001It's time to call the December board of education meeting to order. We'd like to welcome the town of Elizabeth and [laughter] to our board meeting. This is a good thing. There's a lot to be celebrating. If you do know the fire marshall, Mr. Van Hus has asked that you not contact him for about the next 30 minutes if you don't care. Um, at this time I'm going to turn it over to our director, Mr. Van Hus, for a moment of silence and a pledge to the flag. Please stand for a moment of silence and the pledge. Thank you. Attention. Salute pledge. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Also, just to let
002you know, once we do the student recognitions, um we will give an opportunity u for you, unless you just want to stay for the rest of the meeting, which will be very quick, but uh you will have an opportunity to leave at that time. If you'll just stay with us though until we get through the presentations. Um it's time to approve the consent agenda and regular agenda. Can I get a motion to approve? Motion >> and a second. >> Second. >> Okay. Any questions? Anything need to be moved? Okay. All those in favor of approving the consent agenda and regular agenda say I. I. Any opposed? And there are none. Uh it's now time for citizens to speak. We did not have anyone request to speak before the board. So we will move on to
003special recognition. And again, I'll turn it over to Mr. Van Hus to kind of get us going in this order. Thank you, sir. At this time, we will recognize the TA Decker football team first. So, Coach Pitman, if you'll come on up and Mr. Barry. Thank you. First, I'd like to say uh we've got two groups that we're going to recognize tonight. The cross country and the football. But the football, I think, is the big reason why we've got such a large uh uh part of the the space taken up. So, I'm going to turn it over to Coach Pitman at this time. [clears throat] >> Thank you guys. Uh I wrote something. Um on behalf of the TA Duggar football program, uh thank you for this recognition. Uh our season was successful not only
004because of wins and losses, and which we'll get to that there weren't any losses. Um but also because of the uh growth that we were able to witness in our student athletes and a lot of them are standing over here um who showed up ready to work, learn and support each other every day. They learned the value of discipline, teamwork, and they represented our school with pride on the field, in the classroom, and in our community in which they continue to do so. Uh, thank you to our coaching staff, parents, guardians for their support and the time that they invest. Thank you to our administration and school board for believing in middle school athletics as an important part of education. Most importantly, I'm proud of our players. They set the standard every day with effort,
005sportsmanship, and character. Um, we played 16 games, uh, eight junior varsity and, uh, eight varsity, and we won 16 games. >> So, [applause] um, [applause] and it's like, um, it's like I I said at our banquet, you know, winning is hard, okay? You can win by one, you can win by 30, but it takes a lot of work to win. Okay? And you earn and they earned it. Um, special uh mention to our eighth grade class. They played 24 games in middle school and they won 22. So, give them a congratulations. [applause] >> Thank y'all again. We appreciate it. And uh I guess we're going to take a picture. Yeah, we're going to try anyway. So, all the players, if you'll come up here to the front, we'll see how organized you can be right
006here. Some of you can step up on the platform here. We'll do two or three rows. >> Shorter guys in front, please. We want to be able to see you in the picture. >> Hey, how you doing? You know that's true. Here's my grandson. >> Lucas, Lucas, [applause] Lucas. One thing I'll say about this group as they walk off the football, obviously just a fantastic season, but it's a great group of guys. The high school, especially with our eighth grade group, they're leaders. They're good kids and some, you know, that's a big aspect. If I had to choose the two, winning's really good, but you guys are good young men, and we're proud of you. We do really look forward to what you guys are going to do at the high school. Um, I have
007the honor with to also recognize our cross country team. Uh if I have any of the Todd cross country team members, boys and girls, if you'll come on up. Uh Miss White was not able to be with us, but I am going to read uh several accolades that occurred this season. Uh Miss White wrote, "This season has been a solid one for our cross country program at Ted Ogre. It was marked by hard work, leadership, and tremendous growth overall. This group showed up every day ready to work. They were supportive of their teammates, dedicated improving their times, and build a great team culture throughout the season. Our girls team demonstrated an incredible work ethic all year, especially with our top three runners, Ree Everett, Reese Emirate, Alice Hackett, and Julia Hunter. Leading the way was
008sixth grader Ree Emirate, who qualified for state meets in both Clarksville and Knoxville. Reese finished the season with an impressive personal best of 1232 in the two-mile, just 20 seconds shy of our school record, and she's only in sixth grade. She was almost always a top 10 finisher in each race this year, and she'll go on to train this winter with Knoxville Youth Athletic Program for indoor track. We're also extremely proud for Alice Hackett, an eighth grader whose committed uh commitment set a strong example for the rest of the team. She also qualified for the state meet with a two-mile time of 1449. Alice and fellow captain Julia Hunter provided outstanding leadership throughout the season, helping guide a young and motivated girl squad. Our boys team also showed tremendous promise, especially among our younger runners.
009Each race was a fight among our top five boys, and they continued to push each other to be better. Eighth graders Aiden Lopez qualified for the state meet in Clarksville with a time of 12:50 on the two-mile time. We also saw strong performances from eighth graders Xander Tyler and several talented sixth graders Jordan Hughes, Jackson Young, and Carl Hackett. We would also like to give a special shout out to eighth grader Daniel Suggs for being such a strong leader for our team over the last three years. With such a skilled and hardworking group of young athletes, we are incredibly excited for the future of boys program. Thank you guys. [applause] We'll go ahead and move on to uh the uh high school cross country team. So, sure is Coach Campbell there. He's coming out of
010the depths of the rear of the room. [laughter] Come on up. All right. I wanted to thank everybody for having us here. Um, and thank [clears throat] everybody who have has supported us this year. All of the parents that has fed us this year. Um, I know it takes a whole community just for one team and uh I know for all of that for Elizabeth and we have the best community that that comes together and supports these kids. Um, I'm going to keep this short cuz I'm getting over a cold, but I'm going to talk about each of these kids and then talk about what they've done this uh season. We had a very successful season. Uh, thank you to Coach Baker and Coach Presnel was not able to be here tonight. Um but thanks
011to both of them. Uh we'll start with the boys. Uh the boys team in July we had about three boys on the team. Uh we didn't have enough team enough boys to get a team to score. So we were kind of worried about that whether we'd be able to compete to make it to state or not. Um, so we started telling the boys, we got to get, you know, recruit recruit. We [clears throat] had, uh, one boy that came out last year as a junior who, uh, started asking some of the band members, asking some friends, and they started, they they all started recruiting. We got some boys out and, uh, you know, with so many firsttime runners, I did not expect for us to make it to state. We I didn't know we'd have
012that chance. And these kids love to challenge themselves. Love the challenge. Uh love to run. It takes a little bit of craziness to want to go out and run miles every day. Uh one thing that all of these kids do in September, we have a 10mile challenge. 10 miles without stopping. And uh not to mention the onem warm up and the one mile cool down. So 12 miles all one time. and these kids do it. And I think that's that's an accomplishment just in itself. And then these boys ended up making it so fourth in our region. And we got a tougher region this year uh going with Knoxville teams. So we had 19 teams and they ended up we kept showing them which teams we got to beat, which teams we got to beat.
013And I'm looking at the live results as the boys are racing and I'm kind of worried because it's showing four teams, you know, above us. And then at the very last second, I look back down again and we move up above Cherokee, which put us right to state. Um I want to say by one or two points, which is awesome. It was amazing accomplishment. All right. Jabbron knows how many. >> Four points. Very good. Very good. All right. Um, so these individuals that's here with us tonight, we've got Josh, Josh Ashy. He's a sophomore and this was his first year uh running with the high school. And uh to tell you something about Josh, he had over a sixinute change in his PR. So from his first 5K in Bristol to his best 5K, he
014ended up uh improving over six minutes, which is just amazing. Amazing. So that's the biggest improvement of the year for out of all of our runners. Uh Jabbron again, he's our recruiter and one of the most determined kids I've ever seen. Uh if you tell him he can't do it, he's going to practice and try over and over and over again and he's going to do it. All right. Uh Josh. Josh is one of those that came out July, beginning of August maybe. Um first time runner, senior. So glad that these senior boys ended up coming out and running with us. Made it a rewarding year. It was great. [snorts] Um Josh's PR over four minutes. He improved his uh 5K by over four minutes. Owen uh Owen's another one of those huge surprise. Owen
015within the first few weeks had shorts just I mean he all of his shorts would not fit him because his body changed so much after the first few weeks. >> Uh Owen ended up running a 1915 for us which is amazing. Did an awesome job in one season. One season was able to do that. I wish we could have all these seniors back. Uh Skyler is another he's a four-year senior that uh helped every year. you see his improvements. You look back from his freshman year and I would say it's probably over a seven to eight minute improvement. Um so Skylar did an amazing job. Uh really grew up the past couple of years and helped the team get to state. Uh Will for our boys top runner. Uh Will ended up running a 1723
016this year uh at the state. uh he's been our leader and everybody, you know, the whole team looks up to Will, listens to Will. Uh without Will's leadership, I don't I don't know if these boys making it to state or not. So, we all these senior boys just uh tickled to death for them. All right, we'll move on to the girls. Uh oh, the boys ended up uh they were ranked 20th going into state and they finished 17th. So, that was a big improvement. Big improvement. Uh the girls Addison Addison Marman here um we actually so uh Helen Hackett student liaison um does a lot of things with the high school and that's what all these kids they're not just runners they do multiple things uh but Helen had a school trip she had to
017take uh senior student liaison but one thing that did is um it It put us down to where we only had four kids. So, we had to ask some girls to be able to get a team score. So, Cheyenne Everett and Addison Marman ended up coming out for us. Addison in high school has not run anything more than a 400 meter race. >> And to go and jump into a 5K in one week, >> one week. And for her to be able to do that and we still got second place in the region uh to make it to state. So, that was awesome. Uh the girls going out to state was ranked 13th and they ended up getting eighth place. Uh so they did an amazing job. Uh we've got Jane Hackit who is a
018sophomore and very excited to have her back next year. Uh very hard worker. Um Addison uh I think she's going to join cross country next year because just from the regionals to state I want to say what was it? 3 minute, 2 minute, 3 minute PR. It was a big PR just from regionals to state. So tickled to have her back next year. Helen is our senior. Um going to miss her. Uh I will say so Helen had back issues to to and anybody that runs and has back issues that is so tough. So tough. So, Coach Baker's really worked with her over the season over doing work different workouts, helping her helping her back. We get to the 10 mile challenge and I said, "You don't have to do this and she said, "Do
019you think I'm going to sit this out on my senior year just to get give a good story on Helen?" She she finished the 10 mile run. She completed that. No stopping. [clears throat] And then Velave, our top female runner, she uh already held the school record from last year's state championship with an 1855. And she broke the school record this year uh in Virginia with an 1830 or uh 1834. 1834. And yes, she broke it. You broke it twice this year. You did. What was 183? 6. The first time she broke it was 1836. Then she breaks her own record again, 1834. And we're excited to have her in track to see how many times she breaks her own records again. Sophomore. Sophomore. So we're excited to see second in the state. Um so
020she got runner up. It was a senior that beat her and she was gaining ground on that senior. So I I I'm excited to see her next year. the girls that we have back, the boys. We're gonna have to start recruiting again because we recruited all these seniors that come out for one year. I'd love to have them again, but we can't. So, um, excited to see what they do in life. All of these are hard workers, good kids, and had a great season, and I'm going to miss them. >> Right. So, round of applause for them. [applause] I know I said short, but I'm sorry that wasn't very short. [laughter] >> She's coming right back up. Thank you. Next, we will recognize the girls soccer team from Elizabeth and High School. Coach Meer, [laughter]
021>> hide behind the green. Gracie. Hello, Gracie. [laughter] How are you? [snorts] >> All right. I think they are uh arguing over who gets to stand in the back. Um so I too am going to try to keep this um short and sweet. Um this year um this group of ladies um had an amazing season. um and they did something that no one expected of them to do. Um I think even themselves. And so um when we go out in June and we start our summer practices, um and it's the the middle of the day and it's hot and we're sweaty and we're having to cut our practices short because of heat and um all of the things. I don't think that um in the moment, you know, we realize um what that is preparing
022us for. And um we beat Greenville um in our region final. Um and so that allowed us to secure a substate game. Um and in our substate game, um it was great. I saw a lot of familiar faces at that game, so I look out. Um and as um you know a fall sport um sometimes you know we don't have necessarily you know a the stands full of fans. Um you know we've got our families out there um supporting us and that's always wonderful and amazing. Um, but when we hear the crowds cheering for us, um, and we look out and we see, you know, a bunch of familiar faces from the community, it really helps to fuel us and push us. Um, and that's what we had in that substate game. Um, and we
023ended up tying that game, went into overtime, um, tied the overtime, um, which then sent us into penalty kicks. Uh, at this point, these ladies had played a hundred minutes of soccer um without um you know without any significant breaks um and they're tired and they're worn out. And so you know we really um tried to push them you know think back to this summer and how hard you ladies worked like that's what you were preparing for this it's this moment right here. Um and they they did it. They went out and they won their penalty kicks. Um and that won them a bid to the state tournament. Um it's only the second time in program history um that we have been able to send a soccer team to the state tournament. Um and while
024we were there um we competed um so we played Tlah. Is that right? Yeah, we played to um and we were able to compete with them on the field. Um and I think it just proves that um that this team and these ladies could compete with anybody in the state. Um so to be a part of it is really really proud. Um we also um scored a goal um in that game um which is the first goal that's ever been scored in a state tournament by Cam Garland. Um and so you know we we realized probably three4s of the way through our season what a special group this was. Um I think people could tell from the stands how well they played together on the field. um how well they communicated, how well they got
025along, just the team culture. Um and you know, we realized that they had an opportunity to to kind of make history. Um and so and that's exactly what they did and each game got better and they played harder and they never gave up. Um and I think that it is just a true testament to how hard they worked um you know before the games even started um and what they are capable of. So we have some certificates from them. Um, we have our TWSAA certificates for participation in the state tournament. Um, Danny's gonna help me with those maybe. And then while he is passing those out um after our um you know after our season ended our all region teams came out and the all state teams came out. Um and so we're also going
026to um recognize the ones that made um that made those teams and were named to those teams. Um, so all region first team, we had Cam Garland, we had Vela, Izzy Lewis, and Abby Cros. And then all state second team, we had Maddox Morton, Gracie Eastep, Maddie Stanberry, and um, one of our freshmen, Aubrey Zabbo. And then All State, um, we had one player that was named to the to the All State team. Um, and that player is Izzy Lewis. So, we also have those certificates for them. [applause] >> [applause] >> Christ. >> [applause] [applause] >> Okay, at this time we have some CTE awards from the high school. We have we're recognizing the CSI team and Skills USA winners. Let's see. Mr. Colbert, >> he's coming in the back. >> Yeah, >> Dr. Copelan.
027Uh, we were in the hall. I'm not sure what you said. Sorry. [laughter] Is it our time? >> Yes. >> Uh, yes. So, we're going to CSI competition first. And kudos to Ron Per who's not here, but he does a great job with the kids as well. And he's the one actually got the CSI competition started several years ago when he was at Tennessee High. They invited several schools to go to it. Tennessee High was the only one there and they came in second. Hey, that's the only joke ever. [laughter] All right. Uh, since then we've hired Brian Presto, stole him from Tennessee High and we've helped host it every year. TCAT is our hosting partner and from Pres to Kenny Harden who's now retired who now Dr. Copen here behind me. Uh, our kids
028traditionally do extremely well at this event. Dr. Copen has a long list of kids he would now recognize at this time. Uh, because again, by the way, Skills USA also has competitions relating to this, but very few schools go to that. I was with Lee Cole at another event and saw how few criminal justice kids were there. At this event, there was a couple hundred or so. So, anyway, I'll let Dr. Copen announce what we want. >> Thank you guys. Um, for any of the students that are here, y'all can come on up if you want to. Um, while they're coming up, I'll just go and tell you, um, this was the 13th annual competition. This competition, just to give you a little background, has 12 different events. Um we won six of the 12.
029The top seven overall scores of the events um determine the overall winner. Uh those events include the autopsy exam, bones identification, tactical building search, fingerprinting, h handcuffing, the law exam, cast molds, crime team photography, crime scene search, crime scene sketch, standardized field sobriety test, and non-felony traffic stops. Um, so we took 25 students this year to the competition over at TCAT, which we really appreciate. I'm going to shout out TCAT for hosting that, allowing us to use their facility for that event um, for several years in a row. Now, our uh, individual first pace winners for the autopsy exam were Taylor Penn. Uh, Rachel Swain won the law exam. Our crime scene quick search team was Tyler Tappert, Rally Parmener, Piper Smith, Brook Sparks, and Madison Hodgej. Our non-felony traffic stop winner was Olivia Anderson.
030Fingerprints was Tyler Tappert and Riley Parmentor. Cast molds was Kaylin Smith and Kobe Blevens. We had individual event second place finishers were Sage Rose in the non-felony traffic stop, Alen Blandon in handcuffing, Madison Barnett and Brianna Miller in the tactical building search, Piper Smith and Brook Sparks in the crime scene sketch, as well as forensic anthropology was Taylor Penn and Brooks Sparks. And that's these kids worked all fall semester preparing in coach Pres's class as well as my own prepping for all these events. They were judged by professionals in the field. So, we had agents from TBI, all the local sheriffs and police departments, Tennessee Highway Patrol. Um, so they did a great job and that's really all I can say about that and I appreciate y'all for having us. Thank you. [applause] [applause] >>
031[applause] >> As long as we're still doing CTE, then I'll let Mr. Lee Cole come up and talk about the construction class. And this was a Skills USA event held at Northeast State. And Mr. Cole, I think, is doing show and tell tonight. So, come on up, >> Samuel. >> [snorts] >> This is what they're handed and they have a pile of two and they a piece of plywood and they have to take this on and they have to set that figure and make it legal. They say this drawing this wall has put in line They do this right there. I sophomore year to a few learn. small [laughter] class. That's not too much on a regular class, but when you start I didn't have a class one be right. appreciate y'all very much support
032with a partner belt. >> [laughter] [applause] >> And yes, guys, thank you for supporting us in criminal justice construction and everything else you do. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you. And last but not least, I guess it's Mr. Coach Right. Coach Rot, come on up and talk about elementary cross country. >> I want to thank the high school too. They uh Mr. Cole students. We had a old We got a new digital sign and they took the old one and sort of refurbished it and uh he said that was 100% student project and I tell you that thing will survive a hurricane. I guarantee it. It's so heavy we had got it up yet. We're going to have to reinforce where we're going to put it. But anyway, thanks for that. And and
033I know Mr. Aen, he uh had his students with the welding uh get us some basketball goals on our new court. So we we appreciate all the high school does and and and and even the cross country and track uh have did a elementary school race for our for us this year which was great first ever. So we had elementary students from um her McCormack and East Side and Westside. But to this year cross country was a historic year. It's always been the Wildcat Running Club. Uh but this year we are the Cyclone running club. And so we included both her McCormack east side and west side and that's great and we're going to do that again. So they the other students again what you know if you look at football basketball any successful high
034school program has got a strong feeder program and so that's what we're trying to do is produce a feeder program you know and it was great to see some of my uh former Wildcat runners uh up here and but I'm going to really love seeing man I'm like all those guys uh were part of the wildcat running club from east side hermic and west side we're all cyclones you know so so This was this was our jersey this year. We shed the red and everybody got to wear orange and so they can move it on. Uh could my um cross country wild or not wildcat but our cyclone runners come on up here and stand? Um, so all right, when you guys really dressed up there, I [laughter] So, um, we had and also not
035only did we have a historic year with having all the elementary schools run, um, but we also we did 10 races. These guys did 10 races. And so that's that's pretty impressive. Um, and these are part of the team. We had nine qualify for the elementary school state meet which was held in Knoxville this year. I think last year it was in Memphis, wasn't it? And so fortunately it was in Knoxville this year. And then we had I believe um eight girls qualify and they have to run at um the Trailblazer Classic. That is the qualifying race. And so the they these guys are the ones that qualified. And so and and these are the ones that were able to uh show up. But and and like I said, we uh had the high school
036do an all city cross country um event and we had more than just our cross country kids. And so we're we're looking forward to, you know, and another thing, you know, Bella, she is at a lot of our races and she's not just watching, she's encouraging these girls. Love that. Reese, same thing. Reese is, you know, you think she's part of our, you know, team still and well, she still is, you know, and so I I love seeing the high school students um come and encourage these kids. But I've just got a certificate for you guys here. So, Eli Baker, how these guys We have a lot really strong fourth grade group this year. So, we're hoping to come back even stronger. And another thing that's great is these last [laughter] part of the cross
037country team that won. We had one of the races and whoever won next year and so they made a rule two years [laughter] and Laurel here had an exceptional year. She's a fifth grader. lose her go to junior high and she's going to do great things too. But she ran 12 straight races this year and won them all [applause] going into the state. They had her possibly one that would win and she almost did. She was in second a good state and then right near the end there was a group of them and she ended up coming in six phenomenal. I mean you've got girls from Nashville area all coming and doing Hopefully all these all these guys are really exceptional. >> [applause] >> First, we really do appreciate everybody being here, the attendance. I
038mean, we love our student athletes, our students in clubs. It takes a lot of people, a lot of dedication, and we appreciate you being here. Um, if you want to stay, there is a very short agenda. You're welcome at this time if you'd like to leave. We'll take a couple of minute break. Okay, we'll go ahead and get started. Again, it's time for the director's update. Mr. Van Hus, thank you very much. Uh, just a quick update here on a few things. Um, first of all, I wanted to let you know another we've talked a lot about some uh student awards and recognitions and recently our Elizabeth and High School CNA certification uh uh CNA team students had an opportunity to complete their certification exam and I wanted to report that there were we had
039a 94% pass rate on that which is exceptional. So, we have 16 new CNAs that are Elizabeth and High School students who will be uh ready to go into those roles and some of them are already working now. So, I just want to give a shout out to Miss Meyer and Miss Duggar for all their work and our students work. It's just a tremendous program. So, congratulations to them. Also, you may have seen that the state released ACT test results and the state composite was a 19.3 and Elizabeth and city school students have a have a composite of 20.0. So, we're well above the state average in that and just continue to be very proud of uh of the work that our students are doing there and staff as well. So, that's that's fantastic and
040uh we will just continue to work on that and and and hope to grow that even more. Uh want to thank everyone that was able to attend the uh ribbon cutting at the RCAP last month. It was a great event. It was a great time to celebrate uh the facility and what it's going to mean to our students all across the system. So thank you for support and ma and your support in making that a reality and as well as being there to celebrate with us. Also wanted to let you know that um you may remember uh about a year ago we were approached by a production company that was interested in doing a documentary on the murder 101. Uh some of the works our students uh did there at the high school on some
041unsolved cases. Um, and wanted to let you know that they'll be doing a premiere of that documentary at the Sundance Film Festival in Colorado in uh, January of 26, so here in another month or so. So, we're going to have some representatives that will be out there for that as well. So, we'll have some more information on that as it as it becomes available. Uh, some exciting things there, hopefully some exciting news to share again around that in the future as well. But anytime we have a chance to showcase the work that our students do, it's a great thing. And anytime that brings recognition to the community, that's just just a bonus. But uh again, more to come on that in the future. Uh as you know, Christmas break begins tomorrow. Uh certainly want to
042wish everyone a merry Christmas and a and a happy new year there. And we'll uh report back on January the 5th. Teachers will for a work day and then a professional development day. And the first day for students will be Wednesday the 7th. Last thing I'd like to do is welcome Tyler Williams. He's going to be our new finance director. Wave your hand there, Tyler. >> So, he did such a great job uh in audits, we just decided to hire him. So, uh but we're excited to have him. I think the only person that's maybe more excited than him being here is Miss Wilson. The fact that she's not going to be here. So, we're uh we hate to lose her certainly, but wish her well in retirement. She she has another month, so we're
043going to get our money's worth out of [laughter] it. between now and then. So that is my report. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Van Hus. Any board members? Anything to report? >> I would like to say a thank you to all the music teachers and the band directors for the beautiful music they put out in the community this Christmas season. I went and saw the preschool yesterday and that's that's a takes a village. I mean, my goodness. But it was it was so good. and uh Harold McCormack show choir at the tree lightining. They just did. I mean, it was phenomenal the job they did there. But >> it's just we've got a great music department school systemwide. So, we just want to say thank you to all the hard work that they
044put into >> fine arts really strong. I was able to go to the the combined band concert with the TA Doug and this is the first time they've had all three bands, the beginner band at TA Duggar, the advanced band, and then of course the high school. And >> it's always a highlight for me whenever I'm able to go to that. It just kind of signals the season is here. So just always impressed with what our students are able to do. >> Also, just a reminder that yearly form that we fill out as board members is due the end of January. You'll get an email from the state and it's you just have to fill that out and turn that in. I know you you gotten yours yet. >> Yes, you have. >> Yes, I
045have. >> Yeah. Well, just means you're running again. Um so, um so just sign it. That's all you have to do. And also you have uh Mr. Van Hus's evaluation forms there in front of you if you'll get that back to me by next meeting. Um time for city council report. Mr. Sim >> you're No, we're we're good. >> We always now that you now that you put it that way. Yeah. [laughter] >> All right. Yeah. All right. >> Can't see through the >> Thank Thank you again for all you have done. um student liaison. >> Yes. >> So since our last meeting, I had the opportunity to attend an international conference on education with a group of teachers and administrators. So we presented about our school and one of the things that makes us
046unique, which is our commitment to the community and engagement, especially our growing workbased learning program. And I was just amazed at the variety of schools and organizations that showed up and they were just like, "How can we do this? how can we be more engaged with our community because we like what you're doing >> and so alongside that we attended sessions led by these other schools and organizations and brought back some ideas that we're >> working on >> because we have a great system here and we're only working to make it better >> and we recently finished some projects in our courtyard. It's looking great. I was worried about we put down green turf and I was worried about it looking weird but it looks fantastic. The color beautiful and our CT department completed tables.
047So, we've now we've had outdoor seating and this whole space was used for an SJ sponsored event, the cycle and chill out, where students got to leave fifth period and go hang out, buy some drinks. It was a cool event. And also recently, I've been looking to a proposed code from the Tennessee State Board that will cut world language credits. And talking to teachers and students, we believe that it has potential to affect future generations in a large way. So, I'm hoping to get some perspective from the student body that can bring to our next meeting. >> Great. >> That's it for me. >> Well, thank you. >> Couple things. So, Helen, I just want to know in your house, does everyone have is it required to run cross country? I mean, is that required?
048>> And I don't >> Babies walk to school every day and home every day. I don't care if it rained, snow, heat wave. >> Yeah. >> It's the hacket training program. [laughter] Yeah, >> whether you like it or not, right, >> it works. >> And I don't think Helen's not going to brag on herself, but the word is from the uh conference that she attended that she stole the show. She was she was the show at the conference. So, we're very proud of you and congratulations. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Okay, now time to move to the regular agenda. Uh the one item is a big item for us. So, Again, uh the item is to approve the following teachers being recommended for tenure. From Eastside Elementary, Hannah Starky and Casey Waters from Harold McCormack
049Elementary, Macy Finger and Rebecca Hornyak from and Kendra Killian from TA Duggar, William Duggar. And from Elizabeth and High School, Jerry Aen, Timothy Blevens, and Gary Harrison. Can I get a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> And a second. I'll take one of those as a second. Okay. >> Um, this is always a fun time. So, it's a a lot of work. There's a there's a lot more requirements on gaining tenure now than there were uh in past years. You know, the it's changed quite a bit in the last six to seven years. And so to be to this point, they have to have certain scores on their evaluation uh annual evaluations and there's criteria for that. So very proud of these and as you uh if you don't know these individuals, you
050should. They're some of the cream of the crop in our district. So we're very proud of them and again that's a huge accomplishment as well. And if we could uh after we vote, if you all will step forward, we would like to snap a picture as well. So >> congratulations. >> Okay. All right. [applause] >> So again, the motion is to approve the individuals that I read earlier to receive tenure. All those in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> And there are none. Congratulations. That's a big deal. >> All right. [applause] All right. Coming if you'll come on up. Let's get a picture of those. >> So, I'm trying to figure out. So, this is Okay. [laughter] Yeah. Yeah. Okay. The Okay. [applause] Again, congratulations for all your hard work. That's a big
051deal to get to this point. Um, next regularly scheduled board meeting will be held Thursday, January 19th, 2026 here in the M. Pierce boardroom at 5:30. Can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion. Everybody have a great evening.