001Woo. Hey. >> Rain. Rain. >> Mhm. >> Order, welcome everyone. Good evening. We can have the roll call, please. Here. >> Mrs. Black? Here. Mr. Connor? >> Here. >> Mr. Daughtry? >> Here. >> Mr. Groan? >> He's He's here. He's >> He's here. >> He's on mute. >> Yeah. >> Mrs. Hadden? >> Here. >> Mrs. Jones? >> Here. >> Mr. Keen? >> Here. >> Mr. Shafer? >> Here. >> Mr. Slater? >> Here. >> Ms. Thomas? >> Here. >> Superintendent Dr. Robertson? >> Here. >> Thank you. I need a motion to approve tonight's agenda. >> So moved. >> Is this the consent agenda? >> Yes, it is. >> No, not yet. We'll We'll No, this is our total agenda. Okay, I I think I heard a a motion somewhere, didn't I? >> Speaking. >> Did I
002Did I hear a Did I hear a second? >> Second. >> Okay. >> Oh, I did second it. You're all good to go. You're all good to go. >> Oh, okay. >> No, Jackie second it. >> Okay. >> All right, roll call, please. >> Mrs. Black? >> Yes. >> Mr. Connor? >> Yes. >> Mr. Daughtry? >> Yes. >> Mr. Graham? >> Here. Yes. >> Mrs. Hadden? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Jones? >> Yes. >> Mr. Keen? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shafer? >> Yes. >> Mr. Slater? >> Yes. >> Ms. Thomas? >> Yes. >> Chairman Smith? >> Yes. >> So, uh takes us down to pledge and flag and meditation, Ms. Shackelford. Dellwood Middle School. What a great place. >> All right, can you guys please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the
003flag 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. Please remain standing for the moment of silence. You may be seated. Good evening. My name is Shalonda Shackelford, and I'm the proud principal of Dellwood Middle School. Our theme this year is believe in you. And lead like you do. And that is what I want to discuss with you guys tonight. Every morning and every afternoon, I say these words to my students. Believe in you, believe with your heart, believe with your mind, and believe in your soul that you can and will be great. You got this because you have you, you have us, and we got you. When I say believe in you, as a believer, that is the
004God in me. Jesus Christ gives me the tools and the strength I need to accomplish anything. If you are not a believer, that is okay as well. Then that is the inner voice or the feeling that you get that is saying, "You can do this." So to our Hamilton County Schools Board, our superintendent, our deputy superintendent, and everyone here tonight, you guys get the pleasure of making decisions for the ones that matter the most to us, our children. As you look around and you see the children in the boardroom and the children in your community, the children in the grocery stores, and even the children in your home, just think, they are our future. And in the words of Whitney Houston, I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead
005the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride to make it easier. Let the children's laughter remind you of how we used to be. So every decision you make won't be easy. Every decision that is made should feel right from within or from the word of God speaking to you. Every decision you make should be because of your love for our children and your belief in them. For Principal Month, my staff did something for me. They did something that I didn't even know I needed. They reminded me of my purpose and my why. So question, do you do you surround yourself with people that remind you of your purpose and your why? Because if not, you need to. It will awaken something in you that you didn't think
006you needed. It will inspire you to continue the work that God put you on this earth for. And in our case, the work of ensuring that every student, every 44,909 experience a future without limits. So I leave with you these words, believe in you. Believe with your heart, believe with your mind, and believe in your soul that you can and will be great. You got this because you have you. You have us, and we got you. So believe you and lead like you do. THANK YOU. >> MISS SHACKELFORD, EVERY TIME I HEAR YOU SPEAK, I think that you need to give the the the pre-game talk at the Super Bowl. Thank you. Thank you. Um before we go to our exemplars of excellence, I want to just make sure that we take just a minute
007and I'm going to call on Miss Jones to do this to just just step back for a minute and and remember. Remember, Miss Jones. >> Um today is November 20th, 2025. 9 years ago on November 21st, 2016, we experienced something in our community that has been forever life-changing and that is known as the Woodmore bus tragedy. Out of that tragedy, we have seen those families that were affected, the students, the school community, the administrators, the teachers, and all that were involved at Woodmore at that time, we have seen them go from tragedy to triumph as they are resilient and they strive every day to be better because of the children that that we lost that day. And so, I just want to take this time to read a quick litany. It's by two two Jewish
008rabbis and I've heard this a lot, but I want to share it tonight. It's by Rabbi Sylvin Kamens and Rabbi Jack Riemer and it's called We Remember Them. In the rising of the sun and in its going down, we remember them. In the blowing of the wind and in the and in the chill of the winter, we remember them. In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring, we remember them. In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer, we remember them. In rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we remember them. In the beginning of the year and when it ends, we remember them. When we are weary and in need of strength, we remember them. When we are lost and sick at heart, we remember them.
009When we have joys we yearn to share, we remember them. So long as we live, they too shall live, for they are always a part of us as we remember them. So all the families of the Woodmore bus 366 experience, those that we lost and those that we still have, we remember you today as we embark upon the anniversary of that day. God speed to you. >> Amen. >> Thank you, Michelle. We'll never forget. Okay, takes us out to exemplars of excellence and we have several. We'll start with Coach Tim James. Come on, coach. >> Thank Thank you, Chairman and distinguished board members. Uh I just There's a lot of really great things going on in Hamilton County schools right now. When you start looking at not just academic portion, but the athletic portion. You
010know, we've we've we've had successful middle school seasons in in fall sports and we're rolling into winter sports. We still have currently have three football teams that are still alive in the third round hosting the quarterfinals of the state football playoffs. Uh basketball's cranked up now, wrestling's cranked up, and we we've had we've had some great success in out of our fall sports. So, that's what we're here to to recognize tonight. I told I asked Mr. Carpenter, Coach Carpenter from Signal Mountain here a minute ago if he was tired of coming down here yet. It's just It's getting to be I've I've actually learned these kids his rosters name by this point. So, we're here to first of all recognize the girls cross country team for establishing and winning the state championship this year. So,
011I want to go ahead and recognize Mr. Daughtry as as the board member from that from the learning community. Also, Dr. Shane Harwood, coach Dustin Carpenter here. I don't know if you notice coach Carpenter, but if you look at him, his arms are are kind of abnormally long. And that's from all the the weight of the rings that he has from all the state championships. But, we're going to go ahead and Grayson Glover was his assistant. She was unable to attend tonight. We're going to introduce the girls 2025 state championship cross country team from from Signal Mountain High School. This I'm going to kind of jump down on the agenda. This makes their 11th state championship in school history. I just kind of let that sink in for 11 state championships. Coach, you're going to
012get to two for each finger by the time you're done or I mean, you're you're >> I'm trying to get to 20. >> Okay. >> This last one, but >> All right. >> We got the 19. >> Well, it's >> Save that for the spring. >> It's with the miss pride and and admiration that we recognize the Signal Mountain girls cross country team in its 11th state championship in school history. They secured their fourth state championship in a row. Of course, that's 11 state championships in 13 years. That's a pretty good track record and something that has not been uh equaled by any other public school in the state of Tennessee. Signal Mountain girls cross country is now the winningest girls cross country public school in the state of Tennessee. So, that is a quite
013the accomplishment. And so, we're going to we're going to bring these young ladies up. Uh Carpenter is going to hand out the certificates. We're going to get you lined up in front. Uh Chairman Chairman but school board member daughter you will get the picture. Mr. Harwood if you'd like to come up behind me. Dr. Robertson it's up to you. But anyway let's go ahead and introduce these fine young ladies. Placing fourth this year overall in the state they also secured five individual all state runners off of one team which is practically unheard of in in the sport of cross country. But fourth place was Maxine Richards. Uh sixth place overall was Eliza Albertson. 13th was Miss Naomi Malone. Placing 14th was was Adeline Glover. 15th was Miss Lilly Paxton. Placing 32nd was Jayden Egan. Placing
01443rd was McKenzie Lockery. And Signal Mountain's alternate for the race was Marley Shell. I don't know if you guys have ever been to a cross country meet. It looks like a mass of humanity. So when you're saying you placed 43 you're paying 43 out of several hundred runners at the same time. So quite the accomplishment for you ladies. We are we are so very proud of you and and how you've represented Hamilton County schools and just congratulations on this great accomplishment. Let's give them a round. Can you Maxine are you strong enough to lift that trophy? Okay. >> Coach James, how many are seniors? >> I'm not I don't have that information Mr. King. I two two are seniors. >> Dr. Harwood, are you going to be requesting work order for new trophy case space
015up there? All right. Coach James, some people may not understand cross country. The the distance they run and and the time that the time that these sports teams run. >> I'm I'm going to let Coach Carpenter answer that. >> Chairman Smith, I've never ran over a 3 miles unless somebody was chasing me. So uh Coach Carpenter >> The length >> Coach Carpenter, the length of the race is 3.1 miles and and and how fast are your kids running that 3. >> Top runners running at about 18 minutes. >> 6 minute miles >> Yeah, and then it's 18 to about 19 minutes to change. >> Wow. >> We'd have to be a big bear chasing me for you to make that time. Coach, we're so proud of you guys. Thank you. Thank you for all you
016do. We wish you continued success. So, this is a big night for Signal Mountain. Not only we recognizing their girls cross country team, but we're also recognizing their boys golf team under first year coach. I told him I said it's setting the standard pretty high coach. You know, your first year ever coaching and you won a state championship. No pressure next year, right? So, coach Carson Johnson, coach, if you'd come on up here. And then his assistants Carter Kelly and Rodney Mitchell could not be present tonight. But we we want to talk about you about your golf team for a minute. You had you had a first ever state championship boys for for Signal Mountain your first year ever coaching. So, congratulations to you and the Signal Mountain Eagles. I know that's something you that
017they can never take away from you. No matter how long you coach, it's it's always going to be there. But you had a bunch of great guys that that that that helped you out and get there. So, we're going to recognize these gentlemen. So, if we call your name as you will if you will come up as we call your name, we'll hand out your certificate. We'll kind of repeat what we did with with your state champion girls cross country team. So, the first the first team member is Henry Beasley. Mr. Tucker Cruz. Mr. Brody Foreman. BRADEN HELLY. KIRBY LAST. Benjamin Lewis. Robinson McGee. Luke Ottwell. And Luke Sledger. Yeah, your coach did tell me they call you sledgehammer. G- g- g- say you you can knock it you can knock it straight and and
018far. Well, guys, uh it's it's I know it's also a I'd like to take this opportunity to uh introduce an individual state champion. In golf, you have an individual state champion then you have team champions state champion. So, in honor small honor to introduce Sam Ottwell as distinguished member of the Signal Mountain boys golf team for and 2025 state champion. Through exceptional skill, dedication, and sportsmanship, Sam played a vital role in leading his team to victory and and upholding the proud tradition of excellence of Signal Mountain golf. So, uh guys, thank you so much for being competitive and and bringing the crown back to Chattanooga. And you know, how many of you are seniors? Okay, so just two. Uh no pressure on you young guys, all right? All right, so bring it back back to
019back. So, we're going to go ahead and get a picture with coach, board members, etc. And thank you. While while we're doing that, I just want to I want to I want to brag on Signal Mountain Middle High. Uh they have achieved a remark- remarkable milestone. Since opening its doors in 2008, the Eagles have secured 41 state championships in various sports. That is an amazing record unequaled by any other Hamilton County school. Congratulations, gentlemen. >> Okay, thank you. Congratulations again, young man. Uh um Coach James, stay right where you are and uh Robert uh Dr. Sharp. >> Yes, sir. Uh thank you, Chairman Smith and board. Good to see you all this evening. Anytime we see Tim James' name on the agenda, we all get excited because we know he's going to bring us good
020news about our student athletes in Hamilton County. And tonight we're going to honor Tim James. And I'm very honored myself to be able to to read a little thing here about Tim and the work he's done and the recognition he recently received from the TSSAA. So, I'll read this to you. We are pleased to recognize Tim James and extend our congratulations to his selection as the 2025 A.F. Bridges Athletic Director of the Year for District 3. Tim recently received this award at the TSSAA ceremony last week, I think. Uh the the 13th. Uh Tim exemplifies professionalism, responsiveness, and unwavering dedication to student-athletes across Hamilton County. His leadership ensures that our athletic programs run smoothly and that every school receives the support it needs to succeed. Beyond the playing field, Tim's positive impact is felt throughout
021our schools and community. We are proud to celebrate this achievement with him and grateful for his commitment to advancing athletics across the region. And Tim, we've got a certificate here for you signed by Superintendent Robertson and Chairman Smith. >> Tim, you need to uh >> Yeah, I got to walk up. >> You got to walk up here. >> want to say something, too. He might want to say something. >> Mr. Chairman, while he's doing that, um I just want to publicly say how much Tim has meant to our athletic department. He's the first full-time athletic director, but uh the impact that he has made in this county is tremendous. And Tim, just publicly want to say thank you uh for agreeing to do this job and doing a great job with it. >> Larry, mute
022your computer. >> If when you're done, if I could say something about Mr. James, also. >> from both of us. >> So, Mr. James, I have a question real quick. Will that sit right next to the award you got at Central High School when you were George Thorogood Bad to the Bone teacher talent show champion? >> Little known things about Tim James, all right. >> You don't know all his business. >> I would have been sure about 1993. That tells you how old I am. >> Okay. Um what what I'm about to do, you guys already know about, so I want to make sure that you guys know about, and and I guess we're on TV, the public needs to know about. Uh being a a school board member is uh hard. >> You think?
023>> It's hard. And we uh uh I believe that I can very safely say that the 11 of us uh care about kids and families or we wouldn't be serving. And uh all of us probably spend a whole lot more time than what we're uh compensated to do. And then uh some spend even more time than others. Uh but one of our one of our peers has accomplished something that's never been done in the history of Hamilton County school boards. And uh we want to honor Ben Conner tonight. Ben has has uh uh received his level five as a school board member, which is the highest honor that you can achieve as a school board member. And what makes that uh specifically uh significant is he did it in 3 and 1/2 years. And uh
024I mean it's just amazing. There are people in the state that spend 20 and 25 years as school board members and never get to that level. And uh so Ben, it's you're just amazing. And uh Dr. Robertson and I were kidding a little while ago and I was always that student that did just enough to get by. That That was me. And and I probably am still that guy today. But you were that guy that made 36 on the ACT and uh made the Dean's list every time and and uh so man, it's just unbelievable what you poured into and uh just an example for this board, an example for board members to come, and uh my goodness, uh just amazing. So, congratulations. >> I don't know that I can add a lot more than
025what the chairman's already said, but you know, what what I do think it takes in any profession or any job to be good is to be passionate. And whether people agree with you or disagree, uh no one can argue that you are not passionate about this job. So, uh thank you for what you do. I've been on the good end and the bad end of that passion a time or two, but I appreciate you pushing uh not only this board, but our team to be better, to be better for kids. Uh this is a huge accomplishment. Speaks loudly for for your commitment, but I think it also uh signifies to this board uh that we're about learning, that we're about moving forward. And I know we've got a few more that are maybe headed your
026direction, but thanks for being the uh trailblazer for level five. Congratulations. >> Ben, did you Ben, show them your pin. Oh, yeah. I was going to say, show them all your stuff. >> I got I got a piece of paper in a in a thing. >> It's not a piece It's a nice glass encased certificate that was issued in front of all the school board members in the state of Tennessee. >> I will keep it very brief cuz you guys know that I'm not usually. Thank you. I hope that I hope that the only thing that comes from this is that more of my peers share in this passion to educate because at the end of the day, as a board member, presiding over trying to make the best choices for education, it's important to
027educate yourself as well. And so, never stop learning. >> Thank you. Thank you. Okay, that takes us down to our disclaimer statement. I think we just have one. Uh is that correct? >> Yes. >> Uh and that's uh Ms. Jones, I think you're the only one. >> Don't worry, y'all won't be having to listen to this for long. I declare that I have a family member who works for the school system and that the board's vote on budget policy Is that Larry right here? Larry. ALMA. UM ANYWAY, Y'ALL KNOW I HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER that work for the system and I might vote may may have an effect on my relative's employment. Even so, I hereby certify that I will cast my vote in the best interest of the school system. >> Okay, thank you.
028So, I'm needing approval for our consent agenda. >> So moved. >> You got a motion and second? Okay. You got a motion and second? Any items to be pulled? >> Yes. I move first that to pull item uh 7.5F.1 policy 1.40 from the consent agenda. That's the one about the meetings. >> All right. So, that's uh uh 7F1. >> Yeah, it's listed differently on our paper. They changed it in the computer. >> Yeah, I Well, the way I'm seeing it is 7F1. Is that correct? >> All right. No, it's fine on the paper. >> Okay. 1.40. All right. And and that was one you wanted to pull. What was the other one? >> Okay, I also move that we pull 7DF um the discussion about the MOUs from mental health. >> Okay. Now, which one
029was that when it was uh I have it out here. >> Request for approval of the >> uh D >> 7D >> Point of order, none of this is the consent agenda. >> Right. >> Yeah. She's pulling She's pulling them for discussion. For what? >> Just for discussion. >> Yeah, she Well, I sent them to you. if them, we won't discuss it. That crazy one she's wanting to pull. Am I Am I out of line to say that? >> Actually, I'm still trying to catch up on the first one. >> Okay. So, the first one is 7F1 board one uh board policy 1.4 regarding the change in our meetings. >> Okay. And so, the other one uh Mr. Connor that she's wanting to pull is the uh the request for the approval of the MOU.
030She's wanting to pull that for for discussion. >> Yes, there's 7F1 and 7DF. >> And D1M. >> 7D1M. >> M. >> Yeah. >> 7D1M. >> 1F. >> And what was the other one? 7L1. >> Okay. A- Anything else to be pulled? >> one, then that one. >> Okay. >> So, cla- clar- for clarity for clarity for the record, she's pulling seven which is under the approval of co- co- uh approval of consent agenda. >> Right. >> She's pulling 7F Chief Strategy Officer Shannon Moody, 1 final read, 1.400 school board meetings. For the public that's following us. >> A- And and to be cl- And thank you, Ms. Jones. On the paper agenda that's actually item Roman numeral 9F1, which is why there's confusion. On the electronic agenda, it's >> nine. >> That's right. >> Right.
031>> That that's that's why it took us a minute over here. And by us, I mean me. >> Okay. >> Our paper is actually correct. >> It's under the consent But the public's is not. Okay, so maybe there's a difference. If you print it early it's probably not cuz it's Okay, you're you're doing real good Miss Jones. Let's talk about the other one she pulled. Okay. You're doing very good. Thank you. Second clear point of clarity, she's pulling seven, approval of consent agenda. D, Chief Financial Officer Mary Ellen Hooton, CPA. One, bids and contracts. Seven, request for approval of authorized memorandum of understandings for RFP 26-22, school-based student mental health services. Is that correct? That's correct. Okay, correct. Okay, any other items should be pulled. Okay, roll call. Mrs. Black? I just got a question.
032Yeah, hold on. Before we discussion, sorry. I'm sorry. We don't typically put policy in the consent agenda. Okay. Yes. Did you have a question? You just call. Do you have Do you have Do you have a question? No, I was just making sure that we were all Okay, so you good? Everybody good? Everybody good? Let's do it. Okay, all right. So now roll call. Mrs. Black? Yes. Mr. Connor? Yes. Mr. Daughtry? Yes. Ms. Haden? Yes. Ms. Jones? Yes. Mr. Keen? Yes. Mr. Slater? Yes. Ms. Thomas? Yes. Chairman Smith? Yes. Okay, now we're going back to the items that were were pulled. The first one, 7F1. Miss Haden, speak to that. Yes, I move that item 7 F1 policy 1.400 be referred to the policy committee for further discussion in our December meeting. >> Second. >>
033Wait, what? We just want to move that to the policy meeting and not discuss it tonight. >> We're tabling it here. >> Okay. So, we're pulling it all together is what we're doing. Okay. >> Can you say it one more time? That's the policy 1.400. >> Yes. >> Okay. Forget it. >> Yes, right. >> Just making sure. >> We're just going to move it to the December policy meeting and discuss it at that time. >> Okay, so so she made a motion I think I heard a second, didn't I? Okay. Any discussion? Everybody understand what we're doing here? >> Okay, and I guess to the public this is regarding changing our work session to a different day and time. >> Yes. So, that'll be discussed as as Ms. Felice said at the policy committee meeting.
034So, roll call. >> Mrs. Black? >> Yes. >> Mr. Connor? >> Yes. >> Mr. Daughtry? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Hatton? >> Yes. >> Ms. Jones? >> Yes. >> Mr. Keen? >> Yes. >> Mr. Slater? >> Yes. >> Ms. Thomas? >> Yes. >> Chairman Smith? >> Yes. So, the other item that was pulled was 7 D1F. Ms. Felice, you want to speak to that? You pulled it. >> Yes, um I just I know it's been a really hot topic and I thought we should have a chance to discuss it and clarify things for the public cuz I think it deserves the time. Um and I just think that we should clarify a couple things. One, you know, a couple differences that you may or may already know uh about the uh current RP is that the
035services are to be offered during non-instructional time, mainly like before school, during lunch, after school study halls, or other any other like non-credit bearing uh time or slot during the school day. And so, um I just for one wanted to make that clarification. There's another thing that I just wanted to mention. Um that I I as a school board member uh would like some feedback or some reports, and it can be quarterly, twice a year, or once a year, you know, maybe from each vendor if it is approved. And just so we can get some data because I I don't think I ever saw any data um before, and so we really didn't have a lot of >> That might be confidential. >> a lot of knowledge about what was going on. So, I'm thinking
036maybe uh two categories like maybe the number of students per school or certain school yeah or each school, um maybe grade level, frequency of service and length, um topics maybe grief, anxiety, family issues, whatever No, I'm not I'm not I'm saying not can I'm just No, I didn't say the name. Um I'm I'm saying anonymously, just the types of cases, not identifying any name or anything like that. Not I mean, you you can't even say how many students you're serving in a school? >> I think what um what would be a good idea is if this vendors get approved, we'll work with each vendor to come up with something that we'll bring back to the board that may fit that um obviously I mean, you know this well as a whole bunch of other stuff
037that we can't that we can't share, but we could figure out how to get some data in a way that would would comply. But, we're going to need to work with the vendors once they get approved and bring back a >> Right. I'm just saying say say they're approved, you know, for future just so as to for us to just know, you know, >> utilization. You want to measure utilization. >> Utilization, thank you. And whatever complies with the HIPAA laws. >> Yeah, it well, and technically this isn't going to be a HIPAA issue for us. You know, it it might be for them, but but there's easily a way we can get disaggregated data that measures utilization. Um since we're going to have more than one vendor, I presume, it's going to take a little
038bit of thought about how to go about doing that, but but it's it's reachable. >> Since it's not >> I might have a question. Since it's not costing us anything, why do we need the data? >> For lease. >> Well, I think it's important to know in in decision-making, you know, how I mean, why do we need to know anything, you know? Uh >> Well, when it comes to >> are successful, we're collecting a lot of data for success plan student success planning and other things. >> Um what would we utilize the data for? I guess that's what that's what I mean. >> future future decisions. Maybe there's one company >> on what though? That's what I mean. >> Okay, well, whatever may not >> I'm I'm just asking. Don't don't get snappy. I'm just
039trying to clarify how >> I'm not being snappy. >> what what are we collecting the data for? Generally, when you collect it because we're not paying any of these people to come up and do a RFP. They they're doing it. I'm just thankful that you all are reconsidering doing what we should have done a long time ago cuz but but I I'm not trying to debate it. I was just asking though. I'm seriously just asking. >> And I'll be happy to answer, but um but say one vendor is serving two students total, you know, maybe we wanted to include a different item. Maybe. >> Okay, if that's what it takes for you to vote for these children >> Well, I mean, when we're considering this a very serious issue, I feel like I had zero
040data to go on. I didn't know how many students were being served, what schools were serving it, what was going on, period. I mean, I would when I want to need to make a decision, I like to have information on which to base my decision. >> Okay. >> All right, Mr. King. All right. And some of the data we might need and some of the data that I think we need, so again, this is just my opinion. Uh we have as said before, invested a little over 21 million in our seed coaches and our counselors and that. I'd like to know uh the number of students that they're serving in counseling sessions versus what these outside vendors are going to be serving in counseling sessions. And I was under the impression are don't Do we
041have level and again, don't know if it'll be a HIPAA violation or not. Uh we have levels risk one, risk two, risk three. Am I correct or am I incorrect? >> You're probably referring to tiers. >> I think you're Yeah, you're referring to tiered system, but I I mean to be clear, our counselors and social workers do serve some tier three >> Okay. >> Um so in that situation >> would be some of the data that I say would we probably like to >> that we're getting caught up in details here of like what we can work with the vendors moving forward. We didn't have any of this in the RFP, so it's going to take us going back to them and and you know, to uh Mr. Bennett's point, it's probably utilization is what
042we're talking about. There there might be some other things, but we're we're more than happy to go work with the vendors and say what makes sense. Um remembering it each year. So, May or June, this comes back and you guys will will vote again to approve and then we've got a 3-year period built in to where we don't have to go through another RFP. Um and that's maybe where it would would be helpful to see some of this data. But we can work with the vendors. It's not in the current RFP, so we're going to have to go with them and bring something back to you. But what give us a few weeks and >> Right. I understand that. Well, then this might be data we don't need as much from the vendors as we
043need from our own staff that we have put into place in every school. What level one or tier one, tier two, and tier three. No names and anything, just numbers and as said, you know, maybe categories. So, what we'd like to get a better overall picture of what is happening to make better decisions. >> Yeah, we can we can do that. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. King. Ms. Owens. >> So, for clarity, RTI is tiers, tier one, tier two, tier three. That's instruction. There are some students based on certain things like homelessness that tier threes, so forth and so on. So, I think this is opportunity uh upon approving this RFP based off of what we've agreed to do with these vendors who have submitted RFPs and we're and they're being recommended. One, we have
044to we want to stick to that contract, right? What that looks like, that understanding. But aside from that, to my board peers who seem to not be fully aware of how some of the systems work, I think this is a great opportunity for education. So, I would um ask Dr. Robertson and his team to possibly Have we had we had board retreat? >> We haven't this year yet, no. >> Okay, so maybe when board retreat is coming upon board retreat that uh yeah, board retreat probably to be about a week. But I do think that of this needs to be in there as to what that looks like, how referrals are made through SSP, like how those things happen because I don't think that we necessarily probably should look at agreements with these vendors more
045so than looking at the data that we already have because when you get when you're getting receiving SSP uh referrals and certain things, you know they're being referred out. So, that data is already within Hamilton County Schools. We don't have to further implore upon students FERPA and families' HIPAA rights to get that information to make an accurate decision. Um and I'm speaking as a current Hamilton County School parent. I don't want to tell you that. The same way you didn't want some other stuff. I If my child was receiving services, I don't think you need to know that. I need to know that as the parent because that's where the discussion started in the beginning that it was the parent's choice who they wanted to expose them to, all of those things. So, I'm not
046going to go down the rabbit hole, but I just want to be clear. If we're sticking to parent choice then it is the parent's choice if we want you to know that. And I'm speaking on behalf of a family of two current Hamilton County parents. Nothing against those who have matriculated on, but we're currently living these decisions I'm making up here. And so, I want to make sure I'm making the right decision for my child because some people say we don't make a decision for children that we love, but I do. Cuz I got a 6-year-old boy in the school and I'm making decisions every day up here for him. And so, I don't want us to get in the weeds, but I do think we have to go back to what we're agreeing to
047do with these people and what we've asked them to do with us. And then have those first discuss, but I do think this I don't know what y'all going to plan for retreat, but I do think there needs to be some education to board members on this they might need to go through leadership in Hamilton County on what literally happens in Hamilton County schools so they understand as they're making decisions here. And cuz I think that's fair for them to learn that. I think maybe we've done them an unjust service by not educating them. >> Yeah, fair point. Good point. Uh Mr. Connor. >> Uh we at >> Oh, okay. Let let me You shouldn't came with your corner. I didn't see that. I apologize you can come to you. All right, Ryan. >> Go
048ahead, Ryan. >> Um I want to begin by saying um how much I appreciated y'all trusting us to be on the committee. I found it reviewing the proposals. I found it to be a really insightful and um insightful and educational experience. I we had the opportunity to actually talk to each company face-to-face in the second meeting we had. And this is actually all my notes and annotations of all the proposals and stuff like that. So, it really was an insightful experience and it was a tough decision the recommendation we came to as you all know was recommending all five. And that was a tough decision to come to. It was not something that any of us took lightly. But we feel confident in recommending all five because they all have the qualifications we feel necessary
049to be in the school system. I'll also say as the student representative, I'm not just thinking about myself when I do any of this. I'm thinking about Hamilton County students as a whole and the students I've talked with. So, I really do feel like that this as of now is the best direction to go in to best serve all Hamilton County students. >> Thank you thank you, Ryan for for your and not just you, but that entire committee. Thank you for your work. Uh now uh >> Mr. Khan. >> The time and the effort has been put in. I could not have picked somebody better to go ahead of me to showcase how much effort has been put in. So, I call for the question. >> Second. >> I I still have a couple of
050lights. Does anybody else just have a burning desire? >> I just would like to >> pledge has been called for. >> Yeah, it is it's two it takes two-thirds vote to stop debate. Um if you want to push that if you want to push the rule. >> So, take a vote on this matter. >> And whether and whether that the >> I've got I've got two more lights. Mr. Khan, if it's okay if I hear from them or do you want to vote to stop discussion? >> You don't need to call on me. >> Be swift. >> Okay. Now, okay. All right. Um Steve Slaughter. >> I'll be swift. I just Do any of these companies have a quota? >> No, sir, they don't. >> Okay. Um the other thing I I do expect out
051of our staffing at schools is to fully inform the parents of their choices. These are secular companies. Here's a faith-based company if you want it. And explain that to the parents fully. That's that's all I'm asking. Okay. >> Uh Miss Miss Jackie. Are you you >> Is my light on? I don't I don't have I don't have anything to say. I don't want nobody to change their mind for this new year. >> Okay. Uh Mr. Daugherty. Last light. >> Yeah, I have a quick question and I will be swift. Um Dr. Robertson, help help me understand what would the process be for the parental consent process? Let's say little Ben is designated that he needs maybe some additional support, mental health, and uh the recommendation from our staff. What's that process look like from that
052point to engaging with a parent, to getting the consent form signed. What what's that process looking like? >> So, actually have two sides of it, our side and the vendor's side. So, we are documenting on our side and to Mr. Slater's point, part of it is recognizing that there are five options um where parent would sign consent. At that point, we are leaving open once they sign consent, do they want us to connect them to the person or they just going to connect on their own? And then each vendor has to keep consent as well. Remember, we also put in the RFP that anytime services adjusted can additional consent would be needed as well. >> So, they're going to engage a parent on the front end, right? They're going to get consent. And then they're
053going to say, "Hey, we feel that little Ben maybe needs a little bit of extra help. Here are options." At which point time, to Mr. Slater's point, we would provide them with, I'm assuming >> Yeah, we've got >> It's a one-pager. Yeah, front and back, but there's I read the description the other day to to Mr. Slater like for one of the companies, but it's a very quick uh I don't know if we have it with us, but it's a very quick just description background, who they are, how they provide services. So, here it is. Um You know, it just goes through it. Gives a whole description, availability, uh method of service cuz we've got some that are virtual, some that are in person, uh the types of services, and then the point of contact
054uh at that agency. >> Got it. Thank you, Dr. Robinson. Okay, question's been called for. So, roll call, please. >> Well, you know what? We don't have a motion. >> We don't have a motion. I move to approve the move to put it back on the consent agenda. >> Second. >> Okay. >> Motion to approve >> But you got >> the the the suggested vendors by Ms. Jones seconded by Mr. Connor. >> Now, and it's going back on the agenda. Are we we don't have to? Okay. Now, we're just approving right. Okay, roll call. >> Mrs. Black? Yes. Mr. Connor? >> Vehemently, yes. >> Mr. Daugherty? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Hadden? >> Yes. >> Ms. Jones? >> Yes. >> Mr. Keen? >> As long as they're not coming out of class, yes. >> Mr. Slater?
055>> Yes. >> Ms. Thomas? >> Yes. >> Chairman Smith? >> Yes. >> You got Mr. Grogan on the um >> He can't vote. >> Oh, it's leisure. >> Okay. Okay, so motion carries and we'll use the fruit. Okay, that takes us down to uh administrative business matters and I'll recognize uh Dr. Zach Brown. >> Yes, sir. I I think I need to get caught up with the agenda work. >> Start on page >> Yes, sir. The first document we have the LEA compliance report is just our annual report that states that um um that we're in compliance with the state of Tennessee laws when it comes to classroom and licensure. Um we have no findings. So, that's just a report that um needs to be signed off submitted to the state. >> Okay. Any questions
056for Dr. Brown? I need a motion to approve. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> No lights. Roll call. >> Mrs. Black? >> Yes. >> Mr. Connor? >> Yes. >> Mr. Daugherty? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Hadden? >> Yes. >> Ms. Jones? >> Yes. >> Mr. Keen? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mr. Slater? >> Yes. >> Ms. Thomas? >> Yes. >> Chairman Smith? >> Yes. Dr. Brown, carry on hard to staff schools. >> Yes, sir. This is we discussed this last month. This is bringing this to your attention. Part of our recruitment strategy for FY 27 is to maintain stability in our schools and also to not only recruit our special ed teachers, but also retain our special ed teachers. So, this is really just us being very transparent that we would like to include this proposal
057inside of our FY 27 budget. So, what I'm asking from the board is that you approve this strategy. You know, of course, we've been able to open our classrooms with 99% filled. The one shortcoming has been our special ed classroom, specifically our special programs such as our DCC, IDS, ME class, and calm classroom. So, the difference here, we've included our special programs part of hard to staff. And so, what that means for our employees, if they elect to use their talents in one of our special classrooms, there's a retention strategy for them as well as recruitment and retention ranging from $4,000 to $6,000. So, this has just been very transparent that I feel that this strategy will maintain our staff, but also allow us to recruit educators for the upcoming school year. >> Okay. Make
058motion to approve. >> Motion. >> Second. >> No lights, roll call. >> Mrs. Black? >> Yes. >> Mr. Connor? >> Yes. >> Mr. Daughtry? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Hatton? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Jones? >> Yes. >> Mr. Keen? >> Yes. >> Mr. Slater? >> Yes. >> Ms. Thomas? >> Yes. >> Chairman Smith? >> Yes. Dr. Brown, request for new and updated job class description. >> Yes, sir. I'll like to start off with by I am not asking for any new positions. This is just Not today. >> Flat budget. Flat budget. >> No, but this is just our continuing way to be in compliance with board policy 5.103 and 5.101 that we continually analyze and update our job descriptions. So, in front of you, you have our new job titles, the purpose, and of course the
059job descriptions to ensure that our employees understand what we're asking them to do. So, again, this is with collaboration of our Evergreen study of making sure that our job descriptions are are accurate. Best practice is every 3 years we're always looking at job descriptions updating to make sure we're in compliance. >> Okay. >> I have a question. >> a go go ahead. Go ahead. >> Yes, one thing that I would like to know maybe in an email is like or or for future reference is to see what the current position's name is included with the new position name so I know which ones are being renamed. You know, if there are I might have overlooked it, but I don't recall seeing the previous name position. >> Uh yes, ma'am. I can do that for sure.
060So, >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Mr. King. >> Yeah, and and maybe I didn't read it enough. I'm going back cuz that the other thing was 23 pages, the MOU RFP. But describe to me what an Ed Prep program administrator is. What >> Yes, sir. So, the last 2 years of course this board voted part of our strategy of recruiting our career tech educational professionals. It's really when we hire, let's say I've kind of simplified. If we need a welder, right? The state of Tennessee requires all of our teachers to be licensed. This is our ability now to license that welder, right? And so, ultimately we are able to teach them the pedagogy cuz they already have the skill, but we are now Hamilton County School we partner with ourselves as a EPP to
061provide not only the class work. It really take about 18 months, but also allowed to award the license. Not only do we license teachers for Hamilton County, but we have also partners with other districts that reach out to us as well to license their CTE teachers. So, in order to do that, by law you have to have a facilitator or administrator to make sure that we're in compliance. We're just like in the sense of UTC UTK where they are awarding licensure to math, science, etc. There's just unfortunately a lot of paperwork, a lot of red tape, and so Ms. Wilkerson does a great job of ensuring that we're in compliance and we hope, just to give you a heads-up, we hope to be able to add another strand this upcoming year to ensure that we
062have the right CTE teachers in our classrooms. All right, so So, this would fall under the same thing as like who's administrating our grow your own program and Yes, sir. This is really part of our grow your own strategy. Like there's multiple ways of grow your own, multiple ways When we say grow your own, typically you're thinking about our classified staff that want to become teachers, our EPP or educators because of their work experience, they come in, we're able to give them a provisional license, but they have 3 years to work towards their occupational license. So, instead of sending them to another university or whatnot, we're able to train them on what we want, what we feel is the best best for our CTE teachers to award that license to work with the students. All
063right. And we already have this position, it's just called something else. Yes, sir. So, what we've learned again according to adjusting job description, of course this position is in the in the talent office, is we now have a better feel what this position looks like, you know, cuz when you start, you you you you think one way, but to be very transparent with our employee, this is their body of work. So, we've adjusted, but again, there's no change, just being very clear on and I'm always thinking about the future. When I have to backfill, what am I looking for in an in an applicant when we need to replace? >> All right. So, the last question I have about this uh is what we have right now on a 260-day contract, also. >> Uh I
064absolutely because a lot of the course work is happening through the summer. Um so, of course, uh that person must be uh you know, available. >> So, no addition of days, either. >> All right. >> No, sir. It's uh occupied and no change in this calendar. >> Okay. I just have a comment. >> Okay, go ahead. >> I I like the move toward making more specific titles, and I I appreciate you doing that. >> Okay. So, I need a motion to approve new and updated job description. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Okay. No lights, so roll call, please. >> Mrs. Black? >> Yes. >> Mr. Conner? >> Yes. >> Mr. Daughtry? >> Yes. >> Ms. Haden? >> Yes. >> Ms. Jones? >> Yes. >> Mr. King? >> Yes. >> Mr. Schlader? >> Yes. >> Ms.
065Thomas? >> Yes. >> Chairman Smith? >> Yes. So, takes us down to 403B request to qualifications insurance. Dr. Bryan, speak to that. >> Yes, sir. I'm going to allow my partner uh Penny Murray to speak. >> Okay. >> Um as part of our current retiree options, we've had a 403B for quite some time. We are looking to consolidate that and have a sole source provider. We currently have eight different like investment companies that we worked with over the years. Some are still active, some are inactive. There is a huge fiduciary liability that we have as a district with this. Um so, we are looking to put an RFQ out. Typically, we don't bring it to the board until we do so, but we want to be very transparent and make it be known that we
066are looking for a sole source provider to limit our liability as a district and to consolidate that into one. So, we're working to put that together and I have all the details um for you that kind of outlines the why and what our liability is right now. >> Is it one of these? >> It is. It's in the memo. Yes, sorry. >> Okay. So, I need a motion to approve. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. Mr. White, roll call. >> Mrs. Black? >> Yes. >> Mr. Connor? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dorty? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Hatton? >> Yes. >> Ms. Jones? >> Yes. >> Mr. Keen? >> Yes. >> Mr. Slater? >> Yes. >> Ms. Thomas? >> Yes. >> Chairman Smith? >> Yes. >> Uh retirement health insurance eligibility criteria. You going to speak to
067that, Ms. Feeney? >> Yes, and we actually um spoke to this earlier. So, when Brent was discussing kind of our urgent needs to address some of our expenses, we talked about retiring claims being about $8.7 million. Um and currently retirees could potentially, if they meet the TCRS retirement eligibility and age requirements that we have, retire at 5 years and retain our medical insurance, but that's not sustainable. Uh looking at benchmarks with other um employers, and in particular, I mentioned the state of Tennessee for other school districts who are on the state plan, you have to have been with that district for at least 20 years, and they're actually phasing theirs out. You have to work for them prior to 2015. So, a lot of organizations, because it's so hard to sustain and it's so expensive.
068So, what this is is a first draft to work through some of those changes to that policy, and what we're looking at doing going forward is to make sure that folks who retire, we want to take care of those folks who've served our kids. Um to be um eligible, have 15 years of service as a classified employee and 20 years as a certified employee. And that also follows the MOU that we already have in place for certified staff. So. >> Okay. Ms. Jones. >> So, with the recommendation being to change it to the 20 years and the 15 years, um, that's for anybody new retirement, right? So, anybody that's currently in place for retirement, even for up to So, let me ask you this. So, I know anybody previous, I I hear that. So, if
069I decided Yeah, I'm retirement, too, and I got 15 years. >> I don't know that you're old enough. >> I'm just playing. Um, but I do have 15 years. But, um, but I'm just saying, so say I was old enough and I'm retiring um, this coming May. Am I still included in the grandfather or because we might vote on this before then, I'm excluded? >> So, in the document I listed a grandfather date of July 1, 2026. Yes. And I did work extensively um, with Scott Mary. So, thanks so much to them for helping me pour through this. Initially, I had like a 40-page document. So, we have scaled that down. >> Okay. Mr. Daugherty. Penny, remind me again, um, how many currently enrolled in the retiree health insurance plan? >> So, it hovers around
070400 employees. Plus, if they retire and currently are covering their um, dependents, then they can continue to cover them. So, we on or off have about 400 employees plus or minus their dependents. >> And it's um, an $8.6 million annual cost, right? Something to that effect? >> Yeah. Claims-wise, yes. >> Well, this is another situation where I do want to commend Penny because although this isn't the biggest bucket of our health insurance plan, it certainly is a big bucket. I mean, $8.6 million go a long way across the county. And to balance that, we we want to do what's right, especially for our tenured employees. Uh but again, this is an opportunity for us to look at, hey, what's sustainable, what's fair, what's right. And at the end of the day, 20 years, 15 years
071for this level of of uh of benefit, I I I would personally say is very fair. So, um I think it's a great move and and um Good idea. >> Okay. >> Mr. Keen. >> And and this number doesn't change very often. It's pretty much hovers around that because >> Yes. >> the number that turns 65 >> Right, because they only stay on our plan until they turn 65. That's correct. >> Okay. No more lights. Need a motion to approve. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Black. >> Yes. >> Mr. Conner. >> Yes. >> Mr. Daugherty. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Hadden. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Jones. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Slater. >> Yes. >> Ms. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Chairman Smith. >> Yes. Okay. Um
072Dr. Brown, thank you and your entire team. My goodness, she you guys uh have your hands full and a big big job uh taking care of 6,000 employees and that's forever changing and uh so just thank you and and your entire team for for what you guys do. >> Thank you, sir. >> Okay, that takes us down to uh district-wide relighting project. Uh Justin, we Come on, let We know what that is, but I I would like for you to just kind of tell us so the public can know cuz this is uh this >> This is exciting. >> Very exciting about this uh this project and and mostly because what you're voting on tonight is a a 20-year impact on aesthetics, uh classroom light levels, but it'll also reduce our energy consumption in lighting
073by 40%. So, with that reduction in utilities, we're going to be able to cash flow positive cash flow the project. >> Okay. Okay. >> Any questions? >> Mr. Daugherty. How how are you designating which schools are you assuming just the oldest lights are >> It is >> tier one? >> It's district wide. The only schools that we excluded were the schools that had LEDs currently. Um or if you notice any schools that are on the current construction plan. So, we'll pick those up during the uh during the new construction. >> When when's it when assuming it passes, when when would this start? >> So, with uh just noting the agreement, it is a there are are some contingencies there. So, the contingency one is the partnership with TVA. There's about a $700,000 TVA incentive that
074will have to be approved. Uh we will have to get approval from the county commission to go through ESI for the 1.5% Hoping that will be the first of the year, maybe in the spring. I'm shooting for a summer project. Um the company that we've we've used before, um they usually bring large crews in, do night shifts, and uh for example, they just did CSAS uh in about 4 days. So, it should should be a quick turnaround once we once we hit the ground. >> So, are you and Robert excited about project managing all these start next year? >> Um you know, it's it's a really good company. Um I think the front end, you know, once you get once we have everything set up correctly on the front end, I think it'll go really
075smoothly. >> Awesome. It's very exciting. Okay. >> No more lights? Need a motion to approve. >> Moved. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mrs. Black. >> Yes. >> Mr. Connor. >> Yes. >> Mr. Daugherty. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Haven. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Jones. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Slater. >> Yes. >> Ms. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Chairman Smith? >> Yes. Okay, we got several uh first reads there that I'm sure uh uh we'll be taking those up in our policy committee meeting. >> Yes. >> Ms. Felice? >> Yes. >> Uh so that uh takes us down to uh due process spending authorization. And I need a motion to approve. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Have no lights, so roll call, please. >> Mrs. Black? >> Yes. >> Mr.
076Conner? >> Yes. >> Mr. Daughtry? >> Yes. >> Ms. Hadden? >> Yes. >> Ms. Jones? >> Yes. >> Mr. Keen? >> Yes. >> Mr. Slater? >> Yes. >> Ms. Thomas? >> Yes. >> Chairman Smith? >> Yes. Okay, under board matters, policy 3.201, naming of new facilities. Just adding some wording there. Steve Slater, you going to speak to that, please? >> Yes, sir, very briefly. Um actually, Ryan and I have kind of worked on this together. >> Who's Ryan? >> Ryan Jenkins. That That Ryan. And uh >> Mr. Jenkins. >> We We have come up with some some wording and I would like for him and Shannon to get together on wording that and uh bring that back to us. Is that good with you guys? Okay, good. >> So So you're not asking for approval
077of this tonight? >> No. >> Cuz it's on here as a voting item. So So we need to to strike that or table that. >> strike that until till they get the wording the way they like. >> Yeah, cuz this is the original policy wording. >> Okay. Okay. >> They will work on a draft that will be ready for the December 8th meeting. >> No action. Okay. All right. So, we're we're just going to take no action at all on that item tonight. >> Correct. >> Okay. Okay. That takes us down to uh uh budget and staffing. Uh Ms. Hayden, did you want to speak to that? You mentioned that you might want to >> move I move to uh defer that until the next Finance Committee meeting. >> Okay. So, we're just going to
078push that item that wasn't a voting item anyway. Uh so, that'll be discussed at the at the next Finance meeting. Okay. Okay. Okay. We got uh uh in way of announcements, uh holidays coming up, Thanksgiving, as you know, 26th through the 28th. Uh Monday, December the 1st, is our Facilities Committee meeting, and I believe it was Was it December the 8th? Was our Policy and uh >> December 1st is Facilities, December 8th is Policy. >> Okay. All right. And then uh uh December the 18th. >> The 8th is Policy. >> Yeah, Legislative. Legislative is with the Policy. >> Okay. Uh and then uh of course, our next work session on the 18th, followed by our quarterly meeting. Um B- Before I adjourn, I I I I I think there was something just really important we
079have to recognize. So, I I'm going to call on Mr. Daughtry for just a second before we adjourn. Go ahead, Mr. Daughtry. >> Th- Thank you, Chairman Smith. Um it is with a heavy heart that uh for anybody that's not aware, uh we had the passing of a teacher in our school system last believe it Saturday. Patrick Daverson, who's actually my neighbor and a good friend of mine. And his oldest daughter was my kids babysitter for for 3 years. So, I've grown to know him quite a bit. Every time I saw him, he always was joking, smiling. I never left Excuse me. I never left an encounter with him not feeling happier. He just had that kind of personality. It's always tough losing people, especially people that help kind of make this whole thing work
080in public education. They give their heart to do it. So, I do just want to take a moment of silent and remember Patrick Daverson. A moment of silence, please. Thank you, Chairman Smith. >> Amen. >> Okay. Did you have something, Mr. >> Well, I was and not only was he a teacher and coach, but in his off time, he also coached club soccer. So, he's he's been around youth all of his life. So. >> Amen. Okay. We stand adjourned.