellows have said they have sent us emails they have contacted us they have told us the value they have told us the benefit of it and we still trying to figure out how to terminate I really think we need to consider what's best for Knox County and not not best was far a personal vendetta whatever you want to call it it doesn't matter to me but it's just that we need to get over that and move on with what's best for the children of Knox County because that's what it's just this is what we're all about the business of educating children not worrying about
062how we're going to terminate a good contract just because we got personal problems or issues or don't like what like you said if we don't get the information let's just work with you team make sure that we get a little bit more transparent information data or whatever we need but I really don't plan to terminate a program without having something ready to go and move it forward so that we can continue the relationship that we still build thank you is there any more discussion on this item okay I'm sorry I saw miss you get first I had my head directed this way I'm not sure so Miss to get my seal and then my cell when I said okay with you that's Fugate thank you madam chair I was I just want to say that
063is why I supported NIST Etheridge's motion to move the discussion forward I want to continue a relationship with the University of Tennessee it doesn't have to be the exact one we've had and it's hard for me to vote to discontinue something if I don't know that we are committed to putting something else in place so I will not I'm not saying that the the way the program is set up with UT is perfect right now but I cannot vote to terminate that unless I know that we have agreed to the proposal that our superintendent created for us that basically addresses every concern that we told him we had which was money we didn't want to pay for any more people we wanted to take it out of our assistant principal pool his proposal addressed everything
064the board has control over what we do not have control over is who the University of Tennessee hires we just don't and so I will not be supporting discontinuing this agreement because I again if they were flipped and I knew we were gonna accept the superintendent's recommendation then I could vote to end this contract but I can't do that until I know we're willing to work with them okay miss him when we talk about terminating an agreement and perhaps developing another one that assumes that we have to willing parties I'm wondering if there's anyone here from UT that could could speak to this the fact that I have I have a lot of the same concerns that Miss Fugate mentioned I agree that there were some real problems with the program absolutely there were I
065also think that we've come a long way in these last few weeks of addressing many of those problems and and rectifying it so that it can be a new agreement that we could all be proud of so I guess I don't know if yes I'd be happy to hear what tump mr. thomas has to say on that I mean yes ma'am madam chair members of ordinance he odd I can't speak for the University of Tennessee but I have spoken with with Betty Sue sparks saying with the dr. McIntyre in terms of the agreement there's a willingness to part so they told me of the University of Tennessee to work with us on the proposals so I think we've you know we can take that from standpoint of their word that it is that they will
066work with us on these recommendations that we're making to this proposal I think the fact that there's no one here from UT while we're discussing this says quite a lot about our partnership I think it says more than anything else any of us have said I'd like to share some numbers I know if given you a lot I'm gonna give you some more numbers it's soin can I ask you to speak yes it's a thoughtful I'm very accused of being too soft in 2009 2010 we had 322 administrators in Knox County Schools in 2015-16 that was 399 so each year we're seeing a very steady increase in our number of administrators fall at the same time we're seeing our ratio of teachers to students going the other direction and that's a pretty large concern that
067we are seeing our ratio of administrator to student go up while our ratio of teachers to students are going down looking at other solutions we have a tuition assistance program we've had it for a very long time right now we have 46 thousand dollars in that tuition assistance program last year at the end of the year 34,000 of it was unused so folks aren't applying for the tuition assistance that's available it's there so that money problem that's something that could definitely help with that problem and it's not being utilized leadership academy fellows have said that they would not have become administrators otherwise but looking at the 81 who were from Knox County Schools we had three who were already working toward their doctorates when they were accepted to the Leadership Academy we had one who
068was actually teaching college-level education classes at South College when she was accepted to the Leadership Academy we had 33 who already had an administrative license prior to the Leadership Academy however we also had three who had less than two years professional teaching experience 65 of those 81 fellows had master's degrees prior to going to Leadership Academy 20 already had an education specialist degree so we're not actually looking at folks who needed the degree or needed the certification many of them already had those several of them had multiple degrees and certifications so I think there's really a large question there about the real intent of the program especially when we have some of the people who it actually listed in their BIOS when they were accepted that they had extensive leadership experience extensive administrative experience why
069are we taking people with extensive administrative experience into a beginning training program that makes absolutely no and that one of them was teaching college-level education classes is unfathomable the last thing I would like to do is clarify something I said on Monday I think there was some confusion based on an email that I received I was not questioning the amount of time our fellows spend out of their buildings away from their administrative duties we already know that they are out every Friday all day to attend class that's not part of the information we were missing that's one of their very few pieces we actually have in this more than a year that we've been trying to get this information when we've asked you to for financial information regarding the expenditures for staff for the leadership
070Academy one of the things that they gave us was a spreadsheet that was titled Leadership Academy salaries and when I got that sheet I just happened to already have a meeting scheduled with mr. Thomas the next day we sat down to look at that sheet and it looked like some of our people were making an exorbitant amount of money on Fridays and it looked like we had dozens of administrators out of central office on Fridays and I think it's fair to say that mr. Thomas and I were very concerned and as he looked at the sheet because we had just gotten it he said well that person never taught at the Leadership Academy that person never taught at the Leadership Academy the list that UT gave us was not our staff who had taught at
071the Leadership Academy it was our staff who had taught at UT at all if they taught summer school if they taught night classes so all of this was lumped into one big sum and given to us as if it was the salary of people teaching in the Leadership Academy so we have all kinds of data like that that we've been given that makes it look like one thing when it's completely different and there's no breakdown there's no way to tell and they're not giving us information we have a partner who will not tell us about our partnership we have a partner who is keeping information from us that is not a healthy relationship and that's not a relationship to stay in this is not a relationship that that is something that can just be you
072know gently fixed with a new contract it needs a lot more than that and I think we need to seriously step back and look at at what we expect from a partner just I don't think this is healthy at all thank you madam chair thank you miss Roundtree thank you madam chair um I just want to go back to I know we've already talked about this quite a bit but I'm just to remind everyone and on the record again that by the actual research and data that was provided there were marginal positive benefits to Leadership Academy and if if anybody else has ever had to suffer through stats you probably remember that correlation does not imply causation and so the assertion that the Leadership Academy directly impacted the marginal gains in academic outcomes I just
073I find that questionable um and I think we probably the board received some similar emails and looking through all the data that we've been provided and gathered I just went through and picked out it was interesting a specific person said in their email they felt that they would not have been in an administrative position had it not been for Leadership Academy I found that interesting so I did a little more digging the person had already completed a master's degree in leadership yet they had never actually applied for an administrative position but they had applied for leadership academy numerous times before being accept did and they felt that that experience is what allowed them to get into a principalship position so I think there is some concern about the quote pipeline and we have in the
074numerous numbers that miss Owen ran through the number of administrators that we have that has increased and then the folks we already have within the system that have that licensure already in place and I guess the last thing I want to go back to with the research that was conducted by our own department is that the survey results specifically stated mentorship by the principal's as the most impactful factor I mean I love UT I'm all about I'm all about theory I you know I love that and I think it is important and I agree with Alicia she was I don't know she's not there about the theory and practice being there but by the by the data that we've been given and by the comments from the fellows eighty-seven percent of the fellows filled out
075that survey the majority specifically referenced mentorship by their principal so I think we're just we're missing something here if we're just if we just want to throw that out and totally not look at that piece I think I think that's a concern but I hope that we've all gone back and looked at that research and that information mr. Norman thank you madam chair this is a big vote just big it's big for this system I think it's highly symbolic of a direction that that we're going to take and that the board wishes for this system today first of all I want to compliment the board for taking up the cause because at the very least with the revisions that we see and so on we just saved Knox County taxpayers nine hundred thousand dollars now
076tell me when that happened we just did that at the very least now we criticize you know those of us that are on my side obviously I'm gonna I'm gonna vote to to terminate and to change the direction of the principal preparation I think there will be a program I don't think 60 days is enough time to formulate it although I do appreciate mr. Thomas and his redesign and the the various things there's certainly some very good things in there and those things will be portion a portion of the new program I think it's really hard to justify six point seven million dollars that we spend thus far on a program that can show virtually no academic gain I think that's the basic criticism I noticed that how few grade how few teachers can come
077and speak what they really feel about their principals or assistant principals but but i but i also realized that probably most all of the schools have a leadership academy principal or assistant principal in the school therefore they are directly affected by that and their performance their evaluations you know hopefully there's not a bias but we know there would be so I think there's also some the systems in this state have and what we do gives direction or at least information to how our state performs I'm in terms of academics I'm sort of tired of composite a CT scores of twenty one being characterized as exemplary or whatever I think we're mediocre at best in terms of academic performance and I really think that this millstone around our necks called T bass is directly associated to
078leadership and in leadership preparation in the direction that our state is taking so I think this is an important vote I think it's time for us to focus on students and teachers in the classroom and not daddy did you have something else you wanted to add before we yes thank you listen to the comments I agree a lot of this been said we have increased administrators and we also have a creased doodles by most 70,000 students 7,000 students so with the new mandates and new things coming down for our administrators in our classrooms they have now decided that it's best to have more system principals in the building to help the principals because it's been so hard and difficult to do all the things that's been requested and it's challenging so yeah I agree there's
079more administrators because of what's been asked for our administrators to do in the building also agree with mr. Roundtree she said that mallanna talked about the mentorship and that was what I was gonna say it's more than just theory it's about all the experience they're getting working with administrator there is more than than just going to class there's actually applying it working inside the building and learning from their mentors then so it is more than bad and when we say that it's not really helping academically if you ask a lot of the I guess they say the better teeth of print administrators and the better now have been the leadership of fellows you know a Leadership Academy fills and that's all across the district when they say how your class and how do you like
080what's going on in the building they say it's get this excellent I see it's getting better and better and better everything's not going to turn in it's going to take time but the administrators in the building have been making a great advancement and make great strategies and different things in the building and that is coming from the experience that's through a Leadership Academy and the and the fellows is coming through there and the people that's been put in place throughout Knox County and most of them have said that because of that they feel more satisfied with what's going on in the building because the experience the challenges they how they handled things how they handle all the things coming down from central office and so that's not that's not a fluke that's because the program
081is working and it is an important decision that we have to make today it may and no it's not going to take 60 days or whatever but I've heard the superintendent state that UT has agreed to make changes they have agreed to work with us to make sure that we get what we need from them and that we make the necessary changes to this agreement in order to benefit us as and what we're trying to achieve so I still say it's not good to terminate anything with not with the UT Knoxville at this time I think we need to look at it and be serious about trying to make sure that we have experienced leadership and I build it all across Knox County if you do have something to have a question okay thank you
082dr. Drummond following up on the the tuition assistance what's the maximum an employee could get in a year in tuition assistance $2,400 okay and I assume that a graduate degree cost more than twenty four hundred dollars so I so it is definitely going to I appreciate me so in pointing that out and I do think our I would like to ask our employees to avail themselves of that money but let's not kid ourselves $2,400 is not going to pay for a graduate degree I absolutely think that we can improve this here's my concern folks if we kill if we walk away from this agreement and then we do not say that we want to work with UT to continue a program we're walking away from ten to twelve scholarships for our employees that's the bottom
083line that's it we are the we are a partner because we were first to the table and we're the only system that gets scholarships that's my concern this we talk about professional development take it all away if we don't tonight and and I can I mean everybody can see the tea leaves we're probably going to vote to discontinue this agreement I am begging this board to then vote to authorize superintendent Thomas to go right to UT tomorrow and start working out a plan because if they think we're walking away those scholarships are lost to us forever I mean it's like a divorce if you divorce and then you want to reconcile there still damage to the relationship and that's and I just ask that we be very mindful of that because we're the only people
084that get that and I do not want to give up ten or twelve scholarships that no other school system okay mr. macmillan and then I'm always the board and my call for the question I'd like to address the board fine okay thank you so because he's come for the question and you anyway everybody's had a chance to speak and I would like to just add to this and then we'll take the vote it is with a very heavy heart that I will cast my vote I face many difficult folks in the past three years but this vote perhaps is one of the most difficult and as with every vote I have studied listened and learned and voted accordingly this board has faced enormous amount of pressure from high places of influence in multiple arenas I
085know this program has benefited those like myself that wanted and needed an opportunity to grow and serve without the expense of more education and additional time out of the workweek especially for those with young children I know that those who have helped develop the program for future administrators have done so with the sincere heart believing they were helping our students administrators district and state but the Leadership Academy and my opinion should have been bedded and reorganized years ago by those who had the power to do so I don't believe anything would have changed without this board bringing this up for a discussion and a vote and that to me is very unfortunate so we have a motion on the floor to terminate the leadership academy made by mr. norman and seconded by mr. macmillan a
086vote of yes is to terminate a vote of no is to continue and we will take a roll call vote starting in district ward would you restate the motion made by mr. Norman was to terminate the leaders is to terminate and a vote of no is to continue the Leadership Academy is that correct mr. different so a vote of yes is to terminate a vote of no is to continue the Academy because the motion made by mr. norman was to terminate the leadership academy is that i guess that wasn't what i understood you say originally a yes vote is about to terminate okay clarifying question is that to terminate in its current form yes in its current form correct this letter the way it's worded if we approve the next item on the agenda then
087the wording of this letter is not would not be appropriate so if you can address that please yes thank you thank you Miss Horne thank you madam chair I agree with both those statements I mean right now you're about to vote on an item 11 d that 11 e still remains and I've heard a lot of comments here recently just now that that that pertained more to 11 E so so that that item is still to come and a Miss Horne you're correct if if this board votes in favor of 11 e then then the letter to to the to the Dean aut can can certainly be be amended accordingly we'll start with a roll call vote in district 1 with mr. courage No miss Owen yes mr. Norman yes mr. macmillan yes miss Roundtree
088miss bounds yes that's seven years boats into no boats so the motion carries and does the board desire to have a recess at this time just inspired madam chair I would move to table TNA season 11 II the next item has made a motion to table 11 II so do we have a second second seconded by mr. Norman so we will open the floor up to discussion this is to terminate got the taste okay so to table 11 e so discussion open on the floor for that miss Hill mmm thank you madam chair the vote that I just made was a based on a trust that Reverend Butler talked about our ability to be able to trust each other Tony you stated it's one of the biggest votes and we have made probably today and
089I certainly concur with that my vote was made on the hope that I could trust that this board would continue to the next item so that we can in fact look at this proposal that mr. Thomas has spent time on that in fact corrects all of the or most of the issues I would say that have been brought up that caused the termination of the Leadership Academy in the first place you know what's past is past the money has been spent you know it doesn't matter if we agree or don't agree with Tevas at that point all of this is is past it's behind us well if we do not have an agreement with this tonight and settle this and let one of the biggest universities in this country go because of items that we
090don't agree with I just think that will make us look as a board as I hate to say probably close to incompetent I think this would just be unconscionable to allow this partnership with UT to get away from us because of disagreements thank you I think it's very unfair to characterize the possibility of tabling this as a lack of trust or as somehow going against a trust that has never been stated we also have the trust of our community and I believe our community trusts us to make the best possible plan that we make and so if if this plan looks very incomplete or like something that needs more time then I think we owe it to the community to take that time to put together something that we could actually use that might actually
091be in the best interest of our I don't think we want to be hasty with it because I think that's what got us here to begin with thank you we're gonna miss death reach now thank you madam chair this is exactly what I wanted to reverse it I knew this was going to happen and a lot of people took a vote because we thought we were gonna be able to sit and talk about it and vote on it and I feel like I feel like Miss Hill it is a factor of thinking that we won't be able to discuss and move forward on a proposal and now you go to table it so I agree with her and that this is exactly the reason I wanted to reverse it thank you madam chair I think
092that our our superintendent has put time into a proposal that I would like to hear more about I would like to have discussed in a public forum and so I would like to be able to do that this evening we've put him in a position to advise us on his position and I would like to give him the opportunity to voice that this evening thank you in clarification with a law director he said we would have to vote on tabling at first and then we can come back to the discussion so we had a motion made by mr. McMillan to table 11 E we had a [Music] second by mr. Norman and if there's no other discussion then we will take a vote on whether or not to table this 11a so can ask the
093clarifying question yes if we table does that take it off of the agenda or would public I mean this is a Wednesday meeting so it wouldn't stop public forum on this issue correct I think public forum under your policy you know would continue because of Wednesday meetings I mean it's on any topic but the effect of a table would be it would take it off the agenda for this evening and then it would need to be placed back on the agenda by a board member at a subsequent meeting right but not a change public forum correct well that's correct it would not change public forum so to clarify what the motion was made to table so a vote of yes would be to table it and take it off the agenda a vote of no
094would be to leave it on the agenda and discuss it tonight so we'll start over in mr. McMullin district if there's no other lights on or any other discussion so mr. McMillan yes he'll miss horn miss Fugate no miss Roundtree mr. Norman yes miss Owen mr. fridge no miss pounds no that's - yes and 7 no votes to table it so the motion to table this has failed if things correct and we will move back does this board wish no I was gonna make a motion or request a recess okay this board will recess and take a recess and reconvene to discuss 11a at 6:50 but you need to be back in your seat okay it is 651 and I want to call this board back from recess the next item is item 11 II
095and I would like to make a motion to hold a discussion on the superintendent's proposal and direct the superintendent to name a committee to enter into a discussion with the University of Tennessee and that that committee will include at least one board member do I have a second oh one so we will open the floor up to the discussion explain to me exactly what your process on that because so if I understand the motion correctly you are making a motion that we begin discussion and that you are directing him to begin the discussion with whom know that he will name a committee to enter into a discussion with the University of Tennessee and that that committee will include at least one board member is there a time frame on which he must do that not
096in this motion would you be open to a friendly amendment what is that friendly event mister get sooner rather than later like within the next thirty days that he named a committee to begin the discussion my fear is that let this you know the less likely we are to keep our dollar ships I think that's realistic that it would take place but I would like to get superintendent Thomas's time frame on that do you think that is doable to name the committee that would enter into a discussion with UT within 30 days given yes let me just say of course with the holidays clarify all I'm asking is for him to name a committee by the time we meet in January that surely can be done regardless of the school holidays okay yes I mean
097I could look at naming the committee I would be agreeable to that friendly amendment okay okay just a question if this if the decision is made in to continue the Academy in whatever whatever form this board decides on now at what point mr. Thomas till we put at risk the scholarships again I think that would be since those scholarships come from the university that would be a question I think I will say miss Hill from my experience that that deadline has been extended in the past for whatever reasons they didn't have enough applicants or they wanted a bigger pool to choose from so just remembering when I was in the classroom and got those emails they extended that deadline in the past so I don't know thank you madam chair what is the typical time
098frame on applications that that perspective fellows must have applications in by a certain date for the next cohort when does they typically take place I believe starting in the month of January when they take the applications I don't think the final decisions made there's an interview process selection process that I don't know the cutoff date I don't know dr. Oz week if you aware or dr. drumlin if you're aware of the cutoff date for the application process be approximately in February and we will start the interviews and last year we started to interviews in mid to late February mr. Etheridge thank you madam chair um I guess my question is what's the rationale to making sure it's a superintendent doesn't delegate mr. superintendent his staff to come up with this MOU what's the rationale for
099having a board member on it what's the rationale I just think for a board member to be represented and to hear it firsthand and to be a part or present at those negotiations because they have to come back through the ball before it does have to come back I don't like that but okay so we don't necessarily have to have one it's just that you would like to have one so that we can be represented and at the table when they disgust me in case we have questions okay and that's well put to be a part of that and to be able if you had questions to be represented miss Hale in in in theory I have no problem with with this at all except that when you ask for one board member and it's
100pretty clear that addition on this board that could in fact impact the negotiation process I just wonder if you've given any thought to that I have I'm not opposed to having more board members on that team if that's something you want to do then we can make well and I don't know that that's necessarily the they answer either it's really more matter of just for discussion perhaps on this this board I do understand when we get to board members we get into sun shining and scheduling becomes not that there's anything wrong with sunshiny but that scheduling often becomes a he okay thank you thank you thank you madam chair since since miss Hill was discussing sun shining it's it's going to be the law director's position that that if this motion is successful that because
101this will be a negotiating committee and at least one or more board members will be on it even if there's just one board member it will need to be sunshine thank you madam chair I appreciate this attempt to I don't know what the attempt is maybe to postpone postpone action somewhat on it we are divided but but I think we were placed in office to make decisions and this is a tough decision I think it needs to be made I think that people in Knox County have clearly spoken certainly the teachers and the people of North County have clearly spoken to me about the leadership of the Leadership Academy and that's the one revision that is not even considered he's got to go he's got to go and unless we do that unless I do
102that unless I vote to do that I am NOT doing my job and I want to do that and I know that's my job clarification regarding the motion is the motion for the committee to develop a plan for us to discuss at a later time or is the committee is this an assumption that we accept the proposal and then the committee begins discussion I'm unclear as to what the role of the committee will be I think the original motion was that the committee would enter into a discussion with the University of Tennessee if you would like to make a substitute motion or amend that emotion to just be a committee that comes up I felt like we would be discussing the superintendent's proposal tonight and make any corrections to that but okay so that committee
103would would be dependent on what we do with thee that's correct mister duper I think the way the motion was originally done was with the intent that given the division of the board that but we might need to I could withdraw that and we could make you know I can withdraw that no I can withdraw that if you you know if you if the boards will is that they feel like that we are need to separate these two items out as to voting on the proposal the super this the way it was on the thing was a discussion and possible action on the Leadership Academy proposal so we can separate those two out or we can just vote on and up or down on whether we want to direct the superintendent to enter in with
104the University of Tennessee this motion probably was leading or led you know to go ahead and discuss it will still come back before the board as to whether we accept UT's terms and whether they accept our terms so it would have to come back before the board does that make sense like if if we began the discussion with the university through the superintendent's could Eddie and we begin that discussion it would still have to come back to the board is that correct mr. duper okay so yes I think the last question was I mean would would some type of agreement have to come back before the full board that's the answer is yes and and madam chair you had talked about withdrawing but I don't think you've withdrawn it I think I think your current
105motion and we may want to make sure that it's properly seconded but your but your current motion is to is to appoint the committee and then and then open up discussions I think the only thing you need to clarify is do you want the the the committee to start with the proposal or something different thank you [Music] so that comes back to me as clarifying the proposal well I think you can I think you can further discuss it I think that's that's that's the question that missile one raised if you want to further discuss that and then then you can then you can further amend the motion should you so choose may I take an attempt at what I think is on the floor with my friendly amendment which was that we would I believe
106the motion is to create a committee within the next thirty days it would that would require the superintendent to put that committee together to begin discussion on moving forward with a proposal or negotiations with the University of Tennessee I think that's for the Leadership Academy I think that's all that's out there what we what we want him to negotiate about we haven't decided yet is that I mean my presumption would be his proposal would be a good starting point because that's what yeah that's his recommendation to us but but I think the motion is just to create a committee to start the discussion is that what you intended yes but we could just in this is very if the board chooses it's the world board if the board wants to continue that or we could
107just help me I hear mr. Devlin well I think I think I think I think mr. Fugate has has stated it correctly except except you did state that she wanted one or more board members on the committee so I don't okay and and if and I think miss Owen had seconded the motion but but that was prior to the friendly amendment so if miss Owen or someone it okay miss Owens indicating that she still supports her second so-so so that motion is properly before this at this time there's a motion in a second if you all want to add anything about the parameters of the proposal then that is yet yet to be discussed I just want to say all I hope to accomplish tonight is that we send a signal to the University of
108Tennessee that we still would like to have a discussion with them on how to approve improve the Leadership Academy notwithstanding mr. Norman's assertion that until a change in personnel is made he can't support any type of partnership with the Leadership Academy I'm not sure that everyone on the board feels that way so I would like us to show the university that we would like to still work with them to improve the leadership academy that meets our school district's needs the Leadership Academy doesn't need us they're growing they've got plenty of people that want to be a part of the Leadership Academy I just want it to work for us and that we don't lose the scholarships mr. macmillan thank you what mr. you just said about the Academy growing I find it remarkable that if
109it involves anybody besides Knox County that it took in - last year I think there was one person from another district in it last year that was the what sixth year in operation and I think there were we heard testimony from Miss Sparks and somebody last month maybe the months before where I'm not sure when that there were a couple of people from Upper East Tennessee from gains board but if it's such a huge success and and always people think that the these other superintendents and other you know the districts think it suits you successful why has it only been limited to money and why a lot of people from outside of Knox County not been they have to pay full tuition they don't have the scholarships so their school board has to come up
110with the money heard that an individual has to for the tuition I don't know that either but you know for sure but it makes me wonder how much merit that other districts actually give to the program and we heard somebody stated earlier we heard that it was in the presentation that we had you know about the marginal benefit thank you thank you madam chair any discussion that we've had about UT is purely conjecture it's all guesswork we don't know what they're gonna do we do not know how they'll react to anything that we do certainly any kind of proposal that we we would make we could offer the same thing to to them and have a complete redesign of this program and have the redesign done with our priorities and our values in mind and
111that's that's what I'm proposing I think definitely we get rid of this thing we get rid of it as it is it will be reformed in a much better way that suits and serves us in our community thank you thank you madam chair and uh and that has been done we have gotten rid of the OEM or you so that's done so what we're now discussing is the proposal that the superintendent had well we proposed in the committee that's on the floor we talked about a formula committee but still we have a proposal that has been presented to us by the superintendent we need to either like it dislike it and that's where the starting point is gonna be and as far as other people I know ladies people in Johnson City and Kingsport and
112everybody else is waiting for us to drop out because they do want them it has been something that they have our ups I've talked to him at the TSB a they want it so let's just say that we don't but Monique the way it is but there are people that do only okay okay so I will just say that I appreciate in this few yet asking the superintendent for a proposal I appreciate the superintendent his staff drafting a proposal and the proposal does address as mr. Norman said many or someone said many of the concerns that this board has identified such as negligible data which we know that our former superintendent loved and yet UT hasn't provided any and shoddy accounting at best this board should have been provided information over the past eight years
113willingly Freedom of Information request should never have been necessary and I really appreciate all of our board members who have fought to gather this information and with this proposal I believe North County schools and the school board has done our due diligence I'm disappointed that UT is not represented tonight but you know we've done what we can do but it's been a very one-sided discussion tonight and no matter how well-meaning it is so if there's no other discussion we will take a vote they want me to read that again but the friendly and then or help me out if I get it wrong motion to hold a discussion on the superintendent's proposal and direct the superintendent to name a committee to enter in a discussion with the University of Tennessee and that that committee will
114include at least one more member and will be formed within the next 30 days does that sound right to everyone on the board okay so there was a motion made and there was a second by mr. Olin so if there's no other discussion then we'll take a vote a vote of yes will be to support this motion to vote of no will be a vote against this emotion and basically it will cover the superintendent's proposal and any changes that he and his committee decided to make to it so I don't care what you said we go to this time you wanna start with we started this way last time maybe in this death Ridge this time miss Dandridge yes mr. Norman no mr. Fugate miss Horne yes miss he'll miss bounds yes no Roundtree yes
115that's seven years until now okay so the motion carries and we are now at public forum the rest of public forum okay our first public forum speaker is Harper Smith I'm sorry a point of clarification I think yes miss Hale hmm did the motion state that you made the motion to discuss it and then to form a community yes I yes so we well she just called for public forum oh we kid mark you know we've these are the regular public forum speakers sorry miss Val are we discussing this tonight or not as far as the proposal that the superintendent brought forth that was what the motion included was a discussion hari I was I was eager on public forum I apologize Harvard thank you you've been very patient okay seeing no other lights on
116Lucille this was not for the discussion by the committee mr. Duprey was as we were clarifying that over here the motion to discuss tonight was in regard to 11a to discuss it as a board what the superintendent had on his proposal okay that's what you understood it I was over eager with our thinking about Reverend Butler's comment we want to hear from the public so that was my I just want to in looking at this I do want to just thank superintendent Thomas for taking the time and the staff to put this together I guess I'm still in reading the program highlights I still have some concerns about the marginal impact of the curriculum that's being offered given the data from the actual fellows in the comments they made so I guess my comment to
117the superintendent and or whoever the committee discussants are going to be is that I think we need to look closely at whatever this curriculum is because overwhelmingly if you read each of the individual responses they continually tied back to the mentorship piece with their principal and I think the other part that that speaks to in the data is the fact that a number of these folks let me go back to miss Owens let's just I'm finding this oh I'm just gonna give her a shout-out for being an excel wizard that 20 of these folks already had an EDS 65 of them already had a master's degree 33 already had an administrative license so I think that what that speaks to to me is that these folks were experiencing some duplication and what they were being
118taught in their coursework so perhaps something we need to look at is guiding folks that may not already have numerous certifications or additional coursework above a bachelor's or master's already because the data overwhelmingly showed that the mentor she shipped peace with the head principal was the most important and I do just want to add while I'm on that topic I know several of our own staff teach at UT Knight courses and/or as guest co-instructors with the Leadership Academy and that's certainly not to detract from the quality of their instruction I think it's just something that very much should be considered when the respondents have said coursework was not a huge part of why they thought it was important so and if you haven't read the responses I encourage you to do so ok thank you
119thank you madam chair I concur that the mentorship piece I keep hearing about is so important and the other piece that I think that we need to keep in mind is were re-establishing this program is the other key thing that I've heard is the access to the arc ACS leadership and getting to know those folks and being able to how important that relationship so I think that's key and also I think that you know we've talked a lot about the past tonight I think when in looking forward in thinking about the type of principles that we that we would ideally like to see in each of our schools and having that as using that criteria in the selection process so that those who are admitted to whatever principal sees a Leadership Academy and principal preparation
120program is key I think that's extremely important and I think that that's why they appreciated mr. McMullin question on Monday night regarding who would make up that's that selection committee because I think that's key and I think that's where it begins it's we obviously want to make sure that we have the type of person in those positions that match the qualities and characteristics that you're looking for to create that culture of change so I think we need to keep those things in mind as we're reestablishing this program thank you thank you I just when I say superintendent Thomas I appreciate all the conversations you and I have had about how we can make this better I will say I'm hearing a lot of what we're talking about about curriculum and people having certifications and that
121sort of thing although what I think a leadership but I would like to see the Leadership Academy focus on is leadership because many people have the same credentials their CPAs with the same credentials but only ones the Managing Partner there are there my hairdresser has the same license but she manages the salon so there's something about leadership that I think is very different than academic coursework about pedagogy and all those words that you education people use that now what they mean as a business major but I think that's the piece that I really want us to focus on because building level leadership is critical to a successful school that's why before I was on the board way back the board decided they wanted a principal preparation program to talk about leadership and the qualities that
122are required in today's fast-changing overly legislated academic environment that we find ourselves in I am a big proponent and I would say this again I wish that we would look at adding mid-career principles to the Leadership Academy so that you don't just have to be a brand new principal but perhaps you've been a building principal for 20 years and it's continuing education professional development many people who lead organizations get continuing education on improving their leadership skills so that is something that I wish we would really focus on which would differentiate some of the concerns I think I hear from a lot of education professionals that is the same degree it's the same coursework it needs to be about leadership human resource management how to deal with your staff how to deal with people that aren't
123like you all those things that make people are great leaders what I'd really like us to focus on thank you and there's two thirds I'll come to you in just a minute superintendent Thomas one of the things that you had in your proposal which i think is very important and I would just said on the record if the we enter into a partnership with UT again is the high priority schools and I think that's very key and I that is one of your three pieces of your initiative and that is to you know work on that disparity gap and I think that's one way to do it so I think there needs to be a willingness on the part and somewhere in that rubric either we have or we develop that they're willing to work
124when they get out of the Leadership Academy in a high priority school and they will and UT focuses their classwork on that as well so that's just what I would like to see if it goes forward and this death Ridge I'm sure and I do agree with what you just said I also want to make sure that it's part of this committee and part of what we're trying to do and what's in here is actually talk to the defender lot of I guess fellows that have had their bachelor's and master's but at the same time EDIS when I talked to them they said this is still different the curriculum was hard curriculum identified those things that you need to be effective leader in a school building so when we're trying to come up with what
125it is they need to know be sure we engage and talk to those that have been through that what worked what they felt like benefit them in the building dealing with classroom students environment financing all that so I like I do I do agree with what you've what's been said but I think the best way to find out exactly what how to improve a program is a goal do though go to those that's been through it and find out what they feel like we need to do in order to make it better I know you've done some of that I'm not saying you habit because I'm sure you did when you was putting this together but to address some of the concerns the board has I think that would be a great start so that
126we make sure we touch our bases cuz we can sit here and say we won't but that doesn't mean that's what it's necessary needed so they're the ones it's been through and I think that's what we need to make sure we have that conversation thank you ask you a question you had a question for superintendent Thomas the other night about limiting it to a piece and two principals and with your permission or yes I've taken permission but I too shared some of that concern and so I would just like first superintendent Thomas to kind of address that if you would yes madam chair members the board I think the question was in terms of teachers who would be selected I guess to go we had put in the proposal that we would select from administrative
127fire IaaS against in there an assistant principals of course those folks that are in those positions come from teacher leadership at the school level so actually when you look at the folks we have that are in those positions they may have been teachers and teacher leaders so if the board you know would what we were trying to avoid is the additional cost I can assess of replacing so if someone comes directly from the classroom into the program then obviously we're going to have to replace that that teacher so we were just looking at eliminating cost but every year we move people into AP jobs and AAA jobs that come out of those teacher ranks so it would be I think conceivable from a standpoint of I'm a teacher one year I get I get promoted
128to AAA or AP that next year and possibly selected to go through the program so that that would be one way now if you want want us to consider teacher applicants then that's fine is just know that we need to put a proposal together it covers the cost of replacing you know that teacher and now some of the concern there to you know again before a principal becomes a principal they serve some time as an assistant principal in most most situations so to put to put a teacher with the principal for the principal to mentor that teacher just to be a principal that late it loses some of the some of the steps in between between going from teacher to principal so as it's almost like and I've talked to some folks who have been
129men tours for folks that came right at the classroom the other concern was hey they don't even understand what the AAP does so how am I expected to train them to do what I do when they don't even know what the AAP does so so and again I'm not saying we can't work within the framework that the board wants us to work with but that that that's something we need to take into consideration and like I say - you could come from the classroom directly to an aap apply for Leadership Academy be selected you know get again let me just say - I have three priorities three priorities that's all I have increased student achievement build a positive culture and eliminate disparities in this school district you know that's a it's it's easily said it's
130more difficult done but it takes instructional leaders it takes principles with all kinds of training everything that we can give to them to go out there in that school and and make some movement in those three areas and if we keep this program I want to be sure that we are selecting people that have the experience that they've shown some evidence that they can increase student achievement in their classroom and their school I want us to good point about leadership you know this board could put me through and put they'll Lynch through a pretty rigorous process and I don't know what all you found I haven't gotten anything back on that so maybe you don't like anything I'm doing some days I feel like I'll make a difference in some days I feel like what
131in the world am i doing fortunately I work with great folks and a great team who who help me and support me and prop me up and have the same goals that I have so I guess what I'm saying about that yeah it's it's definitely important to put people in this program that have those leadership skills and abilities and we may have to spend some money I know the board spent some money trying to find out about me and whether I have any leadership abilities and you know again tell me afterwards you can tell me publicly Bob you don't you know I understand I told you when I took this job I said hey I can't do it y'all will gladly turn it over to the next person you know and if y'all are not
132happy with me hey you know I understand that and I'm not I'm not trying to use any threats towards anybody I'm just saying I have three goals that in three priorities for the school district and every school in this district and every child that is in school in this district and so you know getting off base but I just want this Leadership Academy to we select people that have had proven that they can do that in terms of building those positive relationships you know this there have been I guess there's been harm done I suppose I mean I know teachers have come to this board and talked about the way they feel like they've been treated and you know I believe in treating everyone like I want to be treated whether you're a teacher whether
133you're you're the custodian or whether your security officer the bookkeeper or our child or a school nutrition employees so or a school board member thank you so again that's what's that that's what's important to me you know and that's what I want to see this program do if we're going to continue it and it all goes back to the selection process and you know what we have tried to do is do the best with what we were given you know I heard the concerns we heard the concerns that about the program about the cost okay we don't take care of that we've heard concerns about the selection process we feel like okay we've taken care I don't think there can be improvements made in the selection process because I'm just warned I think you're exactly
134right you know if you don't have those leadership skills I'm not sure we can we can take you and instill those those skills week if you've already got them but maybe we can improve them up on them but I'm not sure if you don't have them we can do a whole lot of good there so I think that's extremely and or in and what we need to look at first I guess first and foremost that I think in order for this school district to move forward we've got to establish the relationships and it's back to what I said in the interview process I mean our teachers they've got to care about their kids they've got to form those positive relationships with their kids they've got the principals have got to do the same thing they've
135got the formulas positive relationships with their teachers their students their parents us we've got to form those positive relationships we have to model the behavior so and mrs. Etheridge is right you know I wish we could turn it on a dime you know we you know when a CT rolls around with every student in this district would make it 36 I guess those test scores will get thrown out too but but that every every student would have a hundred percent attendance make a 36 on the AC t go to college Harvard Yale wherever they want to go they'll go to go be a welder just do whatever they want to do so and I'm getting way off topic here sup so they had a lot of these things built up in me so give me
136separate so anyway very best we can at the board allows us to move forward with this partnership and you know you put me in this position I think for me to express my opinion and do the very best job that I can do and if you'll give me the tools to do that you know I don't certainly try to try to do that I'll shut up I was gonna say to superintendent Thomas you have said quietly for months and months that you did super deep and not interjected on this board and you don't know how much that is appreciated so I didn't really care how long you went on tonight I felt like you had earned it so anyway miss Roundtree is next we'll go to this horn in this he'll thank you madam chair
137I just wanted to briefly comment on a part of the proposal that you just talked about superintendent Thomas and that the comprehensive and collaborative selection process while I do appreciate that it is noted that no Knox County candidate will be admitted without the consent of the district I think there's some as you mentioned room for improvement there because if the goal is that we are trying to find candidates that are going to be successful in a high needs school I feel like the district itself is going to know that probably better than someone from UT will because the district's depending who is on the selection committee I feel like Knox County is going to have a better idea of the student and community and family needs of that school versus someone that is in the
138center at UT I think they're gonna be much more removed from that process so I certainly don't want to tie the hands and not allow you to to be a discussant or part of the selection process but I do think given your three key points and the second point about high needs and then their expertise in curriculum and instruction I think that really I believe it should be weighted more heavily towards the district and making the decision of which candidates would be the best fit for any sort of leadership prep program so that's all I had to add okay miss Horne thank you madam chair and superintendent Tom aside you appreciate the passion and we've had long conversations about the importance of leadership and and I believe we spoke about what mr. Roundtree was just
139talking about that it is important that Knox County Schools has the is the the ones who are making that selection and that if you submit those candidates to the University and they meet the specifications of the University but they should be accepted as presented so I think that's important and then as you as you many of you know I'm definitely a proponent of character assessments and strengths and weaknesses and I we don't have to spend money on that the way we did in in the superintendent search there are ways to do that that are free of charge but I am all for doing that and I think that you can gain a lot of insight from those those kinds of strength assessments and especially when it's relative to as mr. Roundtree said our high needs
140schools and the needs that were specifically in search of thank you miss Hill thank you Bob what everything that she said one thing that I would appreciate I'm you looking at as far as the candidates being willing or going to high need schools I certainly think that that is important I have them in my own district I I think we need to be a little bit cautious though because the majority of our schools are not high need schools and and several of our districts have huge huge elementary middle and high schools that need strong strong leaders and so I would not want them to be penalized because we're - because we are putting exclusively our candidates in in these schools thank you Miss Hill mr. Ridge and I promise I'll be short and be done
141but listen to you mr. superintendent I do agree and I agree with mrs. hear what she just said because I was thinking we need transfer transformational principals and I have great principals from the Leadership Academy in my high need schools they are doing a great job and I think that the same is what REM Butler said we need them everywhere not just in our needs but all over Knox County Schools so I do agree with what you just said and right now without anybody leaving or anybody moving or retiring I think I have some great ones that sorry to come through leadership academies doing a great job they just need to be there long enough to make those transitions and make those but yeah we need great transitional principles all over Knox can and I
142do agree with you and as far as you've been quiet some people might appreciate about like for you to speak up because I think this you are our employee and you are running the school for us and we need to hear from you more often so don't hold it in that is happy Thank You superintendent Thomas I had a question because one of the failings that I saw in my opinion with the Academy was that the fellow was placed at a school and that principal invested all of that time and effort in training them in that school and then they were put in a position at a different school the next year so would having them come out of the AP ranks kind of take care of that in a sense is that what you
143foresee so they would go into the Leadership Academy but they would still remain in AP at that school and probably remain at that school the next year to benefit that I mean not that they have to but I just it was like fruit basket turnover and I understand the importance of getting experiences at multiple schools but I know that our principals were investing a lot of time and then they are moved to different they were always pretty much moved I'm not saying so how do what do you see as far as that as far as how was your redesign that would work of course it would have to have a vacancy if if the AP served as a in a a role with mentor and there was not a vacancy at that school I'm assuming
144there would be because we were saying there's no cause but if there's if this person could be promoted if it's an opportunity to be promoted to another school then you know we would let them interview and then if they're selected be promoted but short of that I know there have been times I think when we wanted a person to get some different experiences and back to your point we've moved moved them from a different school moving them to a different school but I guess what I think mr. Deford said to you know consistency you need consistency and teaching staff they need consistency in the administrative leadership and short of a promotion it's not it's it's not my intent to take people and necessarily move them you know away from from a school or move them
145all over the district so I want I want us this year to look at and we've already talked to staff about that people were doing good jobs let's leave them where they are and let them continue to do a good job and build that consistency so I guess to answer your question I'm not saying that we wouldn't promote them obviously I think we would if they're our best and brightest but short of that then yes the states you know stay in the position and being waiting for a principal ship from a lot of educators the frustration of trying to especially a school where they had a great mentor and they got a fellow every year but that person is really acting as an AP so that staff has to get used to that AP and
146then they're gone and then we've got another one so I'm not saying tie our hands in any way but I just want your thoughts on that and I do appreciate the consistency okay we had miss Owen with her lie down clarification for for the community mostly about what differentiates an assistant administrator from an assistant principal so we can be a little clearer on those steps they pay versus the AP basically they the biggest difference is pay and in terms of the AP does a job gets a supplement for doing it the AAA does the job and they do it at the same pay they may I think they do have a little bit lengthier contract in a teacher contract but that's not that's been a fairly recent practice over time we've not done a lot
147of that it got down to I guess over the last few years from a budget perspective to say hey we need the we need an additional assistant principal and it's instead of having money to pay that person classified as an a a give them a little bit longer contract now is that the right thing to do mm-hmm I've questions about that you know people doing doing a job that that someone else is doing and getting a little bit different pay you know for it but I think people have been willing to accept those conditions just because the the training that they get and learning the position so and generally speaking do a good job as an AAA then you're you're very seriously looked at as an AP as those vacancies come available so it's really
148been more of a function of budget or lack of I think than anything okay really are doing public forum now so that means it's your time Harper Smith you've been very patient thank you good evening my name is Harper Smith I'm a sixth grader at West Valley Middle School I am here to propose the idea of school uniforms I believe that uniforms from our organization students spend a lot less time picking out an outfit because they know exactly what they're gonna wear that day so they'll spend more time sleeping as well I attended two elementary schools and one of them is uniforms I found that there it was easier for me to concentrate on my work rather than another student's brighter eye-catching clothing it's also easier for teachers to notice violations but when teachers know
149exactly what the students have to wear it's a lot easier for them to notice when they don't wear that thing because there's a lot less variety as well a teacher I know who worked in both uniform and non uniform schools comments uniform policies are easier to enforce leaving more time for instruction and meaningful interaction with students at my school I have occasionally noticed students left out of an activity or teased for their clothing choice the uniforms would stop this kind of behavior because everybody's wearing their well relatively the same type of clothing so in theory that behavior would be inaccurate I understand that parents would have to purchase these items but in the long run it's actually cheaper for parents to buy the uniforms instead of the regular clothing and parents already buy clothing for
150their children at the beginning of the school year now this uniform would entail a solid colored polo t-shirt khaki or Navy shorts skirt or pants a polo dress or an tennis shoes for safety reasons what I'm wearing today would be a good example of a school uniform I was her jackets students can wear a gray navy or white sweater pullover and during the colder months with the bulkier winter jackets would be stored in their lockers upon arrival I believe that Friday should be a spirit day it'll it allows students to wear their they wear their clothing that supports their school now and sorry and this would also increase the purchase of these items so the students can wear something that's more casual on Fridays thank you for your time and consideration okay our next speaker
151is Zimbabwe matt eval great job Harper by the way Zimbabwe my Tavo 1828 McCall Avenue not fail 379 one for the system of Jim Crow was imposed on African Americans by the state of Tennessee in 1896 for 58 years the black population of Knox County labored under this separate but obviously unequal process in 1954 the United States Supreme Court vo Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka case rendered unconstitutional that process Plessy vs. Ferguson system this evening sixty-three years after to pickle utilising with all deliberate speed it's God the North County Board of Education has been unable to deliver to provide or to usher in equal education to the african-american population hence I ask that the nos County Board of Education authorize a referendum within the boundary of the first District what will afford the
152voting public within said district the opportunity to choose or not a separate and independent school district with all responsibility and authority extended by the state of Tennessee further that a January 2018 special works session is convened to clarify and expand if necessary this proposal lastly I asked that I am contacted by used in as to your decision I thank you our next speaker is Candace Bannister Candice Bannister Knox County resident good evening madam chair and school board members on December 8 2016 my son will bought a dietary supplement from a friend at school another student saw it and reported him my husband was called to pick him up we were devastated to learn that we'll have made this choice and had quite a robust discussion at our house that night at school the next day
153I shared with my friends what we'll had done a colleague said that at her PBIS training during the summer the presenter had said everybody thinks the schools with the biggest drug problems are on the east side but the biggest drug problem in Knox County Schools is at Farragut high school why am i finding out from a friend that my son's high school has the biggest drug problem in all of Knox County Schools I have attended 11 parent night meetings and had never heard one word about drugs at Farragut I heard all about college prep honors AP and dual enrollment courses the test for college credit the average GPA and a CT scores at Farragut the total scholarship money earned by the graduating class please give to the FHS foundation for technology on and on all
154eleven meetings the very same narrative not one word about a drug problem at Farragut high school board policy States in order to establish an environment conducive to learning for each student the board establishes the following goals to provide for the safety health and welfare of students how is it possible to think that you are providing for the safety health and welfare of the students at Farragut high school when you don't share information regarding being the biggest drug problem in the system with parents on December 20th we convened for wills disciplinary hearing I shared with them my concerns about learning Farragut high school had the biggest drug problem in Knox County school and I was told all high schools have drug problems will was suspended for 90 days woops no let's make that a hundred no
155sense having him back here the last ten days of school we appealed January 17th week and convened for the appeal at the AJ building I again share my concern over learning that my son's high school has the biggest drug problem in the system the person presiding responded with well now miss Bannister I mean that has long since been the case what do you want us to do about it I was stunned you know about a big drug problem at my son's school and you asked me what I want you to do about it I was told we could discuss this after we conducted the hearing at the conclusion of the meeting I challenged the Farragut administration present with a question how could they suspend my son for a hundred days for having a dietary supplement
156in a building with the drug culture that they chose to hide from parents one administrator responded with a bit of a tirade I always tell my students and my parents about the dangers of drugs and alcohol I warned my students and my parents everyone in the meeting was speechless so to witness for ourselves exactly what this administrator says at the parent meeting my husband and I attended her meeting this fall she stammered at the end of the presentation that parents uh you you should know that your children might experiment with alcohol drugs and you know the boy-girl thing and you know just like your parents are gonna be driving 35 miles an hour down Kingston pike when they're sixteen quite a difference in the two performances after will died I talked with an administrator at
157Farragut High School who told me he had never heard that Farragut High School had the biggest drug problem ever and he had served in six different administrative positions across Knox County Schools at the suicide prevention meeting on May 6 this administrator said he had two big items to work on at Farragut high school tardies and bomb threats during the question and answer at the end of the meeting he was asked what are you going to do about the drug problem at Farragut high school he responded just like with suicides if the students know something they got to say something really that's a plan every year as a Knox County teacher I'm asked to identify an area for refinement and I must write down the actions that I will take to meet that goal and must
158complete the actions to show growth in that area by the end of the year if everyone in the AJ building knows that Farragut high school has the biggest drug problem in the county why isn't that information shared with the administration at Farragut high school why isn't it shared with parents and why isn't this an area of refinement for Farragut high school I was asked what do you want us to do about it well number one identify the problem to share pertinent information with stakeholders number three make an action plan number four get to work on the problem check your progress readjust and continue until you reach your goal instead of you kept your secret we'll attended Farragut High School where there is a pervasive and hidden drug culture kcs felled my son and our family
159by purposely hiding a huge drug problem from stakeholders I need to finish please Drive permission about 15 seconds okay thank you kcs felled my son and our family by purposely hiding a drug problem from stakeholders by not even attempting to have a plan in place to deal with the issue and in doing nothing they failed to provide for the safety health and welfare of my son my son did not survive Farragut high school he took his life on April 17th as a sophomore thank you our next speaker is Mark Bannister thank you madam chair board mark banister Knox County resident taxpayer and registered voter in light of the five plus teen suicides in Knox County in 2017 to date the Knox County Schools youth risk behavior survey has received much attention and it clearly indicates
160that the number of students attempting suicide is increasing significantly the countywide percentage rising from 6.2 in 2013 to an alarming 11 percent in 2017 since three of these suicides occurred last spring at Farragut high school I contacted the author of the report an epidemiologist at the Knox County Health Department to request the survey aggregated by school for the over 1,500 students participating I was informed that the Health Department could not release that data in that format without the approval of the Knox County Schools coordinated school health director my request to that individual has not yielded the data within 33 days even though it was clearly framed as an open records request the deputy law director has graciously offered his assistance in obtaining the school specific data continually ignored open records request to Knox County Schools
161certainly gives the appearance that they are trying to hide sensitive information tonight however I would like to focus on another youth risk behavior survey namely the youth use of illegal drugs by high school students since the school specific numbers are not yet available I will limit my discussion to the countywide data in 2013 twenty-three point three percent of surveyed high school students in Knox County responded that had used marijuana at least once in the past thirty days but more significantly twenty two and a half percent of the students indicated they had been offered given or sold illegal drugs on school property during the past year in 2017 these drug news numbers did not improve a statistically equivalent 20.7 percent of students use marijuana and twenty three percent had been offered give they're sold drugs on
162school property is my wife indicated earlier at a disciplinary hearing in January for our son it was mentioned that the Farragut High School has the biggest drug County drug problem in Knox County and the disciplinary hearing authority replied well now that's long been the case what you want us to do about it so I will now provide you a suggestion if one takes the time to Google the words school board drug testing parking permit you will get a long list of school systems across the nation that have decided to take a proactive approach to the drug problem that's plaguing their schools and destroying the lives of students there are school systems across the nation including in Ohio Wisconsin Oklahoma Pennsylvania South Carolina I could continue in particular I wouldn't point out the comments of one
163particular school system Highland school system in Ohio they state about their drug testing program the purpose of the program is not to punish students but rather to identify those that are at risk for drug addiction provide students and their family the necessary support to overcome their dependency the program is established a broad means of deterrence to develop a truly drug-free school environment and undermine the effects of peer pressure for providing a legitimate reason for students students to refuse to use the legal drugs while encouraging students who do use drugs to participate in treatment what about Tennessee Tennessee code title 49 chapter 6 part 42 school security cap Act of 1981 provides if a local education Authority adopts a policy preventing permitting random drug testing of students and voluntary extracurricular activities then prior to a student
164participating in an extracurricular activity the le.a shall notify the parents and guardians of the students that the student may be subjected to random drug testing locally in Blount County both Marvel and Alcoa city schools have adopted random drug testing programs for students who participate in t SS double events and who park on campus Anderson County Schools has extended their drug testing to include students who participate in all school sponsored activities that are not considered part of the academic curriculum or school instructional day it is past time for this Knox County Board of Education to exercise their state given authority and implement random drug testing of high school students participating in extracurricular activities and I would say that if costed an objection I know of a approximately nine hundred thousand dollars a year that could be
165spent towards making a strong commitment to the health safety and welfare of Knox County students thank you Adam chair that concludes public forum move adjourn mr. Roundtree made a motion to adjourn seconded by miss Hall and all in favor say aye aye this meetings adjourned