001[music] Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Hey. [music] [music] All right, we're going to we're about 1 minute away. So, if we [music] could get people to their seats. [cough] >> All right, welcome to all of you. And can we have roll call? >> [clears throat] >> Chairman Smith, >> Vice Chairman Keane >> here, >> Mrs. Black >> here, >> Mr. Connor >> here, >> Mr. Dhy, >> Mr. Gro >> here, >> Mrs. Haden >> here, >> Mrs. Jones >> here, >> Mr. Schaefer, >> Mr. Slater >> here, >> Miss Thomas >> here, >> superintendent Dr. Robertson >> here. How many do you think we have? >> All right. So, if I could have uh we need a motion to approve our agenda. >> Motion. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >>
002Thank you, >> Mr. King. We need to mark that red line item off. >> Uh yes, that's all right. So, I don't we don't have to add that on there, but uh again, mark the 101 a >> 10 a1 >> or 10 a1, >> excuse me, >> off there. and we don't need to add that in our thing. So, all right. So, we'll take roll call. >> Mrs. Black, >> yes. >> Mr. Connor, >> yes. >> Mr. Gro, >> yes. >> Mrs. Haden, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jones, >> yes. >> Mr. Slater, >> yes. >> Miss Thomas, >> yes. >> Mr. Keem. >> Yes. All right. And the executive session. We don't have anything there. So, I'd like to recognize Ruth Pullman, principal of McConnell Elementary School. If you would, she's going to lead us
003in our uh meditation and our pledge. So, thank you for being here, Ruth. >> Thank you. Please stand for the pledge. >> 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. >> Good evening and thank you. I am Ruth Pullman and I have the privilege of serving as the principal at McConnell Elementary School. I would like to take a brief moment to recognize and thank our school board members. Beginning January 25th, we observe school board appreciation week in Tennessee. And it is important that we publicly acknowledge the time, dedication, and service each of you provides to our students, staff, and community. Serving on a school board is not an easy
004task. As you know, it requires long hours, careful decisionmaking, and a deep commitment to doing what is best for students, often while balancing complex challenges, and competing perspectives. Your work frequently happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt every day in our classrooms, our schools, and across our district. Your leadership helps shape the vision and direction of our schools. Through your support of educators, your advocacy for students, and your focus on continuous improvement, you help ensure that our schools remain places where students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Because of your service, teachers are supported, families are heard, and students are given opportunities to thrive. On behalf of our administrators, teachers, staff, students, and families, thank you for your willingness to serve, to listen, to lead. Thank you for the thoughtful decisions, the difficult
005decisions you make, the thoughtful questions you ask, and the steady guidance you provide to our district. We are grateful for your commitment to public education and for the partnership we share in serving our community. Please know that your efforts are appreciated not just this week but throughout the year. Thank you for your service and thank you for your continued dedication to the public schools and students in Hamilton County. Thank you. >> Thank you. [applause] All right. Now, I'd like to recognize our illustrious Mr. Tim James, athletic director. >> All right. Greetings, vice chair and distinguished board members. Um, I'd like to follow up with the previous sentiments with this being the uh the month of National School Award recognition. Thank you guys and ladies for for all you do for education in Hamilton County and
006in particularly from a from an athletic standpoint. really appreciative of of all this board has done and doc Dr. uh Robertson and his staff to to advance athletics in Hamilton County. We we've made some great strides over the past four years in in in that in and made some uh some serious inroads. So, thank you and thank you Dr. Robinson. We're here. We're here tonight. Uh we're going to celebrate uh something we generally don't bring middle school individual champions, but now that we have joined the TMSAA and all sports are championship sports except for football. Uh so I I thought it'd be fitting that we recognize uh our Hamilton County champion football team uh in front of the board. It's uh it's quite a task. Middle school football is very competitive in the Chattanooga area.
007And this year, uh, the Tiner Ram train went six and 0. The middle school Ram went 6-0 in regular season and then 2 and 0 in the postseason tournament that they have. Uh, we're here to recognize them uh, as the 202526 Middle School Football League Champion. Uh they are represented by their school board member uh Miss Christa Mosley, um community superintendent Dr. Maris Stewart, uh executive principal Rashad Williams, and their athletic director, Mr. Damian Settles. Uh I'm going to introduce uh the coaches that are here and and the the kids in a minute, but I would like to to read this uh statement prior to that. It is with the highest pride and admiration that we recognize Tiner Middle Academy for exemplifying resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. Uh this I'm going to
008as a side note, this program has played on every road game over the past three and a half years have been on the road. They've not had a home game. Uh next year will be their first home game in their new stadium. So that's a lot to overcome as as a team where you're always playing on the road. So all all all visitor all their wins were on the road. Uh through discipline, execution and relentless aggressive play this program has demonstrated the true qualities of champions. Their commitment to excellence sets a standard worthy of emulation by all programs. Tiner Middle Academy is proudly building champions both on and off the field. So uh at this time I would like to call out the coaches that are present, the players. if you uh gentlemen will will
009create an arc right here. We're going to have a trophy presentation from your uh from your schoolboard member from your your district and get a photo opportunity. But let's without further ado, let's go ahead and recognize their head coach. They couldn't do it without him. Coach Melvin White [applause] have two coaches not present. Their next coach is Michael Mccamey that is present. [applause] And I think at last count we had 16 of their 47 team members here. I'm going to introduce these uh young men. If you'll hold your applause till the very end. Uh we we want to definitely recognize and make sure everybody can hear their their students names. So Mr. Riley Wadley, Mr. Terrence Bledsoe, get this one. Michael Jordan. >> Uh Lean Lyle, Jamarion Mafett. Uh Caleb uh Piner, Landon Thompson, Mr.
010Luke Haddock, Dallas Keith, and one looks kind of like him, Timothy Keith, twin brothers, uh Jabari Tate, Landon Forte, Braxton Grant, Roland Price, and Naraj Lewis. [applause] >> [applause] >> We got one more name. Courtney. >> Courtney Nelson. Got here a little bit late. Okay, Courtney. [applause] Let's Let's go ahead and move you guys over here. Yeah, we can get a few in the middle right hereentleent over here. All right. >> Come closer so we won't be in the >> picture. All right. >> One, two, three. >> It's okay to smile and give it a number one. All right. All right. Congratulations. Thank you for [applause] >> You got to You got to shake everybody's hand now. You got to remember you're you're talking to football players. >> Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Give
011you the congratulations. >> Congratulations. people. >> Congratulations. >> Quit trying to scout my kids later. >> [laughter] >> They are thriving in district 5. >> He trying to scout my kids. >> No. Okay. I thought you told me the people in the movie right here. >> [laughter] >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah, I know cuz it's show going around that blue. >> Congratulations, Tiner Middle. So, at this time, we'd also like to recognize an exemplar from Alpine Crest Elementary. Mr. Ben Connor, school board representative for District 6, will >> take it from here. Come on up, y'all. Everybody get on. Come on. Come on. >> Come on. Yeah. >> I say I'm not going to talk too much. I'm going to let them do the introduction, but this is really awesome. I am I'm very proud.
012>> I had uh the mayor of Redbank reached out to me and let me know about uh how how this had turned out and I looked up and and learned about all the amazing things that the Beta Club had done. They are some really successful, really amazing students and I'm going to let um I'm going to let their educators explain their We've got uh >> Come on. You can't see me. >> I'm going to let you guys explain what. But I'm excited. I'm I'm just I'm excited that you guys are going to be participating in the state championship this summer. Um and that we will get to see more of your amazing actions. >> Good evening. I'm Kim Roden, the principal at Alpine Crest, and we're excited to be here to recognize our Beta Club.
013And I'm going to let our lead sponsor, Clarissa Williams, take over. >> Hi there. I'm Clarissa Williams, teacher and uh lead sponsor for a beta club at Alpine and Crest Elementary. Dr. Robertson, Chairman Smith, and board members, thank you for inviting the Alpine Crest Beta Club to your board meeting this evening. At the end of November, the members competed at the Tennessee State Convention in Nashville, Tennessee against thousands of other students in individual and group competitions. As one of the smallest clubs in attendance and the only active competing elementary club in Hamilton County, our students rose to the challenge, earning numerous awards and a bid to the National Beta Convention this coming summer. Last summer, [applause] last summer, they also brought home awards from the national convention in Orlando, Florida, competing against tens of thousands
014of Beta students nationwide. The awards our students earned at the state competition this previous November are as follows. Leon Dalton placed second for spelling. [applause] EMTT Ruvaba placed fifth for health and physical education. [applause] Asher Edwards placed third for color photography. [applause] Norah Reigns placed third for black and white photography. [applause] Uh we have one student who is not present this evening. Uziiel Solless Lopez placed fifth for digital art. [applause] And Jensen Eggglund also received the Dale R. Hughes Leadership Award, which [applause] which he was nominated for by his sponsors. Only one elementary student in the whole state receives this award. [applause] His drive and determination do not go unnoticed, and we are very proud of the ways in which he exemplifies the four pillars of Beta. We could not have fathomemed the reach our
015tiny but mighty club would have when we first began this journey, nor the incredible opportunities it would afford our members. Our members proudly uphold the values of this remarkable organization, and it is truly an honor to serve as their sponsors. Every school deserves a club like this. One that reminds students that they matter, their voices count, and their actions can create real change. Thank you for your time, and thank you for supporting the Alpine Crest Elementary Beta Club. >> Thank you. [applause] Yeah, I that's I'm laying the bar down right now, guys. That's District 6. That's Redbank right there. Bringing future leaders. >> Absolutely. [laughter] >> Absolutely. Come closer so y'all can us. Yeah, there you go. >> We was trying to make y'all hide us. [laughter] Congrats. >> Good job, guys. Congratulations. >> Congratulations.
016Look at you guys. Congrats. Good job. >> Good job. Congratulations. >> Good job. Congrats. Good job. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. like to remind people great students don't happen without great parents. So parents, thank you very much. [applause] Just >> have to take the microphone into the back. So, we will have our board disclaimer statement in just a moment. >> We have one on our board that does that. And here she is. >> Sorry. [laughter] >> Board disclaimer statement. I declare that I have a relative who works for the school system and that the board's vote on budget policies, etc. may have an effect on my relatives employment. Even so, I hereby certify that I will cast my vote in the best interest of the school system. >> Thank you very much. All right, we need a
017approval of the consent agenda. If I could have a motion in a second. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mary. Roll call. >> Mrs. Black, >> yes. >> Mr. Connor, >> yes. >> Mr. Gro, >> yes. >> Mrs. Haden, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jones, >> yes. >> Mr. Slater. >> Yes. >> Miss Thomas. >> Yes. >> Vice Chairman Keane. >> Yes. All right. And now at this time, uh, Dr. Brown, we're going to we're down to, uh, 10 B1. I think everything else we've approved. So, Dr. Brown, if >> Yes, sir. What you have in front of you is uh the update to our Pekka structure. Of course, this board approved the structure last month. This is just an update where we have um added a couple more members to each team, four members
018in in total. But by doing that, it puts us in a better position to strengthen the representation, but also u appropriate expertise. What we notice, I give you an example for our side, HCD, we've added a representative that really focus on exceptional education to make sure that we're honoring our teachers there. Uh we we've also added a board member liaison. Of course, Gary King would be uh that member. Again, it's a non voting member, but it gives them an opportunity to be a part of the process because ultimately our um this will be brought to you for a vote. But this is just an update for transparency. So, we'll need y'all to vote on those um um amendments. All right. >> So, if we could have uh motion to approve. >> Move to approve. Is
019that good? >> We've got a motion in a second. Let Can we call for the vote? >> Mrs. Black, >> yes. >> Mr. Connor, >> yes. >> Mr. Grown, >> yes. >> Mrs. Haden, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jones, >> yes. >> Mr. Slater, >> yes. >> Miss Thomas, >> yes. >> Vice Chairman Keane, >> yes. All right. So, also Mr. Brown. Uh, we have the revised retirey health benefit plan and summary description. >> Yes, sir. This is just for full transparency. Of course, we brought this to the board of last month, but we've included all the red lines so you can see the changes. We took it your advice and your suggestions or your directive and added that into our our policy. So, we're just asking for you to vote on the changes. >> All
020right. And do we have a motion? motion >> and any second. >> So this was the health benefit plan uh retirees if we addressed this last board meeting and had the discussion on it. They changed the wording. >> No, we cra we we tabled that. >> That's right. Never mind. So, we have a motion right now. >> Yes. >> We have a second. >> I'll second. >> Sorry. >> So, once we have a second, we can call for the question. >> We have a second from Mr. Oh, I didn't hear that. I'm sorry. Thank you, Mr. Gro. >> All right. So, we have a motion in a second. Do we have any questions on this? M >> Mr. Mr. King, just for clarity, this is uh item 10 B1, request for new and updated job
021class descriptions. Is that right? >> No, we're on 10B2 right now. >> B2. Okay. Um, >> for for the record, Mr. King, we do need to go back up to item 9A. >> Yes. When we were when we're done with this, I just Yeah. >> Yes. Miss Jones and Miss Moody gave me the look, [laughter] >> but it was a very nice look. >> Okay. Ready? >> Yes. We'll call for the >> So, we're v voting on the revised retirey health benefit plan. Yes. Summary description. Okay. Mrs. Black. >> Yes. Mr. Connor. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gran. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Haden? Yes. >> Mrs. Jones? >> Yes. >> Mr. Slater? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Thomas? Yes. >> Vice Chairman Keane. >> Yes. >> All right. So, now we're going a little out of order.
022We're going to go back to uh 9A. [cough] Uh second read proposed policy for uh our athletics committee and also naming. So, sorry about that. Do we have a motion to accept that? If you remember, uh, Mr. Slater brought that up at our last meeting. So, at a first read. Uh so again this is adding the athletics committee to our list of committees. And then the second one was the guidelines uh on how you now can name a field, a school uh possibly even as uh Ryan had mentioned uh maybe even questioning whether you can change a mascot or not. So certain guidelines. >> Do we have a motion? >> I'll make it. Second. >> All right. We have a motion in a second. So, can we call >> You got Ryan. >> Yes, sir.
023>> Yeah. I just wanted to speak to the um naming permanent facilities policy real quick. Um it's been over 12 months ago, you know, when I just came to this meeting as a student and I spoke behind the podium and talked about um just how I feel like this policy could have some stuff added to it in a few ways based off um an experience I'd seen and I'd had in district one. Um, so really, you know, I want to begin by saying I appreciate everybody's collaboration on this and um and talking to me about it and seeing, you know, kind of um where I was coming from. And I do feel like this is, you know, this shows how you all do value student voice and student input. And it's been so insightful to
024me to see, you know, all the way from the beginning of the process to the end of the process. So, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate everybody's help on this. Thank you very much. And I think the the thing you added most was making sure that community got involved in it. So that was very good point. >> All right, Mary. >> Mrs. Black, >> yes. >> Mr. Connor, >> yes. >> Mr. Gro, >> yes. >> Mrs. Haden, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jones, >> yes. >> Mr. Slater, >> yes. >> Miss Thomas, >> yes. >> Vice Chairman Keane, >> yes. All right. So, now we're back to 101, I think. Uh, just wanted to make sure somebody had a question uh with regards to where it says new and updated, it is not
025new positions, just renamed positions. Correct. >> Yes, sir. We actually have these are two job classes. And so, in alignment with board policy 5.103 and 5.101, 101. The first position there um or job class is just an update. It's already occupied. It's just um giving you a better idea what this person is doing dayto-day. And the second uh the exceptional education individual student support nurse. It is a new job class. Right now it does not exist. It's really a mix in the description what we call ancillary attendant. But this position in the future will need a mix of the ancillary attendant but also an LPN associated with it. Um so it's a new job class. So in the future on an existing position if we need to hire we're in position to hire for that
026for Miss Urban. And I'd like to bring one thing out. I so the EPB EP uh education preparation program now is that that is a separate program from grow your own program correct or is that now blended in with it? >> Yes sir. It's a it's part of our strategic strategy when it comes to talent acquisition. So our EBP as of now u you know our district was able to award license for our CTE educators um in a sense it's recruitment right we're bringing in the candidates we're actually able to license um to this board in November I brought you the job description of our administrator which has been very transparent about what that role looks like since we're in year two now this position that u that we already have filled is our actual
027in some ways it's a instructional coach that's uh attending to the 34 candidates that we have um in the program currently. >> All right. So, just board members, if you don't real the grow your own focuses mainly on uh math and science and now the EP is uh more CTE. Uh so, we're gradually hitting different programs that hit all the disciplines. So, >> yes, sir. So, it's all under our talent acquisition portfolio. >> Thank you very much. And all right, so I think we do need a vote on that. If we could uh have a motion to accept these. >> Motion. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion in a second. If we could call for the vote. >> Mrs. Black, >> yes. >> Mr. Connor, >> yes. >> Mr. Grown? >> Yes.
028>> Mrs. Haden? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Jones? >> Yes. >> Mr. Slater? >> Yes. >> Miss Thomas? Vice Chairman Keane. >> Yes. All right. So, we are now on to C1, approval of lease options for the Head Start sites. And uh if you'll find that we have three sites, Aendale, Cedar Hill, and Daisy. Uh and I know Dr. Yeah, Dr. Sharp, if you want to speak on that. >> Yeah, this this is a um one-year renewal or extension of an original lease that you all approved in 2024, and we're just extending extending it again for a year. You did this last January, same sites, uh standard extension. City council approved it uh last month, >> and these are on the calendar year, not our fiscal year, correct? January to December. Okay. All right. All right.
029>> Yes. Go ahead. >> I need to state that I recuse myself from this vote due to a conflict. >> All right. So, if we So, we're extending it for a year. If we could have a >> motion. Motion. Thank you. >> Second. >> All right. Motion in a second. Any questions? And thank you for, if you didn't know, Miss uh Mosley Jones is a part of that uh the Head Start program. So, she's going to [clears throat] pull herself out of it, but we still have enough here to get a majority. >> Mrs. Black, >> yes. >> Mr. Connor, >> yes. >> Mr. Gro, >> yes. >> Mrs. Haden, >> yes. >> Mr. Slater, >> yes. >> Miss Thomas, >> yes. Vice Chairman Keane. >> Yes. >> So, our next one is our dis
030district district-wide relighting project. If you remember, uh Mr. Whit brought that to us. That's uh regarding relighting for the public, relighting all of our schools. Uh yep, Mr. Whit is still here. I couldn't see you there for a second. Uh uh did you want to speak on that for just a minute or All right, Robert, Dr. Sharp. >> Yeah, this is the uh project that you all uh that Justin presented to you. I think it was at the last facilities committee meeting and >> uh Joe Graham is here tonight from the county commission. County commission approved this last night. >> So, >> I'm sorry, put it on the agenda last night. We'll approve it tonight and then they'll vote on it uh at their next um meeting. >> All right. And if and if you
031remember this was uh changing out they expected about a 6mon to 8month time frame of uh redoing all the lights inside the school building with uh more efficient and uh the the amount we're borrowing would pay for itself within it was going to be quite a gain and a short payoff before it was then saving us money. So, do we have a motion to accept this? >> So, moved. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion, a second. Let's call for the vote. >> Mrs. Black, >> yes. >> Mr. Connor, >> yes. >> Mr. Gro, >> yes. >> Mrs. Haden, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jones, >> yes. >> Mr. Slater, >> yes. >> Miss Thomas, >> yes. >> Vice Chairman Keane, >> yes. >> All right. And now we have uh bunfunded capital projects
032uh through our budget amendment. If you remember uh this money has already been approved. We voted on it. We approved it and that but now it's being designated what it's going to be used for. Uh and you want to give us a recap? >> Yeah. This is the the uh fifth phase of uh projects we brought to you. We brought to you for approval tonight. This one uh after your approval will go to the county commission at their next meeting. So uh that they've not they've not seen this yet, but uh couple of um projects there and then also uh some general maintenance u materials and then this one portion goes towards our uh contribution to that lighting project. All right. And we'll make sure we get that at Saudi Daisy High School. Mr. Slater.
033>> Yeah. Saudi was torn down in 1936. >> Yeah, we we had about 14 people that put eyes on this before we got it to the agenda. So, we got to we got to work on our factchecking. Thank you. [clears throat] >> I It's funny. I We'll give Rhonda Thurman credit tonight, too, because I remember any single time somebody just said Saudi, it was recorrected into being Saudi Daisy. So, uh, all right. So, if we could have a, uh, motion on that. >> I'll second. >> Thank you. A motion and a second. If we could call for the vote. >> Mrs. Black, >> yes. >> Mr. Connor, >> yes. >> Mr. Grum, >> yes. >> Mrs. Haden, >> yes. >> Mrs. Jones, >> yes. >> Mr. Slater, >> yes. >> Miss Thomas, >> yes. >>
034Vice Chairman Keane, >> yes. >> All right. So, our next area does not require a vote. Uh, but we have uh you received the information for Dr. Robertson's performance evaluation. You had time. Uh, we tabled it last month to give you time to look at it and go over what each one of us voted on and maybe even uh ask questions. So, at this time, that's what we have is just a few moments. Uh, if you have any questions regarding this, then hit your light and I'll recognize you. >> All right. No questions. Dr. Robertson, do you have any questions or comments? >> I would just say I appreciate the um feedback and thoughtfulness that goes into it. appreciate more though the individual conversations that I've had with the majority of you on um performance,
035how we need to get better as a district. I think that's way more valuable than uh just looking at some numbers. But uh thank you for the work that that you do to help us be better as administration. Also want to point out uh that and I've said this many times uh sitting in in this chair, you're going to be as good as the people that are sitting around you. And so to uh you know people like Dr. Brown and Shannon Moody and Sonia Stewart and Robert Sharp and Rachel Eman behind me and Michelle Urgal and Mary Ellen who all the people that are doing the work Blake Freeman that was here earlier that's that's why this district is moving forward and for the first time since 2019 we're an advancing district. Uh much more
036to do with them than it has to do with me. So thank you to the board. Thank you to uh everyone that's doing the work behind the scenes. >> All right. And thank you for all you do. All right. So, that brings us to uh events and announcements. So, we have report cards going out on January 16th. No school on Monday, January 19th, Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. So, and central office is closed on that day. Uh, February 19th will be our next work session at 4:30 and board meeting uh at 6, but uh we are, if I'm not mistaken, scheduled uh I don't have the right the date yet, but we are scheduled probably to have a budget meeting before that. Dr. Robertson. >> Yeah. Before you close, Mr. and and Miss Pullman
037already uh pointed this out, but we do want to take a minute to recognize that uh schoolboard appreciation week is coming up uh this month. We won't be back together. So, want to publicly uh say thank you to each of you for what you do. Um and and the work that you're doing to make us a better district. Uh we we will be giving you a small gift. It's small, Mr. Connor. Uh and and uh want to say thank you to you. I also want to publicly recognize Ryan and Star. Uh they've been super involved in not just sitting this board and being present every day, but we met uh earlier this week with student uh our student leadership council and their voice in uh that group is really strong and you can see that
038uh people look up to them uh and just proud of the work that they're doing as our student board members. Uh we will be going to Nashville for scope uh here in a few weeks. um where they'll continue to be great leaders. But to the board, thank you for what you do. Appreciate you and I hope that the uh public appreciates the work that you're doing. [applause] All right, any other comments, questions? All right, we are adjourned.