LSS BOE Business Meeting 10-6-25

001Um, yes. Yes, I've told. Yes. >> Okay. These two. >> Uh-huh. >> And then that one just can't because it's >> really linked to that one. >> Yeah, cuz Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. >> That one's good. >> Everybody gets quiet all of a sudden. >> Yeah. I don't Yeah, I don't know. [Music] Okay. >> Just wait for second. Longest minute ever. All [Music] right, I have 5:45. I will call the meeting to order. If everyone would stand for the moment of silence in the pledge, you face the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Madame recorder, if you'd call the role, please. >> Chair Laura Harrison, >> present. >>

002Vice Chair Jeremy Bernett, >> here. >> Michelle Childs, >> here. >> Keith Actton, >> present. >> Deborah Thomas, >> present. We do have a quorum. I would like to welcome everyone to our business meeting for October 6. This is our only meeting this month. As a reminder to the public and everyone out there due to fall break, Dr. Horl, will you lead us through our agenda? >> I certainly will. The first item on the agenda is the opportunity for public comment. >> Would anyone from the public like to speak? Hearing none. Next item. >> Uh next is our report section. Uh Miss Childs has uh again agreed that we move the legislative liaison update. We're also going to move that permanently on the agenda since we do so many recognitions. Uh but we're going to

003go straight to the superintendent report and we're going to start uh with a recognition of a group of wonder wonderful students that we're really proud of that have done something extraordinary. Uh and those are the kind of students we like to honor. So I'm going to uh adjust the stream here so we can all move on down and recognize them. So, uh, when we set out to create Lakeland Preparatory School, one of our goals is that we would, uh, create a kind of environment and a situation and have the types of teachers and coaches. We knew we would have the kind of students that would excel in uh not only academics but also athletics and the arts. And we're really really excited to honor this group of students uh who have excelled athletically in the

004sport of tennis. And um it's it's it's crazy to me that just a few years ago, uh nobody across the state had ever heard of Lakeland Prep. And now it just seems like every year we've got groups that are that are showing up at these things and everybody's saying, "Where did these students come from?" Uh but uh students uh we want to congratulate you on qualifying for the state tennis tournament and for going there and representing Lakeland school system so well. And we had uh four students that qualified and three that actually participated in the state tournament and as well as the coaches. And uh it's obviously a big deal. Um, I I personally know how much work it takes to put into that. Uh, because I tried and failed to make the tennis team

005at Germantown High School three times and I can tell you that uh it's uh it takes a I really did. Yeah, I missed it by one guy. I won't say the name of the guy that beat me my junior year, but um I still think about it. So, I wish I had a memory like you guys uh that you went to the state tournament. So, we're going to call you up here and what we'd like you to do is we're going to take a picture uh with me and the board and your certificate. And if you've got family members here, we also want to invite your family members to come on up. So, um we're going to start with Simmer Shadri, if you want to come on up here and give them a round of

006applause. Congratulations. You want to hold that up? And you're going to be here in the middle. family, if y'all want to come up. We're going to post all these pictures like we always do at Facebook. Let's all kind of gather and hold. [Music] here about it. >> All right. And the next three qualified and then went and competed at the state tournament. and uh we're grateful uh to you as we said for representing us there. We're going to start with uh I'm just going to mention it. She was just recognized today for making the over 30 club on the ACT. That's Kate Sheridan. Come on up here. [Music] All right, the next individual we want to recognize, also qualified, a multisport athlete as so many of our folks are, uh, outstanding scholar as well, Madison

007Fleming. Come on up, Madison. [Music] This student came in and tried to figure out why it was so quiet. It's cuz we started the stream early, so we didn't tell y'all and everybody gets real quiet. But we we're very proud of your accomplishments. Jenna Cowell, come on up. Thanks for >> another multisport athlete, I should say. And uh we also for our coaches uh in Lakeland school system, as I've said many times, we do we do pins for the coaches. And this is a pin in recognition of state achievement. And we want to recognize uh the two coaches that are here with us. Uh Melanie Fleming and Ben Rollins. So congratulations. Y'all want to come up? [Applause] Thank you. Come on up. We'll get y'all and then y'all wait after we take this picture and

008we're get everybody up here. And the students, y'all stay up. The students come up with your coaches up here in the whole group. >> All right. >> And we want to thank Miss Martin for being here. Thank you. And uh students and parents and Mr. Entman, thank you for coming to support your students. Uh students and parents that make us clear, you're certainly welcome to stay, but we don't expect you to. Uh if if you need to stay to get some hours or something, you can do that, but if you want to leave, it won't be rude. It will be totally understandable. So, we appreciate y'all. Thank you so much. Okay. >> Don't we have an EAP employee assistance program? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Do we need to sign you up for an EAP for

009to get some counseling about tennis? >> He should totally be >> We have tennis counseling. I've >> come a long way. I didn't say the guy's name, >> but I remember it. I don't think it was particularly close, actually. >> Everybody good? >> All right. >> Okay. Are you all ready to move on? >> Yes. >> All right. Uh and the next thing I'd like to do in my report uh is FY26 budget update. We once again have uh our chief financial officer, Tristan Gaitley Sweat. uh he's going to present just a few things but board again let me say this is uh really at your direction if there's financial information that you'd like to see as part of this report uh we added some information that uh Mr. Bernett had requested uh to see

010visually presented and we're going to allow uh Mr. Gaitley Sweat to do that present that now so think you can go ahead thank you Dr. Horal. Thank you, board. Uh this is the again fiscal year 2026 budget update uh October version. Um I'll update a few slides that you'll see throughout the year, but if you want to see something different, you want to see something, you know, one time on a continual basis, just let me know and we'll try to put together something that uh will help you have some more information. So this is the same graphic as last month, but you'll see a a little bit more spending. Uh so this is the uh percent spent for each general fund program. Uh and this is through um August of uh of this fiscal year.

011Um you have a few things that are front-loaded specifically uh related to the board of education where um insurance is paid, our insurance premiums are paid for the entire year. So that's obviously a big chunk of the budget in that particular function. Um our maintenance is trending a little high and so we're kind of looking at that. Um technology is another where a lot of our contracts are front-loaded. Um, and the other bonus pay function at 34% that's a function of uh the onetime teacher bonus that the state of Tennessee paid, but it obviously had to go on Lakeland school systems books. So that's why you see a significant percent spent there. Transportation only at 1%. That's because we only had a you know like one bill at the time of this report. Um that's

012obviously going to track up and um and we're we're kind of actively monitoring that one just as costs continue to escalate in that area. All right, this is the budget salary expense review. So, what this chart specifically shows, and I'm going to jump one ahead to show you the key. I couldn't fit them all on one and and make it readable, but here's the key to show you what categories I included, the budgeted wages in those categories. That's wages and um and benefits, salary and benefits. And then the groups, just kind of like what does extracurriculars actually mean? what does instruction actually mean based on some more common terminology there. So that's the key, but here's the chart. Um it just shows of the general fund, what do we spend on instruction personnel? What do

013we spend on instructional support personnel? So you see the line share is instruction 15.7 million uh over 2/3 of the general fund budget as it relates to personnel. Extracurriculars at 475,000. School administration, your principles, assistant principles, and school level folks at $2.1 million. Operations and man and maintenance at just under a million dollars. Office administration. So I consider these to be back office folks. So your office administration is going to be the board, superintendent, finance, HR, not directly involved in the in the instruction of students, but still obviously in a support role for the for the school system. All right. Any questions about that one? I know that one has a lot kind of baked in. >> Will you go back to for the board's benefit just go and the public go back to school

014admin? I do want to point out that that is that's the nurses, SRO's u not only the administrators but also the secretaries that uh that are involved in that as well. Yes, sir. We consider those folks that are they're based in the schools in the school building specifically >> but not doing instruction. Right. >> Yes, sir. >> And if we want to see further breakdowns of any of these, I can happily, you know, put together something that that kind of breaks out any of these categories more specifically. All right. And that's all I got for the budget update today. Um unless of course there are any questions or concerns. Um, I'll just comment. I appreciate the update and I appreciate the way it's laid out. It makes it very easy to understand kind of where

015we are for the year and tracks it tells us, you know, for as far as how how far we are through our fiscal year and being able to know which funds are tracking well and which ones are certainly ones we need to keep our own. So, I appreciate the way you you presented this and makes it easier for us to understand in a snapshot basis. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you for that feedback. >> Go ahead, Miss Bernett. >> Yes, sir. what Chair Harrison said. Thank you. >> Of course. And and obviously I'm tracking the funds kind of on a daily basis. So if you ever want like a more like I I stand by this as these this book, you know, August is closed, right? Like there's there's no more surprises for August. There's not

016like, oh, we, you know, forgot to bill you or or something like that, right? Um so that's why the the lag in time. I know that sometimes having a a month and a half delay on information can be like, okay, but where are we now? I can always provide a more, you know, relevant, recent snapshot. It may not be as pretty and clean as crisp as, you know, having a little bit of time to put something together, but I can always give you an update like where are we as of today on this if it's something that you're particularly interested in or or you're tracking kind of along the way. >> Thank you so much for being here. Appreciate you so much. >> Of course, I'll be around for the budget amendments if there's any.

017>> All right, >> Dr. Hor. >> Yes. Uh, thank you, Mr. Gaitley Sweat. Uh I'll also note that the uh the monthly financial summary is also attached. Um but I'm going to swing back to the superintendent report and just uh share a few things with you that uh are of note. Get back to my notes here. Uh wanted to give a just just quick enrollment update. Um this is the time of year where we're pretty much settled in I think uh to you know historically of of what the enrollment numbers are are going to look like. Um and the most recent that we're reporting um at Lakeland Elementary is 93 students there at Lakeland Elementary. That does not include as we always uh note that does not include any preschool students. Um, and then at

018Lakeland Prep, as we are fully built out, uh, we have 1680 students that are enrolled at Lakeland Prep. So, the Lakeland Prep numbers were pretty much, uh, we were 14 under the projection, which is which is really pretty close for a school with that many grade levels. Uh, and I will note that, uh, we were 49 under projection at Lakeland Elementary School. The vast majority of that, uh, was kindergarten. And we've noted that uh our our kindergarten kind of classes are or cohorts are kind of trending down a little bit from where they peaked. Uh there are a lot of complicated factors of that. We think it has to do with housing stock. The birth cohort nationwide is lower, but it is something to to keep an eye on certainly. Uh we did make some

019staffing adjustments to adjust the budget accordingly for that. So it's something that we noted in real time, but um certainly wanted to share that with everybody and uh with the public. uh did want to give an update. Uh we are this is fairly minor but just something to note publicly. Um we are going to uh get some communication out in terms of uh some alle cart pricing changes in the cafeteria. So the basic price for meals that the board approved is unchanged and and that the board approves. Uh but there are some just inflationary prices going up on some food products. So juice um is going up 20 cents, cookies are going up 25 cents. uh dip is going up 10 cents. So, just making the public aware of that. Again, those are the alle

020cart items that students will add on top of um their uh their regular meal. Uh had a number of exciting instructional things going on lately. Uh we've had some math walks that Dr. Deloso and her instructional team of instructional directors have been leading along with the school-based administrators. They're working with the Southwest Corps and we want to thank the Southwest Corps for their support in that area. Um, we had a writing workshop recently at Lakeland Elementary School to try to uh improve and strengthen our writing practices and the teaching writing practices. That was very wellreceived and also coordinated uh by the school with the department of instruction. Had a number of exciting uh community events lately. The international family night. I just want to uh note there are our our e teachers uh in particular

021Allison Garland who has really spearheaded that. uh you can't thank anybody without them saying yes but Allison Garland because she really did she did that much to make it happen. But the main thing that uh is just unbelievable when you see it is the the parent and community participation and the way folks come together uh to celebrate and build each other up and uh and learn more about each other. So it's just um it's just really terrific and lots of great fine arts performing groups. uh want to publicly thank the uh the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce uh for their recent uh Lions on the Lynx golf tournament and the funds raised for that go uh to benefit school programs in Lakeland school system and to support that effort uh representatives from both the Lakeland Elementary

022PTA and the Lakeland Prep PTO are heavily involved in making that happen. So we're uh definitely certainly grateful for their support as well. uh had a number of um district office and and uh and and school level uh staff that have been attending a number of conferences and professional development and bringing that information back. Uh it is almost impossible to in the scope of a report like this note all the amazing things that our students are doing. We tend to recognize the ones that are uh recognized at the state level or have achieved state things. But I would invite anybody to go to the Lakeland uh school system Facebook page and the individual school system fa Facebook pages uh because they really lay out um just the incredible things our students are doing and being

023recognized. Again, we that was the vision of the board and the goal of the community is to have students that excel in these areas um where students have the opportunity to bring honor to themselves and we're seeing that um just just throughout. Uh, want to congratulate everybody on an awesome homecoming at Lakeland Prep. I will note, speaking of kind of vision for things, it was exciting to see the vision play out for a Lakeland Arlington football game. Uh, if you told me we were going to host it for homecoming, I would have said, "Don't do that." Uh, but nobody asked me, so they did it anyway. Uh, and it was an awesome night. It was really a terrific night, I think, in the history of Lakeland. Uh, we sold 1,875 tickets. Uh the next highest

024sales was 1,026. So it was definitely our biggest gate. Uh and uh I think everybody acknowledges I I built the bleachers just the right size. It was perfect. There was a not Well, we'll see. I don't know. Not everybody had a seat maybe, but it was a great night and very very comfortable and the team played um played excellent. Congratulations to the football team on a win over Ridgeway. But beyond that, we've got uh we've got soccer that's continuing to play. We've got volleyball that's about to move into the postseason. Um, and just all kinds of exciting things happening in a multitude of sports. Had had state qualifiers and I shouldn't have started now. I'm going to mess it up. Cross country, middle school, cross country. I know for sure. And >> yeah, >> high

025school as well. I think >> um they're still going. >> They're still going. They did win last week though. >> Okay. Yeah, I'm going to stop now for >> Well, I will add to your report. I did read on a Facebook post somewhere that I think the football team maybe made the playoffs for or the after beating Ridge >> after beating I think they actually made the playoffs for the first time ever in school history. >> Yeah, that would be correct. Yeah, that would be correct. >> I think I read that on somewhere. So, it's hard to keep up with. >> It's hard to The band got second place in a big competition. It's just un unbelievable. Um the uh the booster thon happened uh last week and we always thank the PTA for that.

026Uh what a great fundraiser and it was a beautiful beautiful day that that is. So uh lots of exciting things going on. So uh we we just appreciate everybody's support in the community so much. Uh with the financial summary being attached and it's already been presented visually. Uh that concludes my report unless there are any questions. >> Are there any questions for Dr. Horl? >> Hearing none. Next item. >> Uh next item is the legislative liaison update. Miss Child so graciously allowed me to push back. >> Um yeah. So, uh, we're not in SE the general assembly is not convene. We're not in session. So, I do not have a report other than just to say that the four resolutions that, um, our board voted on were submitted timely to TSBA and so they have

027those that will be voted on by the delegate assembly at, uh, TSBA. >> Um, I'll just add something that I had forwarded communication on from TSBA about our resolutions to the board. So, just um, they sent it to me, so I made sure to forward it on to everyone else. >> Yeah. If I do have it printed out if anyone has questions about what um I mean it was all sent to y'all as well about their um comments on it. >> All right, any questions? Hearing none. Next item. >> Uh next item is the approval of the agenda. >> Um is there a motion to get this item on the floor? >> So moved. >> We have a motion. I'll make the second. I would like to uh amend or move items two and five

028from the discussion action to the consent agenda. So, I'll make a motion to move those to the consent agenda. Is there a second? >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any objection to moving two and five? >> All right. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. We now are on the amended agenda. >> I would like to make a motion. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um I would like to move um on the consent agenda number four to the discussion action. >> All right. So that would be number would that make it number one, two, four? Would that make it number four? I think so. >> Okay. Just making sure I have it right. >> Can I make one note? Parliamentary procedure. There's actually not a vote required for

029that. If any one member wants something removed from the consent agenda, that that can happen. >> All right. So number four is move to the consent I mean move to the discussion. I'm going to say it wrong. Number four from the consent agenda is move to the discussion action item number four. Any other items? Anybody would like to move or move remove from the consent agenda or move to the consent agenda? All right, hearing none. All in favor of approving the amended agenda say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Next item. >> Uh next item is the consent agenda. And I'll note the consent agenda uh now includes the two additional items. Uh approval of update to policy uh 5.43 403 and approval of LSS and active student cafeteria uncollectible debt >> and

030there so there are six items right just for clarity >> three four that's correct >> okay all in favor of approving the consent agenda say I >> I any opposed motion passes next item >> uh next item we move into the discussion action items the first item on the agenda is policy 4303 this is a new policy athletic activity letters brought by Miss Childs. >> Is there a motion to get this item on the floor? >> So moved. >> We have a motion. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> We have a motion and a second. Dr. Hor or Miss Childs, I'll let either one of y'all >> I'm going to let Miss Childs introduce this. >> Okay. Um yeah, so I I just wanted to introduce this athletic activity letters um for

031consistency across the different um sports teams and one and I'll get more into what that would qualify for. Um, I feel like with the school system, we did an amazing job rolling out um the banners and it was very um uh uniform and um but with the letters it's it's been um uh not so uniform. So, I just wanted to bring forth the policy um that when students are in a letter that it we' have a policy behind it so they could receive the letter of the chevron. >> Any discussion on this item? Well, I did want to point I did want to make um a I guess an amendment. I don't know. >> Yeah. You want to amend the policy? >> Yeah. Um, I do want to just clarify instead of it saying a

032an approved school sponsored sport or activity that it would be more specific so it's not so um vague that it would include um school sponsored activities that can be substituted for a PE credit and that if there were additionally if there were any other those would be the mandatory ones that would be included in this policy but if there were other um but it could be optional if other like fine arts programs wanted to do this as well. That would be optional. >> So, the amendment is to say to earn a varsity letter in school a school sponsored sport or activity. What's the next sentence? >> That can be substituted for a PE credit, a high school student must meet the following requirements. Everybody got that? >> All right. So, that would basically include like

033the all the sports and like marching band and cheer that you see with banners up. that would that would include those just to for clarity sake. >> Okay. So that's a motion to amend. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> So we have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. Oh, I'm sorry. Any discussion? >> Just Dr. R. Does that give you any pause or is there anything that >> about the amendment? >> Yeah. About Miss Child's proposed amendment. Um, I I I think ideally they'd be listed out what the because the way I read the the policy and therefore the amendment is that this policy is mandating that these groups purchase and distribute letters and chevrons. And I I think ideally in the interest of clarity I I don't

034I don't know um I don't know exactly which activities they are. I think it's a certain number of hours that they have to meet. So, for example, I think maybe bowling doesn't meet that or certain ones do. >> I believe it's a TWSAA sport and so I think it does. >> So, therefore, it can be substituted. >> Yeah. Yes, I believe so. >> Okay. Well, I'm just that's what I'm saying. I I don't >> um it it certainly is something that could be found out though and if that's if that's the will of the board, that's who would be uh enforcable under this policy. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Any more discussion >> on the amendment? >> Huh? >> On the amendment. I'm sorry. On the amendment. Yes. So, are sorry. >> Yes. >>

035Are we do we know that if we put the language in that it could be substituted for a PE credit? Do we know that we're covering every possible group that would earn letters? Well, I think so. You said another part, right, that you had some language to make it optional. Do you want to include that here or do you want a second amendment? You want to just complete like completely amendment amended at one time or do you want >> Sure, that's probably a better idea. So, okay. Then it could also following that would be um this is optional for other fine arts programs. So, so then to we'll go back and and just to give a little background on this amendment part. Um part of the reason I'm saying that is because uh Dr. Horl

036um gave me some more information where he listed um the programs that had at some point in history submitted some uh criteria for a letter and then he gave me a list of programs that um had never purchased any to his knowledge. Now that doesn't mean that it's possible an SSO might have purchased it but they had not purchased it from the school account. Um and so those were a lot of the one the fine arts. So I don't so I don't want to hold them as a mandate since they may have put in some criteria but then decided that it was not something they desired to uh purchase these letters and so I don't so I was leaving it optional for those fine arts programs that were not um the um >> essentially like

037a sport. Is that what you're saying? Yeah, because those were the ones that primarily um the consistency like with the banners just to try to um you know where it's if the students on the team um it wouldn't just be like well oh my friend on this team got it but I didn't get it and just trying to have more consistency across the board. Um but like I said some of the fine arts programs that were not marching band um they they had submitted criteria but then they hadn't actually it didn't look like they had made any purchases. So again it would be optional for them. they could certainly do it or not do it, but the programs that were considered sports, which is what you often think of with the Letterman um you know,

038the sports programs, the cheerleading programs that um you know, again, it was there were some hit or miss. So, I was trying to um not penalize programs that may not want to do it, but leaving it optional that they did want to do it um but trying to be consistent across the sports. So to go back to the discussion to earn a varsity letter in a school sponsored activity that can substitute for say it again >> A PE credit. Um a high school student must meet the following requirements. And then so is this the point at which it would be appropriate to add um this is optional or would it be further down? It might make more sense gram grammatically I guess on number five to add that at the end since it's talking about

039who's responsible for getting those that just add a sentence where this is optional for other fine arts programs. Okay. So the so we're on the amendment the first amendment to change it to say that it substitutes for a PE credit. Um Dr. or will you be able can even after this to make sure that it covers every sport or that we in that we have or extracurricular sport to make sure that language does cuz I know you brought up bowling and I believe that it does substitute for PE credit but I don't want to 100% say it because I I've read about it but you know things have changed so I just want to make sure that um it intends to so can you check on that post this meeting but the intent of the

040board basically as I or the intent of Michelle's amendment would be to have anything where you any sport and trying to change the language to also include marching band and cheer which are kind of a different animal. They're a sport but they're different I guess is the intent of the language. Does that make is that >> Yes. Thank you. >> Okay. >> All right. So, any more discussion on that amendment? >> So, I'm clear. Yes, m >> still just >> sentence one. >> Just sentence one. just the PE credit amendment and that would be and Dr. Harla I hate to do this too. I don't I'm used to seeing line numbers when we have a proposed policy amendment and I don't maybe it's me but I don't see him on this one so I could

041sure would have been helpful to have been able to say line four. >> I agree and I apologize. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> So I guess it's line two. Line one and line two is where I think where we're at. >> Okay. Just the one for now. >> Yes. That's just the one for now. >> I just wanted the clarification thing. >> Yes. Any more discussion? Yes. So, do we need to use the language of the policy that's the alternate PE credit and then cross reference it at the bottom? So, it it's like a >> Yeah, >> it's an official thing. You get that half you get that half credit um for doing a a sport instead of taking PE. So, we should probably >> Yes. >> cross reference those at the bottom. >> I

042agree. So that I would assume that that would be an administrative item. Is that a >> Yes, we can do that administratively. All the cross references are typically done administratively. >> Thank you. Any more discussion on the amendment hearing? None. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Are any opposed? Frogging my throat. Um all right. So we are back on the main policy um with the amendment. So you would like to Michelle, you discussed a second amendment. So, a second amendment you wanted to make down by item number five. >> Yes, this is it would read this is optional for other fine arts programs. >> So, would it be let me ask this grammatically, Dr. Horl, would it be appropriate to or could it be appropriate to say it as a number six that

043these criteria are eligibility or something or does it need to be with number five? I well which one would be if Miss Childs is saying that what what is optional is the coach or sponsor being responsible for ensuring that the letters and chevrons are purchased then I think it would go with number five I think. >> Yeah. >> Well I guess what I'm let me ask it differently. So the amendment we just made was that it could apply to orchestra for example. So >> or or I'm sorry it wouldn't apply to orchestra. >> Correct. Right. So >> or regular band for >> or regular band. So So is is your int I guess I'm asking the intent is your intent to make it optional for those programs? >> Yes. Because like I said I I

044was given information from Dr. Hull when I was asking more about this and making sure I'm you know trying to um uh not trip up programs where there might not be a desire to do this. So I was um as far as um some fine arts programs that you don't typically think of a letterman jacket and letters and that kind of thing. So um quite a number of the fine arts that are not marching band had um submitted criteria but then had never purchased letters. So again they could absolutely purchase letters and chevrons but it would be optional. It would not be mandatory for the coach um or sponsor to purchase those letters or chevrons. That would be an optional thing if they decided that they wanted to do that. So is that's what I'm

045asking. Would it be appropriate for that to be a number five or not? That's what I'm trying to understand. Does that does that optionality of the fine arts programs make sense in number five? >> Uh I I believe that that would make sense in number five. I I I suppose but one way to think about it is that if it's optional, does it need to be included in the policy at all? I mean, if it's if >> that's fine. I'm just trying to be clear. No, that's for clarity. I mean, if it's optional, >> Mr. Bernett, >> if I could, I I think we do need to make a couple of structural modifications to the policy overall um as proposed because it says to earn the letter with the amendment we just made. A high

046school student must meet the following requirements. And then we have a an ordinal list. Well, that ordinal list number five makes no sense because it's not an eligibility requirement. It's a procedure to go along with it. So technically that doesn't belong in that list. What I would suggest is we make that the next paragraph and then it would make sense to me if Miss child will take it as a friendly amendment to then have a paragraph either above or below that says this this policy is also optional for fine arts programs blah blah blah. What I would be afraid of Dr. is cuz now we've put a policy in place that says to earn a varsity letter and absent the inclusion in that policy, we couldn't award a varsity letter for anything that wasn't included

047in the policy. >> That's fair. Yeah. >> Well, yes, Mr. >> Just to make a comment on that. Um and and I'm fine with it, but just to note that um you know the two seasons or meet the playing participation requirements for one year set by the individual coach or sponsor that have been approved by the school principles. So these programs had already done that. So their their requirement could have been one year of playing um in all I I have no idea what it is so I'm just making example. It could have been one year of playing in 100% of the orchestra concerts and then they would have met that just like some of the coaches their requirement was like at one point soccer was playing um seven varsity games in one season. So

048that was not the two years. So, just to point out, I do think that um the or what has been turned in often covers what that would be, but I'm not opposed to a friendly amendment um to make it clear. So, well, I'll just I'll make the motion for amendment. So, that number five not be a number five and be be a paragraph. So, that's kind of administrative, but we'll just call it number five, not be a number five, and it moved to paragraph. and then adding a paragraph that below that number pre prior number five that it be um um that this policy is also optional for add for other fine arts programs and I don't know that we want to spell them out but we certainly can if we want to say theater

049orchestra >> would it be appropriate madam chair to say other fine arts programs as approved by the school admin. >> That's fine. So, so everybody follow what the motion I made. Number five, taking it out of a five and making it a paragraph and then adding a paragraph underneath to say that it it is optional. This policy also applies or is optional for the fine arts programs. >> I'd like to respond. I'm just trying to >> All right. So, we have a motion. We don't have a second yet. So, let me get a second before we So, is there >> I have a I made a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> So, we have a second now. >> Okay. >> Now, go for it. >> Sorry. Procedure. >> I feel like we're

050making a lot of structural changes here that um would require I understand the intent. I want to make sure if we put it out there, it is clear. It's defined. Um, and right now I'm unsure of some of the clarity of and I know that's where these amendments are coming in. Um, I feel like there there may be an additional um, maybe just more of an opportunity for us to review this and come back to it and and clear up some of the confusion. Well, the good news is we didn't suspend the rules. So, it needs two readings. So, it will not become effective until it has a second reading. So, we can get an amended policy with all these things and pass the first reading and it would not become effective until our November

051meeting if we voted yes on November. Does that sound good or >> I just can't tell you ultimately I I would prefer to see these spelled out. I I I would I would spell out the the sports, the arts um programs to to make it as clear as possible. >> I'm not opposed if that's the will of the board that um on our amended one that Dr. Ho can spell out the sports that this would include. >> You got a page full of notes over there. You I'll wait. Tell me when you're ready. >> I am ready. Thank you. Okay. So, right now we have an amendment on the floor to take number five out of the requirements and make it um its own paragraph to add the next one to say optional for fine

052arts. And uh Mr. Actton requested that we I guess amend the amendment perhaps. So that be would that be appropriate to list out all the fine arts activities? Is that >> Well, just to clarify, I I'm looking we're we're alluding to um these participation requirements, but they're not spelled out in in in our policy. And I I think if you've got a policy, it should be clearly defined. Um that that would be my friendly recommendation inside this amendment if if you will. Um we we've got some general parameters here that we are building. I think we've just got to build the detail inside. >> So, just for clar just for clarity, um you're asking us to list um every sport um and those that can be substituted for a PE credit that would qualify and

053you want each one of their coach participation which would be different for every single sport. That's what you want listed in the policy. So for number two, meet the plan participation requirements for one year set by the individual coach or sponsor that have been approved by the school principal. Um where will that be listed? Where how will that be defined? Is that going to be presented to the players in advance? Um that that's the unknown for me. How is that how is that defined? >> Okay, Mr. Bernett, >> I absolutely agree with Mr. Corct and um and and it may be that again a consideration if we approve tonight the amendment to go forward next time is that that have been approved by the school principal and published um annually at the beginning of the

054year or something similar to that. It's just as a as a starter is I hate moving I hate moving uh goalposts. >> Yes. Um, so we're still on amendment for five and the fine arts. Did you want to change it to list all the fine arts and did you want to amend to change all the fine arts but also go back up to the top and list all the sports? >> Mr. Actton, >> I'm thinking. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, well, let's I'm just So, we're on this amendment. So I will I guess I can amend my amendment to list all the fine arts. So I will I will amend my amendment. Mr. Bernett, will you second that? >> Yes, ma'am. >> So at least we'll have >> well to list all the fine

055arts and list the activities that we were just talking about. >> And the fine when we list the fine arts, we're going to list them as optional marching band. Correct. Correct. >> Any more discussion on the amendment? All right. All in favor of the amendment say I. I. I. >> Any opposed. The amendment passes. Now we're back on the main policy. Mr. Actton, which ones? So you wanted So you wanted to see some clarity in the language. >> So number two, >> we're going to discuss this or meet the plan participation requirements for one year set by the individual coach or sponsor that have been approved by the school principal. So, you want to make a motion to say and publish at the beginning of the school year. >> Is that or Mr. Bernett? I'm

056sorry. >> I don't I give credit where credit's due. >> Yes, Mr. Bernett. >> I don't need any credit. I just I appreciate that. I I agree with it. If need be, I I move to amend as we read that first time um to insert on line on bulleted item two um after um approved by the school principal, and published annually at the beginning of the school year. >> All right, I'll second that. All in favor or any more discussion on that? All right, all in favor say I. I. >> I. >> Any opposed? All right, that now we're on back on the amended policy. Um, I did I did have a question about number three. So, when it goes from two to three, it doesn't say and or because not all sports are toustsa.

057Is there a problem with having and there after number two? >> Well, I think we're saying meet the equivalent of the TWSAA academic eligibility requirements. Okay. >> Um, so whether or not it's TWSAA, even if it's banned, I mean, sounds like or marching band, you still have to meet the academic requirements. >> I just want to make sure that there wasn't an issue with the andor situation because we mentioned T. Okay. >> Got it. That's the only question I had. All right. Are there any more questions about the amended policy? >> And I think Go ahead. >> Well, there. >> Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Thomas. Um, can we talk about uh five? Can we talk about number five? >> Yes, that's now a paragraph. That's now a paragraph. No longer the the paragraph formerly known

058as number five. >> Yes. >> Um so I am concerned after some information that Dr. Horl sent us about the cost um the cost for SSOs to purchase um purchase these letters and these chevrons. Um, I was amazed at the um what you told us about the cost for them and um I think we can all agree we our kids raise money. They sell cookie dough and uh wrapping paper and all sorts of things that nobody really needs but very kindly buys to support the program. And for a lot of SSOs that are smaller, it is very difficult for them to raise the money. And if we're saying that they have to purchase them, that really gives me pause to say everybody has to do it and you have to purchase them. I'm thinking about

059band is a huge amount. Um both soccer teams a huge amount. I'm open to any discussion that you all want to have about the cost. >> So, I I know I saw an estimate and did you send us a followup as to what the company charges that? I I don't remember what the company charges. Is it 7 12? >> Yes, I have some uh the company charges $12 per letter. And most of these are scaled up to large. If it's smaller amounts, it's it's fewer. So, we were kind of looking at bulk pricing. So, uh, I think this is about what it would be, $12 per letter, $2.99 or $3 per chef. So, the estimate we were we were talking about if we were to buy in bulk, a bulk situation, we were going to

060get $500, I'm sorry, 500 letters, that'd be $6,000. 1,500 chevrons would be $4,425. That would be for kind of a to get everybody started, but there would have to be some annual costs. Um, I will note to your to your question. I' I've shared this with Michelle and I've shared this with several of you. That's one of my I think biggest concerns with the policy is is is that it it maybe it's unclear or maybe it is clear who is responsible for the cost. And my concern is anytime that there's an unfunded mandate, is this the board saying you must purchase these, even if that's not something the students are interested in or the parents are interested in or the coach is interested in. Um, this is the board, I believe, saying you must come

061up with this money or you're in violation of board policy. I think that's that's one of my biggest, I think, concerns with the approach. Well, so in in today's world, player fees pay for things like uniforms and basketballs and balls that they footballs and uh so um and and the other so there so there's that option. The other concern I have is that there are um activities around the school where kids see, you know, this sport or that sport or this activity or that activity, whatever, getting letters and that recognition where others are like, well, why can't I get it or and so that so that's I I appreciate Michelle bringing forward the the concern about equity because some programs have prioritized it and already taken care of it and have a system in place

062where others don't and understand we're all starting out and I and I'm not trying to like throw anybody under the bus because it's been a four years of building and that and so I have understanding and patience with that but now that we're all four years like having some structure there feels like it it's important because you know kids are out there doing two and three and four things and want and should get the recognition for doing out there doing it and doing it at a high level. we bring them in here, recognize them because they went to state, but you know, they they some of them may want to get a letter, whatever. And if they're um program or whatever doesn't do that, it just seems I don't I hate using the word unfair

063because that doesn't feel it just doesn't seem like we're being consistent across the board. >> And I if I can, Mr. here. I I think my concern with unfair is if we're going to get in a situation where to your point we raise you know you you do have fees for uniforms and and balls and you know referees and they pay for things that the whole program has to have. In this case we'd possibly be asking every student to pay a fee for an award that only some students will get. Um and I also think it's it's us making the decision that the letter is the award that maybe the students want. I know some programs give an award to every single student and maybe they each one has a different title and they may

064have a plaque or something that they do instead of the letters. I I know I I did talk and I I shared again this with Miss Childs as well. Um from what I understand from two different reps, it is fairly inconsistent in I won't say every school, but in a lot of schools. It's not unusual that this program believes in letters and gives letters and chevrons and this one in some cases it's football and baseball. They just don't. That's the coach isn't into it. That's not how they want to recognize students. The players aren't asking for it. The parents don't seem to mind. And it's just it it it does tend to vary. How do we recognize athletic effort um program by program? And I'll share this and then I'll I'll stop. And this is

065just for context. Again, I shared this with Michelle. I did take a survey of the other superintendents in Tennessee just to see is there a model policy out there. Does anybody know that it's possible that somebody just didn't respond? To my knowledge, there is no board policy on athletic letters in Tennessee. At least nobody responded. But in the responses that I did get, most of them said we let the schools handle that. And some of them said even more specifically, it's sport by sport at the school. So that's again just context on that. M >> um just as far as expense I just wanted to point out um you know we just went through this for the first time ever having seniors which is great in the first season and doing um the banners and

066um you know each team um it was pretty consistent. Um I think all of the uh fall sports participated in that. It wasn't just, oh well, you know, um, football's going to hang a banner and then, you know, this smaller sport's not going to be able to do that. And, um, you know, basically each, uh, coach got to figure out what that looked like, you know, and so for some of them, the boosters did take that cost. Um, they also had the option, and again, some of these, you know, if it came out of their school funds, some of these kids are not going to be playing that sport their senior year, but yet their fees went towards something like that. Now, um, we can also, if this, if the programs need it, we can

067approve a fee that would be, you know, um, up to $12 because the most it's going to cost $12. Some of the students will cost $3 and some will be zero because some they will not, it is an award and they will not all earn it. So on average we could figure out an average or whatever and you know determine that like we did the banners because that was another thing if the you know if they didn't have an SSO or the SSO didn't have the money or desire to do it and the coach didn't um have enough money or sponsor then um they basically passed it along to the student and I think what was the fee on that? I think it was like $100 or something or >> 75 or 100 um which

068is way more than what this was but that was an option that um could be done. Um, I think a lot of the expense comes from, you know, some of the students have, um, played and earned varsity and letters for up to four years. And so, it's just the backlog of the expense. I think going forward it's going to be, you know, 03, some $12 ones. Um, so I just wanted to kind of put that in frame of reference with the uh, banners is, sorry, is there. Um, so I'm just wondering I I assume this is the vendor we've gone with and and that's fine. I didn't know if there was like I don't want to say cheaper options out there. Maybe less expensive options out there. If $12 is too much and $3 is

069too much, is there or is it just because it's specialized, this is the vendor? >> That's a great question. I didn't go comparing prices, but I know that when the letter jacket vendor was selected, there were multiple bids. got solicited and as as again Miss Childs and I discussed you know once you >> they do put a lot of effort in designing the letter jacket and you know designing even even the patch it's the LP but there's still some design involved so you you're you're basically signing a contract that says we're going to be the exclusive provider of this just as you do with the yearbook or you know senior photos or things like that. So you it certainly it's not a forever contract, but it would be it would be difficult to kind of

070price shop every year. Um that is that is something else that's a little bit unusual about this policy is that it's essentially it's the board passing a polic policy that says we're going to purchase something from this, you know, this vendor every year. But again, you could switch vendors theoretically. It's not forever. So, um, another item is, and I know down at the bottom it says there's like essentially what Michelle Childs alluded to was backlog. Can you, again, even even if we pass this tonight, it's not effective because we need a second reading. Can you get the board an estimate of what the backlog would be and then what an average would be moving forward? >> Mhm. Of course. So like you know what what's the dollar amount associated with backlog because I understand you

071know a big onetime expense may be a lot for one program but then can you also tell us like what the average for each you know like there's four or 12 or whatever you know is it $100 for each program or this program you know can you give us that kind of a both a backlog and a forward looking uh dollar amount separately >> I can I think I think to get the dollar amount um because in terms of backlog Some programs have made this purchase. So we have to get a handle on that. >> Yes. >> As well. So we I think we want the backlog of unpurchased as well as >> the purchased to get a total of what it would be if all these programs were getting letters and chevrons for >>

072right >> each of the years. Uh now I will note that the this one's a little sticky because when when the the coaches were essentially asked they were requested early on in terms of the preparing for the high school to put together their own criteria and Miss Martin worked with them and and Mr. Duncan worked with them to do that. Um they had the initial criteria at three years. the board requested when you didn't uh when you took up the policy and didn't approve it that each of those programs lower that request that eligibility to two years. Um, so it make it look >> But weren't there programs that were awarding it before three years? They were awarding it one year or two years based on the alternate. >> There were, but >> so it

073wasn't just three years, it was three years or you were played in so many quarters or something like that. >> Correct. But it so many minutes. >> It improves it. It increases the the backlog on the front end. >> Right. Because you it's one you might have had one more year for the students that didn't earn it under the alternate. Um, they're going to earn it faster. So anyway, there's there's some math to math in there, but I think we can figure it out. >> So, Madam Chair, um, so how are the banners handled? >> We were talking about banners, and I I do not know the answer to that. How are they handled by sport? Are they in the fees? I I have no idea. >> So each each coach and can I'm sorry,

074can I speak to I just know from me working on it. >> I have no idea. Okay. So, I know from working >> I have no idea how I only know that DJ helped with the design. >> Yes, DJ has been awesome. So, I'll say that out loud. Oh, he's he's not here. DJ has been awesome. He left. Um, so it's up to the individual program either if there's no booster or if the booster doesn't want to handle it or whatever, then the coach can collect a fee to go into that that um account that from the parents for the not to exceed amount that we approved to cover the cost of the photographer and the printing of the banner or the booster can cover the cost and do it completely out of their account.

075um or the program if they have enough money in their account they can cover it without charging the parent fee. So you have all three of those ways which it can be done. So if if the program is sitting on let's just say enough money to cover five banners or whatever then they don't have to charge the parents if they have enough to do it within their fees for that year. >> Okay? or if they you know don't have enough then they can charge the the money to recoup the cost of the photographer and the banner printing and then or the booster can cover it. So those are kind of the three ways that are have happened with fall sports. So do we do we think this is going to um impact each organization each

076SSO to say we need to make sure I mean I know it's only 15 $18 right a max of what 21 if the letter and three chevrons so a max of $21 over um >> four years >> over a is it four years If based on that, it could be three chevrons and a letter. >> It could be a letter as a freshman if that's what the organization chooses. So, we're talking about 21 possible dollars over the four-year life of a high schooler, right? >> So, if that is factored into your not to exceed amount, >> um then maybe that's the the the way to go to make sure that the not to exceed amount covers, >> right? a maximum $21 investment for a letter and three chevrons. >> Yeah, >> Mr. Actton, I think

077>> I was going to wait for you to turn around, Madam Chair. >> Sorry, Mr. Actton. Sorry, I turned this way and >> that's fine. Um, would it be possible just to grant the ability to say you qualify for one and then that be the responsibility of the parent/ student to where we remove this unfunded mandate? I'm throwing this out there to as an idea as you're concerned about the um the cost and something you brought up. Maybe we set up the policy to where it's the these are the qualifying reasons and then if you want to pay the $12, here it is. >> Go ahead, M. Go ahead, Dr. Wh. >> That would that would certainly be possible to run that and to provide to the I mean, we'd have to work with the

078coaches um and have a list. Um I I that would be the equivalent of in the past when we have won the um top workplaces award uh for the commercial appeal they send us an email that say congratulations you're a top workplace would you like to buy a plaque >> um I mean that would we would we would basically be saying congratulations uh you it could even be a certificate you you have lettered >> this certificate indicates that you have lettered under these board approved um criteria Um here is the brochure which I'm sure the vendor would be happy to provide uh for which you can you could purchase. So essentially that wouldn't be an amendment to the paragraph previously known as five. Is that is that accurate? >> Yes. >> So Dr. H does

079that give you any pause with administering that? I think there's going to be, frankly, because it's board policy, um, there's going to be a tremendous amount of administration regardless in terms of coordination between my office and the athletic director and the athletic administrator. So, we're going to have to, you know, check, double check, and check again. I I think that um that makes me feel that makes me personally feel a lot better about passing costs on to the uh to the students or to the organizations. Madam Chair, originally when I went down this road of putting this putting a policy out there, a recommendation of a policy was the just having a qualification guideline for the student to meet the the the lettering policy and more so just for a resume opportunity as they prepared

080for college. um it was more about that and less about the the physical letter and the chevrons. Um so I I do like the idea of having some sort of parameters put in um and if we want to put that burden back onto the um the financial burden back on to the student and and um or really it's the parent who is paying for it in my household anyway. So, uh, that I think would alleviate some of the burden, um, off of the the SSO or the coaches. And that's that's the thought behind it. I I I guess I need to make a formal amendment request if we um if the the chair will accept it. >> Yes, certainly. You So, you're making a motion to amend the paragraph formerly known as five to say

081that I'm trying to make sure I'm make. >> Yeah, go ahead. If you've got wording over there, I'm sorry. I do have something. I do. So, to further what I think I hear Mr. Directton saying, perhaps it says coach or sponsor or sponsor is responsible for ensuring the letters or chevrons are recognized um on on some type of student record, whatever that should say. And then um working uh notifying the student and parents um of the availability and price to purchase said chevron or letter and or chevrons. >> And should that say by the end of the season or yes by the end of the season? online. >> And then my other question for that would be I would if whatever we do here, I don't want to prelude it cuz even though I know

082we're in the type of district we are, we also have students who struggle to pay just to play a sport. So, I wouldn't want this to preclude someone else from donating money to buy. I'd hate for that one student be the only tennis player who couldn't buy and then they're walking around being the only tennis player who didn't have a letter. But I don't think, if I'm correct, there's nothing that stops anybody from donating to buy for somebody else. Right, Dr. Horl? It >> it seems to me that if under Keith's proposal, if if the procedure was we're going to generate a list of students um who are eligible for letters and chevrons, I think a booster club could say, "This is important to us or our team. We're going to purchase letters and chevrons

083for these folks." uh if the booster club or the coach or you know whoever said I will I'm going to recognize them. We're going to state it publicly. We you know publish it however we say um here's the catalog if you'd like to to buy those things. I think that's that's what I'm hearing. Yeah. Anybody could if you got a sponsor that said hey we're looking for a sponsor to furnish physical letters and chevrons to our players. That certainly there'd be nothing precluding it that I would see. >> So is that an appropriate amendment? Everybody follow that? Hold on. So, everybody follow that. All right. So, we have a motion to amend. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second, Miss Childs. >> Um, yes. So, you know,

084the max that one student would generate would be, you know, $21 under this. So, it's like, you know, five on an average $5.25 a year. Um, you know, I just have concerns because we have whole teams. I know this because I even looked into, you know, um trying to subsidize uh students that are on free and reduced lunch and we have some teams where the majority of students are in that boat and not every sport has a booster club or you know so I guess I just I don't know I you know for that for you know $5 student I just I just hate that it's like you know put back on this optional thing because a lot of the um programs are making it part of their senior your nights and putting it out

085there and then it's just like again goes back to the inequity of it um where we managed to figure out a plan with the banners but um but you know I'll um and I guess I do have a question if we did it in this aspect could we still buy no matter which whoever's paying for it can the school can we still do the bulk idea where it would be cheaper because if we're saying it's going to be you know $12 and $3, but then it's like, oh well, you're ordering directly one individual at a time and now all of a sudden it's like double in price or something or or costs more. Like maybe not double in price, but it costs more. Um because you were quoting us like the bulk prices, but if

086we're not, you know, if the school's not purchased them in bulk to then, you know, have whoever buys it, whether it's this the parent or student or the um the coach or whatever, um I'm just asking would that still be a bulk buy situation or did the price just increase per student if we do it where it's the student buying it or parent? >> That's a great question. I think the price increased per student if we're not buying in bulk cuz I think I had the I think that was the hundred or more price that I had gone to. Um the answer really is is it just we'd have to determine who is it that's buying it in bulk. Is it the district? Is it you know when you're saying can we the answer is

087yes somebody can but I mean it has to be an account that's that's paying for it. But it in the so under the way Michelle's talking about it though that it would be made whole in the long term meaning it would it'd be it'd be frontloading and then basically just passing the cost on to whoever it was that got the chevrons and letters. >> Yeah. I think I mean theoretically if if the board was to do a budget amendment or you know dedicate money to buying letters and chevrons for purchase from you know uh individual athletic accounts. they're, you know, Yes. Then then we could we could buy them up front and then eventually over time that money would be reimbured >> fund or whatever. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Any more discussion? >> All right.

088So, we're on the amendment. >> Oh, we're on the amendment. >> Yes, we're on the amendment. >> Yeah. Got you. No, you're right. >> So, um Dr. Horl, did you write did you write down that amendment? >> Here's here's what I here's what I got. Um, some of the language was well, y'all tell me. Uh, the coaches and sponsors are responsible for formally recognizing students who have earned letters or chevrons and giving them the information to purchase a letter andor chevron. I'm not sure that that's >> maybe providing them >> providing I like providing better >> providing um by the end of the season. Okay. Or yes, by the end of the current season or something like that because I think that was that was the intent or that was part of this. >> I

089agree. Yes, I left that out. Yep. Coaches and sponsors are responsible for formally recognizing students who have earned letters or chevrons and providing the information to purchase a letter and or chevron by the end of the season. >> All right. Any discussion on that amendment paragraph formally known as five? >> I do have a question. Would that amendment preclude a um coach from using the fees to purchase it? Because I know some have already done so. So, it's not just to ask that question. It's not saying that the player and parents have to buy it. It's saying that they could buy it if the coach is not paying for it or another entity like the SSO. >> Correct. Just to clarify. >> Okay. >> All right. So, all in favor of the amendment say I.

090I. >> No. >> Any opposed? >> Michelle? >> No. >> Okay. >> Sorry. >> All right. Motion passes. We are back on the amended policy. So we have some action items from this Dr. Hor right with cost and finding out how far in a rears things are um and what that cost would bring forward. All right. Any other items Dr. Horl would need to make sure any more questions and and certainly as this this is not um past it will not go into effect tonight. So any more questions or any more thoughts that anybody has certainly bring them to Dr. Horl as we move forward. >> Can I bring up one more thing that I Were you about to speak that I talked to with uh with Michelle as well and I Michelle I'll let

091you state you know your your feeling on this in talking to the vendors and just checking with other schools. Um and I think it's important that we clear this up. Um, basically the practice is that these vendors, including ours, when they sell a letter jacket, it comes with a letter. And I think the the thinking on that is that having a letter jacket, I know this is maybe kind of mind-blowing, particularly in a more traditional viewing of it. Having a letter jacket does not indicate necessarily that you earned a letter. A letter jacket has become a, you know, a form of spirit wear. And uh the vendors will come and they will sell the letter jackets and students you know sometimes they say well what are you into and there are hundreds of patches that

092you can get anything you can get a a trap shooting patch you can get a audiovisisual patch you can get a DECA patch I'm just I mean you can get just about any kind of patch that shows what your interest is you can just get one that says class of 2026 and you know but it's still got the letter uh it's it seems like there's certainly been a shift back from, you know, the 50s where most schools are saying the more of these that are out there in the community, the better. You know, you're basically a walking billboard for Lakeland Prep or for, you know, for Bartlett or for Collierville or Houston or whoever you are. So, um, with very few exceptions, um, schools and school systems are not limiting who can purchase a letter

093jacket. So, I would I would want to I think I think maybe we've got that clear, but if it is right now, we haven't fenced in the ordering form. I mean, students were able to order letter jackets from from early on and still can. Grandma can buy a letter jacket for her grandchild and get it to them for Christmas. I mean, they're Christmas they they but they all said Christmas orders are are common. Um, so students that don't play any sports and don't qualify for letters and in most places buy letter jackets. Uh, the vendor I talked to today, again, which was not our vendor, said there were only two very small private schools of his, how many did I say 28 or 26 or so schools that he works with, um, that are very

094strict about who's allowed to buy a letter jacket, a letter jacket. Um, so I I do want to just make sure we're all clear on that unless unless the board decides as a board we're not going to allow students to buy leather jackets. again that that that kind of breaking out that part of no, you didn't earn a letter, but you can wear a letter jacket that that has Lakeland insignia on it is I think important to note. >> Yes. >> Um so it's also possible we have a lot of kids who do multiple activities. It's also possible that kids could earn four or five letters. absolutely >> that that child doesn't need more than the one and that that could take the cost down if if it's the SSOs that are purchasing it. If

095there's a way for the organizations to say congratulations, you've qualified. Would you like one or you know is this the department of redundancy department? Do you already have four of them? Do you need another one? Um, so in terms of a per student issue, it may be a a child letters his freshman year and then keeps lettering in other things but doesn't want another letter or 17 chevrons or whatever cuz what are you going to do with them, right? Um I I think and an alternate to that and you brought up the letter jacket. Joe, I have seen multiple instances where the letter has taken to go in a shadow box with like a jersey or some memorabilia or picture. So, I think ha just my personal opinion having the option for the letter or

096having the letter that's not attached to letter jacket creates an opportunity for different memorabilia that are associated with their specific sport or whatever. So that's where >> um I think doing it this way >> is um >> it it just >> it's very flexible. >> Yes, the flexibility it makes it very flexible. >> Is that not saying you got to have the letter jacket to get the letter I guess is what I'm trying to say. >> So along those lines, will we take out that sentence after the paragraph formerly known as number five? >> That yeah there's another paragraph before that but yes about the final >> after the paragraph. Yes. After meeting the above criteria, since if if letter jacket is more synonymous with spirit wear than it is as an emblem of something

097you've earned, right? If anybody can purchase one. >> So, are you making a motion to remove that sentence? >> Yes. I don't think it's necessary anymore. Is that okay with you, Michelle, if we >> What? the the sentence after meeting the above criteria, students will earn their initial letter needs to stay, right? But then and will have the opportunity to purchase a letter jacket. That part can go bye-bye because we're not going to limit letter jacket purchase to just kids who >> Oh, yeah. I don't care. Yeah, >> you're good with that. Okay. >> All right. So Deborah made a motion to amend the sentence that starts with after meeting the above criteria to remove the second part that says Ann and will have the opportunity to purchase a letter jacket and just end after

098the word initial letter and then period. And Michelle, I assume you're going to make a second since y'all just discussed it. >> I'll second. >> All right. So we have a motion and a second. Any more discussion on that amendment? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? >> No. >> All right. So, we have the eyes have it. So, we have an amended policy. I think we still need to vote on the amended policy. Did everybody follow all the amendments? Probably not. All right. Dr. Horl, will you summarize the amendments? Do you have them? Maybe. >> Let me let me give this a shot. Uh, >> just so everybody's clear on what they're voting on. Well, I think I thought we weren't. Uh, so I know per Keith's was Keith's a formal

099amendment that we were going to add. I was just going to add it for the next meeting. The the specific recommendations for each sport and the enlisting the sports that can be substituted for PE credits. Uh, >> we did not we did not make a formal amendment to list each individual sports criteria. So, could you give us uh I guess can you give us that before the next one? We he did not make a formal amendment to to do that. Did you? >> No, he did not make a formal amendment to do that. >> Okay. All right. Then the then the one that I had that was added uh this policy is also optional for the following fine arts programs as approved by the school administration. >> Yes, >> I believe that was after paragraph

100number formerly known as five. >> Okay. uh uh the criteria that have been approved by the school principal and published annually at the beginning of the school year um was under number two. Um let's see. Um and then coaches and sponsors are responsible for formally recognizing students who have earned letters or chevrons and providing the information to purchase a letter and or chevron by the end of the season. And then we're removing Glad we're doing this because I didn't have the notes there. We're removing um the rest of the sentence after students will earn their initial letter. >> All right, everybody follow that? Any questions about all the amendments? >> Did Mr. Bernett have any do you did you have any commentary on that part where we're moving? No. Okay. >> Thank you, though. >>

101All right. All in favor of the amended policy say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Dr. Horl, will you get us an amended copy as soon as you can so that everybody has a chance to give you feedback before the next because I know we have a fall break in there too. So, >> uh, and I and I will note it. So, the next line is in subsequent years students will receive a chevron. So, I think we would need to address that as well because we're not we're not saying anymore that they will receive one. will >> they will earn >> yeah so I but didn't we address it for in when we the paragraph formerly known as five so I think that would be a strike through then >> that's what I

102was >> think yeah okay >> okay well with the board's permission >> permission or something right >> yeah so I think it goes under >> I will say typically in a two reading if this were a work session we just kind of get feedback and then >> yes we're in a business meeting so yeah it is it's very difficult From what I'm hearing is if I go ahead and try to clean that up too, I can present it back to the board. >> Yes. Okay. I think so. >> Yep. You got it. >> All right. >> Okay. >> Next item. >> Uh let me get back to the agenda here. >> All right. Uh the next item is uh discussion action on policy 4.4065 social media. >> I'll make a motion to get this item

103on the floor. Is there a second? >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Dr. You and I have gone I sponsored this, but you and I have gone back and forth about this. I think I'll just say the initial uh policy that um I was reviewing and brought forward was um Bartlett had a Bartlett had a policy on it. So that's kind of where the foundation and then there was edits. And can you speak to some of the edits or at least the presentation of the policy um that we have before us? >> Yes. So we we we started with I think a very strong uh Bartlett policy. We had uh our attorney um with Chuck Hegel's office, Katherryn Kimmel, review it. Uh she made some edits basically um trying to ensure

104that um there was not a chilling effect that was being put on speech. That was a a concern and there there's been some legal precedent to that. And uh basically just making sure that the policy was not overly restrictive in terms of um infringing possibly on an employes's right to comment on the news of the day in particular uh on their personal social media pages. >> So that is the background of bringing this forward. Um, >> and I guess I didn't say that that's those were the things she took out. But the but the policy overall uh is is basically intended to ensure that um speech both uh in the capacity of a Lakeland school system employee um is appropriate and not disruptive because at the end of the day that's the goal um is

105that both public and private speech are not disruptive to the educational environment. So, we kind of started with that premise in mind and then um she pulled back anything that she felt like might kind of tiptoe too close to the line on uh being either restrictive or chilling of an employees free speech. And it does talk about the kind of situations in which even personal speech might be um uh actionable. >> All right. any I think I sent in initially I sent the Bartlett policy to everyone just so everybody had a copy of it and then we have the uh lawyer revised one that you have in front of you. So any Miss Bernett >> um probably Miss Thomas is going to say the same thing. Um under social media guidelines on page one there's

106just there's an inline reference to other policies. >> Yes. Um, and we typically don't don't we usually make that >> cross reference toward the bottom. >> Um, so maybe there's >> and I don't know what it would look like, but maybe there's a way to amend that to say um reference those policies generically there and then have the cross references at the bottom, >> right? >> But maybe expectations incorporated in other board policies and then have a footnote one and two and then list the policies down at the bottom. So, I guess I probably need to make that formal, but I move to amend um under social media guidelines paragraph 3 um by accessing, creating, or contributing to any professional use of social media, Lakeland school system employees agree to abide by all appropriate policies

107um cross cross referenced um here in at the end or something. >> You all are okay with Ted being administratively. Yes. >> Crafting that. >> Yep. >> Yes. It doesn't change the substance of it. It it is administrative. Any concern with that administrative edit? >> Yes, Miss Thomas. >> We're just going to take those two policies down to the bottom and cross them. Right. >> Correct. >> You could be very generic there and say Lakeland school system employees agree to abide by the expectations in the Lakeland school system policy manual because then you cover it all. Right. Right. And then reference any ones down below. >> Right. >> Okay. So that it doesn't change the substance. It's literally just an administrative. >> All right. Right. Any more discussion? >> Um. >> Yes. >> It's just

108an administrative. But um I don't know if you need amendment, but Twitter is called X now. >> Oh, it is. You're right. Just it's not already outdated before it starts. >> Yes. >> Oh, >> X formerly known as Twitter. I don't know. Whatever. However y'all want to know, however y'all want to label it. >> I have a follow a question. >> Yes. >> Down at um near the bottom of page two above personal use of social media um second to last sentence. The teacher code of ethics. >> Do we have that um >> in line somewhere? >> Yeah. >> Is it just in the employee manual? >> Right. I was just curious. >> No, it's it's in policy. >> It's in policy. >> Yeah. So we can cross reference that. >> Okay. >> And since

109you brought up the Twitter X thing, um I and actually I think there's ever changing like there's Discord now and there's some other ones. know um is it possible and I I really don't know if it's effective to do this but to say in other social media platforms to have in there so that it's just more encompassing because I know there's brand new ones that pop up all the time and I know that we're not probably going to change policy every time we there's a new social media platform. >> Yep. >> Okay. Any objection to that? It doesn't change the real um substance of it. Okay. All right. >> And I should note as well this is also a new policy. >> Yes, this is a new policy. Yes, Mr. Bernett. >> So, and this

110is a question, not a suggestion for amendment, but it's something for us to think about over the next month as this policy um gets ready for it second reading at the bottom of page two under personal use of social media. Um, employees may not use personal social media to solicit or accept friend requests or other social media connections from, and it continues on page three, from Lakeland school system enrolled students or former students who continue to be minors. Um, my my question around that one is we are such a small community. Um, there are probably teachers who were friends with parents before they were teachers here or or have been lifelong friends, are we are we creating situations where we're not allowing >> this is specifically students. >> Yeah. Oh, I know. But like as

111as an illustrative example, um I I'll call I won't call the name out, but there is a specific teacher in the school system that we've been friends with that family. My family's been friends with that family for longer than I've been on this board. >> Mhm. >> Um and I have I have no reservations either as a school board member or a parent with that teacher being a friend with my child. I I I trust that teacher with my child all day. Um, I trust that teacher to take my child on overnight trips for extracurricular activities to to put them on a bus to go to a football game or and so I just want us to consider that. I'm not saying we change or eliminate it. It's just something for us to think about

112over the next 30 days. Is that a specific thing we want in our policy or not? Um, and and and I have to think about it. I don't know that I have a place where I live with it right now either. >> Right. I just we've all seen the news stories about bad situations where some where it has been a teacher through social media that has coerced a student or done inappropriate things with a student or whatever. So yes, grooming. So that's that's what comes to mind in this section. >> I I understand exactly what you're saying. There are people out there that I trust wholeheartedly with my children. Um, but for protective of the masses, I I don't know. Like I I I I can see it both ways. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yeah.

113So, certainly something to think about for the next 30 days >> before it comes forward. Any more discussion? >> Yes. If that does remain in there, um would there be something like if that remains and it passes on the next um next month, would there be some email or something where the staff would be informed that you know, check all of your social media that if you are currently friends with any current students, you would need to change that because I don't want anybody to get caught in the crosshairs of like not understanding a new policy. Yeah, there this would have to be really highlighted because it's fairly it's much more um uh comprehensive than the previous policy. So, there'd have to be some >> education and expectations certainly. And I I agree that's a

114tough one. Um >> I would tend to >> think that if I were in that situation, I'd probably just need to go ahead and hit delete and maybe let the parents know, hey, will you share pictures of your daughter with me? You know, that that that we've been friends with uh you know, if something happens. Well, Madam Chair, it it protects all parties. >> It does. >> So, we want to protect our kids, but we want to protect our teachers, too, and not put them in an uncomfortable situation that um somebody makes accusations or whatever. >> Correct. Yeah. >> Yep. >> So, it protects their their livelihood and their career and their longevity. Okay, that makes sense. Okay. So, something to think about over 30 days. Um All right. Any more discussion? Hearing none, all

115in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Motion passes. So this item, as a reminder, it is not policy until it gets a second reading. So you have the next 30 days to go ahead and give any feedback you have or reread it or any highlights that you want to bring forward to Dr. Horl. All right, next item. >> Uh the next item is uh kind of a companion piece, approval to update of policy 4.406, use of the internet. >> Um so I do have a question, Dr. Oral. Is this does this need to wait until Okay, so we will table this item till next month then. >> Y. >> All right, next item. >> Uh, there are no further items. Check me on this. >> We have one more. >> Yes, sir. >> Oh, yes.

116Thank you. I saw my X there. Thank you, Michelle. Michelle keeps me in line here. Uh, the next item is approval of update to 2526 school fees list. Correct. I'll >> make a motion to get this item on the floor. Is there a second? >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Michelle or Dr. Horl. I'll let y'all whichever y'all can arm wrestle for it. >> I don't know. >> I mean, I just I wanted it taken off the consent because I wanted to have some discussion about the um one particular fee, the ACT tutoring, not to see $200. Um I know I've already spoken with Dr. Hy about this and um you know, I I know they're they're looking into seeing um you know, if we could get some type of bulk

117pricing, if actually we could just not charge for it or charge way less. But I just that is really expensive. I do not feel comfortable with that. I would um uh propose um substituting not to exceed $100. And I do understand um and I'll let Dr. H speak on it too, but it's possible that um you know if they offer this again and they don't have enough that that could um be a cost to the district. But I just think that's um I just don't feel comfortable with that that fee. >> Yeah. Just for some context, the particular um Jane Ross tutoring session um that was uh basically contracted for our students was uh basically their their pricing structure, just to be transparent, was as $4,200 uh for up to 50. Um we actually did

118not get 42 students. They charged $100 this last time, but didn't get 42 students. Um was the thought. But all that being said, I agree with the the recommendation to lower that to not to exceed $100 for the time being. And I will add to what Michelle has said because she had uh asked for this information previously and I know Laura, you had a similar response. Um I have already asked Mr. Gaitley Sweat to well, I've done a couple things. I've asked Mr. Adler uh to get some information on pricing and asked Mr. Gateely Sweat to uh basically put in some some funds uh under our budget proposal list that we we keep all year so that it can be considered and brought to the board. Uh there are a couple of neighboring districts and

119their ACT prep is basically paid for by uh the general fund of the district. So that the question was asked how come we're paying for it, our parents are paying for it and some districts aren't. And the answer is because it was built into the general fund budget. >> Okay. Uh yes. >> How how different can these things be incorporated into our ACT prep class to reach more of our kids and perhaps ones who don't have a problem coming to school every day but do have a problem coming and spending a Saturday. We have you know kids are involved in so many things. what sorts of um strategies can we incorporate in the ACT prep courses that we are currently not incorporating. Um that might be something to look at. I think we would reach

120a lot more kids if we could do some of maybe these more impactful things as a part of the curriculum is >> yeah that's uh that's another thing that was part of the same research was what are the um you know train the trainer type opportunities where we have experts come in and and talk about high lever strategies uh to train the teachers on so that we could we could spread it that way because there are some school systems that don't do the boot camps like that they kind of do it themselves. they made a maybe preliminary investment in understanding act strategies better um and then their teachers and staff kind of implement that. So certainly some different ways to approach it. >> So you've made a motion or you're making a motion to amend

121it to $100. I'll second >> not to exceed $100. I'll second. Any discussion? All right. So we So we're voting on the amendment just so everybody's clear. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. So we're now back on the main fee list with the amended act to not to exceed $100. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Motion passes. Dr. Horl. Next item. >> Uh no further agenda items. Are there any announcements? I believe there's a community feedback night coming up in October. I'd like to make sure we announce that tonight. Um I think it's at the end of October. Do you remember the exact date? >> Uh checking this. >> I don't have it on my calendar or else >> October 28th. >> Okay. So,

122it is before we have another meeting. That's okay. I put you on the spot. I'm sorry. I didn't >> It is. It's the 28th. >> There it is. It's right there. 5:30. Thank you. October 28th. >> Okay. So, October 28th from 5:30 to 7:00. Is that what I heard? >> 5:30 to 7:00. >> At the high school cafeteria. >> In the high school cafeteria, there is a community feedback, strategic planning, long-term planning, things you'd like to see. Comm all the outreach, not just parents at LPS, not just parents at least. I'm saying that for the camera. It's all the people out there. Anybody out in the public, this is your school. This is your school district. Please come and get feedback on where um you would like us to see us go over the next

1235 years. All right, no more announcements. All right, I'll make a motion to adjurnn. Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. And he opposed.