001Time to call the November Elizabeth and Board of Education to order. Uh, thank you everyone for being here tonight. Um, at this time I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Van Hus and he'll lead us in a moment of silence in the pledge. >> Would you please stand? Please pause for a moment of silence. Thank you. >> Attention. Salute. Pledge. >> I pledge algiance 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. It's now time to approve the consent agenda and the regular agenda. Can I get a motion to approve? >> Motion. >> Take motion and I'll take Bob as a second. Uh any questions? Anything need to be moved or to the regular? Okay.
002If not, the motion is to approve consent agenda and regular agenda. All those in favor say I. I. Any opposed? And there are none. It's time for citizens to speak. No one asked to speak before the board tonight. We'll move on now to special recognition. And I'll turn that over again to Mr. Van Hus. Thank you. Um, we have two recognitions tonight. So, at this time, if we could have Miss Turby from the high school to come forward along with Hannah Daniels and going to uh share some information about our systemwide Christmas card and the artwork. Tonight we are recognizing a student whose work reminds us of what it is to be creative and truly believe in it. Hannah is a senior at Elizabeth and High School and I've had a privilege of teaching her
003for two classes at drawing and set design. Uh she is a outstanding, very talented uh well-rounded student in the visual and performing arts. She has performed in Sherlock Holmes, Beetlejuice, Into the Woods. She has placed sixth in the state in a humorous interpretation for speech and debate. She has over 200 merit points in national speech and debate, which I am not a public speaker. [laughter] That's very impressive. >> Uh last year, I actually selected her uh self-portrait drawing that she did in charcoal uh to send to the Tennessee National uh Congressional Show. And I think that demonstrates her artistic ability. So last year I approached Hannah and asked her to come up with some uh sketches and ideas for the holiday card. She took the word Christmas and turned it into this beautiful drawing behind
004me. It stands out because it reflects thoughts, effort, creativity, and heart. And I think that it's a beautiful example of what Hannah can do. But what makes Hannah remarkable isn't just her artistic talent and eye for detail. It's the way that she steps into every role and job with purpose. She's a really true uh student leader. So this fall, she wasn't just part of the Beetlejuice production. Uh she helped hold it all together as the stage manager and costume coordinator. She performed on stage, managed the chaos backstage, um, and collaborated with the set design to create artwork and sculptures for the show. And I think all managing all of that is just really impressive. Um, I think also the most inspiring part is where she's headed next. uh she graduates this year and I think
005she has plans to go to SCAD and go into arts and drama education. So she's also a future educator. So tonight we're celebrating more than just a Christmas card. We're celebrating a young artist and future educator. And I know that I'm extremely proud. I know that Miss Foster's really proud and Miss Malone. I've talked to all of them today. And so please join me in congratulating her on her beautiful design that we're using this year. And uh we're just really proud of you. [applause] >> And so she did have a question if she could get a copy of >> Oh, absolutely. >> Okay. >> Yeah. You You want an actual card? Would you like an actual card or you want the Oh, yeah. Absolutely. Here you Oh, >> there's one. [laughter] >> We have a
006bunch more, too, if you want some more. >> Here's another one if you want it. [laughter] >> If y'all don't mind. Yeah. Come over. Let's Let's take your picture. Yeah, that'd be great. >> That's awesome. >> Super cool. >> Yeah. No, that's great. >> [applause] >> So, just to give you an idea, this is the second year we've uh had this a system Christmas card with artwork from students. And this year, just so you know how the selection process went, we had several submissions from students across the district. And we brought them before a pretty um demanding and strict judging group. It included everyone here at the central office and so they basically got to look through all of them and vote on the one that was selected and of course Hannah's was selected. So
007congratulations. >> Next up if we would like to recognize the 2025 version of the Betsy band as uh we are so excited about the season they had and bringing home another state championship to Elizabeth. And so Mr. for Valentine. >> Yes. Thank you guys once again so much for having us and for all your support over the years and uh over the course of our year. It was another fantastic year as Mr. Van Hus said for the Betsy Band winning our fourth state championship in a row. Um, and we started off the year by going down to Inca, North Carolina and getting to go to that contest. We wanted to go to it last year. We didn't get to because of the hurricane. So, we were excited to get to go back um to to
008that one and we got first place overall in that contest. Uh, then we went to James F. Burns in South Carolina to go to a competition to have some some really fantastic judging and compete against some highc caliber bands. We ended up getting fourth place overall in that contest. And then we came back and went to the the BOA regional at Johnson City that we typically like to go to. A regional championship being only 15 minutes away from us is kind of a no-brainer. Um so we went to that one and we were third in our class and uh managed to finish 12th overall was really strong. And then we got to host our band competition which this is the fourth time we've gotten to do that since I've been here. And and um and
009we got to host 21 awesome bands including the Marching Bucks. performed an exhibition and uh had a a great time at that event this year. And then we went down to Stewart's Creek High School um for the state championship division 2 um which is for schools of a thousand less students and the the preliminary performance was a fantastic performance and great elements and then that night it decided that there was going to be a giant storm come through and they decided to have the band contest anyway. So, we uh literally weathered the storm um as they performed in finals. But the be one of the things that I'm the most proud about them is just how they responded to that. I mean, how they responded to that uh event. It was cold. It was wet.
010It was miserable. But we probably had one of our best and most fun and most memorable nights that night. At least until we finished performing and then it just went back to being cold and miserable. after the adrenaline was was done. But uh they responded in a way that I it was a really it was a very memorable part of my career so far because that performance was electric. I mean it was truly spectacular and that performance and the way that they responded to that adversity was what won them the state championship. And so before you tonight, we brought some of our leadership, our seniors, some of our captains and section leaders and and uh and people that decided to come join us. And some of them are wearing all their medals, which I'm sorry
011about your moment of silence there earlier as we were clanging them together. Um but this will be the senior class that goes down as undefeated state champions for four state championships in four years. Um which is definitely a Betsy first. And uh so we're really really proud of them and their hard work. I'm grateful for our senior class as they um go off. Of course, we still have them for a semester so I don't say goodbye too soon, but um we go off and uh and do great things and we're really excited for them and thankful for them as they continue to uh uphold the the excellence of the past and the future. So yeah, congratulations guys. Let's come up here and take a picture. [applause] >> [applause] >> Yeah, two better. >> [applause] >>
012I just say we I don't think we ever want to get complacent certainly about winning a state championship and the ability to do that four years in a row and all the work that that takes. Um so again, thank you for your commitment and the pride you bring to Elizabeth and so thank you very much. >> This is the time normally when we say if if you want to stay, we do have a very short meeting, but I know people are very busy. But if you need to leave, this would be a good time to to skip on out. You're welcome. Uh but you're welcome to stay if you'd like. So >> have skip. Okay, it's now time for the director's update. So, Mr. Van Hus, we'll start with you. >> Thank you very much.
013Just a couple of items to uh draw your attention to. First of all, thank you for the opportunity to attend the TSBA annual convention last week in Nashville. Had a great time. We had 100% board participation, which I'm not sure if we've had the entire board there since I've been director. So, thank you all very much for taking time out of your busy schedules to do that. I think it was a great a great convention. Uh we had an opportunity to to spend a lot of great time and hear some great presentations of things going on across the state. Many of them that we're a part of. For instance, nice the nicewer foundation had a large [clears throat] part in the uh in the convention and sharing some of the things that they're doing there
014again that we're a part of. So, so thank you very much uh for allowing me to go with you and thank you for your attendance. And you you all may have some additional information you want to share uh about that experience as well. Just uh two or three other things here. uh you should have a copy of the ballot health academy annual report and just to remind you that is the uh academy that Elizabeth and city schools one of eight school districts that's participating in that in the nursing program and and the opportunities that's going to provide for our students to uh uh achieve their LPN before they graduate from high school. So that's a great publication they've put together there to show you some statistics, some things about the program. So I hope that
015that is beneficial and informative for you. Uh would also like to congratulate Dr. John Mitten who was uh selected as the Tennessee Association of Secondary School Principles as the East Grand Division Principal of the Year. So this is all the high school super or excuse me principles in the state of Tennessee. So he was the East Grand Division winner and then he was selected as the state winner. So, he is the state secondary school principal of the year. So, we're very happy for him. Did he try to Oh, there he is. Yeah, he's he's trying to hide over there. So, congratulations. [applause] So, he will have the opportunity to compete for the national secondary principal of the year in Washington DC in April. So, um we already know he's the national winner, but maybe maybe
016they'll tell us that as well. So again, embarrassment has now stopped. So we'll move on. So >> uh last thing I would like to draw your attention to is to remind you that we will have the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Dave Ryder Center for Athletic Performance, the RCAP. That's tomorrow at 1:00. And feel free to go ahead and pull around behind the school and park in the new parking lot and uh and we can just enter there and should be a great time. Really looking forward to that. if you've not had a chance uh to to be in the facility yet, it is just it's super nice. The students again are already using it. The the benefits are just amazing. Uh I don't know how often this happens, but I was at the high
017school yesterday. It was about 4:15. I was leaving. I'd been talking with Dr. Mitten and we came out of his office and Coach Whitten was walking down the hall. You know where he was going? He was going home. And you know why? because he was able to go in there with the students, uh, the football team, do their workouts, and he was ready to go home by that time when, which normally may be five or six o'clock, which means students are there that late as well. So, just the opportunity that we can that this facility provides to give students back some time with family and friends is invaluable. So, that's just one of the many benefits uh to that, but thought I would share that. So, look forward to seeing everyone there tomorrow at 1:00.
018That's my report. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Van Hus. Uh, it's now time for board members, board member reports. And again, like he said, I know we've had an opportunity, so any any board member that'd like to share if there was something that sticks out from the convention, we did have to suffer at the Gaylord Opry for three or four days. Um, but we did it because we love the system. And um so but anyway, anybody have anything that stuck out that they I what I would say overall that's the best collective group of speakers that I can remember maybe uh being there I just they kept knocking it out of the park. So but anybody want to share anything? >> I think like what you said on that it was it was almost
019hard the breakout sessions it was hard to choose. There were two or three that over overlapped. It's like, man, I wish I could, you know, go to. But for me, it was definitely a delegate assembly, like we were talking about earlier. That was the first time to get to do that. And that was really interesting just to see um like you said, Eddie, it was a big big board meeting, but it was it was very interesting just to see how all that works out that, you know, each system can kind of propose a proposal and kind of got a little a lot of opinions thrown out there. So, that was that part was was also very I mean, you know, it was nice to be able to hear though >> both sides of of the
020issue and then occasionally they had some of the TSBA attorneys weigh in on. >> So, very very interesting opportunity to do that. >> Yeah. Every everybody in Tennessee doesn't think the same way >> obviously not there there are pockets I mean it's so it is interesting to hear the difference. It was I enjoyed that a lot. >> I was just going to say that's again that's the opportunity where they set the >> the kind of their legislative focus for the year. So it's as you say it's it's very important. It's democracy at work. >> It definitely was. Yep. >> Yeah. So so again and we as board members and we don't necessarily >> I don't remember a time that we've necessarily had something. We really depend on TSBA. But if we had an issue that's
021the way we can affect change. any of us could have a resolution and work with our attorneys to be able to do that if we felt like something wasn't right, something needed a tweak, something needed a change, and we could have have it presented the same way. Um, so again, keep that in mind uh in the changing world that we're in. So, we do have the opportunity to do that as well. Anyone else? >> Mr. Plus, I would add um I was as a new board member uh was drinking from a fire hydrant a bit with all the the information coming at us. I was struck by the challenges facing public education in Tennessee, which are significant. But I wanted to share I went to a session about tutoring. And I was so proud that
022repeatedly the Elizabeth and City School System was called out. And this session, they didn't know any of us were in there. I guess they didn't recognize me. [laughter] >> Been the only person only person in national celebrity. [laughter] No, [snorts] >> they uh repeatedly called out Elizabeth in high school and they then went on to also call out Richard Van Hus as being someone who has been an exemplary leader according to the Niswalker Foundation. So, of course, I was filled with pride and then I began to worry and so I circled the room and I said,"Don't even think about it to other schoolboard members." But, uh, it was wonderful to hear, uh, our school system really praised in a meeting out of nowhere for the work that's been done. So, congratulations to you all. >>
023As always, the children were the highlight performing for us at the meeting and stuff. They were we were there Sunday morning and there was a group that they were from Bradley County. We were and all their their high school high school. I talked to the parents. They were seventh and eighth graders and they were pretty amazing singing and dancing and pretty impressive. >> Enjoyed it. >> It was great. >> Anything dear? >> Well, I just there are certain people you all if you get a chance look up Orion Jean. Um he's 15year-old kid. um who kind of was one of the first people just I mean in front of 800 uh school board members under director of school just he has a project just his focus is about being kind and it's acts of kindness
024so he was unbelievable and then uh Jeff Henderson who's a Chick-fil-A kind of exec or marketing guru just these people everything they say can apply to you know to a business or to a school system or whatever. And they're worth looking. I appreciate Mr. Van. He was he was on really quickly looking uh at potentially having them to come to an inservice or to a professional development day or something to be able to share because you walk out of there just uh really challenged. I mean, it just it I just like I said, I thought the speakers and the breakout sessions were excellent. So, all right. Anybody else? Okay, Mr. Simmerly, city council liaison. >> Well, I'm standing here listening to you guys say you were surprised. I'm not surprised. >> I'm not. I'm proud.
025>> That's because you're an old hat. [laughter] >> I only have one thing tonight. Again, I want to thank you. Thank you for doing what you do. We know how much you get paid for these jobs and uh but again, thank you for what you do every day. Um, I just want to remind you we have volunteer hours for students at the Carter Compassion Center. Carter Compassion Center, we have full-time people who are staffed and work there every day. So, if we have students come in, there will be an adult there with them. So, just want again, it's just we need we need a little help and if they need some hours, this is a great opportunity for them to come in and get their their work hours to Carter Compassion Center. It's a great
026organization, good people. Uh it's just a an opportunity for these students to kind of understand there's other people in our community that need help. >> And it's and it's might even be some of the students they go to class with. But again, it's just it's a great program, great opportunity, but again, it's an opportunity for these students. If they need some hours, we'll uh we'll work with them. Be glad to have them. I've got a student, Lilianne Harden. Little shout out to her. Uh she's working on a project with another group I work with with Keep Carter County Beautiful. and she's doing a beautifification project on Tweetsy Trail and she and I are working together with a couple other people and we're going to be planting some shrubbery, maybe some trees, some flowers and so
027she's kind of got a little uh laid it in her lap and she's kind of done a little draw up and she'll present that to us soon, >> but we're going to be going and purchasing some things come spring and do some planning with her. So, we're again it's just the students that we have in our our organization. We're so proud of them. And that's one of her student projects she's doing. I think she's a senior this year, >> but she's doing that as a project for school to again beautify our community and give back. And that's why that's why y'all are sitting there. You're giving back >> and here's a young lady doing that as well. Proud of >> Thank you for your time. >> Is there is there a good contact person uh
028at the Carter Compassion? >> You you can contact me or you can contact just go online Carter Compassion Center uh phone number. We have website, phone number, as well as uh >> should be a couple three names that you can contact on there. Okay, great. >> I don't want I know who works there full-time, but I don't want to give out her name because maybe she's not there. >> No problem. Okay. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And again, our student liaison was not able to be here tonight, but I will brag on her as she was a cross country runner and they finished very high in the state and she had a really good time. So, I I appreciate her efforts there. She is a busy uh young
029lady to say the least. It's now time for the regular agenda. First item on the agenda is to approve the 26 27 school year calendar. Can I get a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion and a second. >> Second. >> I got you. Thank you. All right. Um Mr. Vaness, I know it's just a couple of tweaks. Is that >> Yeah. So I think we moved a I think we moved a professional development day was the only change that we made and so this will go out as the the final version. There's always again just to remind you how this process works. We have at least two representatives from every school and we meet as a committee and go through the process uh to develop a calendar each year and we work
030two years ahead. So we are we've already met and started working on 2728 but always right before that year starts we like to look at it and make sure there's not some new information that we have that we need to tweak on that as well. And this is something that Mr. Thompson is is now u taking care of and leading leading that work. So so that was I think the only change that we made. Uh and again we're we continue to work with input from those teachers for 2728. We try to do that because uh we get lots of information, lots of requests from family members who may only be able to take vacation certain times and so the earlier they can know that and try to schedule that and so we understand how important
031that is and so we try to give them uh something to look at to have some idea. There's lots of always questions around fall break and spring break and when those would potentially be and and we also try to take into account certainly during football season what what our schedule our football schedule looks like home schedule uh when you think about if we're on break and we have a home game we need workers in order to to to host the game and sometimes that's challenging if we're out on on fall break. So all those things kind of play into the schedule and and pretty much what you see before you is is almost kind of become pretty standard for us. Uh we have a couple of days off around uh November when election days typically
032are uh you know just some of those things. Christmas break uh we we always take again one full week for fall break, three days at Thanksgiving, a full week of spring break and that kind of depends on where it falls each year on the calendar. Um, you know, certainly around Good Friday as well, we typically take Good Friday off. So, as you notice on this calendar, that lines up for the same week, but that doesn't always happen. So, there's always nuances to every calendar. So, any any questions about about this one? All right. The item is to approve the 26 2026 2027 school year calendar. All those in favor say I. >> I. And any opposed? There are none. Last item on the agenda, approve waiver of policies for Harbor Freight Tools for Schools grant
033award to teacher. Can I get a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Okay, I got a motion and a second. >> Second. >> Okay. Um, go ahead. M. >> Sorry. My apologies. So, uh, just to remind you, if you remember, there was, uh, last month, uh, Jerry Aen at the high school had written a grant proposal to Harbor Freight Tools for Schools for a $100,000 grant. And as you know, uh, he he won that particular award. Part of the grant request from Harbor Freight Tools for Schools was that the instructor get a portion of those funds directly. And so in talking with the comp controller as well as Miss Owen, our board attorney, and looking at policies that we have in place, um we felt there were two policies that could potentially be
034in conflict with that. There's actually three because there's one policy that talks about when people make a, you know, any kind of a donation or something like that to the school system, there's the expectation they have some input on where that those funds go. So we have that and then requesting that being made. then you have some uh since it involves an employee you have some policies that may could potentially come under and be in question. So there are two policies 5.10 talks about compensation and talks about that those salaries may be paid from revenue uh you know from from tax revenue and things like that. So there was that were there were some concerns about whether or not a donation could be something like this. It's more like an award could be used for
035that. So the one recommendation is for this particular situation that we suspend policy 5.110 and then there's one another policy 5.605 that talks about staff gifts and solicitations and talks about that they're prohibited from receiving certain things of monetary value. So in suspending these two policies just for this particular situation that would allow us to meet their request for dispersion of these grant funds. So again, this is just a one-time thing for this particular situation. Typically, things like that that we that grants that we receive don't necessarily have that component, but at the end of the day, he took the onus and and responsibility to write that uh write that grant and do that. Others have that opportunity certainly as well. So that's my recommendation to you that you consider this and and approve this
036suspension, this one time suspension. I mean the question is it just suspended until that is complete? >> Yeah, the the item is specifically just about this particular award. And just for reference, if you look at board policy 1.600, that's the policy development and adoption policy. And it says any board policy or part thereof may be suspended either by unanimous unanimous vote of the board members present or by twothirds vote on the total membership of the board. So the last time we suspended policies. If you remember during the cword during COVID, there were several policies that we had to suspend in order to do business uh in that emergency situation. So, it's something that the board uh you know has done from time to time. But I do appreciate the fact it's not a regular occurrence
037that the board does that. You know, we we try very hard to stick to policy, but in this particular situation, my recommendation is that you consider approving this. >> Okay. comments or questions there. All right. The motion is to approve waiver of policies for Harbor Freight tools for schools grant award to teacher. All all those in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? And there are none. Motion carries. All right. Next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December the 18th here in the Mac. Pierce boardroom at 5:30. Can I get about tomorrow >> and yes and the R the R >> R A R A R A R A R A R A R A R A R A R A >> cap R cap R A R A RP pack I can't get it
038right. No. All right. At 1:00, get a motion to dismiss. >> Motion. Y'all have a good evening. >> Okay. Thank