001system. We'll be opening the meeting with a brief moment of silence or prayer in a pledge of allegiance to the United States flag. No one is required to participate or be present for any of these and being in this portion of the meeting is completely voluntary. Tonight, as in Tuesday, I would like for us to please be in remembrance uh in thinking of Tim Holden who is suffering from stage 4 kidney failure. He served as a member of our school board and was a um real asset to this community. Um, Mike Walls, also our director of maintenance, is recovering from surgery. Please have him in your thoughts and prayers. If you could bow your head for a silent prayer, please Thank you. First up, we have I'm sorry, I keep forgetting the pledge. [laughter] >>
002I 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. It's even worse because we have the D tonight and I'm in the D, so I apologize. First up, we have the approval of the agenda. Give everyone just a moment. Flip that over and I'll entertain a motion. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. uh Bone. Thank you, Mr. Tidville. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes. Now we have the renewal extension of the director's contract. >> I'll make a motion that we uh approve the renewal of the extension of Dr. Sven's contract. >> Do I have a second? Thank you, M. Rosales. Any comments or questions? >>
003Miss Maxwell? >> Yes, Mr. Tidwell. >> I'll just reiterate the same thing I did at the the first contract and I did at the the work session. Um, thankful for Dr. Scholman's leadership. This is not anything personal. Thankful for that. Uh, but I would ask the board to consider an amendment that if something happened, this contract will not be paid out the entire time. So, it didn't sound like I had much support for that on Tuesday, but that's my position on that. that instead of if let go for adjust cause because I'm looking at just future contracts because what this contract could be used as precedent for the next contract the next contract so in that manner I would think that it would be useful that instead of paying out the full contract if something
004were to be some something were to happen that you'd pay out for six months instead. So I would like to make an amendment to the contract if possible uh for that. That would be my motion. >> Second from Mr. Short. Okay. Uh before we vote, could you explain, Mr. Reid, um exactly what the contract states regarding cause and um no cause? >> So, in the contract right now, um if you terminate a director for cause, you don't pay him anything for the balance of the contract term. So if you have a reason to terminate a director, you don't pay the balance of the contract term off. If you decide that you just don't like him one day, you want to change him for no change the director for no reason. Say you fire him for
005no cause and you just terminate him because we don't we just want to make a change in that position. No real reason. We just want someone else in that seat. In that case, you do pay out the balance of the contract because I guess from a someone taking the position of director of schools, they're usually coming from either a a civil service [clears throat] type job or some other kind of administrative job which is kind of sec secure and safe and they probably have longevity with respect to that position. A director of schools is not really is you you're sitting in a hot seat when you take a director of schools position. So whenever you change jobs and take a decide to accept the job, a director of schools, you're going from probably a more
006secure position to a less secure position by virtue of the nature of the position itself. So most people who are going to be sitting in that position is going are going to say if you're going to get rid of me for no reason just because you don't like me, you should pay me out the balance of the contract term. Otherwise, you may have a four-year contract that if you only pay six months worth of severance, it's really only a six-month contract at that point if you're terminating someone without cause. But the way the contract reads now, if you if the director quits, he gets paid through his the day he quits and he stops working. If you fire him for calls or terminate him for calls, he does not get paid the balance of his
007contract. So the severance only kicks in in if you decide you just g you're going to make a change in that position for no good reason or no sound reason. In that case you pay out the balance of the contract at that point. And um so that's the way the contract currently reads and that's how these things typ typically are are structured. So if you do have cause to terminate a director and terminate a director for cause you don't pay uh the balance of the contract. >> Yes Mr. got a follow up a question that you said just for no good reason or no reason but there is a defined a definition for a cause and you know just whatever other reason so there there are some differences there but also in Spurlock's case the
008previous director he was paid out for the remainder of his contract >> he was there's a lot going on that and a lot of the board I think there's only two board members who was still around when all that was still going on I was here when it went on there was a lot of talk and and a lot of work that went involved with with that change when that was made. So, um um >> that's what I'm trying >> to pay that in that case. >> Right. So, that's what I'm trying to prevent, >> Mr. Mr. Bing. >> There's no no reason to have any [clears throat] kind of amendment this thing. It doesn't hold water. So like you know >> frog had wings it fly. [laughter] >> Miss Rosales. >> So I'm a
009little bit confused. So if the amendment has I mean if the contract already has removal with cost no payout. I don't know why we need to amend the contract to add the stipulation removal for just cause if already explicit states that he's not going to get paid if he's terminated for just cost. >> The contract already says that. Yes. >> Right. So, I don't know why we need to vote on that and make an amendment if it already includes the amendment. I guess I'm confused as to why we're voting on something to amend the contract when it already is in the contract. or am I not understanding what that motion was asked is it said remove for just cause make an amendment for remove for just cause and and change the composation. So that's why
010I'm confused. Mr. Tinville, >> I'll just read this line. This is section E. Unilateral termination by the board. The board may at its option unilaterally terminate this contract even without just cause. In the event of such termination, the board shall pay the director as severance pay the full salary and benefit package within his contract from the actual data termination established by the board for the remaining term of his contract. That's here. So there is just cause and then there's uni uni unilateral termination by the board even without just cause. You said there was a lot of things that happened with spurlock. One of the issues that I had when I was campaigning for this board was paying two directors at the same time. I would not want to go through that. >> Mr. >> I
011would not >> just let him talk. >> I think I have the floor. >> It's okay. Just let him talk. >> Look, and I'm going to be on the downside of this or not, but I [clears throat] am doing this in what I think is the best for the school system. I am not trying to get rid of Dr. Sullivan. I am not trying to move past Dr. Sullivan, but this will set precedent. It has already set previous precedent with Spurlock and then that got paid out. So, I don't know all the details of that, but that is a non-negotiable for me. If if y'all want to vote down the amendment, y'all can vote it down. We can move on. Go on to the next thing. Totally fine. But to just dismiss this as if
012that section is not in the contract, I think is uh not the best interpretation. >> Real quickly, four years from now, a new board can come in and can check could could when a new director is hired, they can do a new D. They don't have to use this old contract. They don't have to. They can structure it the way they want it structured. >> So I >> I'm still here. >> Yeah. I hope you're still here, [laughter] >> but >> we want you to still be here. >> But but the you keep saying this makes president, this takes precedent. I hope it does, but it doesn't necessarily. It doesn't mean there could be a whole different group of people here and they could structure it differently. So, but I I agree. I don't think
013it needs amending, but he hasn't he has a uh he has the floor. He has an amendment, and we do need to vote on that, please. So, yes, Miss Darby. I just want to say for the constituents of Rutherford County that are listening or watching that maybe haven't followed this since a couple years ago, I agree with Mr. Tidwell in the sense that if you're looking at this contract from the perspective of trying to make decisions on what's best for the district, [clears throat] I do believe it's best for the district for Dr. Sullivan to remain where he is, and I would love to offer him an extension. I also believe that there are issues with the contract. One of which being when the previous board gave the previous director the extension, everybody was happy
014with what they were doing. [clears throat] And it was only when whatever all went on went on that it became an issue. But it did cost the taxpayers $199,000. And this contract right now, if we were halfway through it, it would cost the taxpayers $587,000. If if it was beyond that, I mean, you can go all the way up to over a million dollars. That's where my concern comes in. It's taking money away from our students and teachers. It's taking money away from our taxpayers. I don't expect that to be an issue. Dr. Svin's done a great job. I think he will continue to. But my responsibility to the district to make decisions based on what's best for the district when I look at that contract, that language is my barrier in going forward with
015it. >> Miss, >> hold on. I think Miss Sharp wanted to say something and I'll get right to you. >> I too support Mr. Tidwell's amendment to this because this is a clause that is in any director's I spoke with several of my friends that are school board members across the state today. This is a clause that's in it in any director's contract. It's also in any CFO's contract or CEO's contract if you're in the private industry. It is just good business. I don't expect Dr. Sullivan to do anything and I would love for him to stay here. I enjoy working with Dr. Sullivan, but it is our responsibility, as Miss Darby said, to be cautious with other people's money, and that's what this is. Thank you, >> Mr. I'll get right with you. I'm
016sorry, Mr. Vaugh. >> Did you forget my name? [laughter] >> All right. I've sat here and listened to this and and I thought this was a kind of a simple procedure here that that Butch had brought up to I guess in in a roundabout way tell Dr. Sullivan and his staff that y'all done a great job with the test scores and all that. we're just going to, you know, extend his contract. But now all of a sudden, we're trying to renegotiate his contract and listening to the dialogue and everybody uh again trying to play lawyer a lot of times here. I get tickled with contracts. This is a contract. Miss Sharp, you were sitting here when it was negotiated four years ago, whenever it was. You voted for it then. It wasn't a problem then.
017I don't understand why it's a problem now. Miss Darby, Mr. Tedwell, both of y'all have defied legal advice. If you're pretending to save the taxpayers money, y'all got us in a lawsuit with the ACLU. So, if we're really trying to save money, let let's save money. But don't hide behind that excuse because you're wanting to change something right here. You're want to lower it back down. you're wanting to renegotiate the the the director's contract. Uh, I think that's very disingenuous on y'all's part. I'm just going to call it like I see it right now. I would encourage my fellow board members to vote this amendment down. >> Miss Maxwell, >> Mr. Bowen. >> Oh, sorry. Miss Rosales, >> I don't give a say what the former board I mean the contract former de uh director
018have anything to do with it? Doesn't it doesn't matter that has no bearing on this whatsoever. I don't want to disrespect any board member by what I'm fixing to say, but our commitment as board members is to make decisions is best for our students. But yet, you do not support a director who has made decisions that's made our schools the best in the state of Tennessee. Some of you are politically grandstanded because of your actions and decisions. None of you have ever been in a school and do not understand the importance of the impact a director of school has on the schools. I've been there. I've been for 43 years. I know the impact. The director of schools is a person who makes the decisions, the the hard ones. He establishes morale, establishes what's expected
019from every person in the system, makes key personnel changes when necessary. There's nobody at the at this office or any school that does not understand what Dr. Sullivan expects of him. It's beyond all my understanding why you who do not support this extension do not support Dr. S. It has and is obvious to anybody who pays attention to our board meetings that you do not support Dr. S and his efforts to continue to make positive improvements. Proof of this is that most of the efforts that's that Dr. Sland has brought has been passed by a 4 to3 vote. And people, it's a joke around town, but everywhere I go, they say, "Hey, we know, you know, you could throw a uh I'm not going to say what all they say, but you could throw it
020out there and it'd be a 4-3 vote." But what part of these accomplishments do you do not realize? Please understand. Listen what I'm fixing to tell you. Our school system is a reward district. It's been continued for uh from the state of Tennessee. Our district growth and statewide performance surpasses Williamson County. We're the now the number one school system in the state of Tennessee for value added. And for the ones of that don't understand what value added is, that's what kids learn. And in my experience, that's what it's all about. That's why we teach every day. We got the number one elementary school in the nation. We've got the number two magnet school in the nation. Number one last year and we're going to get after Dr. Ash for letting it slip to number two.
021[laughter] We've we've had zero findings in the state audit [clears throat] because Dr. Sven's attention to detail. We've had a balanced budget for the past two years. Had teacher raises resulting in fewer vacancies. Physical responsibility and reasonable per pupil spending. Positive evaluations from the board and school principles. noticeable improvement in staff morale. 45 schools in the past two years have achieved level five status. Last year we had 32. We were the number school system in the state with the number of level five schools. What else do you want to expect from the director of schools? If you cannot support the director and what he is accomplished, I hope and pray that someone replaces you that truly wants to do what's best for our students, our staff, administrators, our teachers, and school staff. And one of
022the thing, it's so bad. We looked at the evaluations this past year and considering everything that Dr. Sullivan and his staff has done. But yet in so many categories, he were he was above four in all of them. But again, there was no excuse for him to be as close to four as what it was. If anybody deserves five, it's Dr. Jimmy S. I don't know what y'all want. But I want to mention just like I did the other night. I'm old football coach and don't know a whole lot. But I know one thing. If I was a school board member in another system is looking for director of schools. The first person I'd come after would be Dr. Jimmy Sulliv. You don't go after the worst coach. You go after the best. And if
023you're LSU fan, that's the reason you got lane keeping. [laughter] But I you know, it's just it's beyond me. I I just don't understand what all this this uh stuff that don't mean a hell of beans to to want to sit there and modify and all the it's just beyond me. And so I I hope that we get some people on the board that do what's best for the kids. If you want to do what's best for the kids, you keep the people that are keeping the boat going in the right direction. So that's all I got to say. >> Thank you, Mr. Malis. >> Thank you. I just want to make sure I understand where we're getting ready to vote. We're going to vote on adding a clause to the contract. termination with just
024cost, no compensation. Just cost, no compensation. Is that the motion? >> That's the way it is anyway in it, Mr. Re. >> No. >> How do you have it written? That's not what I thought he meant. And we can change it however you guys want. I just have it as um Hold on. Let me get lose my place. uh amendment to the motion to modify the severance payout in the event the director is terminated. >> So there's no cause. >> That correct? >> Do I need to speak? >> Yes. All right. >> I'm sorry. >> Yeah. It would be uh if it was done with just cause has certain terminology that goes along with it. So if it was without just cause which is as you has have it written there would be a six-month
025severance where he would keep all his benefit he or she whoever the director was at the time would keep all his benefits and everything that goes along with including his salary. So the benefits would remain as it does here in the contract except instead of going the entire rest of the contract it would go for six months. >> Okay. Miss Maxim, one more thing. >> How will this, if the board were to vote on this and it passes, hypothetically, how will this go to Dr. Sullivan? Because it's a it's a negotiation. >> Yeah. >> And so if it goes to him and he doesn't accept the terms, what happens? >> You don't have a change in the contract. So this is a contract requires both parties to sign off and agree to it. So if
026Dr. Sullivan did not agree on any amendment, then you would not be able to change that section without his agreement. >> So, if it's the will of the board to vote with um what if this hypothetically passes, he disagrees with it, it's the will of the board, someone has to compromise. >> Well, the current contract stays in place. There's no amendment at that point. >> But it's the will of the board. >> No, it's not. >> No. No. >> So, we're gonna be voting. Okay. Okay. This is really interesting to me. We're going to be voting on adding without cost. It hasn't been taken to Dr. Svin prior to being here. We're going to give it to him. And if he doesn't like it, we're still going to go back to the contract the way
027it is. The existing contract's in place and is enforceable unless the board unless there's an amendment that both parties sign off and agree to. >> So why are we voting on the language in the contract instead of just sticking to just keeping to the original motion of voting to just extend the two-year extension. Either way, it may not get changed at all, even if it gets voted. Like I don't understand why we're going I just don't understand why we're doing this motion right now when he hasn't gone to him. I don't he may not even accept it and we're still going to keep the same contract. Like I don't understand why we're doing >> we have to vote on the amendment and if the amendment passes >> well >> that's one thing but if it
028doesn't pass then it's a moot point and we just go on and we vote on his >> I'm just going to tell you it's a wasted motion and I'm going to be obscene because if it doesn't go to him first I don't understand why we're sitting here at the table to vote on when we're going to end up going back to the same contract because if he doesn't accept the terms doesn't matter what The will of the board is that means we're going to have the original. So for those purposes, I'm going to abstain. >> Miss Maxwell. >> Yes. >> Okay, never mind. >> If I if it if I have seen >> called a question. >> What if it was a question? >> Called a question. We got to vote on that. [clears throat]
029>> Miss Maxwell, one quick. If I have seen If it's three to three, does it end? It ends if it's four to three. >> It ends. Okay. So, uh, could you read that one amendment again and we will vote by roll call, please, Miss Williams? >> I hope this is correct. >> All right. Uh, amendment to the motion made by Mr. Tidwell and seconded by Miss Sharp to modify the severance payout to six months without just cause in the event the director is terminated. >> Yeah. >> no, it would be without cause. Just calls is listed with specific definitions. Mrs. Maxwell, a point a point of order. >> We will have to vote on the call to question first and then we'll have to vote on the amendment and then we'll have to vote on
030the contract. >> Mr. Sorry. >> Do we vote on the amendment first? >> No, you're voting on the question first. You're voting on the whether or not to stop discussion. >> Okay. I didn't realize that's right. I'm sorry. >> Discussion. >> Okay. Let's >> No. Vote to stop. >> Vote to stop discussion. Yes. >> Right. Mrs. Darby, >> yes. >> Mr. Va, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rosales, >> yes. >> Mr. Vaughn, >> yes. >> Mr. Tidwell, >> no. >> Miss Sharp, >> yes. >> Mrs. Maxwell, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Now, now we vote on the amendment. >> Voting on the amendment. >> Okay. Do you'all want me to read it one more time? Does any Yeah. Read it for Mr. Vaughn just one more time. >> Um, amendment to the motion made by
031Caleb Tidwell and seconded by Tammy Sharp to modify the severance pay payout to 6 months without just cause in the event the director is terminated. Mr. Tidwell, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rosales, >> no. >> Miss Sharp, >> yes. >> Mr. VA. >> No. >> Mr. Vaughn, >> no. >> Mrs. Darby, >> yes. >> Mrs. Maxwell, >> no. >> The motion fails. >> Now we go to our original motion. And could you read that, please? >> Okay. Motion made by Mr. Vaughn and seconded by Mrs. Rosales to approve the director's contract extension as presented. >> Thank you. >> Mr. Va, >> yes. >> Mr. Vaughn, >> yes. >> Mrs. Darby, >> no. >> Miss Sharp, >> no. >> Mr. Tidwell, >> no. >> Mrs. Rosales, >> yes. >> Mrs. Maxwell, >> yes. >> Motion passes. >>
032Thank you. >> [applause] [applause] >> before we move on. Um, and I would like Dr. Sullivan to say a little something after this, but I have written a little something uh that was heavy on my heart today. When I was elected to the school board in 2020, it was my desire to help this board immediately with support for our schools and families. A school board is responsible for providing a good education for students while assume assuring that tax dollars are spent well. There are several things that were prioritized and the board was responsible for. One, safety and security in our schools, which we address with renovations and the purchase of weapons detectors. Two, top academic offerings at all of our schools, as well as innovative CTE programs that would appeal to the widest number of
033students. And I believe we've accomplished that and will continue to strive for more in the future. Thirdly, providing responsible budget that maximizes our hard earned tax dollars while providing adequate resources to our teachers and students. We have tried our best to compensate the employees of our district, which has led us to recruit and retain the best faculty, administrators, and support staff. However, what led us here tonight at to vote on this contract extension was not of the board's doing. It was the direct result of leadership at the highest level. Student outcomes are the way we are measured as a district. And it is our esteemed director, Dr. Jimmy Sullivan, who deserves the credit for our high marks and status as a level five district. His leadership and expertise cultivates an environment where everyone can excel.
034He works tirelessly to promote this district and holds everyone accountable. Administrators and faculty know he values them and supports them and in turn they reciprocate [clears throat] that with the utmost respect and effort. Tonight's vote is a celebration of our school system and our desire to let our district director know we are so very thankful for his leadership. We in turn want to reward him with an extension. We are a model for the entire state and other districts are definitely watching. I have been told repeatedly from other districts that we need to hold on to Dr. Sullivan and we plan on doing just that. >> [applause] >> I got a comment. [laughter] >> Um, >> wait, wait, >> you can go ahead. >> When the when the polls open in the fall, just remember how
035the votes were tonight, folks. We got to have people on the school board that supports the director, supports our students, supports our teachers and our administrators. And we do that. There's no telling what we can do. But we we fight a 4-3 battle [clears throat] every time a vote comes up. I'm just glad we got 43. We need to have seven more. Thank you, Dr. Sullivan. >> So, I wrote this because those of you that work [clears throat] with me every day know that um this means a lot to me and obviously I wanted to show emotion but not get too emotional. So, I want to thank the majority of the school board, but this isn't about me. It's about our district. Um I was born and raised here. Darn. I thought I'd do better
036than that. educated here, chose to raise my family here and want to ensure those that also live here have that same great opportunity. A director's only as good as the people and the team that they have around them. Um, yesterday was a tough day and it was a just a microcosm of how great of a team we have. Uh, we had a situation at one of our schools uh right down the street that required our immediate attention of our leadership team. And there's not a lot of places that could pull off a immediate attention at 8:15, 8:20 to go take care of a security risk. And the still have 51 principles coming to this building at 9:00 and be able to start a principal meeting on time where the rest of our attention was at
037our school that needed support. and that school was still able to get every kid in safely and be able to switch their classes with their schedule by 10 o'clock. And that is attention to detail, but most importantly about the people that we have both at the district and at the school level. Um, these things don't happen by accident. They happen because of our people. I also have to mention of course our school leaders, teachers and staff at our schools. What we ask of our school leaders each and every day is really nothing short of extraordinary. Our school leaders are tasked with leading small cities. What they do and what they do with our amazing teachers and staff so amazingly. As Mr. Vaughn mentioned, we had the highest academic growth of any district in Tennessee. And
038for us, that is talking about students outcomes and what they are achieving. That's what is this is all about. Large school systems often lose their identity. When we go to schools and talk at the beginning of the year, we talk about our number one priority is to make sure that even though we're large, we still feel small. And as long as we keep our number one focus on our people, I'm confident that that'll continue to happen. We will make mistakes, but as long as we put people first, we'll continue to excel together. Lastly, to the community, um, thank you. And as a director, uh, I know that oftent times I'm loved and hated at the same time. [laughter] Parents and community members, uh, they want a good school system, but most importantly, parents want a
039good education for their child. I think throughout my career and through the support system that has been shown to my family through two tragedies, I hope you can see that although I may have a a title that requires me to make decisions that you won't always agree with, probably this upcoming week around snow. Uh some will love it, some will not. I'm just a regular person that's blessed to have been born and raised in Rutherford County. I say it all the time, but if you're out Oh, darn. I did good. Um, a lot of people come up and just introduce themselves. I'm just a regular person who's blessed to lead this district. So, please, if you see us out, stop, say hi, introduce yourself because it's just being a part of this community that's special.
040Thank you. [applause] >> [applause] >> Next we have the approval of the consent agenda. >> So move second. >> I need to discuss again. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> For the official notice. I did this at the work session. Um but Christiana Middle School the Tennessee Ignite basketball practice gym 2426 to 7:3126. I am an employee obviously of the district. Normally employees are do get a waiver from the expense, but to make sure that everything is fair, the organization will be paying the $18 per hour. That is the team that I am coaching. So, please make sure that that's in the minutes, Miss Williams. Thank you. >> I'll still [laughter] noted. >> Next, we have a um >> pres so sorry. Yes. >> You were so excited about me coaching. That's >> I am so
041excited about your coaching. Um, all in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Next, I'm so excited that we have a presentation from the Colonel Hardy Murphy DA D chapter of which I am a member of the Captain William Lidle chapter. [laughter] I love the D. Welcome. Good evening. My name is Valerie Dehoff and I am the current regent of the Colonel Hardy Murphrey chapter which was established in 1910 by Mary Nolles Murphrey. So we've been serving this community for a long time. Our D mission is historic preservation, education and patriotism. And we have some opportunities that we want to share with you to fulfill that mission. I have with me Elaine Alexander who is an honorary regent, immediate past regent and she's going to share that with us. Dr. Alexander, as
042you know, uh 2026 is our semiquincentennial year celebrating 250 years of independence from Great Britain. Hopefully you saw the PBS special on that and watched all six hours. I'm sure we did. Um, so, uh, what we decided to do is to try to get information about patriots, Rutherford County remembers into the schools. And we wrote a grant that we received from the state state museum, state of Tennessee museum, uh, actually the Tennessee Commission for the, uh, US semiquentennial and the state of Tennessee to put a poster in all Rutherford County schools. We're doing Murphy'sboro City Schools too and local private schools of four patriots Rutherford County remembers. Um we think that people need to know that um Captain William Lidle donated the 60 acres that started Murreey'sboro. Uh General Griffith Rutherford after whom our c
043our county is named um was a was a patriot that never set foot in Rutherford County. Kind of interesting. Um Colonel Hardy Murphy after whom our chapter is named. um after home Murreey'sboro is named and there's also a city in North Carolina named after his family as well. And then Peter Jennings and we really want to educate folks about him. He served under um George Washington in uh Randy Wine um Trenton Yorktown and um he was a freed African-American who moved to Murreey'sboro following the Revolutionary War and had a bakery at the corner of Church in Pine Street. So, uh, we have this, um, poster that we are going to present to the school board. And if you'll go over, I'm going to get you a picture with Dr. SA. Um, we're going to present
044to the school board. You can, um, display this during our, um, semiquentennial year. And then we'll be in the next after our after our snow break. I think we're going to have one. Um, we will be delivering [laughter] we we will be delivering these to every Rutherford County school for uh, displaying their library, however they choose to do that. Thank you. Wonderful. [clears throat] >> Could you send me a picture or could you take a picture? Yes. Yes. Um we have been told in order to um get something approve our our grant. We didn't have to do pictures of all the presentations. I didn't know if you were >> got Thank you so much. and join us please on July 4th for a birthday party for our nation. We are going to recite together or
045read together the decoration of independence and we'll even have a birthday cake. >> Wonderful. Thank you ladies. >> Dr. Martin, didn't you get to do that last year? >> Didn't you do that last year? >> Yes. >> I thought you did. She attended that for us last year. >> We thank you. We have no public comments, but next we have Rutherford Proud. So, we have several things as always to brag about this month. The first is going to be that we have um we have a band director here who actually marched in the Rose Parade. I also had four students who did who are going to join us at the next meeting to tell us about their experiences. But Dr. Halbert's going to start off and then we're going to go down to some of
046the others. So, if you will. >> Yes. Band director Jared Ford um as uh James said got to march in the Rose Parade this year in the American high uh not high school, you're a middle school band director. Uh and the band director's marching band. He's a band director at Seagull Middle School. Um we are so glad to have him. And the great thing about this experience is I'm always telling students, music is forever. You know, when you learn an instrument and and have that kind of uh musical society around you, it can go on forever. It doesn't end at high school. It doesn't end in college. It can be part of your life forever. And Mr. Ford is a great example of continuing to make music. He was also in the first ever um
047All-American Band Racers Jazz Band. Right. Yes. So, we're very excited um that he's able to be here with us tonight and share some of his experiences. >> Thank you. I'm going to keep this uh pretty brief because I understand there's probably a lot to get to. Um it was a really life-changing experience. Um I think a large credit of that is being an MTSU graduate. There were a lot of band directors in this county that were really formative to not only my career as a student still in school, but um also getting to be a teacher, having such a great network of pretty much infinite resources of knowledge for me to use. Um some personal things about the parade that were very cool. Um I'll be the first to admit that it was a lot
048longer than I had imagined. Um I didn't think I would get so tired and it was about 5 and 1/2 miles. Um, so I got tired of it pretty quick, but the event was still super memorable. Um, a special experience is that I was actually told about it by my middle school band director over in West Tennessee. And so we both got to march in it together and uh make very great memories. But again, um, I credit a lot of that to the just great wealth of knowledge that we have um, in this county. So, thank you That's an amazing experience. I'm extremely jealous to to to even see the Rose Bowl parade, but to marching, I mean, thank you for being here and thank you for what you do for our kids cuz that's
049that's an amazing accomplishment. >> I am a saxophone player and um I actually took two instruments with me. One was used for the jazz band and one was used to march with. >> Wow. >> And it was pouring down rain, wasn't it? It really was only when the camera was on us. After that, it seemed [laughter] to let up. >> I just wanted to know, was it like a big bass drum he was carrying or fluid? That really kind of adds to the story for 5 and a half months. >> Yes, it does. I uh I thought I got off lucky holding my instrument. Um I had two roommates that were from other parts of the country and two of them were marching the tuba. So, >> I was going to say tuba would have
050been worse. >> It was a little bit longer for a few other people. Thank you. >> Okay. U we also have Dr. Anna Rosson who won a prestigious state special ed award and of course [applause] we call her Anna though it's usually Annie. So William if you would just >> Yeah. >> I wasn't sure who he was introducing. I thought I was next but that's okay. First, I just want to thank uh Dr. Rston because it was within the first month of becoming director that um our special education department just needed to to make some changes. Our our previous director does a great job, but we just needed to move in the in in some new directions and Dr. Rston just took it upon herself and her leadership, restructured some things and thankful every day
051that you're here and what you do for our teams and our students. So, thank >> you. I really appreciate that. I was I was not there to accept my award at the Tassy Cup. Uh so you get to hear my acceptance speech right now. So um this is a true honor. Um and it's very humbling [clears throat] to receive the Tassy Cup. Tassy stands for the Tennessee Association of Administrators of Special Education. Each year this award is presented to four recipients across the state. One from the East, Middle, and the West Grand Divisions, and one is selected by the Tassy board. While the award itself is meaningful and it's a beautiful trophy, the greatest honor is joining that exceptional group of special education leaders across the state, both this year's recipients and those in previous
052years. Although my name is on this award, it reflects the collective work of Rutherford County special education team. Every member of our team plays an integral role in supporting our students, as a district. We are moving the needle approaching our work in more student focused and innovative ways. One example is our speech language pathologists who were recently recognized by the state for their integrated approach to service delivery for students with disabilities. Our team works in close partnership with classroom teachers, educational assistants, and administrators. Many of those are here tonight to create a more inclusive, responsive, and educational experience for all students. This recognition belongs to all of them, not just me. And I am very grateful to work alongside such a dedicated and passionate team every day. Thank you. [applause] Next up, we have Miss
053Megan Turbo, who made it very far in the state supervisor of the year uh competition's not right, but the recognition program. And so, she's going to share a little bit about that. And I think she's tired of talking about it. [laughter] Probably is. I'll take it. So, Miss Turbo was one of our nine or one of nine across the state supervisor of the years. And so, we have >> Tired of talking about it. >> Wow, that's what you sound like recording. That is awesome. >> I'm going to go back and watch board meetings now. But, uh, Miss Turbo was one of nine finalists for the Tennessee Supervisor of the Year and that was held in Nashville. So she was the mid Cumberland core region which is a a huge honor because that is where the
054large majority of students are in the state. So that represents Rutherford, Williamson, Nashville, um Clarksville, a huge huge area of the state. Uh and it shocked me when we were talking about it because there's 146 147 districts that have a supervisor that submit for this, every district in the state. And then I think last year when you were selected, it was just your second year in the position. Correct. >> That's correct. And so congratulations. We appreciate all that you do. You want to give an acceptance speech. >> Well, u James, you didn't tell me I was supposed to prepare a speech, but I will say what's on my mind, which is not hard to do, but u I will say I hate that this is an individual award because just like Annie said, we have
055an incredible team. I have a very small but mighty ESL district office team that yes, I came on two and a half years ago and they just jumped on the ship with me. And um during that time, as you know, we had an incredible influx of students. And the response of our schools, our administrators, our teachers was we've got a we've got a problem, but we're going to fix it. We're going to learn everything we can about how to reach English learners. And because [clears throat] of that, I truly believe our district soared. I mean, we could have gone the other direction and been sitting here saying, "Oh, Williamson County is still number one." But instead, we're number one, and having that influx did not hurt us, but only helped us. And and I cannot
056stand here and say that it was because of me, but it was because of my team and honestly this entire school district. So, um, I am a little tired of seeing this award. I told James I did not need to get up here again. But you know what? We're handing the torch tonight to Dr. Gulian [laughter] and I believe wholeheartedly he's going to be the one to make it to the finish line this time. So [applause] >> So connected to that now we have Dr. Mark Goian, our federal programs director. And so he is this year's uh Rutherford County School Supervisor of the Year. So congratulations Dr. Goian. And Mark does a little bit of everything. Um a lot of it unannounced and without any fanfare. So if a school needs help, needs help with
057observations, needs help going to help a teacher, I'll go and do a school visit check-in and I'll have no idea that Dr. Goian was doing this. And they're just like, "Dr. Goian's been a huge help. Thanks for sending him." And I'm like, "I didn't know he went." So that is but that's his um servant leadership. So appreciate you Dr. Goian. >> Appreciate that. Yep. Thank you guys. And uh I'll pass the torch too to uh someone who I grew up with uh Miss Ashley Wit who is our principal the year. We both grew up in Smyrna. She remembers me as a little guy. Uh she was my sister's best friend and I'll make a public apology now because I made her life bad. Uh but Miss [laughter] Miss Wit was along that ride and she
058saw that um like all the rest of them have said, Dr. Austin and and soon to be Dr. Turnbo. Uh we just have a great team. You guys know that. Uh we've got great teachers, we got great faculties, we got great administrators. Relationships always key. I think what Dr. Sullivan said earlier about us continuing to be a large district, uh but feeling really like home, feeling like a small district. That's important to all of us. And the relationships are key. These guys that are sitting in the back of the room, uh are so intricral to to everything that we do every day. And the relationships that I have, I value. Uh I'm a Rutherford County kid, too. Uh went to school here for 13 years, and this is my 24th year in the school district.
059So, uh just so excited to to get up and go to work every day. Uh which is great for everyone. So, appreciate y'all's support and appreciate everybody that's here. [applause] And then lastly, it is my honor to recognize our principal of the year, Miss Ashley Wit, who is the principal of Buckan Elementary School. And Miss Wit has um done a fabulous job at Buckan. They've been reward school, level five school over and over and over again at grade A school and Miss Wit's leadership and just transitioning that school to to new heights. um when I called her and told her. One of my favorite things to do every year is when a school is a A or a five, I always call them personally to tell them before it's released. And so I always appreciate
060Miss Wit because she even though she probably knows they are, she always acts surprised. But this time, um she acted very surprised when I called her to tell her she was our principal of the year. So congratulations. I'm extremely proud of you. >> Thank you very much. I did I do have to tell a story on Mark, though. When when Dr. Golian received his doctorate. Um I said, "Am I supposed to call you Dr. Golian or Dr. Marky Mark or like what is it I'm like supposed to call [laughter] you." So I'm very grateful like so many of us have spoken. Um I'm very grateful to have been raised in this district. I get to do a job I love in a district that raised me with people that I am blessed to serve with
061every day. Um, I am super proud of the work that we're doing at Bikanan Elementary School and every day I get to be part of that family and they go along with my crazy. So, um, and that includes the kids. So, I'm very grateful and very honored to represent the 52 principles in our district and uh, thank you for this honor. >> [cheering] >> That is that's probably the hardest part of my job when you have such high performing schools uh to to try to pick a principal of the year when you have 32 level five schools 20some reward schools. I mean truly just about every one of our principles could be a principal of the year and so just to select one I think we're going to have to start that's what the state
062requires but we probably have to start doing some other things to recognize because it truly you don't want to be fair just a participation trophy but just to have one out of 52 is is not quite accurate for our district. So I do appreciate all of them >> and I just want to say thank you to the board for extending Dr. Sullivan's contract because it's so easy to bring these things every month because we have so many things to be proud of and part of that is of course because he's that that rare quality of giving us guidance and the space to flourish with our teams and so that's why you hear everyone up here saying how much this is a team effort and so we just appreciate him and and the board as well.
063So thank you. >> Thank you James. >> Next we have uh number nine the resolution. Don't know if we need to read it again. You wrote this one. >> So, this is just a resolution to establish an annual observance of the 4th of July through instruction in all schools. Fourth of July commemorates the founding of the United States of America and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Because this national holiday occurs during the summer months when schools are not in session, the board affirms the importance of intentional instruction during the academic year to ensure students understand the historical significance, constitutional foundations, and civic principles upon which the nation was established. I did get an email from a parent, so I want to clarify. We always teach uh Fourth of July American history. It's in
064our curriculum. Um those are things that we always do. We will continue to have this in our constitution week. This is just a letter of support to continue to show that we are doing that. So that is not something that wasn't happening in Rford County. >> Thank you. >> A motion. >> Second. >> Thank you Gonzalez. Thank you, Mr. Vaughn. All in favor say I. >> I. Any oppose? Motion passes. >> Next, we have human resources. >> This is a long list of tenure recommendations. So again, with our success, teachers that have hold a valid T Tennessee teaching license, have served Rutherford County Schools for 5 years or a 45month minimum within a seven-year period or the last two in a regular and the last two in a regular not interim position. They have to
065demonstrate an overall performance of above expectations or significantly above expectations on the team evaluation during the last two consecutive years of the 5-year period. Or if they held tenure under the previous guidelines and return to Rutherford school, Rutherford County Schools, they meet the two-year probationary period and tenure is reactivated. And this is a very long list and that kind of goes with our success. >> I do want a full disclosure, my daughter-in-law still sells money saying that, but my daughter-in-law is on here. I'm very happy for Miss Sydney Maxwell. >> Move to approve. >> Thank you, Mr. Tidwell. >> Thank you, Miss Sharp. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Next, we have legal. >> All right. This is transfer student under discipline one. The board has been requested to admit
066a transfer student from another school system under discipline. The student was expelled from making a mass threat according to policy 6.318. The board may deny admissions of any student except those in state custody. when a student transfers from another school system while under suspension or expulsion. Director of schools recommendation is to deny. >> Second, Mr. Sharp. >> Thank you, Mr. Vaughn. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion [clears throat] passes. Next. >> This is transfer student under discipline number two. The board's been requested to admit a transfer student from another school system under discipline. The student was remanded for possession of a box cutter and making threats. According to policy 6.318, the board may deny admissions of any student except those in state custody when a student transfers from another
067school system while under suspension or expulsion. Again, director of school's recommendation is to deny. >> So moved. >> Thank you, Miss Sharp. Thank you. I mean, Miss M Darby and then Miss Sharp. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Next, we have engineering and construction. >> This is CLQ Land Development sewer easement for Lee Road. CLQ Land Development has been working with the town of Smyrna Utilities for sewer connection for their development on Lee Road. This development is across Lee Road from the RCS property under contract. They're requesting a 30-foot easement on East Boundary. CLQ has been informed that the property is not closed, but this could be approved pending closure. Engineering and Construction has reviewed the request and has no objections. >> Move to approve. >> Thank you, Mr. V.
068>> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Sidwell. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Next financial >> um that >> we had our transportation flowchart discussion on Tuesday. Anything else you want to add to that? Okay. Um financial update principal budget requests are due January 30th pending that we are here next week at some point. Um but if not because principles have to get their team's input. So their leadership team's input before they can submit their principal request to director of school's office so that we can then submit them to our leadership team for them to start developing their budgets. So if we are out for an extended period next week, then we'll have to move that a week or so. So that's kind of where we are in the budget process.
069>> Okay. >> And then director's update. Um immediately following this meeting, there is a special called county commission meeting on plan Rutherford. Um I am on the steering committee for plan Rutherford. Not a very active member the last two years, but I still am on the um steering committee. I will be speaking just for myself as director not for the board but I will make a statement there more importantly and I think this is a a credit to Mr. Runion and our team. So on, as everyone knows, luckily we don't know about it here. The new letter grade system requires any schools that are an F or have some other stipulations, they have to have a hearing before the state uh board of education. Those are going to be in March. Uh I was contacted
070last week by the state board of education um to see if you all know that we have one of the lowest per pupil expenditures um in the entire state. We also haven't had any audit findings and we have amazing um test results. So the state board of education uh wants Mr. Ren and myself to do a workshop on how we develop our district budgeting process and priorities. And so we're going to do that on February 26th. So, it's just a 30-minute window, but we're be televised. So, it's it's pretty neat to Yeah. 30 minute window on developing a budget for the entire county, it's going to be a a very very high level overview, but for all the flak we sometimes get about our budget process, to be recognized from the state board of education
071is a a pretty big deal. So, appreciate that. >> It's all I've got. It's not all I've got. I take it back. Um, [laughter] let me talk about winter weather real quick. So, our process for winter weather, of course, we're watching that. The our first announcement is always about schools. We will announce as soon as we possibly can. I know everybody, we've had MTSU has gone remote. I don't know of any school districts that have made decisions yet, unless it's been in the last hour or so. We're going to wait to make sure that winter weather actually happens before we make a decision. Um, we always announce schools first, then we look at extracurriculars, then we look at central office. Um, the other thing we will always do, we make decisions as a county, not
072individual schools. And so for people that are new to this area, there there's a always a lot of chatter on social media of, why can't you just open one school or open these schools? These 10 roads don't cause the entire county to be shut down. We are a county school system. And so we operate as a county. We also do not have the parks and the roads department for the county does not have snow plows or the type of machinery that you would see in other parts of the country. And so when we have ice or snow, it is truly up to nature to melt ice and snow. So we may be out longer than people expect if you are not used to being from this area. So that's our process for snow closure. Now
073I'm back. >> Thank you, sir. Uh, anything M Mr. Bot for legislative update? >> Uh, I have been in contact with all of our legislators that, you know, there's some stuff going to happen this year. We have our our first TSBA Zoom meeting. I think it's next Friday if I remember. Yeah, 11:00 next Friday. And then also too, I'm going to attend the legislative legal and I'm sorry, what was it called? Dawn, do you remember? Anyway, it's a legislative legal update. It's I think first week in February at Cool Spring. So, if any of the rest of you want to go with me, I'm I'm going to go. It's a two-day deal. One afternoon and one morning, but I'll drive back. I'm not staying. So, >> I was trying to go to that. >> Yeah.
074So, probably some, you know, middle of February, we'll really know where we stand and how we stand. Um, I hope that helps everybody. Okay. Anyway, if you got something on your mind, let me know and I'll convey it. Now we're into general discussion. Miss Maxwell. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Thank you board for passing the resolution for the [clears throat] fourth of July to observe it. I have a policy that I would like to submit to be reviewed. >> Okay. >> For um doing the policy committee. I don't know if it's too late to do this. Okay. Perfect. So, I don't know who I need to give it to, but this is the policy that is written in order to implement it and kind of >> Okay. >> Um, so I like to go ahead
075and put that. >> Thank you so much. >> Anybody else for general discussion? Me, >> Michelle. >> Thank Thank you. Um, I would like to and I didn't even tell Dr. Sullivan when I spoke with him earlier today. Um, shout out to uh Mr. Richard Reid at Lever Middle School and they have actually a Sunday church at Lever Middle School and the pastor Joshua Jamerson. He and Mr. Reed both spoke at the Martin Luther King program at Leverne City Hall on Monday and they both did an excellent job representing our city and our county. >> Wonderful. >> So, shout out to Mr. Reed at Leverne Middle. They're doing excellent things with academics there and um they're doing a great job. >> Thank you. Anything else? Well, we are I have got to go with uh
076Dr. Sullivan as well. So, if nothing else, we are ajourned. >> Y