001Father Shelby Barker, known by many as Big Shelby, always encouraged me to speak up for what I believe is right, even if I may be speaking alone. His words have guided me throughout my life and not as I stand here before you. I graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with both my bachelor's and master's degrees. Teaching in the very community that poured so much into me throughout my life has truly been the greatest honor. I'm here tonight to respectfully request that the board consider distributing our bonuses on August 18th following the expected approval by the county commission of the funding and necessary adjustments that need to be made to the school budget. Earlier this summer, I spoke with two board members who, like myself, were under the impression that the funds from the
002state would be distributed by July 31st. Many of my co-workers have also shared this expectation and have since expressed their frustrations, especially as several neighboring districts such as such as Dire Oine have already issued their payments to their teachers. One colleague even shared that they had to ask their landlord for an extension on their rent, believing that the bonus would arrive by the end of July. Situations like this highlight the real financial challenges some of our educators are facing every day. I understand that there has been a discussion about waiting until August 29th to align the bonuses with regular payroll. However, I would like to kindly remind the board that for many teachers, our last paycheck was issued at the end of May and only covered June and July. An additional delay places unnecessary strain
003on those who are already trying to manage limited resources over the summer months. Thank you so much for your time, attention, and continued support of our educators and students. Thank you Kayton for um for for that comment and with everything that you have said um we will consider everything that you have said and if anybody has any comments um or we we can just proceed. So thank you Katie. >> You're welcome. >> All right. Next is the GP budget amendments. So Amy, you have the amendments for our budget. >> They have they are highlighted in yellow um what was changed. Um and then you will notice also on in the note section you will see comments like the reason for it whether it were a staffing change um what might be the the reason for
004the the difference. Um we did get the rural healthc care uh resiliency grant but because those funds um we don't have we have the revenue code but that's the only code we've been given so far. Once we get uh the actual like where a line item can come from then those will come out of here but right now they're still in here. So those will move out and we'll do another budget amendment when we get those. And that is um quite a bit because that is um both nursing positions as well as um the part-time nurse part-time um teacher. [clears throat and cough] Um but that's that's in here as well. So it's highlighted. You'll see the notes. They're all in the notes um little section. But if you have a question about a certain
005one, I'll be glad to explain it the best I can. teachers getting a the I see it says salary increase for teachers is 2500 plus that right >> to get us to that 50,000 base that the governor had sent out >> right because we're going we're 475 for new teachers like a second year teacher would go to >> so they >> 2500 plus a step >> so three years ago go recognized how far behind we were in competing. So we got aggressive. That's when we did the conversion from what we had for by years and we moved to the steps. So right now the teachers are benefiting from not only getting that increase to get to that mandate ever set also step increases. So once we get to that $50,000 the baseline by having those
006step increases it automatically moves them up but then as we do cost of living then within those steps they will also increase. So right now they're getting both as we aggressively try to compete with the district. >> I think we said roughly what around 3100 is what teachers going to get with 2500 plus >> that plus the step it's a total with both. Yes. Would you like me to make a copy of the pay scales for you to put in there? >> We got a new pay scale. >> You You did. You got it with the proposed budget. >> But we can make another copy and put holes so you can have it in there. We can do that. >> We can do that. And that would be on this paycheck, right? >> Yes. >>
007Retro back. >> That's right. >> To July. >> So for the teachers, it would not be a difference for them because they've already received July for the 12 month employees. Yes. It have to be retro back. You said it won't be retroactive retention >> because they haven't been paid on the new pay [clears throat] July one to July one. >> So August they already been paid for July out of last year's budget. >> So their first paycheck comes at the end of August this year. >> Am I saying something wrong? >> No. No, that's right. >> Teachers are August. >> Is there any more questions or comments regarding the GP budget amendments? >> [clears throat] >> Motion, >> right? Motion made by John to approve the GP budget amendments. >> Second made by Diane Brianna,
008can we do a roll call? >> Well, caller. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> She's on the phone. >> Oh, that's right. >> She said yes. >> Next is Tissa budget amendments. >> So, board I think it's relevant to what I appreciate you coming up and making the request, but I want to go back in time a little bit. So last year if you the year before Mike Gayy was here at the county commission and the county budget didn't get approved until the we were a couple of days away before that deadline. Mike Gay went through the process of saying here's the timeline of budgets and for the school board the proposed budget is by the 1 of May. So that's what our goal was to get done. the county budget is by June June
009one I think it's yes June 1 so that their budget is ready to go for July one so that was our mission this year that's why we had an April board meeting we had an April work session when it was time for the the budget to be approved we did it was sent to the county commission so this year in June is when we got the Tissa finalization numbers for the TISA budget So at that point it wasn't a revenue source in the budget that you approved. It wasn't a part of. We didn't know what the final number was. So then we were waiting for the county to do their approval. So it was done I believe June 28th. So and back in the beginning when we were talking about TISA what the board had
010talked about was is we wanted to do two things. We wanted to make sure we did a locally funded bug bonus. And we talked about we said tonight we're going to talk about the parameters. But we said if it had gone like it had gone last year, it very well could be um October at the end of September before we could do the bonuses depending on how the county got the budget done. So thankfully it got done sooner than it had done in the past, but July 28th was still pushing it to do it for a July payroll aligning it to a payroll. So that was something for us in the pre-planning of they're going to get paid in August and provide the money with their paycheck. So that way we do the locally funded,
011their paycheck and the TISA bonus. That's what had been discussed in our board meeting. Certainly um if y'all are two things, one you're considering doing the TISA amendments, but then the conversation is is when to pay that out. So there's some logistics that go along with that. So once the amendments are approved here, we're already on the agenda for the county commission. So typically they've always approved our amendment. So that's a nonissue. Then it's about the turnaround time of the financing. I don't know what that would take. Typically for payroll it takes four days to do that. So you would be running a payroll for um doing it. So that's the reason that we haven't done it any other time is the county budget part and then now if you want to do it before
012payroll it's doable but it's about a 4 day turnaround from the time of the county anyway. So the first order business is the T sub money. So new revenue came in and we can tell you where the money went. So, it's allocated out to >> Did I just hear you say four days before the county approves? >> No, ma'am. From the time that it's approved, it would take four days after thereabouts. And so, Amy, you can speak >> about it. It takes a good four days for normal payroll uh to pull in all the time sheets, create a worksheet document. you know, this one will be a little different, but it's not a one day turnaround kind of thing. Um, it's going to take some time. It It's doable for us because we have been
013I've been working with Jordan and we have a plan trying to get everything accomplished, but there [clears throat] are school systems that are not paying out till October. And I said, I'm we pushed it to get it into the county commission meeting for Monday night with you all passing if it passes tonight here to get to the county commission and we are going to bust it to try to get it to you all. Hey Dav this is going to take some doing but we're going to do it. >> Okay has a question. So it's going to be voted on Monday by the county commission if the school board if we decide we want to go ahead and have that money paid out because I think made a very strong statement the ide so I'm really
014wait a long pay you're not going >> it it takes more time than you than you realize and I had no clue the amount of of things that go into doing a payroll. It there is a lot lot more to it than you realize. But the problem is why we've had to wait is we had to know the exact amount of dollars because the first number I was given was not 136,000. [clears throat] So the numbers have increased. >> Excuse I just want to reiterate if the county budgets are done before the turn of the new fiscal year, absolutely it's done before the end of July. But when the county budget's not done before the end of June and look and I don't know anything about what that process looks like I just know that
015that's what we're waiting for is at 30th of June if it's done then you can work through the July to get it done. So it wasn't. So now we're here. So Amy, if it takes four days to do a payroll, is two days the turnaround the expected time? >> I I think the question is is does the board want us to do a separate pay ahead of payroll and we will work as as much as fast as we can do to get that turned around if that's what your want is. So >> well, I would be willing to at this point make a motion that that's what we do. >> I just I think give me a hard time a hard timeline would be tough. I would just say that as soon as the county
016passed it the finance department would have to pivot from what they were normally doing to make that happen. So >> So does that put them behind in something else? >> It will. But but at the same time it's taking care of the staff and so it's not bad. It's just everything comes at a cost. If we know that payroll takes four days, it shouldn't take us four days. >> It should because we don't have time sheets and I have all the figures um done. But I want you to realize it's not that we're trying to hold on to money. It's a matter of it was in the budget and the budget has to be approved before you can spend that money out. So I don't want someone to think that we were just holding money.
017We didn't get it until July and then we have to put it in our budget and then it has to be approved here and then at the county commission. So I don't want you to think we just sit around on some money. >> I completely understand I hope that you got discussion you know. >> No I understand my daddy's a county commissioner so I know the whole process. I was just and I'm honestly I'm fine. I work in second job. I'm I've talked to three other people who expressed to me, hey, can you talk to your dad if he's a county commissioner? And I just felt like it might be good. >> It's understand. But as adults, you know, we don't manage. And I don't take what I say out of context. I'm kicking y'all
018getting a bonus. And you know, it's a great thing, but as adults, we have to be responsible, manage our finances to where we don't depending on bonuses. >> No, I understand. That's why I do all my personal, >> right? >> [clears throat] >> So if if you decide to to pass the amendments to get the T7 the funding in the right place and you're if you're going to follow that motion just if you would make it broad enough to let that finance because they have not done this process they need to be able to pivot to figure out how to do it and get it done. If you want just to get it out of the payroll I think they can do it. I just don't want to disappoint you from telling me you want
019done three days and I can't do that. So just help me help y'all. >> I mean, did you say that the amount is more than what you anticipated when you I'm talking about the bonuses, >> right? The bonus is the same amount. I'm talking about the funding they gave the school system because they gave us opinion on if they were legacy or hybrid they gave the money to cover the taxes make you know social security and those kind of things they also gave that amount >> so for the yeah for the teachers so they either gave $2333 or $226840 depending on the legacy or hybrid person >> if it's done [clears throat] regular payroll. >> That's the that >> would be combined. >> Let me say this >> or is it separate? >> That that
020additional funding was for the school systems portion of that. So when the teachers get their bonus, they still have to pay their part of the taxes social security, you know. So I don't want you to think that they're about to get a $2,000. >> There's more tax. >> Yeah. Right. >> Not our portion. Okay. I want to make sure I said that right. like, "Oh, no." >> So, if this goes in front of commission on Monday, the 18th, >> so we're looking at maybe getting it paid out by like the 22nd, so like a week earlier than >> the payroll. >> But we're taking our members here, putting them in a line, make them stop what they're doing at the first school year. What they're doing. I'm looking to see >> my thought they're gonna
021have to change what they're doing anyway because the payroll is different >> from the bonus >> because you're gonna have to issue the amount anyways. >> There's a lot of logistics that are involved that Amy has certainly learned about in the past few months. All I say is this. This is the this is the one of the board I think we can support it. It's just that we'll have to pivot away from we don't have to get down in details. It's just something else [clears throat] but we're going to figure it out. If you would just make that you pass that just give me a little bit of latitude. I don't want to disappoint you because we've never done this before. I'm not sure we're going to be facing. So we need to word if
022if a motion is made we need to word it correctly. >> Give me some time >> and you also need to think is because later on in in our agenda it tells the other part the locally funded. So now you're going to get the discussion do you pay the teacher and do you not pay the locally funded. So you need to think about all that when you're voting. >> That is the other part. We had wanted to do it all in one shot. >> We first got to do the motion of TA budget amendments before we do anything. Right. Right. Yes, sir. >> I'll make the motion to approve the TISA budget. >> All right. Motion made by Jimmy Dale. >> I'll second. Second made by John. Let's do roll call. [clears throat] >> Yes.
023>> Copper. >> Yes. [clears throat] >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> All right. [snorts] So, next is the locally funded bonus protocol discussion. So board members, the board did vote back in the spring to also provide bonuses to certified and classified staff that was not covered under the T. I sent you that document again. So for an example, a building principal, assistant principal, the district level staff, supervisors, uh the assistants, those people will not be covered. And so was a $500 to classified staff and $2,000 to certified staff. What we did not get into is the the protocol, the requirements of TISA is had to serve more than 120 days. So they had to get to that 121 day mark to qualify. Then uh for Tissa they the requirements was if somebody was here and they
024left then we could still send them a check to pay you work so we can send you the check. So the question the board has to answer is is do you want to do the same requirements for the locally funded? So you have to be honest Jimmy and I talked about this. You have people that are here on 120day contracts. They don't qualify in the test. has to work 121. So, do you want to modify that? You've had people that worked maybe in the kitchen staff and they worked 121 days and then they left. How do you want to handle that? If it was Tissa and it was certified, you would have extended that bonus to >> Dr. How many employees we have that work that So certified staff, there were two. >> So we're
025talking about two staff. >> That's right. >> So did you find out about TCRs? Was it going to impact? Um I didn't find out about the 120 day. I never got an answer back on the 220 day. That's that's my worry about that. >> So with 120 there retired educators. Um we started thinking about it today. Does this impact the retirement? I don't know the answer to that. So if you decided to do 120 days, we would still have to do a followup to make sure that we haven't done anything to harm their retirement. I know other school systems did not, but I don't know if that's the reason. >> The two ladies, very important ladies >> in our system. >> I understand they're important. That's why we wanted to. >> Well, if you follow
026the TA except that part and you make it 120 instead of a day over. So that encompasses two employees and everybody else. My next question is is um if if they were classified staff and they worked 120 days, are we sending them a check to wherever they are? Are we making efforts to send them a check? >> I would say if they left our system, >> then the next question is at what point? So if they worked until the 30th of June and then they left Since this money is coming out of our budget, my belief is standing. That's just my thought. >> Amy, you did the numbers on the difference. >> I'm sure it's a $8,51642 difference. Um, >> if we pay um certified and classified who qualify under TISA, so we pay the
027ones that qualified under TISA, it's $75,637.90. If we pay Oh, and they returned. Okay. So, the next number I have are the ones who um left the system um but were here all year um and they qualified under TISA. It's 84,1642 according to Tissa. To my understanding, the bonus is given for the ones that work the 24 to 25 school year. >> Yes. >> So if they work that year to me, >> you would need to if they were entitled to >> fulltime that school year >> and they were majority of their services were with students >> and they worked more than 120 days, >> right? So they would need it >> because a new teacher is not going to get it. >> It's just for last year's school, >> right? >> So the teachers
028are good under the T. You're talking about assistants that were here and left. You're talking about district employers that were here and left. You're talking about custodians that were here and left. Are we making that effort to find and see the check? >> Well, how many is that that have left? But and the number represents the $8,000 difference. So, >> well, it kind of depends on the date they left, too, because you had some that were here a week, you know, two weeks, three weeks. I didn't count those because they weren't here, you know, a full-time um space. That makes sense. So, we're talking about folks that were here the entire >> for the school year, >> right? >> Well, I thought when we did it, they qualified under the 121 day thing. >> They
029were here at least 121 days. They could have left in April, right? And they were still counting that number, >> right? >> Okay. They met the TISA requirement and they left. So, the difference in that bill is about $8,000. [clears throat] But they all don't make that. >> Oh, [laughter and clears throat] >> he's confusing me. >> Some are classified and some are certified. >> Right. Some depends if they were hired or it's a lot too. [laughter] >> Sorry. >> Obviously, the board wants to provide the bonuses for people that work during the school year. I think it's just you just need to know it's a little bit more complex but it's all doable. [clears throat] The the recommendation from us as we work through this because we had a lot more time to think
030about it. It's just cleaner if you follow the TISA recommendation what they do. It really the only question is is the 120 to 120 one day over the impact. So if they work over 120 days [clears throat] >> I don't know that what I would say this if the board voted to shift it to 120 we would have that followup conversation with say hey we've been authorized to pay this to you but we need to do a little bit more digging. If it comes at you no harm no foul send the check. If it comes at an expense that would hurt their retirement some way we wouldn't do it. I'll make the most to do the 120 for everybody that worked last year 120 days and this and you call the two ladies to see
031if it's going to mess their retirement up and they can refuse not to take >> I have the option >> right at least they have the option >> right so motion made by Jimmy Dale second made by Deborah and this is to I just want to make sure I get everything correct this is to approve >> all employees >> who worked 120 days in our system last year >> and the 2425. So no matter what time they came what time they came long as they worked 120 days >> and then Amy is this money was it already allocated in the budget could remember? No, this is not we had to decide which >> just remember put this in your head. So we always try to work off the GP budget that we have and traditionally
032we stay within the [clears throat] what's the term that we are when it comes to federal we are a lag come up with it >> reimbursement lag meaning that we get the money from the federal government that can eventually this [clears throat] come out of fund balance at some point because it's not going to budget but you knew that when we talked about it back in the spring and I'm just reiterating with you before you did the vote that the bill may come due in the spring. So, we shall see. And >> at [clears throat] the most, it's around 85. >> Yes, sir. >> How what we're actually playing for the low, >> not what that's not >> the others over here. Do we need to vote on the timeline separately or we need to
033do that we need to make post put the timeline in there too [snorts] when they get it >> the payout for this? >> Yes. Now, it's the payout for everyone or just >> it's all teachers. >> So, I'm going to I'm not I don't think we should pay half the teachers and then wait have to pay the other. >> No, I think because the teaching money is already there, right? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> All we're now doing is >> because we already voted on approving it. >> Yeah. So, we're borrowing money from the GD budget to do it. So, let me ask this question. Do we [laughter] have to have do we're going to pay it anyway. So, you're you're authorizing the payment. It >> sounds like the ask is let's just do
034it faster than what we would normally pay. >> A week later. >> A week earlier. >> A week. >> Yeah. So, I don't know that that would have to be it would help me if it was that way. It's into the into the record if that's what your house was. Yeah. Yeah. I understand that. So, the motion is made by Jimmy Dale for all employees who work 120 days for the fiscal year of 24 to be approved. >> That's right. >> Second. >> All right. We'll do a roll call. Um, >> is $500 classified, $2,000 certified? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, we'll do roll call. Um, and Vivian cannot vote since she's not here present. Okay. So, any Kane? >> Yes. >> Homer, >> is Snder? >> Yes. >> All right. Next is the kids
035first contract. >> That was just >> it wasn't. >> That's what I asked. Do we have to make that motion? So I think [clears throat] >> okay I'll make that motion to pay it as soon as [snorts] county >> not as soon start the process >> because you said anywhere from four days >> I would say four is the max >> so that Friday they could >> I'm really trying to figure out is that going to give us enough time because um >> right, we've got we'll be gone one full day um for CCFO and I'm really I just it's going to be tight. So I don't want to say we're going to have it out by the 22nd when I can't promise that. >> So if you make the motion start the process >>
036and we will keep you updated. >> We will try. >> That's my motion. that that's two pay that it's really it's a lot to the August payroll just the August payroll you should see our list for August because we're having to retro back you've got teacher pay that bonus pay for the the day they work this is a lot >> we will do our best >> I don't guess you can put in the motion if humanly possible [laughter] >> I mean really I hear you all of us do I say that Amy and her team understand retention. This is a retention [clears throat] effort. So, we get it. So, it can be done. They're the ones that's going to be able to pull it off. So, I'm not trying to put you in a bind,
037but I hear the ask, >> right? And we will do our best. >> We will do our best. >> I guess that's the way to say. It was not in the It was not in the original plan, but to pivot to turn, >> we can do that. Just something might get dropped, but we will figure it out. >> All right. Next is >> I'm just going. [laughter] All right. Motion made by Jimmy De. >> [clears throat] [laughter] >> Second by Michael. >> All right, let's do >> [clears throat] >> It's quite clear to me that we're putting our staff in a bind to do this a week at the end of the school year. I can't support that. >> Cook. Yes. >> Yes. Yes. >> All right. Next is the kids first contract. So board
038members, we had last year brought in Kids First as a contracted [clears throat] company to be an exemplar for our staff for the using the high quality instruction materials. So those are the curriculums adopted by the state that are aligned to the standards. So in the past when we purchased materials, they were like 75 80% actually align standards. So learning how to use high quality instruction materials in the ELA space, the math space is a big act. Just learning how to do the lesson prep, the unit prep, which is the bigger picture, the data platforms, using it for assessments, and then the actually delivering of those materials. It's a big ask. And so we had brought kids first in kind as a pilot. And so you have a contract in front of you because we're
039going to exceed that $25,000 mark. I'll let Sunny explain what that is. All right. So, this is what I talked about last year when we brought in those content specific um supports in for teachers. If you remember, we started at their Kindle in the 38 space with math because data shows that's our neediest area. As for volunteers, out of the six people that we had to do math in the 38 space, I had four volunteer to do it. And the impact that it made in those classrooms that we walked in and watched and monitored was amazing. um for the first time in years. I can't give you a total number because I don't know we have small groups happening in classrooms and that is our goal like that is what our initiative is this year.
040So we piloted that to kind of get the leg work to see what we need to do going forward this year. Um the two contracts that you have right now are math based. Both of them are for math. Um I had to kind of change my contract up a little bit last minute because we've made the decision to be self-contained. So instead of doing a 38 math um initiative this first cycle, I'm only doing 35 because I went from six teachers in the 38 space to 12 teachers in the in this in the 38 space. So I'm going to pause middle school and we'll start them up after this one goes. So I'll run in the 35 space first. All nine teachers will get the support. And then I chose to go up to the
041high school space and do um algebra one and then English one and English two. And there will be separate coaches that are doing that. And if you'll notice, I'm going to do them in cycles. Miss Norman Gerald is the um person that I'm reaching out to and working with. I'm being very mindful of budget. It is expensive. It is extremely expensive. But I have purposefully designated the instructional coaching salary. we didn't replace that one at the high school to utilize for this. Um, I have title two funds that we have designated to use for this as well. And also other contracted services in my budget that will support this. Um, hopefully we're going to focus on math first. Um, there is an opportunity for us to do ELA. I applied for an HQIM grant in
042March of last year that was supposed to be announced in May. they they paused it because of the situation in the federal government and it is supposed to be announced by November. So I am fingers crossed hoping that I'll be able to do that in the ELA space as well. I'll know more as we get closer to that. But I have intentionally I'm going to run a cycle for about nine weeks. I'm going look at my budget and if I have the money to continue the work I'm going to push into the K2 space and then I'll also push into that ELA space. This will change our narrative if we can get teachers trained up. And this is the fastest way to get the bodies in there in front of teachers. And it is literally
043a shoulder-to-shoulder partner co-eing, modeling, planning, coming in and monitoring and planning with them and helping support them with our our work that we're trying to do. Any questions? I will say that every teacher who participated last year gave glowing responses and said it was one of the best things to take it. >> Yes sir. How much motion made by Jimmy D. Second made by Jody. [snorts] [clears throat] >> Yes. >> Snider. >> Yes. >> And anticipate hearing from me again because this is the first cycle that'll get us through. November about Thanksgiving and then I'll look at the budget again and come back with you that looks like pushing into the new year. >> Um and next is the differentiated plan pay plan. So board members, in the general purpose budget that was approved, there's
044money that's carved out for situations for teaching positions that are harder to fill, to recruit, to retain. And so that gives us the opportunity to do something differently because we got to have the certified teachers. And so in the past, we've done special education teachers, we've done chemistry teachers. So it was a part of that. But I recognized that we had not done a good enough job of communicating to you all what that money was for and the positions that he had built like chemistry. We had to fill an early grades position in the middle of the year a couple of years ago and pull somebody in to make up the difference of what they were getting paid. We had to do that. So we were in a bind. Amy, what was the amount that
045was carved? >> 24,000. So, and we're also required for the Department of Education to submit a plan and the plan is very broad. It is to recruit and retain hard to fill positions and it's anywhere from K all the way through but when we utilize that when we do that I wanted you to be aware of situations that we may have to pay out. [snorts] So, it's very broad in nature and there have been discussions about it. Thanks for that wasn't something extra special. It is in the GP budget and the money is carved out for I hear that right? >> Yes sir. >> So the plan been submitted by the state and I understand it was [clears throat] approved >> approval was today. >> So we do lots of things we have to submit
046through. It's [cough] just that I had heard discussions about just want to make sure that we're clear about it was approved and why we have it. Anybody have any questions about Is this something we need to vote on or is this already >> just a communication? >> Yes, ma'am. I just wanted to make sure I communicate. >> All right. Next is the policy review and approval threat assessment. >> I apologize. This is a threat assessment on the agenda policy. That is the policy of TSBA. [laughter] >> There any questions? I have a motion. >> Make a motion. >> Motion made by John. Second made by Deborah. >> [laughter] >> um all in favor say I. >> Any oppose say no. >> Motion carried to approve the threat assessment policy. Next is the Margaret Newton from
047the school student handbook. So, I'm gonna give thanks to Vivian. She called me about this. Apparently, the news Vivian, was it Lewisburg? >> Was it Lewisburg? Is that where this happened? Three weeks ago. >> Yeah, I think so. So there my understanding of what happened was they changed language in about whole really trying to get parents held accountable for getting kids to school and to leave them at school. So you know there's a magical time of getting to that full day 3 hours 16 minutes and then once a child is checked out of school there wasn't a consequence for taking them out early. So the parent thinks, well, I'm going to get out of work about 12:30. It's I don't want to have to come back. So they go ahead and check their kids out.
048So they had put language in that made parties as part of, you know, there being consequences for and ultimately was in our handbook as well. It didn't resonate with me and so had found it in the Margaret Newton. So you have in front of you, it was the page 16 in there about TAIS and Um and the language got changed. I work with Brie and she changed that language to a positive which is we want to keep those students there in school. So that's the change. >> That's what was in there. And so we want to just so if you look at the the new language any student arriving is considered party must be signed in out by adults. And so there's natural consequences for students needing. So we have a tiered system of support.
049It's just part of the data. If the student consistently is getting checked out of school, then we have supports to communicate with the parent about how important it is for them to be there. You know, if the kid's eight years old, it's not their choice that they're leaving. So we don't want any consequence to the kid. So we changed the language that it's not about kids fault. It's about us having conversations with parents to understand that we want them there and how can we help. [cough] So we just remarked all we did and we didn't we took away the consequence to the kid for being [clears throat] a motion to approve the change. [laughter] >> Made by John. Second by all in favor say I. >> Any oppose say no. Motion carried to approve the
050changes uh with the Mar Margaret Newton school student handbook. Next is the out of state competition. >> We have some competition coming out. Mike, you got four members in your packet. You should have a letter that I wrote up. Two dates. Get your approval for this fall and winter. We only have two. The high school volleyball team has a game at county August 28th. Middle school basketball has a game scheduled for October 28. As of right now, those are the only two out of state contest high school and middle school for the fall and winter. Baseball and softball is currently being scheduled probably December, January. >> What happened? high school not playing. >> Uh they canceled our home game last year. Um so they're coming here this year. We will not return up there. So
051it works out. So we'll go back to the two-year deal next year. >> So they'll come high school basketball. They'll come here. We just won't go there. Football plays here and football will play here. So next year I'm just going to have that. We're doing that here this year. So we will not go up there. Make motion. All right. Motion made by Jimmy Dale. Second. Second made by Deborah. >> All in favor say I. Any opposed say no. The motion carried to approve the out of state competition. >> All right. Next is the certified employee contract and benefit letters. Well, members, if you recall from our last board meeting, there was concerns about contracts and we talked about we did send out benefit letters and I said we would release for you a new process.
052So, you have in front of you is it's a it's combination of both. It's the com contract and also a benefits letter. This is what we will provide through the schools to the principles so they can have the conversations with the teachers. It's a way of also doing a verification of pay. So it'll go through our payroll to verify degree years of experience if they are responsible for a coaching responsibility or if they are a CTE teacher with CTSO responsibilities and so it verifies that stipen as well. So then the contract gets signed and we upload it. My intent would be is to because here's what my concern was. You work at Tyson, if you work at the gas station, you don't have to sign an annual contract. You don't have to worry about should
053should I be looking for a different place to live. And so that's what the the feeling of a contract is. Once they show up for work, they have continuous employment unless there's something that happens otherwise. And that's what I don't want to happen. So, our goal would be to get this out early to them in the spring so they don't have to worry about a contract looming over them. I don't want I want there to be the feeling of retention, not they're waiting on a contract. So, that's what I was trying to get around not to happen because of the continuous employment. But I think this fits I think it's just about timing. It's about an assurance of you get a contract unless you've been told otherwise. You we've gone through due process, something like
054that. So I wanted to provide that to you so you can see that it will be being passed through payroll principles to the school down to the teacher and then back up to us again. It's the payroll verification. >> This will be first use of this. Is this format new? >> Yes, ma'am. >> I like the Okay. Well, thank you. I really I borrowed it from the way it >> three different school districts to create it. So it's [clears throat] actually a contract. >> It is a contract. Yes, sir. But it also serves >> shows salary if they approve it this year. >> All right. I just I wanted to make sure that we were we were good with it. So if the board approves it, then this is what we would use for this
055upcoming school. >> Anybody have any questions? Get a motion. Make a motion we accept this license. >> Motion made by Diane made by John. Yes, Vivian. >> My finger on it looked at >> you as of right now. Yes. >> [laughter] [clears throat] >> I'll be glad to look at it again. There's a couple things I might want to tweak, but that's just because I'm a lawyer and that's what >> I know. >> Yeah. So, I I will talk with Dr. Burton and tell him anything, but it was pretty good to me. So, I just like to have a section through. >> All right. Motion made by Diane, second by John. Let's do roll call. Yes. >> Yes. >> Neil, >> yes. So good news board members all the teaching positions are filled. >> So
056there's just a couple [clears throat] positions that are open and just open the RTI coordinators and then finance the bookkeeping position. So all the teaching positions are filled and we're very grateful. Did I get it right? Very good. >> Next is the back to school bash. >> You have a flyer in front of board members Jennifer created. It was another amazing event. Lots of kids, lots of families, vendors that were there providing free materials, supplies. Miss Donna, I've only met her the times that I've seen her at the back to school bash. She should get a gold star, a cookie, be the queen of whatever parade. She did 27 haircuts. We started before we started. Then unfortunately there wasn't enough time. She had to turn people around. She she's a beast when it comes to
057cutting hair. I mean she hair went everywhere. She did a fantastic job. There were smiles that came out of that room. [clears throat] She she did just a fantastic job. But all in all, Jennifer, Amanda, they came together and they worked really hard that day. So, we were we were pleased with the outcome. >> Very good. So, there was 200 attendees. >> It was a bunch. >> Good turnout. [snorts] >> All right. Next is the Shiner Electric Update. >> This is an ongoing s. So the remodeling project the back of Laura Kendall it got down to fire marshal issues. So whole construction is the people that actually did the work they have been back out to fix the work. Now it is gone back up to the state fire marshal office in Nashville. So hopefully
058those two and electric now make peace and sign off done with it. They did come back on campus to make the fix that our local state fire marshal had found issues. >> Uh next is superend. [laughter] >> Good evening everyone. Okay. Uh, we had our Falcon Fly Supply drop off on July 31st. 65 out of 203 families were able to attend. Um, Jos came to meet with our K2 young boys to promote PE football. So, they are getting very excited about that. We had our swag staff meeting today and that is going to begin August 20th. Our grandparents day um will be celebrated September 5th. That's a Friday. And along with it being our first staff in store and behavior and attendance celebration of the year as well that day. We want to invite everyone
059to uh participate August 20th through the 22nd with our color recognition days. and we're going to send invitations out to the community. We're hoping to just strengthen school and community relationships and foster some of those conversations with students where they authentic conversations to help parents where students may go in and say, "Look at the cashier. Um, she's wearing green." And so we'll get those invitations out to the community until you all. >> So, we had a successful first week. I think I was probably the most nervous person on campus on that Monday, but uh I went back today, so that's good. We made it through the week. Uh but no, we had happy kids getting off the buses. They were so happy to see their teachers. Um and today I finally made it through everybody's
060classroom for a little while and got to see them teach and our teachers are doing fabulous and then the kids are awesome. Um, we got a lot of stuff coming up that you'll probably hear more about, but I know that um, it's it's just been exciting there and it's it's a good vibe. When you walk through the building, you can see the energy, you can see the excitement. And again, it's not just the kids. You can see it from some of our adults are here, but you can see it in the adults. And that's what we want. We want a culture of learning, a culture of excitement, and that's what we're really promoting in our school, in our walls. When you walk through the hallways, you see it. Um, we did our first house, uh,
061you know, the Ron Clark house system. We had a meeting on was it Monday or Tuesday? We, all the teachers, the new teachers got assigned to their houses and then on Friday, we did the same thing with all the third graders and all of our new students and it was awesome. I mean, the gym was rocking. Kids were going and turning flips on the little bouncy house and going down the slide and picking up eggs and enjoying their houses. It was just an awesome event. So, I wish you all could have seen it. We didn't. We did some filming, so maybe you'll see it on Facebook. But we had a lot going on and it's just been a really good start to our school year and we're just so thankful for all you guys do
062to help us. >> I've had fun looking at all the Facebook posting crazy. >> It was a great time. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Well, I concur with old Scott. I think this has been a fabulous fabulous weekend. Words cannot express how very proud I am with our Lake County High School facult. I want to sincerely thank them for the cooperation. Thank them for working side by side in collaboration to make sure our kids had a successful first week. It has been amazing. Uh one of the things that I pinpoint out is that we introduced the clubs for the first time in the gym. The kids were very excited. Most of them are going to very excited about Beta Club, very excited about team court. A lot of them are excited about esports. So we have
063a lot of young people who are anxious to get started with our clubs. I want to also officially welcome uh our new staff uh and what they have achieved so far. Miss Rebecca Marvin is our algebra 2 teacher and she is an amazing amazing teacher who has come in and she has basically stated to the kids that she will not give up on the amazing how she said that to them. Miss Kelsey Lebo is our health science teacher. She has a great a depth of knowledge of helping our kids in terms of the nursing program. She's building on what nurse Prince has left behind and that great legacy. Miss Joy Crockett comes from doing our English one and she is also coming in not only with knowledge of English one but also helping with our
064library. Uh we have students actually checking out books uh for the first week of school thanks to Miss Roy Crockett. And of course we have Mr. Grips who is our new a teacher. Eventually you all are going to start seeing turnup greens being planted. We did successful corn. Now, we're going to have our Turner greens being planted alongside with our pumpkins in which Miss Charlotte as well as Miss Jones uh CDC class has helped [cough] plant those pumpkins. So, we are really looking forward to that. We also have nine juniors who will be attending Dy First State Community College in their middle college. They will start on the 25th of August. Uh hopefully, we're prayerful that they will be able to graduate with a diploma as well as with a associates degree. We also want
065to invite you all, and I've asked Mike to help me out here. We would like to invite you all to our countywide tailgate, uh, which is going to be happening on August the 22nd, and that is against Ohio. [cough] Can you explain a little bit more about that? >> Yeah, it's something we've done in the past. We had done it in a few years, but I I reached out to the principles a couple weeks ago and just mentioned to them that hey, you know, let your faculty know, let your staff know that the first football game, let shows community and our community and with our schools and each school like you set up a table or a tent right outside the gate there where we shut off Cochran Street and just fellowship, tailgate, have some
066good food and just, you know, for the start of new school year, new football season. Let's come together and show some community and some pride. So we hope to see you all day. >> From my part, I just want to tell you it's been an amazing first week of school. [cough] Walkthroughs first day, second day, third day. There's a sense of urgency to see teachers teaching on day two standards. That's fantastic. So they're teaching about how we're going to get along in class, but at the same time, they're still teaching out here in the venue. Uh kids were out here working on day three. That's a sense of urgency, understanding that that is a not it's a classroom in itself. That's where the kids can put to work the skills that they're learning in a
067classroom. So, I've appreciated all the hard work that the principles, the teachers have put forward to do this year start off. >> All right. Other business, um, PSBA, um, we're going to have a Northwest Fall Meeting in Humboldt. Um, that's going to be at the Sports Plus Rehab Center. And then also November 13th through 16th is the TSBA annual convention in Nashville. So, just a couple of days. Is there any other business? >> What's our numbers? >> Yeah, I just got them from Gerald. 756 are the active students. >> Yeah, you got it for me this afternoon. 756. We got a uptick from black >> closing. Something I have wanted to bring up. >> How many Well, let me let me back up. I talked with Dr. Burton and I know we had some elementary
068school. Um, also I've reviewed our testing numbers and those kind of things again. Um, based on everything that I've been seeing, um, the test scores and the numbers, I'm wondering if it might be time that we back. Um I was on board when we made the initial band move and um we did that because now we've got the third grade reading test and a lot of the curriculum that we have to support our readers in third grade um is actually down at uh I know we got the room and it went free I think at Laurel and I would not want Of course, I can't make a nominate or a motion to vote tonight, but I think we need to at least get some community feedback before we do anything. Um, but I think it
069would be a good time to do that. Um, Sunny, what's your thoughts on that? >> Well, Vinnie and I had some conversations. She asked what I, you know, she gone to Dr. Burton about it and um drew this out to me and we had some conversations and I will say that even before she lifted it up, I had mentioned it to Dr. Burton in January of last year and his his um advice to me was you need a year to get this, you know, you need to start at the beginning of the school year, give community outlook, give community an opportunity to um speak up and give some feedback. And I can kind of share with you why I think third grade is better for suited for the Margaret Newton space. Um, with our grade
070retention law, when you look at our data, our resources that support struggling readers are housed in that building. Um, your foundational skills and phmic awareness, all of that is supported in that CKLA curriculum. Um, we can do CKLA at the third grade space at Lar Kindle, but what we don't have are all of those other teachers that have that skill set that when you start going past third and fourth and fifth grade, but the teachers don't have that skill set. They don't use it every day. It's just a a different um in their progression in learning to read because in the K2 space, you learn how to read through phonics and foundational skills. And then in second grade, you start transitioning to reading to learn. So, it's a different skill set and what that provides
071are opportunities for us to have small groups that are fluid among teachers. So, if I have a struggling reader in third grade who has a deficiency in a second grade skill, there's an opportunity for them to push into a second grade small group and get that really specific support. Um, data is a really big huge piece of this. thinking through it and what that looks like. It was part of the reason we shifted our K3 space, excuse me, our 35 space into self-containment. Um, and that it provides that RTI model that supports struggling readers. And we have, like I said, when you look at our second grade scores, we are very competitive, like really competitive for the first time in our surrounding counties. Um, I've got that data. I don't have it in front of
072me to share out of the meeting, but if you're interested in it, it's public. you just have to get in there deep and look for it. But we are on track for some really huge growth for that second grade class. Um, and just continuing that stamina and moving us forward [laughter] right now. It's important. So, it's something to think about and like I said, it's a probably a conversation. I can walk you through the data, show you all the things if you want to set up time to have that conversation and look deeper into it. So if you'd like, we could put it on the next agenda of a of a framework of a plan because Vivian's exactly right. You're talking about moving a grade and you want community input, want input from different perspectives.
073So we could build a timeline out and that way you can figure out if that's something you want to approach or not. Do you think we have enough time to look into it and do it by next year? >> Oh. Oh yeah, I think so. this would be the time to start. It was very timely when Vivian was talking to me about the influx of students. >> We already had this discussion actually attaches to exactly what she was talking about which is learning how to read. It's a connection to that work. So if we start that process, we present a plan to you how we would get input what that would look like in September and you can start doing that work. So we can put it on the agenda for next meeting. And I
074would say next meeting is just you hearing about what the plan would sound like, what it would look like. >> So if we have any questions or >> That's right. >> And and I would say that's not the vote to do it. That's the >> because we want to get input from people and then we get to November, December and I go this is [clears throat] the input we got from surveys from the meetings that we had. So in the middle of the year time frame, this is the picture that got painted for us. Now that you have an opportunity to make an informed decision >> 26 having them shift down third grade into the space. >> We would slow roll to make sure If you guys have had a chance, go and let Miss
075Sunny show our numbers. Like I say, she be competitive and I was really encouraged by that number. But we all know that child reading there's [clears throat] something that we can do to keep that from happening before they get to that. So I'm really excited about >> Thank you, baby. Is there any other business? I don't have any other business but talking about the second grade you know but then third coming back down here um which you know I Kanan my youngest one this year moved to Finley school not because of the school system because of you know pickup and his baseball practice and all that's all in Dyresburg his mom works in Dyresburg and you know me with my work schedule. I work night shift. So, you know, it's it it was getting really
076difficult to make sure he got picked up and all of that. It was putting a lot of strain on her parents. They're getting older. Uh but this year when they started at Finley, she had two students in her class, second grade, that were on a higher reader reading level than just second. And Kanan was one of them. >> And he's he's reading right now on a third grade level at second. >> That's great. >> So I mean that and I hate that he had to leave. I you know it it wasn't an easy choice you know well just about all my kids went to school >> here >> we got great things happening y'all just wait just wait for the ride is going to be awesome two years I keep asking for it last year
077was the first year two more it's going to be beautiful >> and I see the changes so they're just and and I think teachers and everybody in them because we're so in it you can't see it for yourself because you're living inside of it but when we step back and take a really big look like walking in this year for the end of the year is magical. >> I got a question. >> Yes, >> ma'am. AR. >> Well, Miss Gideon, we do have AR. We've started an AR program and it's an incentive program. It looks different from when Will was in school, but yes, we started that initiative last year and we are really leaning into that independent reading and trying to build that literacy community in our schools again. And I really think that
078that helped a lot that second grade bump. There was some independent reading happening there. >> Yeah. Because there that's what it was like we got I can get AR points. >> It's 100% incentive. There are no grades tied to it and have to do with falcon points and the Falcon way and all the things. So it's >> positive behavior because we don't want to kill the love of want to promote that love. That's why we're not attaching it to grace. That's why we can't spell out anything anymore around will I mean Ken when we're talking to him. We [laughter] have to we have to actually go to a separate room instead of spelling it because you know he's in the car and we're going down the road. We're pedaling and he's going oh yeah so
079we're going to go to St. Louis. >> Never mind. be happy [laughter] >> and I too members that Miss Bri and Penny have done an awesome job of that PLC that's happening in that K2 space and we are bringing that up once again K2 is the only place that have more than one teacher teaching the content around a collaborative plan time and so I think that we'll see that shift in that 35 space in addition like when you have three people coming to the table to plan and have conversations about content curriculum and what student progress looks like that changes the narrative in their classroom. So, they're not going to be in isolation anymore. They're going to have each other to to lean on to and to support one another. >> Is that what we
080once upon a time called cooperative teaching? Kind of sort of >> kind of sort of they still have their own kids, but with the HQ, Mrs. Diane, it is very very it's very heavy. Like there are so many pieces of the puzzle that you have to know when to use what with. And so it gives people to look at what the students are doing and then sit down with another group of teachers, another teacher or two who has done the same work and compare their work and talk about what went well, what could we do, what would we try differently and those that's how you unlock student success is recognizing there are different approaches [snorts] to the same thing. >> Is there any other business? All right, meeting. I'm going to die.