001Uh good evening and welcome welcome to the October 6th meeting of the Robertson County School Board. Uh at this time I'll ask that you all uh silence your cell phones and electronic devices. If you would please join me in a moment of silence. Thank you. Right now we've got uh Coopertown Elementary coming with the Pledge of Allegiance for Please stand. to pledge. >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible and justice for all. >> Thank you guys. Hey guys, we have Coopertown Elementary students here that received the director's award last year. I'll let them introduce themselves. >> I'm Scarlet Butler and I'm in fifth grade. Um, I'm Danielle Delock and I go to second grade. >> I'm Adeline and
002I'm in second grade. >> I'm Finley and I'm in Friendly Nman Rahee and I'm in second grade. >> Hi, my name is Maui Raheem and I am in third grade. My name is Martin Walker and I'm in third grade. >> I'm Joanna and I'm first grade. >> Let's give them a big round of applause. [Applause] >> Thank you guys. Uh Dr. Weeks, could you read our mission and vision statements, please, sir? >> Yes, sir. Our mission is to ensure that each student is prepared to succeed in life. And our vision is that we will enable all students to reach and achieve uh high academic and career standards while empowering them to succeed in a technologically advanced in a culturally diverse society. Thank you. We do not have any items for public comment tonight. I am
003now going to turn the floor over to Mr. Sam Jackson uh to discuss the director of schools evaluation and contract. >> Thank you all for having me. Uh it's always a pleasure to come up and see everyone. So, uh, I've tallied the u the evaluation forms and I'm pleased to announce that based on my calculations, yes, I can do simple math. Dr. We scored a 96.2% positive rating on his evaluation. So, for purposes of contract, my understanding is that would be a positive evaluation. And remembering back to my memory serves me right, Dr. contract provided for you to consider uh a extension based on a positive evaluation. So, Mr. Chair, if you would entertain this, I'd be glad to reach out to Dr. Weekes and try to negotiate that bring it back to the board
004sometime fairly soon. >> Yes, sir. Please, please begin that process for us. Thank you. >> That's all I have. I may be excused. >> Absolutely. Thank you so much for having me here. >> Thank you all very much once again. Thank you all so much for having me. I enjoyed earlier. >> Thanks, Sam. Board members, you have before you a consent agenda. Um, I will open that up for discussion or motion. Uh, at this time, >> close to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Jeff White, second by Miss Connie Hogan. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion passes. All right, Dr. weeks >> board members. Tonight we uh as Mr. Jackson mentioned, we had the opportunity to recognize our level five TBS teachers and we had over 70
005level five TBS teachers that were recognized at a reception this evening at 5:30 in the room. Nice job. As a reminder, each of those teachers will have a banner to hang in their classrooms and if they are multiple year level five TS teachers, they have an um a date to a fix to that calendar. So if there are multiple years, it'll show each year that they're level five teachers. So very proud of that group. And uh as we've discussed, level five teachers make level five schools. And so tonight, we're here to present uh our level five schools to you so that you will see these. We've celebrated with them. We've been to their staffs and presented some recognition. But before you, we'd like to share their names and to share them with you. From Tetum
006Park, Miss Jen Hayes. [Applause] her assistant principles, Miss Nicole Brown from Innovation Academy, Dr. Grant Bell from Wataga Elementary School. Miss Kelly Armstrong from Greenber Middle School. Miss Chesley Trail Stadant [Applause] principles, Miss Kassen Wright and Mr. Jose Dr. Joseph Bradley from Greenberry High School, Dr. Katie Osburn. [Applause] And from Springfield High, Dr. Chris Tucker. [Applause] and his assistant, principal, Miss Ariel Dyer. Thanks for members, as you see, uh, uh, to have six schools that that may be a record for us in Robertson County. So, we're proud of these schools and the work they've done. We're proud of our other schools and the work that they continue to do. But to receive that level five TASS accomplishment, we're very proud of them. I know they've celebrated with their staff and continue to do that and
007certainly we challenge them uh to continue to do that in the future. Uh we do have banners I believe for these individuals. Is that right, Mr. Dickerson? So, could you help present those banners to us to them please? And then principles and assistants, we'll have you go over to the the adjacent room and we'll have our pictures made over there. get better. >> Great job. trying to be [Applause] >> congratulations again to all those level five schools. Uh on to personnel reports, Dr. board members. On page 32, uh you'll see item labeled 6A and their recognitions from personnel department. Uh our personnel, we would like to recognize the retirees. We do have a list of individuals that have announced their retirements. Mr. Gary Gibson, uh Miss Jana Harris, Miss Pamela Henderson, and Mr. Chris Loggston.
008We thank them for their service uh to the schools and the positions they've had. You do see some resignations, leaves of absence, and replacement new hires for several of those positions. On page uh 33, also a part of 6A, you will see uh the classified personnel report, and we have four retirements there. Uh Carol Bronlin, Michael Klein, Lori Led Better, and from this office, Sherry Trober from our technology department. You'll see other activities uh from the HR department, resignations, discharges, job abandonments, transfers, new hires, non-faculty coaches, and reassignments. >> Any questions on the personnel reports? Hearing none, we'll move on to uh expense comparison report. On page 7A, uh, I'm sorry, page 35, item labeled 7A, you'll see our expense comparison report through the end of August. Uh, as typical, uh, during the month of
009July and August, we don't see a lot of activity. Uh, you'll see our revenues have come in at 9% of our budget expenditures at 13% of our budget. Uh, revenues from property tax obviously at zero, and sales tax, I was very encouraged to see that up over about $100,000 over the same period last year. So I think that's a positive move for us. Our expenditures and again it's very early to tell what's uh where we may be headed in those but when you compare the percentages uh to where we were last year percentage budgeted I think overall we're pretty good shape. In your supplementary materials you'll see a detailed report of all the financial activities and if you have questions we'll be glad to try to answer those. >> 20% is kind of high. 20%
010for electricity is pretty pretty high. >> Do we have an idea of what is it just hot temperature? I >> think it's just been hot and we've been running a lot of electricity. Other questions on earlier too did didn't >> we did we we had uh staff keep those running especially the first couple weeks of school as teachers were coming in about a week early and trying to get >> keep anything from the summer from causing us problems during the first day of school first week of school >> any other questions comments on the expense comparison report on the budget amendment Dr. On page 36, 37, and 38, Miss Kleiner has prepared a budget amendment for us. This is a balanced budget amendment. Uh you'll see some revenues that have come in from the state
011uh totaling $581,326 581326. And you'll see where those items have been placed on our current budget and items have been adjusted throughout. So you'll see those adjustments on pages 37 and 38. Uh you'll see it balanced on page 38. And so we're pleased to present that to you so that we can prepare that for county finance. >> Board members, you've got a balanced budget amendment in front of you. Do I have discussion or a motion on that item? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Jeff White, second by Miss Demetria White. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Now, we're on to the uh review of our audit for the year ended to June 30th, 2025. Uh board members, I know you've got a copy of
012that physical audit documentation uh at your desk. And >> and Mr. White, could I could also add that we that should be plural audits. Uh the the page that I pulled out for you in your packet labeled page 397C is from our county audit. And the important line to read from our county audit is there are no significant audit findings noted. So, uh I believe Miss Stewart from county finances told us this is the seventh year in a row that we've had a very clean audit with no findings. So, uh page 7C represents our county audit. What you have beside your desk is also that is the school cafeteria audit. And again, you'll find the page in school cafeteria audit uh that says no findings noted. So, we do have two clean audits to present
013to you there. And if you have questions, Miss Planner's here and could help us answer any questions we might have. >> Okay. >> Hearing none, uh we'll move on to the executive committee report. on page 40 uh representing item 7D. Um the board at our last meeting uh discussed uh some due diligence work on a property and after consulting with Hullet Spencer, Mr. Jamie Spencer contacted me uh late last Tuesday or late last Monday uh indicating that they could take care of the civil work that was needed on that property. Uh an amount not to exceed $38,000. Mr. White and I met on Tuesday and we agreed that that was a reasonable amount to spend in terms of exploring that property. We uh thought $38,000 was an appropriate amount. And talking to Mr. Spencer, he
014said that he could assist in uh getting that process started would probably save us a week or two had we waited until tonight. Uh so our executive committee approved the contract there with uh Heritage Civil through Huelet Spencer not to exceed $38,000. So I wanted to uh present that to you as action of the executive committee. And if this body would like to uh support that with a motion, we'd be glad to do that. >> Motion to approve by Jeff White. Do we have a second? >> Second, Mr. Scott Rice. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion passes. >> All right. I'll turn the floor over now to Miss Melanie Dickerson uh with several board policies for approval on first reading. >> Six different policies were sent to you
015for your review um some time ago and those policies include 1.407 407 School District Records. 5.110 Compensation Guides and Contracts. 5.119 Employment of Retirees. 5.305 Family and Medical League. 5501 Employment Related Complaints and Grievances. And 5.701 Substitute Teachers. Do you have any questions about any of the policies? >> Okay. Uh, regarding any of these policies, do we have any further discussion or a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by Mr. Scott Rice. Do we have a second? >> Second by Miss Demetri White. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Any opposed? policies are approved on the first reading. All right. Transportation and facilities >> board members, you'll see a series of bids that we would request approval for. Uh labeled 9A on page 59. Uh our waste provider, waste disposal
016services, Stinky Pinky Incorporated, um has agreed to honor their bid from last year. Uh we've had good service out of that bid. So would recommend that we extend that bid with no price increase bid number or bid tab 1550 from last year and again that's no change in price. >> Do we have a motion to approve the renewal? >> Motion to approve SPI. >> Second. >> Motion by Jeff White, second by Miss Connie Hogan. All those in favor make it known by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Pages 60 and 61 labeled 9B. Best one Tire Services has agreed to honor their bids from bid tab 1559 from last fiscal year uh with no price increase. So we would again recommend that we approve those bids on tires. Do we have a motion to
017approve the bid as it's written? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by Mr. Scott Rice. Do we have a second? >> Second by Mr. Demetri White. Any discussion? All those in favor, please make it known by saying, "I >> I opposed." Motion passes. >> Springfield High School brings forward a request um on page 62 and pages following in your packets uh for the construction of a softball field bathroom project. Uh you see the signatures on page 62 and 63. I would fix my signature to that as well approving that project. Uh you see a description of that project on page 64. There's a location at Spring High School softball field and you see a floor plan for that building. Uh Springfield High School softball coach Alley is here and I believe Dr. Tucker is still
018here from earlier. Believe he's still in the building anyway. So, if you have questions on that project, it uh we would recommend that that be allowed to take place. We have any question or discussions or action for this one. >> Motion to approve by Mr. Scott Rice. >> Second by Miss Demetri White. There's no further discussion. All those in favor make it known by saying I. >> Any opposed? >> None opposed. Motion carries. Item 9D, Greenbar Middle School brings a proposal to construct a batting cage for the Green Bear soft green middle school softball program. Uh you see the description and the signatures on page 9D would also fix my signature to page 67 with director's approval. Uh you see a description on page 68, a construction list on pages 69 and 70 and 71.
019And there's a location and you'll see the rectangle over behind first base between first base and KIF drive. Uh that's on pages 71 and 72. We would recommend the approval there. I think representatives are here from Greenberry Middle School if you have questions. >> Do we have any questions or discussion of this uh construction project? >> Motion to approve by Mr. Jeff White. >> Second by Miss Demetri White. All those in favor make it known by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed. >> Motion carries. >> Is Ashley ser? >> Yes. >> I'll let me please. Thank you. >> All right. And the next item on the agenda is the train energy conservation infrastructure improvement program. Uh, as you know, uh, Robertson County School System entered into a an energy conservation project several years ago
020with Train Corporation. I think Mr. Andy Malden is here with us tonight. Uh, the service agreement has uh, been amended and you'll see the amended pricing on page 9Ee in your packets. Again, uh, they've worked with us and we've done a good job. We meet with them regularly to talk about the uh cost savings to the district and uh we're proud to bring that to you as a change. And if you have questions, Mr. Malt here. >> Do we have any questions or discussion about the energy convers conservation agreement? Do we have a motion to approve as written? >> Motion made by Miss Connie Hogan. Do we have a second? >> Second by Mr. Jeff White. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. On to communications,
021sir. Board members, under item 10, RCA has requested to address the board regarding their intent to enter into collaborative conferencing. >> Do you need the motion on that or are we good just to go ahead? >> I know. I'm just asking do we have a motion to allow her to talk? >> They they submitted it in accordance with the policy. So, thank you for asking. Thank you. >> I was going to get you a motion real quick. >> Okay. >> I appreciate you. Thank you for the opportunity to speak before you tonight. My name is Amy Amos and I serve as the interim president of the Robertson County Education Association. I'm here tonight to submit to you a petition containing the signatures of the Robertson County Educators regarding the collaborative conferencing. As this board knows,
022the Tennessee law recognizes that collaborative relationship between the board and his professional employees will assist in the establishment and the maintenance of the educational climate and working environment that will attract and retain highly qualified professional staff. The Collaborative Conferencing Act or PEKA recognizes the obligations of the board and its teachers to collaborate on matters relating to the terms and conditions of professional employee service and sets force the process whereby we can work together towards producing an agreement or memorandum of understanding on issues such as salary and insurance and working conditions. We in Robertson County are very fortunate to have gone through this process with this district in the past and already have an existing memorandum of understanding which is valid. Your ratification of our priorou affirms to educators in Robertson County that you value the
023the work and our opinions. We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate on matters that are essential to attracting and retaining highly qualified professional staff so that together we can achieve the highest possible educational standards for our school district. So why am I here before you tonight? with another round of signatures requesting this process. Again, the answer is quite simple. The law puts the burden on educators to obtain signatures every three years and to submit these signatures to you on the specific month of October. As this board knows under the law, once this petition has been submitted to you, the board then has the duty to appoint an equal number of board members and professional employees to serve on a special questioning committee. who will set up these conditions and particulars of conducting a confidential poll of
024all ed eligible professional employees. A confidential poll is a vote by teachers about whether they would like to engage in collaborative conferencing as interim president of the association. I would be honored to accept an appointment to be on the special questioning committee if this board would see fit. Again, thank you for accepting this petition and the Robertson County Education Association looks forward to working with you on this process going forward. It's truly a proud moment for all of the Robertson County educators. Here's a whole bunch of signatures and I'm going to pass these off to you, Mr. >> Yes, ma'am. These were also emailed to you as well as the piece that went out and I believe she wants that. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. >> Thank you. All right. Thank you so much, Miss Amy. We'll
025we'll we'll accept this and uh get back to you with committee appointments next month. By next month. >> Yeah, we will. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> All righty. Um under the director of schools report >> board members would like to simply remind everyone that because of state law we are uh not in school's not in session tomorrow. U state law requires us to be out of session if our schools are used as polling places and so we are uh students will be on holiday tomorrow and we sent out a call reminding them to try to catch up on anything they might be behind on and study for their exams. We do hope everyone enjoys the day off tomorrow. Um, high schools will be experiencing midterm exams for rema uh mid midfall sports
026activities winding down. Uh we're almost through football season or volleyball season's wrapping up there in tournament play. Golf is in state tournaments. We have several uh groups and individuals at golf state tournaments this week. So, a lot of positive things going on. Lots of things to celebrate going on in Robertson County Schools and uh we're just proud of the work. Uh next week is fall break and we're know a lot of folks will be out of town and be enjoying that time. Our offices will still be open to serve the public as needed. Uh but we uh we do expect several people be taking vacations next week as well. I would like to personally thank you for your evaluation scores and I'm honored to serve this board. Thank you, sir. Uh, do we have any
027old business to address? How about new business? >> All right. Uh, we will move on to comments by board members. Uh, Miss Connie Hogan, we'll start with you. >> Oh, I never got to go first. >> If you go first, you got to go quick. >> I am. I'm made for what I was gonna say. Um, I'm good. I really don't have anything to say, but I I like this seat. >> Good. Good. >> And and honestly, look how quickly you got us through all that. >> How about that? I don't that may that may not be a function of the agenda we have this month. >> I just hope everybody enjoys the fall break. I think everybody needs a little break and I enjoy it. >> Mr. Jeff White. >> All I want to
028say is congratulations to all these schools and teachers. What an excellent way >> uh to start this year. And I know this work was last year, but I know you're continuing on and working just as hard. Uh it does not go unnoticed. We thank you very much. That's all I got. Well, I don't know if anybody else noticed, but when when the little ones were up here to do the pledge of allegiance, I think I understood him to say his name was Martin, but he had on a cowboy hat. >> It was Martin. >> Was it? Did you notice what he did? And I love that so much. I don't know if that was taught at home or at school or both, but he he took his hat off. I mean, just such respect. So,
029anyway, I was so impressed by them. And uh but anyway, I just hope everybody that does have some some vacation time next week has a good time and enjoys that. And congratulations to everybody for all the accomplishments. There there's many more that we've heard of lately and so anyway, Robertson County is doing a lot of good stuff. >> Absolutely. Mr. Rice, all the way down yonder, speak up. Speak up. at the mail month response in no just enjoy the fall break and everyone be safe and enjoy the time. That's all I have. Absolutely. I don't I don't have much myself. I know um you recognizing schools and teachers that are that are doing such a great job with you know achievement growth and and everything. You know things are moving in a very very positive
030direction in Robertson County and I'm uh proud to be a part of it. uh some little part of it and the I'd argue the least significant part of it compared to what you all do. Um but uh thank you for all your work in that. Uh I'd also like to wish everybody just anybody that's traveling next week be safe. Uh have fun and I have no doubt everybody will come back ready to get back to work. Without any other items, we're journed. I don't think I can get