001And then also remind families uh to be on the lookout for um second semester or um spring uh school year um school [clears throat] supply reup events that will be taking place. Uh there will be one at Hartman Park. I do not have the date. So please visit my social media pages and you'll see the updates there. Thank you. District two. >> None. >> District three. >> Yes. >> District five. >> Good evening everyone. I have one um call out or announcement. Um, Pearl Cone is taking donations. Um, it's called Hoodie for the holidays drive. So, any of your slightly worn hoodies, sizes extra small up to 3X. Um, also any hats, gloves, coats, all things um, winter related. They are taking donations from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. daily. Your contact is going to
002be uh Britney Pashall with Community Achieves. She's the site manager there. Um and let's see what else does she have on the list. I know we have hoodies, winter clothing, but also non-p perishable snacks and small items such as granola bars, chips, cookies, etc. Um this is the season definitely to donate. Um and that is what I have for district 5. Thank you. District six. >> Yes. Just really quickly. >> Um, our next community meeting will be held on next Tuesday, December 16th. We will be at the new Southeast Pre Police precinct in the community room. It will be at 6:30 beginning at 6:30 p.m. on next Tuesday, December 16th. And uh two really quick shout outs. First, congratulations to Dr. Perry and her team at Mount View Elementary School for being named a Tennessee
003Rewards School for 24 for the 24-25 school year. That's a great accomplishment. Also, a big congratulations to Antioch High School's own Andre Adams for being named a finalist and the Mr. Football uh awards. Uh those uh awards were held today and while Andre did not win, he was absolutely a finalist and since he is a junior, he will be back next year and we will bring that trophy home. So, congratulations Andre Adams. >> [clears throat] >> District seven, uh, no announcements. Happy holidays. District eight. Um, I I don't have any announcements, but I do want to channel our student board members who I feel like if they were here would say, I want to wish all of the uh high school students who are taking their exams next week good luck. Um, and study hard
004because it matters. That's all. Thanks and happy holidays. >> District nine. Um, yeah. Just wanted to say happy holidays and also just a heads up. I know it's about a little bit more than a month away, but we won't have another meeting beforehand. So, the um Vanderbilt SSMV applications will be open on January 5th. Those are for rising eighth graders. Um and I'll put that and we'll remind you guys on social media, too. But if you are a rising eighth grader, seventh grader right now and you are interested in STEM and you are interested in getting to go to Vanderbilt once a week to participate in some really awesome research and learning opportunities, SSMV might be something you want to check out. All right, thank you. Um, thank you. Thank you everyone. And for district
0054 announcements, um, I just have a couple of I like to always acknowledge birthdays. Um, and so we have a couple of birthday celebrations for people here. Yesterday was uh Ashford Hughes's birthday and today's is Chief Sullivan's birthday. So, happy birthday to both of you all. Um, I also want to follow up with another announcement that she doesn't want me to do, but I'm going to do it anyway because it's a huge accomplishment and I'm so excited for her. But we have another doctor in the house. Dr. Reneita Perry, Chief Reita Perry is now has her doctorate and graduates this Saturday. So, we're super excited for her um and proud of all the hard work that she did to get there. [laughter] I also want to follow up with um we will in district 4,
006we will have our uh final community meeting um for the year. Um it will be on Tuesday, December 16th um from 6:00 to 7:30 at the Hermitage Community Center. Um and I won't take uh Dr. Botto and her team's thunder, but congratulations to all of the awardees that are going to be awarded today. Um we truly appreciate all your hard work um and everything that you do every day for students in our district. Um and then finally, happy holidays and happy new year. Junior student school board member, we're going to put you on a stop spot really quick. Do you have any announcements? >> No, I don't. But thank you. >> Perfect. She said, "Merry Christmas and happy holidays." [laughter] >> Yes. Yes, of course. >> And uh announcements have been adjourned. Thank you. [clears
007throat] school board members present. We will have the pledge of allegiance and we'll have my most favorite principal of all time, Clint Wilson, lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Yes, I said that. >> Favorite thing to get you. [laughter] Everybody will stand. Please fight. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [laughter] >> Let them know. I was asked to inform you that vice chair Nam Kenny cannot stand because she has not one but two injured ankles and in two boots. [laughter] >> And I took chair's privilege about the best cluster in the whole wide land, the Glen Cliff cluster with all my favorite principles out there. >> Okay. >> All
008right. All right. [laughter] All right. May I have a motion to adopt the agenda as printed? Is there a motion? >> So moved. >> All right. >> Second. >> There's been a motion um by uh member Tyler. It's been seconded by Vice Chair Nabal and Kenny. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Passes unanimously. Now we move on to boards and recognitions. Dr. Battle, I hand it over to you. >> All right. Thank you so much, Chair Player. and good evening board members. Um we actually have quite a few um awards and recognitions. An impressive group of students, teachers, coaches, principles, and community partners to celebrate tonight. Um first up are a few principles who have played vital statewide and even national roles as leaders in their field. And each of them
009was honored by the Tennessee Principles Association at its state conference just a few weeks ago. I would like to um ask the principles that as I call your name, if you could please come up front and then stay because I want to get a picture with all of you together. So, first up is Dr. Deian Marie, principal of Cambridge Early Learning Center. Principal Marie received the Ernest Bentley Jr. Excellence and Leadership Award as past president of the Tennessee Principles um association. So, congratulations to you for your incredible leadership. Next is Dr. Fred Huitt, principal of Dupont Tyler Middle School. Um Dr. Mr. Huitt was named to the 2025 class of national distinguished principles by the National Association of Elementary School Principles, which represents both elementary and middle school leaders. Congratulations, Dr. Huitt. And last but
010not least, we have Dr. Kevin Armstrong, principal of Dupont Hadley Middle School. Dr. Armstrong was recognized as he was the president um in 2025 of the National Association of Elementary School Principles. Let's give all three of them a round of applause. And before you transition, principles, hang on for just a moment because I also want to note that Dr. N. Marie Gleason, principal of Harpath Valley Elementary School, is now presidentelect of NASA NASP and will serve as president during the 2627 school year. >> And that was elected. >> Um, principles, we appreciate all of you for stepping up to lead at the state and national levels on top of your already extremely busy jobs leading your school communities. We are so proud of you and thank you for leading the way. Congratulations to each and
011every one of you. We're going to get a quick picture. Are you is one of them? Okay. Do y'all Okay, we have a board member that can't make it. [laughter] Can you all come this direction and we're going to take a picture back here? >> Come behind me. That's fine, too. [laughter] She she insisted somebody might help you [laughter] know supposed to be standing. >> [laughter] >> The newly mentioned Dr. Perry already worked in medical. [laughter] [laughter] >> [laughter] >> She can sit but not for long. >> And before um before she exits, I want to take an opportunity to also acknowledge that um principal um Deian Marie also just um finished her doctor degree this past Friday. So congratulations to you. >> All right. So congratulations again to our awardwinning principles. Um, next up
012we have one of our incredible teachers that we want to acknowledge. Um, she is a longtime highly regarded MNS music educator who serves as a dean of fine arts at Warner Arts Magnet Elementary School. Um, let's, um, celebrate um, De Hammonds who is here with us this evening. D, could you come on up? D. Hammonds recently went to Philadelphia for the co fall conference of the council of great city schools. Um, and she was there for a very good reason. She received the Queen Smith award for commitment to urban public education from the council in McGro Hill education. It is their top national honor um for educators um across the country. And so we're extremely proud to have the reigning Queen Smith Award winner and De Hammonds. Y'all, let's give her a round of applause.
013[laughter] There's more. Dean Hammonds, who has been singing and playing music since she was a young child, started teaching in our schools in 2007 at Hattie Cotton Elementary. She also played a key role in supporting and guiding the students who created our Emmy-winning Every Student Known anthem and our I Believe I Belong album of original songs. And she could win another National Award award early next year. She is a semi- finalist for the 2026 Music Educator Award, which will be presented by the Recording Academy at the Grammy Museum during Grammy Week in just a couple months. Dean Hammonds, congratulations on this national recognition of your great work and thank you for your unwavering commitment to your students. Um, congratulations again. If you can hang on, we'd like to give a photo. Let's give it up
014for y'all. Sorry. [laughter] [laughter] >> Congratulations But don't hate on the piss. Excellent. [laughter] >> Congratulations again, Aden Hammonds. Um, next up is a middle school that achieved something no other school of its kind in Tennessee has managed to do. Just last week, Isaac Litten Middle School received the 2025 Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse Award, the highest honor in the Blue Ribbon Schools program. [laughter] >> We would like to say congratulations to um Dr. Ran Shan and the entire Isaac Linton community. um and her team. If anybody's here with you, please invite them up. Um we just wanted to congratulate you all. So, after an initial interview, a two-day visit on site by Blue Ribbon Assessor, surveys, and focus groups for students, staff, and parents, and a review of the school's academic data, the
015Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Board unanimously voted in favor of Isaac Linton's lighthouse designation. The blue ribbon schools of excellence assessment evaluates schools on the basis of nine program categories including school organization and culture challenging standards and curriculum and school and school family and community partnerships. Isaac Linton joins Warner Arts Magnet Elementary and Alice Green Design Technology Elementary as a third Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence award-winning school in our district. And in addition to being the district's first lighthouse school, Isaac Lyden is the first urban lighthouse middle school in the state of Tennessee and the Midsouth region. >> Wow. This is more evidence that MNS continues to be a national leader in creating dynamic, engaging, and successful magnet programs that provide students and families with even more outstanding choices for their education. Principal Rand, congratulations
016to you and everyone in the Isaac Linton community on this tremendous, well-deserved award. Thank you for naming it and claiming it. Congratulations to you and your entire team. She the type. >> I'm just saying. >> She's on her own. >> And teacher of the year, [laughter] former back up there. Congratulations. All right, congratulations again to everyone at Isaac Linton. Now, I want to turn to a couple of awards that were presented last month by TWSSAA, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. Every fall, TWWSAA gives out the AF Bridges Awards, which are named after a former leader of the organization to recognize athletic programs and individuals for great work that exemplified ethics and integrity during the previous school year. And our high school athletics programs were well represented at this year's ceremony. So, first I would
017like to recognize Glen Cliff High School which won the [laughter] Glen Cliff High School which won the AF Bridges State Award of Excellence for its work to promote good citizenship and sportsmanship on and off the field and court. Principal Wilson and his entire team is here. His team is here. Um, and we congratulate the entire team at Glinkliff High School. The state award of excellence is the highest honor TWSAA gives a school for good conduct, reflecting that there were zero reported incidents of unsportsmanlike conduct during the 2425 school year. Congratulations and great job Glen Cliff High School. And we also had another AF Bridges award winner for the 2425 school year and that was Hillsboro High School's boys basketball coach Rodney Threat. Come on up. So, he led the Bur to the state championship in
018class 4A last March and TWSAA named him the male coach of the year for athletic district 5. Congratulations to you. Congratulations to your entire team and the Hillsboro community. continue to represent and represent well state champ. We'd like to get a photo with you. Congratulations. [clears throat] I'm trying to sneak out. All right, congratulations again to our TWSAA AF Bridges Award winners. Sticking with athletics for a moment, we now have another state champion to celebrate. On November 6th, the Martin Luther King Jr. High School's boys cross country team went to Memphis and won the TWSA state championship for 10. That was a tremendous achievement and we celebrated it as soon as we could when the team finally got back to MLK's campus. Those of you who were there understand um after after their joyful journey
019home on I40 that evening. And listen to these stats about the MLK runners individual performances. Four of them were in the top 10 out of 193 runners overall led by senior Wyatt Bowling who was the state runner up in the boys individual competition. So, congrat congratulations to all the student athletes, to coach Michael Gabris and assistant coaches Holly Ally and Brandon Ally, to principal Angela McShepard Ray, and to all the MLK staff and families who supported the team. Way to represent the state, and thank you for bringing the gold back to Nashville. Congratulations, I know. Three dispects in a row, baby. [laughter] >> Hold on. Shepherd. Yeah. >> All right. One, two, All right, congratulations again, MLK. Now, turning to the arts for a moment before we finish out with a couple more athletic celebrations.
020Some of our students had an amazing opportunity a few weeks ago. If you've ever seen the red carpet outside a big award show and you've seen the stars getting interviewed and having their pictures taken before they head inside, well, our students were the ones conducting the interviews and run of the cameras and sound outside the CMA Awards on November 19th. These students from Pearl Cone High School and Isaiah T Creswell Middle School of the Arts were the newest stars on the red carpet that afternoon and evening. They were talking to everyone from the Warren Treaty and Shabuzzi to Steve Martin and Billy Bob Thornton and a lot of times the artists were seeking them out. So let's give it up for the following students and students please come up and face this admiring audience when
021I call your name. Check them out as they come up. So first up we have Kyla Baker from Pearl Cone High School. We also have Tamika Frasier from Pearl Cone, Carter Hammonds from IT Creswell. We have Shamari Jones from Pearl Cone. Um, Tamarius Muse from Pearl Cone and Bailey S from Pearl Cone. So, students stay put because I also want to give it up for a few educators who worked alongside you to get you prepared for this amazing evening. Let's give it up for Lata Given. I'm a part of the Pearl Cone family. Lata Jamie Hall from Pearl Cone. Thomas Patton from Pearl Cone. Tyler Welch from Pearl Cone. Again, our very own D. Hammonds from Warner Arts Magnet Elementary and Franklin Willis, director of visual and performing arts. Now, in addition to the incredible
022um folks who are standing in front of you, uh we'd also like to give a special special thank you to Ronald Gu with K&G Supertores for providing the red carpet attire for these young people which they all wore inside. >> Mr. Gu, we appreciate you. um you and your team, we appreciate all of you for stepping up and helping us out with a lastm minute request to make sure our students looked great while they were doing such great work on that special day. They looked amazing. Um they received lots of compliments. They rose to the occasion and were complete professionals on the red carpet. So, thank you for being an excellent partner to our young people and to our schools. Um we thank all of you. Congratulations on all of you for an incredible, incredible
023event. Let's give it up for them, y'all. All right. One, two, three. Good. >> I live over there, don't you? All right, congratulations again to everyone involved in the CMA awards event. Um, and now returning to our most recent athletics accomplishments, let's talk about our football stars. The Pearl Cone Firebirds had an outstanding season. After a slow start, they started clicking and were very difficult to beat. They had a terrific comeback that showed their resilience when they scored 42 unanswered points to win their state semi-final matchup with South Gibson a couple of weekends ago, earning a trip to Chattanooga for the Blue Cross Bowl before falling just short in the class 4A championship game on Saturday. Of course, the Fireboard Firebirds won it all just a couple of seasons ago in 2023, and they continue
024to be one of the premier programs in the state of Tennessee and will be for years to come. At this time, I'd like to say congratulations to Coach Bernetti and your entire team for an amazing year. We are incredibly proud of you all. Thank you all for continuing to set the stage and continuing to show the state of Tennessee what Pearl Cone and Metro Public Schools is all about. So, Coach Bernetti and Chen, who's over here, come on up. And as we pose for this picture, I just want to say they brought the silver ball back to Nashville. Most people didn't get a ball, so we got one or two. And we're so proud of y'all. Congratulations. One, two, in the corner. I promise. Our congratulations again to our Firebirds. Um, finally, I want to
025say a big thank you to our friends at Bridgestone. They have um invested in Nashville public schools with a $25,000 grant to develop and support adaptive sports in our schools. So adaptive or adaptive sports are defined as sports with rules and equipment modifications that allow anyone to participate especially those with disabilities. Parolympics competitions and wheelchair basketball are familiar examples of adaptive sports. In addition to the startup funding, Bridgestone will provide teammate volunteers, mentors, or parolympic athletes as motivational speakers for our students. Making school sports available for more students, especially those who have historically had limited access to athletic experiences and is an investment in identity, dignity, and belonging for our students. We are so proud to partner with Bridgestone and we look forward to offering meaningful, accessible and competitive athletic experiences through adaptive sports. Wayne
026Mundy, director of corporate philanthropy and social impact for Bridgestone Americas is here with us tonight. Wade, we thank you so much. We appreciate this partnership and we are so excited for what's to come. Thank you. >> Thank you. I don't get the double >> [laughter] >> All right. So, that might be the longest awards and recognitions program we've had here at the board meeting. Um, but it was worth every minute. I hope everyone is feeling as inspired as I am about the talent, ambition, and dedication of our students, the educators who teach and lead them, and the families and community partners who support them. With that, Chair Player, I will turn it back over to you. >> And we're not done. So, thank you, Dr. Battle, as we move on to the next part of
027the agenda. But I want to recognize one more person, Dr. Battle. For those who don't know, at the TSA DSSA award ceremony um that she talked about earlier, Dr. Battle was honored with the AF Bridges Award as the school system administrative of the year for 2024 2025 for athletic district number five. [laughter] >> Um they really should make her go up. Uh, and TS [laughter] right TSSA expressed its appreciation for everything Dr. Battle has done to create opportunities for student athletes throughout community partnerships like the turf fields that have been installed in all of our high schools as well to resolve her work with Metro government and the Titans. also her work to celebrate student athlete successes from onampus welcome back events like the one at ML ML sorry sorry MLK cross country stars a
028few weeks ago to the breakfast of champions each spring Dr. Battle has Dr. Battle congratulations on this well-deserved honor and thank you for everything you have done um for your team and will continue to do to uplift our student athletes and as a former student athlete we appreciate all the passion and work that you put in. So now back to you for your director's report. >> Thank you so much at player board. Um and those who are joining tonight is an incredible honor to serve um the students and families of Nashville Public Schools. And as a previous student athlete, you know that this really means something. I'm excited um because I know the doors um it opens and I know the foundation that athletics um can play in our students lives. So thank you. All
029right. Um, so tonight we'll give a brief update on the progress um of our school start and end time study um as a part of my director's report. Um, as you know, this is a partnership between the board of education and the mayor's office to work with a firm that specializes in this area formative to solicit feedback from stakeholders and do a deep dive into our transportation and timings to determine what, if any, changes are recommended for board consideration. We're grateful to all those who have participated thus far and we look forward to further engagement opportunities as plans are furthering further refined for more feedback on the opportunities and tradeoffs associated with this conversation. Um following that we'll be welcoming up leaders in the Glen Cliff and McGavit clusters to showcase the hard work they've
030been doing through our reimagine ed cluster initiatives to create clear and consistent pathways for success for students from preK through graduation. But first, the state of Tennessee has recently released designations for schools and districts, and I am pleased to say that for the fourth year in a row, drum roll, Nashville Public Schools has been named an advancing school district in the state of Tennessee. This wouldn't be possible without the dedication of our students, teachers, families, and staff, and this board of education for your continued commitment to reaching our northstar of being the premier large urban school district in Tennessee and beyond. I also want to recognize some of those principles who've been leading the way in ensuring student success. We have 18 reward schools being recognized by the Tennessee Department of Education this fall for
031their performance during the 24-25 school year. Reward schools have scored in the top tier of the state's accountability matrix. This calls for a big congratulations and thank you to each of these 18 principles and your teams for all the hard work and great effort, teamwork, and commitment that went into this very impressive achievement. So, I'm going to run through our um 18 reward schools and principles and staff. you're here, please come on up so that we can recognize you in a big way. First up is Andrew Jackson Elementary School. Next is Cole Elementary, Cre Hall Elementary, Aken Elementary, Gateway Elementary, Paul Jackson Elementary, Elementary. John B. Witet Elementary. Julia Green Elementary, Lachland Elementary, Mount View Elementary, Norman Binkley Elementary, Schwab Elementary, Head middle's middle early college high school Hume Fog High School Martin Luther Luther
032King Junior School. And last but not least, the MNS virtual school. Let me give them all a minute to make it up here. As they're coming, I want to say congratulations again to all of our reward schools. Um we are so proud of you all. Thank you for leading the way. You're not leading the way only here in Nashville public schools, but again for the state of Tennessee and for the nation. Congratulations. Stay put cuz we want to get a photo. Congratulations, y'all. >> Yeah. Ser maybe. >> Maybe. >> Wait. Maybe >> we want them to scoot back cuz we're going to stay back here. Scoot back. >> Yeah. >> And y'all get crowded. >> Yeah, [laughter] >> we'll figure it out on our end. >> Y just put a Y just put a face
033up. Yep. >> All right. Congratulations again to all our award schools. We're super super proud of you all. Thank you all so much for being here this evening so we can celebrate you. Um so with that I'm going to welcome up Chief Shawn Brastead. He's going to provide a brief overview of the progress on the school start and end time study um and next steps and then after that I'll welcome up um Chief Reita Perry to introduce our first cluster. Chief Brace. >> Thank you Dr. Battle and board members. Um following [clears throat] is an update on the progress of the school start time study and some next steps. Um we've been working with formative um leading the work and the support of MNPS staff and while they couldn't be here tonight to participate this
034reflects a lot of work on their part to synthesize the feedback given during the engagement that will inform the overall study on start and end times. As a reminder, this is an engagement is being conducted along with the mayor's office who have worked with the metro council to secure funding for this initiative that will help to give the district and board leadership evidence-based scenarios and recommendations for how best to approach the conversation around school start times, particularly at the high school level, which are the earliest of the three tiers. So, over the past month, Formative engaged thousands of stakeholders to understand the perceptions of current start times and practical realities that families are and staff are navigating. engagement included 13 focus groups of more than 110 participants, two uh town halls with more than 200
035attendees, and extensive outreach at Celebration of Schools. The online survey generated more than 16,000 responses in seven languages. Nearly every school in the district is represented. Um the depth of input gives us a better picture of how Bel Time impacts students, families, staff, operations, and the broader system. Like I said, the student uh the survey reached a broad and diverse group of stakeholders with strong participation across grad spans and role groups. Uh high school families and students were especially engaged with uh which reflects the driving impetus behind the study of current start times. A majority of MNPS stakeholders across tiers said their current start times were just right. While at the same time, the majority of respondents were supportive of adjusting high school start times. Across groups, there is a strong preference that no school
036day to begin after 9ine or extend beyond 4 pm. Most elementary and middleuh school stakeholders feel current times are workable, but high school stakeholders were more receptive to change. U while there is broad support for adjusting high school start times, focus group feedback indicated that most had adjusted to the current start time structure and highlighted that the afternoon time is crucial. Uh students rely on early dismissals for jobs, athletics, and family responsibilities. Families depend on predictable schedules, especially where formal uh before afterare options are limited. Transportation realities play a major role. Right now, the system is constrained by some longer ride times. Traffic and the level of available drivers. Even small bell-time shifts have ripple effects across the district. Uh staff perspectives are mixed. Many high school teachers value the early release time for child
037care or commute reasons. Others are open to changes if the rationale is clear and the transition is communicated early. In general, stakeholders want decisions that are researched, informed, transparent, and based on modeled scenarios. The expectation is that changes will be communicated in advance. Using what we heard, uh, formative is now modeling some feasible bell time scenarios that balance several priorities. Student and staffing needs, transportation efficiency, family routines, and system sustainability. In January, we will host another round of engagement including both virtual and in-person town halls to gather feedback on specific proposed scenario and we will be developing a second survey to allow uh the community preferences to be judged based on the actual scenarios that are presented. Following that engagement, MNS uh will work with formative uh to finalize preferred adjustments and bring recommendations to
038the board by January 27th uh with the goal of having uh a decision before the end of the school options process. And this time ensures that we'll have some advanced planning time to prepare for the 2627 school year should there be changes adopted by the school board. And with that, um if there's any follow-up questions, I'd be happy to take them. Member Young. >> Thank you, Chair. When we get to the phase of putting out some potential scenarios for folks to provide feedback on, I guess, will one of the questions be, you know, I'm sure one of the questions would be like, which scenario do you prefer? Will one of their options be what we have now? >> Yes. >> Okay. I because I want to make sure that it we don't throw out scenarios
039that actually people like less than what we have now. Okay, cool. >> Yes, >> you're welcome. Any other questions? Uh, member O'Hara Block, >> I think. Um, thank you for this. It's super helpful to see all of this data together. And um, just I I wanted to compliment you and um, and also the folks at formative for doing a really thorough job of gathering a lot of input on a very short um, period of time and um, and then figuring out how to present that to us and the community in a useful way. You um, just looking at the insights, 59% of all respondents said their current start times are just right. So that means does that mean sort of like if if 19% of elementary school respondents uh said or or if if 19%
040of the responses then were elementary schools all of those folks said just right or or were there different responses across tier. So uh with the numbers there so 60 67% of respondents all respondents whether that be stakeholders in high school or others said they they like the idea of adjusting high school start times but when you get to do they like their time particularly elementary and middle school a lot of them say yes. So again this is inherent the challenge that we're facing in terms of how do you adjust without disrupting other other tiers or how do you just not disrupt schedules. So, um, we're working with formative to get some more detailed kind of analysis of those stakeholder input so that we can provide that as well. But this is just kind of a
041a high level like this is kind of what we're seeing. We're seeing basically we want some change, but we don't want some change. We want some things to stay the same, you know. So, we we've got to try to balance that with the requirements to make sure that students have uh, you know, an instructional day, students are able to get to and from school. And so, that's kind of what we're working at now. And so the formative is currently they're taking kind of this feedback and also looking at the transportation data that has been collected by um the operations team to try to synthesize what that would look like if we were to make some shifts and that will give us something to react to. So you know there are going to be some trade-offs
042and do you like those trade-offs or do you like the things the way they are now? >> Yeah. So I I think I just just to repeat I think I heard you say in in the initial things that you said like basically and a portion of what you just said which is folks that are in elementaryaries and middle schools tend to say yeah our times are okay. Folks that are in or affiliated with high schools and folks across the board say yeah this it's not quite clearcut. >> Not that clear. >> Yeah. So so there's plenty of people in high schools that like the way that the schedules are currently. Um, you know, but again, so it's they would like it to start later and end early. So it's, you know, we've still got to
043fit in those those seven instructional hours and make sure >> everyone wants everyone wants change and no change, right? So that's that's where >> I think my son was the one who said that. >> Yeah. Yeah. So but yes, uh, more more people in the elementary middle schools thought that it was just right than some of the high school level. Um, but yeah, >> thanks. >> Yeah, member Maze. >> Yeah. So, uh, attending one of the, um, presentations early on, if I remember correctly, uh, there was, uh, roughly 38,000 students transported every day via our transportation system, and we have uh less than 17,000 people that responded. So, I'm glad that there's going to be another opportunity for folks to weigh in on actual uh, scenarios. And I would encourage anybody who is interested to
044please weigh in because if not a small majority of folks will make a decision about uh the large a greater number of students that are being transported. So thank you for providing another opportunity to uh for the uh for the public to weigh in. I appreciate that. >> Yeah. And and just and to be clear, I mean this the the feedback is going to inform recommendations ultimately. It's it's not going to be an up or down vote by the by the general public. It'll be the board that makes that decision. So everyone >> Yeah. And and the other thing I would highlight is that some of the respondents represent multiple kids and family members. So it's probably capturing a lot more um than the individual person who represented. So if you're a parent and you
045have an elementary middle, you probably you may have just responded one time um as opposed to individually. So it's a pretty good capture rate in a short amount of time. But at to your point, there will be additional engagement opportunities. Can I add one thing on that? Just like I I with data that's collected this way, it's nice I think it's nice to think of it as like more directional than than sort of that accurate which is why in some ways my question to you was unfair but um but also wanted to make sure to get some clarification as well. I I you know it is good information. It is from a number of people. The survey itself has you know had it has its own set of things when you're trying to answer for
046multiple kids or multiple schools or whatever. And so I think it's helpful to think of it as directionally correct without being like perfectly accurate. >> Vice Chair Nibalini. >> Um so in looking at the data do we know um do we have an idea of geographically where we captured um and collected that data? >> Yeah, there are some heat maps where uh that will be part of that. there were some there were more in other areas, you know, particularly southwest Nashville and some other places less in maybe southeast Nashville. Um, you know, whether that's because of language barriers, although we did provide it in multiple translated languages in both the town hall and survey. So, you know, we've tried to adjust with that. We did some call outs to try to boost that that representation,
047but it's still going to be something that we're looking at in terms of doing that. And so when we do the town halls, we are going to do uh four uh in-person town halls uh in each quadrant. And so um we're working to finalize those location details and times, but you we want to make sure every rep every pl quadrant is represented and then we'll be doing um you know virtual town hall as well in addition to any surveys. So I'm gonna follow up with one other question is do we feel like we have a good sense across the geographic Nashville Davidson County area that we we have reflection of of how people are okay >> there are there are there are respondents from every part it's just whether or not that matches kind of
048their student population in terms of just um geographic >> population but yes I think the sentiment is going to be pretty accurately reflected whether or not individual areas are different Yeah. >> And and I might acknowledge that from an engagement standpoint, this is higher than anything we receive feedback on. So from a capture rate is still very positive for um for us. We don't generally get really high um capture rates. And so it being representative, I think it was like 12 different zip codes and every quadrant across um the district is a positive um capture rate for us. >> Yeah. and and we think that, you know, once people see scenarios to react to, typically people have a positive or negative reaction to that. And so we'll we'll get probably a little bit more feedback
049through that process. >> Yeah. Thank you so much. I I I truly appreciate the work that is being done around this and and hopefully those who have wanted to engage or engage in the process feel like they have a voice. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh yes, student board member. >> Hello. um in the different ways that you've collected responses other than the survey um what are you getting from specifically high school students who may be experiencing this change next year? So to to a large extent what we've heard from high school students is that they particularly a lot of them were older so they experienced that they had some challenges at the start of it but they got used to it after a while. So and they elevated some of those focus group
050concerns about you know after school activities preserving that in time etc. So that's kind of where the the initial feedback has been on the focus group of students. Um, I don't have the the whole readout of what they what they went through, but that was a general sentiment, but but still with students at at the high school level, a lot of them expressed the desire for a little bit later start time at least. Whether or not they want to move to a different schedule that disrupts their afternoon activities will be seen more with the scenarios that are presented. >> I'm I'm sure we'll discuss the wins and drawbacks some other time. Um but as for those insights um so for the respondents as you know like those numbers on our screen don't equal 100% were
051there respondents who both believed that their school times were just right and that adjusting school start times was beneficial or >> so so there's there was two questions. One was um do you like your current start time and then do you like um and do you like the idea of changing it? So there's there's duplications of both. So people like their current start times but also are open or supportive of seeing changes to the high school start times. >> Gotcha. Thank you. >> Thank you. Board member one. Yep. >> Okay. Um member Tyler, >> just one more note. Um and one I think it's you guys have been doing some really great outreach. I've seen I saw it on the news several times. I saw it online with the news several times as well as
052our social media and just the board sharing that information too. So, I think we need to continue that kind of widescale communication in as many ways as possible. Um, especially once we have some options to really look at and and I know you're on top of that, but I just wanted to say it. Um, and then the other thing is teasing out the differences between like if a kid is talking about their start time, but they go to a magnet school that wouldn't be affected by this. Are we capturing that information or is that do you think that that's relevant? because >> uh captured most likely, yes. Whether or not it'll be teased out to that degree of specificity without getting into like ones and twos in terms of that, but we'll we'll we'll take
053that feedback back to see if they can do it between those that maybe receive transportation and don't receive transportation and see what that looks like. >> Yeah, that was my only thought when we are talking about high school start times. I think that some people may not think they may not think of it as it's not going to necessarily impact every single high school because some of the optional schools will not change. Yeah. So, >> yeah, just a note to remember. >> Thank you, >> Vice Chair Non. >> I just have one more thing. um have we captured or considered um and I hope we do in this discussion around student drivers and what impact that will have yeah for transportation so with student drivers and and considering all of that as well. >> So
054yeah, Formative is going to be looking uh to try to get some more information on transportation data at large and also there part of the survey responses sort of indicate whether or not you drive to school or or [snorts] take the bus as well. Thank you. >> All right. Um, thank you so much, Chief Ricestead. At this time, I welcome up Chief um, Dr. Reita Perry um, who's going to kick off um, our [laughter] journey map. Before she does that, is Ed uh, Justin Upenhouse still with us? Is he still in the audience? Dr. Upenhouse. I know word travels fast. I also want to congratulate Dr. Justin Upenhouse who just completed his doctor degree as well. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you. >> Good evening, Dr. Battle and board members. It is truly an
055honor to begin today's not one but two cluster presentations. These clusters truly embody the spirit of MNS Reimagine designed to keep every student known in our district and to ensure all students are graduate ready to thrive in college, career, and life. So, let's begin by welcoming up the Glen Cliff Cluster. Nashville's early college cluster where diversity isn't just celebrated, it is leveraged as a powerful instructional asset. Glen Cliff reflects a global Nashville, our students will one day lead. It is with great pride that I introduce to you the dynamic and deeply connected journey of the Glen Cliff cluster. Come on up, Glen Cliff. Take a journey. >> Okay. Take a journey with the Glen Cliff cluster. Good evening. My name is Latasha Alfred and I'm the principal at Kasa Azafrron Early Learning Center. Good evening.
056I'm Dr. Basagalupo, principal at Fall Hamilton Elementary. >> Good evening. I am Dr. Shir Beard. I'm the executive director, but I am standing in in the space for Dr. Marcia McIll. She is the principal at Glenn, make sure I get it right, Glenn View Dual Immersion Magnet Elementary School. and I have been tasked to just help and support the reimagine Glen Cliff cluster and I'm super excited to be here. [clears throat] >> How you doing? I'm Kenan Robinson and I am the new executive principal for Napier Elementary School and we are truly the Tigers on the rise. >> I am Molly Rucker. I am the principal at John B. Witz environmental engineering steam magnet four-year consecutive reward school. Good evening. I am the proud principal Dr. Julie Hopkins of Glen Cliff Entrepreneurship Steam Magnet School.
057Good evening. I am Leslie Gordon, the principal at the amazing Glengarry Elementary School. Hello, I'm Andy Lions, a principal at Paragon Mills Dual Language Immersion Magnet Elementary School. >> Good afternoon. I'm Dr. Monica Bryant, principal at Margaret Allen Middle School. Good evening. I'm Dr. Shahida Deon, principal at Wright Global Media and Mass Communications Magnet Middle School, a level five school. >> And I'm Clint Wilson, principal of Glen Cliff High School. And I also have the honor and privilege of introducing and acknowledging our board member Freda Player of District 7. In the Glen Cliff cluster, we believe that diverse opportunities foster belonging and self-discovery. The Glen Cliff cluster is comprised of diverse neighborhood schools like Kaza Azafrron, Glen and Glenglary Elementary, Fall Hamilton Elementary, Napier Elementary and Margaret Allen Middle School are leader inme schools that
058integrate the seven habits of highly effective people to nurture and develop student leadership skills. The Glen Cliff Cluster also offers a variety of exciting magnet programs such as entrepreneurship steam magnet at Glen Cliff Elementary, environmental engineering steam magnet at Witset, dual language immersion programs at Paragon Meals and Glen View Elementary, Globial Global Media and Mass Communications Magnet at Wright Middle School. All these programs provide diverse options that create a pathway to opportunity, belonging, and self-identity as students metriculate through and into Glen Cliff High School, where students can begin their college experience, graduating with an associates degree or full ride scholarship to local Nashville universities. We celebrate diversity because our differences make us stronger, smarter, and more united. >> We build strength in mind, body, and community. Every challenge is a chance to grow. >> College.
059We prepare for college. Fueling dreams that reach far beyond our classrooms. >> It's like I'm already getting ready for co high school and college. >> We create career pathways turning passions into professions and goals into reality. >> Learn so many different things about [music] what's out there and what you can do with your life. >> Through partnerships, we connect with families, educators, and local leaders to open doors of opportunity. Through leadership we inspire shaping the next generation of change makers is a place where we learn, lead and shine. >> We are middle school global media and mass communication >> elementary school. >> I go to school at Ka >> Bington. Thank you, Tiger. >> Cliff High School. >> The Cliff Cluster, where every student has the power to lead, succeed, and shine. The Glen Cliff
060cluster is where diversity is celebrated and student success is prioritized. Our early college pathway offers practical experiences through steam programs, dual language options, and early college and career exploration. Diversity is our strength, our greatest asset. At the Glen Cliff cluster, we welcome a multitude of cultures and provide a variety of experiences to foster a vibrant learning atmosphere for every student to lead, succeed, and shine. Diversity is our strength and we stand united in our commitment to college and career readiness. The Glen Cliff cluster early learning programs in elementary schools support the early college cluster through academics, partnerships, and positive school supports. Students in our schools dive into college and career readiness through AVID strategies like goal setting and organizational skills. Our diverse students are empowered with equal diverse opportunities through dual language immersion programs, entrepreneurship,
061environmental engineering, steam, leader in me. so they can bring their unique strengths together to create a better, more connected world. Diverse community partnerships bring real world experiences to our students through career speakers, volunteers, and mentors from all over the city. Nashville soccer club initiatives that connects the rules of the game to life. Families have access to muchneeded resources and wraparound supports like food, clothing, education, health and wellness services, enriched afterchool care programs, and information about early college and career pathways. Every day, students unite to build relationships during morning meetings, and PBIS ensures a positive, supportive environment where students feel safe and ready to learn and are prepared to lead. This foundation prepares the pathway into middle school where personalized experiences continue. Welcome to middle school where students engage in a personalized learning journey that builds
062confidence, identity, and readiness for high school. Students explore their interests through global media, digital storytelling, and the arts while preparing for high school through rigorous high school credit classes. AVID and the leader inme framework nurtures collaboration, responsibility, and student leadership. Students and families are supported socially and emotionally through community achieves partnerships which provide mentoring, enrichment programs, and family engagement supports. Together, these initiatives ensure that every student experiences a supportive, creative, and futurefocused middle school experience that prepares them to lead and succeed in high school and beyond. In the final stage of learning, we empower students with high school experiences that go beyond the classroom through applied experiences designed to prepare them for real world challenges where they can lead, succeed, and shine. Academic programs like AVID and mock interviews sharpen critical thinking and career readiness,
063while partnerships with businesses and colleges bring mentoring, guest speakers, and authentic opportunities to connect learning with life. Positive supports such as PBIS and restorative practices create a safe, inclusive environment enriched with mental health resources and leadership opportunities. Every effort is focused on unlocking student potential and paving the way for college and career success where every student can leave with an associates degree. Our diverse options create a pathway to opportunity, belonging, and selfidentity. Students in the Glen Cliff cluster are prepared for success after graduation as we strongly believe. That's my cluster. Thank you to the Glen Cliff team for that powerful Thank you, Glen Cliff, for that powerful demonstration of how a cluster can weave together diversity, early current early college access, community partnerships, and intentional student support to create a seamless prek through 12 experience.
064As we shift to our next presentation, we carry forward Glen Cliff's reminder that when we align our work across a cluster, we create the conditions for students to become true ready graduates. Now, it is my pleasure to trans transition to uh transition us to another cluster leading boldly in this work, the McGavic cluster. McGavic stands as one of our systems most comprehensive examples of how our cluster leverages academics, partnerships, and rigorous instruction to prepares the students with knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to excel beyond graduation. This cluster continues to push forward our district commitment that every student will continue as a every student will graduate as a critical thinker, confident communicator, a collaborative problem solver, and a culturally competent leader. It is my pleasure to introduce the outstanding work of the McGavic cluster. All right.
065Hello everyone. The McGavic Cluster principles invite you to take a journey with the McGavoc Cluster, where curiosity meets opportunity. I'm Allison Johnson, the principal at Tulip Grove Elementary. We have Kate Finn at Andrew Jackson Elementary. Andrew Holt at DuPont Elementary. Tiffany Curtis at Dodson Elementary. Matt Owensby at Hermitage Elementary. Chris Holmes at Hickman Elementary. Jenna Hagen at Ruby Major Elementary. Laura Duran at McGavic Elementary. Raquel Gonzalez at Pennington Elementary. And Olivia Travis at Stanford Monasuri. Good evening. I would like to take the time to introduce our middle school leaders. I am Fred U, principal at DuPont Tyler Middle School. Kevin Armstrong, principal at Dupont Hadley Middle School. Miller Wallace, principal at Donaldson Middle School. And Rhonda Bledsoe, principal at Two Rivers Middle School. >> And I'm Bruce Jackson, principal of McGabic High School. I have
066the honor of introducing board vice chair and just in general awesome person Dr. Nibal McKenna who also serves as our district board representative. After meeting our incredible principles, we invite you to join us on a journey through the McGavoc Cluster, a dynamic pipeline of schools where curiosity meets opportunity. From hands-on steam focused learning in our elementary schools to early high school credit and career exploration in middle school to advanced coursework, industry certifications and realworld experience in high school. The McGavic cluster ensures students graduate ready for college, career, and life. What makes this journey powerful is the way our schools, partners, and communities work together to provide limitless opportunities for students to discover their passions and apply their learning. Let's begin our journey to learn about the experience that makes the McGavoc cluster one of the
067strongest pipelines in Tennessee. The McGavic cluster is one of the most diverse and our road map reflects that strength. Across our schools, students experience a guaranteed, personalized, and applied educational journey. We are proud to lead the state in offering every early postsecary opportunity, including the newly launched early college pathway, giving students the chance to graduate high school already on a college trajectory. >> Wait, did I hear that right? The MC cluster offers every early post-secary opportunity which includes advanced placement Cambridge international dual enrollment international baloria local dual credit and industry certification. >> That's right Dr. Uppinghouse. [laughter] And while our road map highlights several strong pathways across the McGavoc cluster, today we will take you on one focus journey, steam. This pathway begins in elementary school with hands-on exploration, grows in middle school as students
068connect college and careers to their community, and culminates in high school with real world application and career preparation. Our steam pathway demonstrates how the McGavic cluster develops critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, and future ready graduates prepared for any path they choose. So, at the McGavic Cluster elementary schools, we're not just beginning their adventure, but we're preparing them for that next adventure, which is middle school and life beyond. A couple of ways we do that is through some of the outside experiences in our community at field trips to like Adventure Science Center or the Ellington Agricultural Center. And then uh that brings learning to life in giving them opportunities to engage with learning outside of the community. In the classroom, we're giving students opportunities to further their learning with socratic seminars, with academic conversations that once
069again build those opportunities for students to engage in Avid skills like writing, inquiry, or collaboration. And these are continuing to build and give our students opportunities to develop not only just the knowledge they need but also the confidence they need to continue on with middle school and in high school. >> We're also proud of our strong partnerships organizations like Vanderbilt, Lipkcom, TAC, the Children's Theater, Pedmont Ga Gas, and many more. They bring real world right into the classroom. These partnerships help students see how what they learn today connects to the work and possibilities of tomorrow. When we talk about personalized experience in our middle schools, we mean meeting students where they are and preparing them for where they are going. Every student in the McGavic cluster has access to advanced academics and hands-on theme focused
070learning that makes school meaningful and engaging. We connect classroom learning to real world experiences through mentorship and career exploration. Our goal is simple. Give every student a clear pathway and the the support to walk it successfully. Our academic connections are all about opening doors for students. We offer advanced coursework like preap, high school credit classes, and STEM focused electives such as integrated math, environmental science, and digital arts. Students also take part in personalized realorld projects that connect what they're learning to future pathways, including college and career readiness programs, dual enrollment, and early college opportunities. Our Avid classrooms integrate writing, inquiry, collaboration, and steam-based projects. It's all designed to help students think critically, create confidently, and be prepared for what comes next. All middle school students in the McGavic cluster are exposed to themed careers through
071local colleges and partnership visits that directly align to Bengavic High School's academy pathways. All students participate in an annual career fair that expands to their expo that expands their exposure throughout the community and beyond. At our schools, we build strong connections through restorative practices, leadership opportunities, and meaningful mentorship. Students learn to take responsibility, grow their leadership skills, and feel supported by adults who speak, who guide them along the way, setting them up for success for high school and beyond. The applied experience in our cluster begins with future ready learning where students engage in hands-on experiences through career and technical education, internships, and project-based learning. These opportunities are steeped in steam principles helping students understand building critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving skills are essential to their journey and innovationdriven careers. Our personalized academic pathways ensure
072that every student can explore steam subjects aligned with their interests and strengths. Whether it's advanced placement in math and science, exposure to international balora and dual enrollment programs, or earning industry certifications in technology and engineering fields, we're opening doors to high demand futures. At the high school tier, curiosity meets opportunity in implied ways. Student takes what inspires them and turns them into real world experiences. One of the most powerful opportunities in our cluster is the early college initiative where students can earn college credit while still in high school, giving them a head start on their academic and career journeys. And beyond the classroom, we offer opportunities to explore passions through academic clubs, field trips, and mentorships. We offer these experiences and they center around steam themes from robotics and coding to environmental science and digital
073arts giving students real world context and inspiration. Steam isn't a separate track. It's foundation of how students prepare to lead, create, and thrive in a rapidly evolving world. In the McGavit cluster, every student begins a powerful journey with seamless prek through 12 roadmap that prepares them to graduate ready for college, career, and life. We provide a diverse, connected community preparing every student to discover their passions, maximize their opportunities, and step into a world ready for what's next. Now let's take a look at the journey through the McGavic cluster. [music] >> [music] [music] >> The McGavic cluster were curious. Curiosity meets opportunity. As we close today's presentations, I want to lift up what we've witnessed across both Glen Cliff and McGavic clusters. Two distinct communities, each within its own identity, strengths, and pathways, yet both deeply
074aligned to our shared vision of MNS Reimagine. What we saw today reinforces that when we design with intention, when we are when we anchor our work in our strong feeder patterns, when we build coherent academic and social emotional experiences from prek through graduation, and when we when we commit to ensuring every student is known, our students rise. These road maps you shared today, both clusters today, reflect more than programs. They reflect systems. systems of support, systems of opportunity, and systems of belonging that ensure every student, regardless of where they are, has a clear and connected journey toward success. Thank you to both clusters for modeling what alignment, partnership, and high expectations look like in practice. Together, we are building the dynasty Dr. Battle calls us to one where every student in every school in every
075cluster is known, challenged, and championed. Thank you. I turn it back over to you, Dr. Battle. All right. Thanks so much um Chief Perry um for the support and leadership um and working with all of our schools. Thank you to our incredible leaders of the Glen Cliff cluster as well as the McGavit cluster. Um yes um both of our EDs I saw um ED Shironda Bledo as well as um excuse me I'm sorry ED Shironda Beard Shir forgive me and ED Justin um upping house um thank you all for your leadership um as well. So, I'm going to pause for just a moment um and turn it back over to our chair to see if there's any questions. >> Um is there any questions from um board members? >> Any comments? Okay. Uh member MS.
076So, to both the Glen Cliff and McGavic clusters, job well done. Thank you for your presentations tonight. It's always a pleasure to have you here because we learn so much more than we could if you were not presenting. And thank you so much for loving on our babies. Well, I would like to thank the audience and the staff for entertaining our obnoxious pride for our students. Um, as you know, it's a sibling rivalry, but a friendly sibling rivalry. Um, and I just want to thank you for all your hard work. I know I was in the Christmas parade, the dance Christmas parade in front of Two Rivers and chanting with all you guys with all the girls there. Um, but no, thank you very much. We appreciate all the work you do. Um, I will
077still always say Glen Cliff is the best cluster in the whole wide world and as we became [laughter] >> as our employee put battle the chair and vice chair on whose pride is bigger um at this time. But no, but to the McGavic cluster, thank you for res a wonderful presentation also. Can I go now? >> All right. So, McGavic Cluster, y'all know y'all the bomb.com, right? And we we're the largest cluster. We have the most all of the episodes that we offer. We are dynamic over here. And I am so proud of each and every one of you as school leaders and all the work that your teachers and support staff and everyone that pours into our kids each and every day. So, thank you. Thank you. Thank you for all that you do.
078I'm so excited um to to see you all and so excited for the work ahead. Thank you. >> Oops. >> And I know it's literally a school night, so you do not have to stay. So you can go on and um prepare for today and tomorrow, but thank you for being out here. And thank you for your presentations. One more round of applause. And McGavoc is the best cluster. publication. >> Okay. Now we'll move on to public participation. Um the board will hear from those who requested appear from the board meeting. Um in the interest of time, speakers limit to remarks to two minutes or less. comments will be timed. We have a um display clock next to board member win um over there. And um when we have the part, we'll do that. Um
079first we'll have Brandy Harmon, Susie Yoast. Hi, good evening. My name is Susie Yoast. I'm the parent of a student at Shane Elementary. I wanted to come to speak to you tonight about the challenges we're experiencing from overcrowding at Shane. So, I know we're not alone, but it's not only impacting the classroom, but it's impacting our facilities and therefore our students as well. So, according to the most recent enrollment data, Shane Elementary now serves right around 850 students across preK through fifth grade. With that many students, the school's physical footprint is being pushed beyond what it was likely built for. We know the problem is not isolated to Shane, but with an increase in multif family unit construction in our area, the problem demands attention. Let me focus tonight on a couple of everyday realities
080for our students. Lunch and recess. Um, when hundreds of children share one cafeteria, lunch becomes chaotic. Students must line up in shifts and it limits the amount of time that they're given to actually eat their lunches. For me personally, I've started making my students lunch just in order for him to have enough time to eat. I know not everyone has that same privilege. So, I'm thinking about these other students and how they're being forced to maybe only have 5 to 10 minutes to eat their lunch. Not to mention the practicality of the noise levels in the cafeteria. I had the opportunity to eat with my son a couple of weeks ago and y'all, it's chaotic. And that's not because our teachers and staff aren't doing everything they can. Um, lastly, I want to talk about
081the playground for a second. Because we brought in five new portable classrooms, that's impeded the playground. They're having the same challenges as well. So, all we would say is that we would love to work with you guys in order to help advocate to get more space for our schools. Thank you so much for all you do for the students. >> Thank you, Teneka Virture. Zach, don't look at me like that. Afternoon, chair and esteemed school board members. Um, I have standing beside me, uh, Dr. White, the principal of knowledgemies. Um, I'm speaking on agenda item six, charter uh renewals. My name is uh Tena Virture Ross, former council member, former parent advisory council member, former MNPS parent, and a forever champion and community advocate for Antioch and Southeast Davidson. KA has a culture of belonging
082and safety and where students experiences and cultures are respected. Every student is truly known. Dr. White knows every student by name. Every student by name. When families come to us, we're their last hope. How do we know? They tell us. We're the last option for many parents to keep their children in school. But for a community that's been chronically underresourced, underserved, and undervalued, we have this school, KA, one of many that persists. a school that is yearning to be a partner with MNS to continue to do what's right in the best interest of students. Imagine imagine what could be achieved even more with a stronger partnership. As you consider um the agenda item tonight, we ask that you vote with everything in consideration as it relates to our positive trajectory in mind. Um, I believe
083Eve sent some of that that documentation um to the board uh today, yesterday. Can't can't quite remember when, but this has been a a whirlwind with the notice, but I digress. As you consider your vote, again, just please keep in mind of the work that KA does for for for the Antioch community. They've been a staple in the community and and we and we love them. Um, thank you for your consideration. >> Thank you. Perfect. Tony. All right. We will now move on to board committee reports. We'll have a board um a committee report about budget and finance. Vice Chair N Vice Chair Nabal and Kenny. >> Uh thank you. Today we had a budget com budget and finance committee uh meeting today to review to have a mid-year review of the budget um and
084how we uh were able to shift the budget and balance it out without adding additional funding. Um so it was a great meeting, very informative. Um and um our next uh budget meeting will be after the new year um where we will discuss more about the budget process, any additions um and opportunities for us to improve that process. Thank you. >> Thank you. We'll now move on to uh the consent agenda. May I have a motion to uh to approve the consent agenda? >> So moved. >> Uh moved by member um Lrod. Is there a second? >> Second by member Young. All in favor say I. >> Any oppose? >> It passes unanimously. Nine to zero. We will now move on to charter renewal applications. I'll hand over to Dr. Battle. >> Thank you so
085much, Chair Player. Um I am going to invite up Dr. Sherikica Rob Grant to um who is our director of our um charter office. She is going to walk us through um a short presentation on our charter school renewal applications. >> Thank you, Dr. Battle. Madame Chair, members of the board, and Superintendent Battle, thank you for the opportunity to share the charter office review team reports on two charter renewal applications. This evening, the charter school's office will present the renewal application ratings and renewal recommendation for Kip Academy Nashville Middle School as well as KA at the crossings. The renewal process has four main objectives. Use the published evaluation criteria from the Tennessee State Board. Incorporate supporting documentation in the review. Rate each section using the Tennessee State Board rating standards and reach a consensus and
086recommendation. As you can see on the flowchart, the review process is similar when rating a new start and a renewal application. One distinction within the renewal process for a renewal application is review members provide a recommendation of renewal or non-renewal for each applicant. These sections, the sections within the renewal application include the following: academic success, operational stability, financial health, and future plans and projections. These sections were rated by review team members utilizing the Tennessee State Board guidance from the RU from the rubric ratings of meets or exceeds standard, partially meets the standard, or does not meet the standard as determined by the characteristics listed on the slide. Tonight, the board has the option to approve or deny each renewal application. State law requires each charter application must be considered and voted on separately. If the
087board votes to deny the renewal application, the charter schools governing body may appeal to the public charter school state commission within 10 days of the date of the decision to deny. Please note, if the renewal application is deni is denied and an appeal is submitted, an appeals hearing will proceed with the Tennessee Charter Commission. The charter commission has the option to uphold or overturn the decision of the school district. In the event that the decision is overturned, the charter commission will become the LEA of the renewal applicant. We will begin this evening with Kip Academy Nashville Middle School, a 58 charter. The school has a current enrollment of 385 students with a proposed enrollment cap of 390 students located in the northwest quadrant of Davidson County. The applicant was rated as meets or exceeds the
088standards in each of the rated categories. As stated in the guidance from the Tennessee State Board, a quality authorizer should grant renewals only to schools that have achieved the standards and targets stated in the charter agreement, are organizationally and fiscally viable, and have been faithful to the terms of the contract and applicable law. An application that merits recommendation for renewal should satisfy each of these criteria. The review team determined that the next charter term for Kip Academy Nashville merits renewal of the charter agreement. I will turn it over to the board for the discussion and vote for Kip Academy Nashville Middle School's renewal application. [snorts] Are there any questions? comments. I will entertain a motion. >> Whose district is it? >> Yeah, yours. >> Oh, I see Robert. >> Robert. >> Yes, >> it's your
089district. [laughter] >> Make a motion to um renew the charter for Kip Academy Nashville. >> Thank you. There's been a motion by member Taylor. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Um, it's been seconded by member Young. Um, discussion. See no discussion. Uh, we'll take a vote. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? None opposed. The U, it passes. 90. Dr. Grant, Ruby Grant, >> we will transition to KA at the Crossings, a 512 charter school. The school has a current enrollment of 343 students with a proposed enrollment cap of 1,112 students located in the southeast area of Davidson County. The applicant was rated as does not meet standards in academic success and partially meet standards in the remaining categories. As stated in the guidance from the Tennessee State Board, a quality
090authorizer should grant renewals only to schools that have achieved the standards and targets stated in the charter agreement, are organizationally and fiscally viable, and have been faithful to the terms of the contract and applicable law. An application that merits recommendation for renewal should satisfy each of these criteria. The review team determined that the charter term does not merit renewal of the charter agreement for KA at the crossings. I will turn it over to the board for the discussion and vote for KA at the crossings renewal application. So um is there a motion for knowledgemies at the crossing? >> I'm sorry. First, are there questions for Dr. Robie Grant? My apologies. Yes, do member board. Sorry. >> Oh, thank you. Um is there a specific reason they didn't meet the standard? Like is it because of
091some external factor or >> There are a couple of um deficiencies that were noted in the review application process which was provided um in the board report in each of the uh sections that each review member rated. uh one in academic. Uh the review team noted that there was not consistent data that showed that the school um made sufficient uh progress as it relates to the model performance framework um annually that is uh provided to each charter school. Um in operations there was concern about the enrollment. Um, as noted, the school currently has an enrollment of 343 students with a capacity to hold 1,112 students. So, uh, the review team did note that the enrollment um did not meet the terms as well as some financial concerns that happened early in the term of the
092contractual agreement. >> Thank you. uh member O'Hara block. >> So um Dr. Robie Grant, I think you stated we have two options here, right? We can vote to deny or we can vote to approve for 10 years. Is that correct? >> Yes. >> I I just I want to note a couple of things that came up in in my own review of the data here. The you know the academic data for the school has well first of all was one school two schools one school. So there have been some shifts over time in how the school that is that we're being asked to approve here has operated but um the academic data has been uh has been low for a long time. um the school has struggled um in that way there there and while
093I I can see where there have been uh there are starting to be some approve improvements in the last couple of years when I look at the enrollment overall relative to the potential enrollment and then look at other both MNPS schools in the area and uh other charter schools in the area there those other schools are growing um more than I see that this one is um I I this is more of a statement than a question but the the initial question was the one I wanted to ask. There is no option here for us to think about two years or year or anything like that. This is 10 years or nothing and 10 years feels like a really long time. Um when we've had a rocky 10ear relationship to date. Um so I just
094wanted to confirm that that was a correct assumption. Legal has confirmed that it would have to be if you vote to approve it would have to be 10 years. We cannot vote other than approving for 10 years. >> Me member Young. >> Thank you chair. Um, so in my limited time on the board, I think this is the first uh renewal that's been recommended to be non-renewed. So essentially, this is the recommendation to close a school. Um, closing a school is a that's a big deal. That is a highly disruptive thing to do to a group of students, in this case approximately 350 students. And so I've really more so than in in in past reviews tried to dig into what the staff analysis says and even went so far as to download TSBA's, you
095know, charter school law and and what we're supposed to consider. I guess I want to understand more. Um because like what wasn't presented tonight was a case as to why a school should close. And I if if this is something we're going to do, um I I want to feel like disrupting the lives of 350 students is is outweighs them staying at this school and letting it exist for another 10 years. And so because I think we all know where this goes. If if we close the school, it goes to the state charter commission. And as is often times the case, and I've I've mentioned this before, I I don't understand how our staff analysis of new start applications, and I realize this is not a new start, but will say that a school doesn't
096qualify to be approved because it doesn't meet or exceed um all the different uh uh the four standards. But yet, the state charter office will find that it does. And I'm I'm sure to a certain extent there's a little bit of a political element to that, but I can't help but think that like there's maybe some sort of disconnect. And so I want to make sure that we are like really really really really dang sure that we can stand firm in in a decision to close a school. Um so I I would love to hear more data on why why why is this better? because when I read through yeah like the performance over a 10-year period really not that great but it does seem like a course correction has been taking place and I
097I I I guess zooming [snorts] out to not just thinking about this particular school but our relationship with the state charter commission and the legislature too is like they are looking for reasons to ding us and come at us for for things and um if they're consistently having to overturn decisions we make like maybe maybe we're operating off of bad data sometimes and maybe maybe we're not getting the complete picture because I I just I I want to I want to sleep well at night that the decision we make is the right one. And I'll be perfectly honest tonight. I'm not prepared to vote yes or no on this cuz I'm kind of really torn. So I would love to hear like show me the numbers. Really dig into this more and convince me of
098this please to who >> I will respond first and I'll turn it over um to our team. Um when it comes to um data, it's no different from the data we hold our own schools accountable for. every school um across the state of Tennessee has the um same data points, same um systems of accountability. So, our familiarity with the data is pretty clear because it's the same thing we hold um our specific schools too. The team is going to run through um some of um their data points, but I just want to make the point that there is no confusion. there's no I mean we're really clear on what the data points are given the rubric um that is provided by the state and so um just to also confirm this this is a state
099rubric that they provide to us that we then follow this is not our own rubric uh we must follow the state's rubric um in this particular regard so I'll turn it over to the team to walk through >> thank you uh Dr. battle. And just to go back to uh the presentation, um the guidance from the Tennessee State Board indicates uh reasons as to why um charter renewal should grant should merit renewal. And specifically for one of those reasons, it states that the targets stated in the charter agreement have been met. So we do have data that shows in the original agreement uh goals that were set by the actual network that were not met. For example, the original goals in the charter application were a level five TV growth in every content which the
100school did not meet at any point in their charter term. In fact, in 2017 and 18, they were a level one. In 2018-19 they were a level three. Uh for the school year 2021 they were held harmless but immediately following that year in 21-22 they were a level two. For they were a level two and received a D report card grade and for 2324 they were a level three with a D report card grade. Um and so that is one example of how the school did not meet the goals that were established within their actual application. Um in addition, the original goals in the charter application were a 10% annual increase in achievement um as it relates to the 10 ready testing. Um they did not show evidence of meeting this goal as well. For
101example, the math range of proficiency throughout the charter term has never been above 15%. In ELA, the school never was above 15% proficiency as well. And so when we look at the characteristics that the state board has provided, which each characteristic the school must meet all three of those, that's just one area in academic that we know that they did not meet within the charter term. Um, additionally, as it relates to the model performance framework that the charter school receives annually from the charter office, they received a does not meet standard in 2017, 2018, 2018, 2019, 21, 22, 22, 23, 23, 24. And once our ratings are finalized based on 2425's data, they will be in the does not meet range as well. Um, additionally, the chronic absenteeism rate is has been consistently high, 39%
102chronic absenteeism in 2024. Um, the school has also been designated as an ATSI school in 2019. Um, the school also received a notice of probation from the charter office due to academic, operational, and financial concerns in 2019. In 2022, um, we did move for revocation uh, issued to the network due to knowledge academy high school which merged with KA at the crossings because they were deemed a priority uh, school. And so our office did move uh for revocation which was ultimately uh overturned by uh the state. Um as far as operational uh the the network did contract with the CMO without properly going through um the procedures of submitting that information to the charter office and then for the charter office to then present that information uh to the board for approval. So currently we're
103operating with a CMO that was not formally approved by the charter office nor formally approved by the MNS board and that took place in 2019. Again, as I stated, the enrollment capacity um that is in the charter renewal application is at 1,112 students. The school currently is enrolled with 343 students which is very significantly underenrolled the cap the capacity outlined in the current charter agreement. In 2023 24 the school's attrition rate was 40%. And 35.81% in 2425. Again, in 2019, uh the whole network received a notice of probation due to the academic, operational, and financial concerns um that the network did have. Um in 2018 2019, from 2018 to 2020, the model performance frameworks for financial were below standard for the near-term and substantiable indicators on the model performance framework. In 2018 2019 the model
104performance framework indicators did show below standard. In 2022 there was a net deficit of 6.28 million according to the independent audit. Um again in 2019 there was a motion to close the entire network for deficiencies in fiscal oversight, reserve management and compliance with reporting protocols. Again, a letter of probation was sent from the charter office to the school due to unauthorized charter contracts exceeding $10,000 and a lack of board financial oversight and non-compliance with generally accepted accounting principles in 2019. Lastly, as it relates to the uh actual renewal application, the future enrollment goals were not supported by current enrollment trends. Again, as you know, the capacity in the renewal application is 1,112 students. The school currently enrolls 343 school 343 students um which is very significantly uh not close to the actual cap in the
105renewal application. Um as well as the attrition rate that's that currently is happening at the school. Um based on the current academic performance again multiple years with does not meet standard in the academic section. The current proficiency goals that were outlined in the renewal application are just not realistic to the actual results that the school is receiving. And um lastly, the financial goals were not realistic and based on the current enrollment trends that the school is currently receiving uh for this school year. So most all of this information was included in the board report, but we did want to make sure that we had highlighted information for each of those sections and ready to share um if there were questions. any other Okay. >> Well, yeah. I mean, I just I I feel like things
106needed to be aired out, not just in a board report, but for for so people watching and and people I mean, I mean, this is I think it shouldn't be taken lightly that if a board is going to vote to close a school, um the case should be made not just in in what we see, but what the public sees watching us and not think we're doing something willy-nilly. I mean, that's it's a it's a big deal to close a school. >> Thank you, Member [clears throat] Elrod. Thank you. Um I'd like to hear from Dr. Battle and her team about how we have closed a school in the past or how we would manage that going forward and um yeah kind of that process and what how we've done it in the past too.
107>> Um um yes I the team so yes we have experience with this transition as you all u might recall just recently this past school year u we transitioned um um brick church um that's now Richard H. Denins um back into our portfolio. That's just one example. We've um also transitioned Neil's bean uh middle school um a year or two ago. So we've had we've done this a few um times. So I'll turn it over to Director Grant and um Chief Bellamy um just to outline any specific highlights um regarding um our experience with doing so and um just being very thoughtful about how to support um students and families particularly um in these difficult transitions. >> Yes. Um thank you Dr. Battle. We the charter office is required to submit a a closure plan
108to the state board which is uh reviewed uh once we go under evaluation. So we have a a closure plan in place. Part of the uh beginning stages of the closure plan is to um identify the capacity at the receiving schools that are in the zone. So uh immediately once we uh began to finalize the board report, we did go ahead and start that process of reaching out to our boundary and planning team to see if our uh schools that are in the zone has the capacity um to take these students in if the vote if the board does vote to close. And um our boundary and planning team has confirmed that we do. Um and so >> and can I can I add also the timeliness um with regards to one we have to
109make a decision because we have a deadline um by the state to do so but we also want to make sure for our school choice process that will kick off in January that we make um informed decisions so that families have all options at um at their disposal. >> Yes. Um and this decision, our um school options team is is awaiting uh next steps from this board meeting to decide um how to update their processes if the board does determine that they would no longer um um be authorizing uh KA at the crossings. And so uh that is an initial beginning stages of making sure that the school option process does reflect uh these students that will no longer uh be on um enrolled at at K at the crossings as well as uh reviewing
110the current capacity at the surrounding schools. So, we can confirm um that there is capacity for um each of all of the students um that are currently attending um KA at the crossings at our neighborhood uh traditional schools. Member Tyler, [crying] >> I think we also need to understand that that we Metro have closed and consolidated some of our schools in the past um based on a myriad of reasons including low enrollment. And so I think it's important to know that we're not holding them to a separate standard that we hold ourselves to. And it's important to note that we're not trying to to tease that out. And I really think it's important to to say that charter schools were created and are subject to follow Tennessee law. TCA 4913102 says the purpose of this
111chapter is to improve learning for all students and close the achievement gap between high and low students. That is state law for why charters exist and their purpose. They originally were also supposed to the second part of it that has since been removed, but in their inception, the second part said they were created to provide options for parents to meet educational needs of students in high priority schools. for knowledge academy to be a high priority school itself before it we had to consolidate them tells me that not only were they not following the the purpose and intent of why charter schools are supposed to exist in the state, they were not they were not meeting the basic tenants of what was necessary for them to exist. [crying] And if we won't keep open one of
112our own schools because they're not meeting the need of the community and if we consolidate some of our own schools because we see that fiscally it's better for us to put some of our schools together even though it does disrupt that community and we have to work hard to create a new community. That's important that we do that and hold the charter schools to that same standard. So if they are not improving learning for all students, if they are not closing the achievement gap between high and low students, if they that is this that's what the state law requires of them and they are not meeting that and then they are not even meeting their own original intent for why they existed that they wrote as to why they believe they should exist and what
113they intend to do to prove that they are a net gain for the district and that's why they should exist. They haven't done that ever. It's not that they were great for a little while and then they kind of fell off or they had a little trouble and then they figured it out. They have not managed to meet that standard yet. And I feel like us choosing to say, "Well, that's okay. We'll give you a pass. try another 10 years should be that's wrong. It's important for us to hold them to the same accountability standards that we ourselves are held to and it is important to hold this the educational rights of the students who attend that school as important and if we are not willing to provide them with an alternative then then maybe
114we should have that discussion about well how could we support them to stay open for another 10 years. But we are more than able and willing to provide a more exceptional alternative that meets their needs and that meets them where they are so that those students academic needs, social and emotional needs and that those family needs will be met. It's not that they are going to lose it. is that just like when we consolidated some of our schools, if these schools, if if Knowledge Academy is chosen, voted against to remain open for 10 years, we will put that same gear into motion to be willing to offer them a space where we can meet those needs in our own schools or in another option if they choose to do that based on the optional school
115process. Um, I just find it disingenuous to say that a school should stay open just because it's already been open for a while. And I feel like you have um, Dr. Rob Grant, you have enumerated many reasons how we have tried to meet their needs, how we have tried to be supportive of them over the last decade and it has not been enough. And personally, I think voting to keep them open would be extremely problematic for the for the educational futures of the students who attend that school. >> Memorial hero Block. >> Um Dr. Ry Grant, you talked about um some of the uh things that happened in a closure plan and capacity at MNS's own schools. I I do want to acknowledge even given what member Tyler [clears throat] just was talking about, there
116are schools in this same area that are MNPS district schools that have been on and off um ATSI, CSI, so priority um lists have and and we do have schools that are quite large and there are families that are going to want other options as well. But I I do understand I think I'm right in saying that there are a number of charter schools that are also MNPS run charter schools or MNPS authorized charter schools and other charter schools in the same area. When we give options, will those options be included? Do those schools also have capacity? So if there are families who are making this choice and are looking for a different option, would they have those options available to them as well if this school were to not exist? We so our school
117choice process includes the schools within our LEA. This all schools within our LEA. So we're talking about this one tonight because it is part of our LEA. Um and so um that has been consistent since we since inception of our school choice process. So the answer is yes. >> Yeah. And there are other there are both MNPS zone schools and charter options in that area. >> We are a choice district. What's what's required of us is as a district when it comes to your neighborhood zone school, we must have a seat for every student. So that is the difference. That's why we have to go back and check our boundary planning because if we are required that if every family chooses their own school that we have a seat for them to attend that doesn't
118negate the school choice process at all. I think part of the reason why I'm asking that question is I I do understand the choice process and I understand people wanting to have choices and I understand that there are families that have made this choice and when we last year considered renewal uh for other schools and in particular um uh when we were talking about rocket ship um which we if I remember correctly had we made a decision there as well and then the the charter commission did in fact um to member young overturn a decision that we made and and they may choose to do that in this instance as well. If we choose to say we don't want to renew the school because it does not meet the standards that we have, those are
119choices that are available legally in the processes that exist in the state of Tennessee. Whether folks like them or don't like them or want them to be available or don't want them to be available, they are available. And and so I I struggled a whole this is particularly to the point you made earlier, Member Young. I struggled a lot last year on [snorts] how to deal with the rocket ship vote. I I in the end I voted to I voted in it a different way from the rest of the board in my memory. That might not actually be true, but that's my memory of the situation. Um and and that was very that was a very difficult choice to make. Um but part of the reason that I felt that way was for this exact
120reason. It is a huge disruption to famil family's lives. It is also a continuous disruption to be in a situation that that might you know at times have been uh have been tough and we have some of those situations. We've got to you know we have we have schools we need to deal with that our own schools that struggle. Um, I think, you know, to me when I'm looking at this decision, and this is what I meant, I really appreciate, member Young, your pushing on this and getting all of that data on the record because when I was talking earlier about the data that I've reviewed, exactly what you were talking about, um, is what I I I just didn't see it in the data of like this feels like something and and if the
121charter commission makes a different decision, that's up to them. Um, but I, you know, for me in this particular instance, it's got to be a no. >> Me, Vice Chair Nib, Kenny. Um so so I have a question related to that because we're also concerned about um in the process to be able if we decide that that we are going to close this school and they do have the ability in the legal process to to go through the charter commission. How will that impact the choice process for families or will it impact the choice process for families um if and and will that be communicated to families about that decision? You >> want to talk about the time >> timeline? Yeah. >> Yeah. The timeline. >> So the governing body has 10 days from tonight's
122decision to appeal to the charter commission. The charter commission will immediately due to the school options uh process will will set a uh begin gathering the documents so they can set a hearing. We're likely looking at a probably February hearing um because they have to gather the documents um with the break and everything taking place. They'll have to gather the documents and then and set a public hearing. So, it's likely late January, early February for an actual hearing uh from the charter commission. And the the process kicks off at the end of January and goes through the 1 of um February. But just like in the Brook Church example, it happened after, if I'm not mistaken, the school choice process. And then that our team, we have a plan what you do in that scenario
123to support students and families. While I'm on this point, I just want to make sure we understand the disruptions on both ends. It's a disruption to change schools. It's also a dis disruption to not be being served educationally um in a in in a school or network of schools. It's a responsibility we take on um as a district as well. And I just want to highlight the transition that happens because this also means that our schools have to get in and dig, get everybody up to speed when you're talking about tier one instruction interventions. And so this is not light because when students if students are performing below grade level or behind we also have the responsibility to accelerate the progress once they do make a decision on which choice they make whether it's a
124zone school optional school or charter school like someone there is a leadership in a school community that's taking the onus of meeting a student and family where they are to close the gaps and get them where they need to be. So, just wanted to highlight that because it's a disruption on both ends. >> Oh, yes. Thank you. >> Uh, member Mazize. >> Thank you, chair. So um I think I probably have a one of the most unique perspectives of anyone sitting at this table because I remember when knowledgemies came into existence. Um, I actually spent time with the original um with uh the original um founder. Thank you. The word escaped me for just a moment. And uh spent time in the community bringing uh providing an opportunity for him to talk to parents about
125knowledgemies. And that was many many years ago. And so from that moment to this one, my hope was that this school would perform at such a high level. There wouldn't be a question that we wouldn't be at this place right now. Um I have absolutely adored the administration at knowledgemies and I have spent time with them uh throughout the years talking to students uh supporting events supporting their efforts. Uh, unfortunately for me, as I'm looking at this data, and I would be remiss if I did not make decisions based on what I was elected to do, and that is look at this data and make a decision based on the data and not my feelings. Because if I made a decision based on my feelings, I'd be loving on everybody right now. Uh unfortunately what
126I will have to do at this point is make a motion uh in accordance with in accordance with quality charter authorizing standard 5C and state law and based on the school's overall rating of does not meet standard in academic success and partially meet standard in operational stability, financial health and future plans and projections. I uh would uh make a motion to deny the charter application based on the information provided by the office of charter schools for Metro Nashville public schools. Uh deny the renewal of the application and not renew the charter agreement of knowledge academy at the crossings. There's been a motion made by member Maize. Is there a second? There's a second by member Tyler. We have another question or comment from school board member Dash. >> Um, okay. So, two questions. What are
127the surrounding schools that students are going to flow into? And then, um, what's going to happen to administration at this school? Cuz not only do you have to take into the account students obviously leaving, but you're having a whole bunch of administration being fired. So you have to remember that as well. You have to give them support for that. >> Um do you want to >> Yes. So I I we did um review the capacity at the schools that are in the geographical location. And so um all of those schools have the capacity to receive the students. Um based on the current enrollment and the uh zoning for the students, there are um seats at John Overton, Antioch Middle, JFK, uh Apollo, Cane Ridge, and Antioch High School. Um so those are the the school
128locations in proximity that have capacity to take in um the students. Now, this does exclude seniors because we know they uh will be graduating. So they were not uh taken into account for um these numbers. As far as the staff, I'll let >> you um we will work in partnership with our talented HR team to make sure that we have choice fairs for families, choice fairs for um talented staff that are looking to find a home as well. And that would include administrators that want to apply for jobs as well. >> Thank you. Thank you. Any other comments or questions? Member uh Taylor. >> This um comment slashquest is just in regards to charters in general and um I could probably ask you another time, but we're here. So um just can you talk a
129little bit about the type of support that we provide? You know, we've talked about um how this school has struggled for a decade. Um and I think they may have been a reward school at one point in time or something like that, but like what type of support do we provide as a district back to a charter in the same way that we provide support to our our traditional schools? >> Good question. Um, and to add back to the reward status under this con this current contract, KA at the crossings has not knowledge academy middle or high school may have received reward status, but under they're all under KA at the crossings contract. Um, and so no reward status for that particular school. Um, as it relates to supports, um, our office does is is
130is funded by the authorizer fee and so our job is to provide oversight and monitoring. Part of that, uh, oversight and monitoring consists of ensuring that the schools follow the contractual agreement um, as it relates to academic operations, financial. Um, we do have uh staff that uh specialize in exceptional ed as well as English learners that support the school if there's any type of deficiencies noted. Um, and our office does complete two on-site visits um a year um just to check in and see a pulse on how the school is doing. And so during that time um the schools do provide us a current academic update of where they are of co of of course they have their own governing owning body. Um you know we review the data we can provide suggestions but they
131have the ability not to um take those suggestions or take those suggestions but their governing board um ultimately makes that decision. Our job is to look at the data and provide uh the ratings for each of our schools annually so they know where they're where they are. Um what um our main goal is is to provide those ratings based on the framework um developed by the state and the charters then adjust based on those ratings that they receive. So, um I will say throughout the history there were a number of opportunities um that were presented to the board for uh motions to close um that were then overturned by the state. So, uh the charter office does collect that data. If there is any deficiencies that have consecutively um taken place, that information is then
132presented to the board um for them to review to determine if um a school um if revocation is a possible um answer to some of the deficiencies. So, um there's been a history of followup from MNS. >> Can I clarify one thing? Um when you say there were um previous motions um recommendations for revocation that was prior to the 10-year renewal process. So this happened within the 10 year. >> Yes. >> And that was for as you know they merged into one. Um so there were issues that took place with knowledge academy middle as well as the high school. >> Thank you. I appreciate that. Um, I guess just this is more of the discussion part versus the question. I'm just wondering, um, you know, we have these charters that we renew. So, tonight we
133had one charter that we did renew. Um, it was pretty straightforward. Um, this one was more challenging. And, um, we recognize that year 1, two, three, things aren't going right. Um what is our responsibility as a board, as a district to say, hey, you know, originally this this idea of having charters was that we were going to share information back and forth to make sure that we had the best educational opportunities for our students. If parents chose a charter, that's fine. But what is our responsibility to support that charter school and then vice versa? and are there some things that we can do to continue to foster a relationship that's conducive to that level of support um so that we don't end up in a situation where we're having to make these difficult decisions. Um
134I don't see it as us closing the charter school. That's just I'm going to be straight up like I think that they have an opportunity to make it easy for us to renew it, right? Um, and then also there is a process that we've discussed. If they want to appeal it and go to the state, that's fine. And let the state decide whether they're going to accept them or ultimately close the school. I think for us, I want our mindset to shift to how do we make sure that all of these kids are getting the best education possible regardless of what their parents choose as the option for them. And I think that that's kind of the spirit of where I would like to see the conversation about charter schools going um as a district.
135And I know that um that you know Dr. Battle, we're on the same page. We want what's best for students and uh I think that we can come to that uh to that space where we're all working together to make that happen. So that's all I had to say. I appreciate you all listening. My TED talk is done for tonight. [laughter] Um the one thing I was going to share, I know we were talking about like the full extent of this process. Um I just want to remind us that a few months ago we went through the same process and the the state actually agreed. So I think that is something that we just I just want to surface that it doesn't always go um a different direction. There have been times, particularly when we're
136talking about lower performing schools, um where the state has acknowledged um the progress that the district is making and the options and programs that are available to students and families. And again, that's the most recent example um that we just experienced coming out of last school year. >> Any other questions or comments before we call a vote? restated. >> Um, member Maize, can you restate your motion, please? >> Yes, sir, I will. Thank you. Okay. in accordance with quality charter authorizing standard 5C and state law and based on the school's overall rating of does not meet standard in academic success and partially meet standard in operational stability, financial health and future plans and projections. Um, I make a motion to deny the renewal application and not renew the charter agreement for knowledge academy at the
137crossings based on the information provided um, regarding the school's performance. That's it. You're welcome. >> All right. Motion made by Maize. It was seconded by member Tyler. Um, all in favor raise your hand. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Okay. Uh, nine in favor. That means none opposed and none abstaining. Um, the motion passes. Um, thank you. We will now move on to um we have no board reports. uh we will not have uh the second meeting in December and January mean sorry in December due to holiday break we will meet again at in the new year in the second meeting in January second Tuesday of the month >> January 13th we will meet on my mom's birthday will be the next school board meeting January 13th um thank you very much be
138no further business this meeting is adjourned This has been a service of the Metro Nashville Network. If you would like to see this presentation again or for more information on this and other programs, visit nashville.gov.