001Being in this portion of the meeting is completely voluntary. >> Mr. Vaughn is in charge of the prayer and the pledge tonight. Mr. Hall, >> please bow your heads. Heavenly Father, we just like to come to you today and pray for the family of Jason Smith, one of our crossing guards, lost grandbaby at 36 hours today. and pray for the family of James Stern who was one of our bus drivers that passed away this week. Heavenly Father, I just pray for our country. Pray for our president. Um we thank you for peace in Israel that you brought about. We pray for our schools and all our leadership, Dr. S and all the central office staff and the job that they've done and we just thank you for the courage and all the that they face
002the challenges that they do every day. I pray for this our school board tonight that we pray for the decisions we have to make and we pray that our decisions honor you in your son Jesus name I pray. Amen. 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. >> First, we have the approval of the agenda. Any comments or questions? >> Move to approve. Second, >> Mr. Arby. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Vaughn. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? >> Motion passes. Next, we have the approval of the consent agenda. >> Any comments or questions? >> Move to approve. >> Thank you, Mr. Vaughn. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Tidwell. All in
003favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes. First up, we have Rutherford Proud. All >> right. Tonight, we are going to highlight six Rutherford County Schools educators who received robotics grants from the Tennessee Valley Authority and Bsentennial Volunteers Incorporated. This is the first year of the grants. These educators will be on hand to talk about the robotics programs for students. Um, first we have Brandy Brenamman from Thurman Francis Arts Academy. Brandy here. Yes. Unless you all want to plan to do it together or do you plan to do it individually? >> We individually just talk a little, >> right? >> Perfect. >> Um, so we plan on using our grant at Thurman Francis to beef up our robotics program. We do VEX IQ um robotics and we compete all over um middle Tennessee um
004mostly on Saturdays and um we plan to buy we actually have already gotten in a couple of things using that grant money um pneumatics kits that we are learning how to use um and we're just really excited about it. So thank you guys. >> Awesome. Thank you. [Applause] Next we have James Elliot from Rock Springs Middle School. And do not hold it against him that we used to be neighbors. We did right across the street. This is my sixth year as a STEM teacher at Rock Springs Middle School. Great honor and a privilege. And something we've always wanted to have there is be involved in extracurricular activities. And my good friend and my mentor, Mr. Kevin Welch, whose name is also up there, inspired me to participate in robotics competitions. We kick off one. One
005we're in right now is called Best Robotics. And it's a very challenging uh competition. And one of the things that's great about this organization is that they loan you a robot brain and some motors and things of that nature. So, it makes it to where you don't have to pay to enter this. However, if you have better resources and better tools, you can do better in the competition. And so I saw this grant which was actually funneled to me by Stephanie Finley and Mrs. Brenamman and I said I'd love to get involved in this. It was a $5,000 grant and the um the money I got for the main thing is we're going to buy a laser engraver cutter which will allow us to cut out gears and things of that nature. Something we've never
006been able to do in the past because when you cut that out with a hacksaw it doesn't come work out too good. And so we're working on that right now. We got about two weeks until our next competition. This won't be here for that, but for next year, it should really propel us to be able to do much better to be more competitive against Mr. Welch and Blackman Middle School and the other schools. But thank you for this opportunity to speak. >> Wonderful. >> Lindseay Inglade from Lever High School. >> Hello. Um, yes, I'm Lindsay Inglade and um, this is monumental for Leverne High School because we have not had a STEM club or a robotics team before. So, this grant of $5,000 was able to start our program. And so, we are using a
007majority of the money to actually um, purchase the robots and we are doing VEX robots. So, we will be able to eventually do competitions, but this is really just doing everything we can to make sure that they start on um, a good foot. But because we're a high school, we are also looking for opportunities. And so we are doing everything we can to get them to TCAT Smyrna to make sure that they are seeing the robotics firsthand. What are those actual opportunities in real world situations to be able to use this information and so um we'll be going there in December. So thank you. >> Wonderful. Mark Guthrie from Central Magnet and they have actually performed for us before and had students talk to us. But welcome back, Mr. Guthrie. [Applause] Thank you for having
008me. We do three different robot contests. We our first one coming up next month. We invite you to hold hosted at Central. It's called Robot Drone League where the our um teams we have two teams for that contest. They'll build a robot that actually goes to a course kind of it's a moon base this year. Then we have drones that fly at the same time. So, you've got four teams flying drones and running robots. It's just a hot mess, but it's it's a great contest. We love it. The kids love it. That robot's about built. Um, our second contest is First Tech Challenge. We have two teams in that contest. And that one takes place at MTSU in February. It's a worldwide contest. And we have that we're actually launching these big whiffle balls this
009year for that contest. And that that robots, one of them is already built. Um, we've been testing it this past week. And then our last contest we do is the NASA Herkum human rover contest. Um we'll be working with that when that we go to there and compete in April. And the money we got from TVA just helps pay honestly for our um expenses. We it cost us almost $2,000 just to enter these contests each year. >> That's the entry fee. On top of that, we use the rest for for our supplies. >> Awesome. >> Thank you for having >> Thank you. >> How long you've been working with robotics? I've been doing robotics for over 20 years. We started off with Best Robotics and had a lot of success with there and then moved
010up to First and some other programs, but it's been over 20 years with with McFaden and then Central Magnet. >> Awesome. >> Thank you. You do a great job. >> Next, we have Rachel Hibden from Rocky Fork Middle School. So I am probably the newbie to the robotics club. I'm actually a library media specialist. Um so we are going to join the VEX IQ club. We're kind of reviving this at Rocky Fork Middle. So getting a team back together. Um and then I'm also doing Sparro Global Challenge. Um which is a different kind of robot. Um and this year the challenge is fing focusing on national park. So I'm excited to bring that. Um and then in my position I love to bring robotics into when classes come to the library. So, I'm hoping that
011not only will these be used for clubs, but they'll also be used with core content areas as well. So, thank you. [Applause] >> And then last, Kevin Welch. >> Yes. So, Mr. Welch let me know that he was very honored that the board was going to recognize the program tonight, but just so that the others now know what he's doing tonight. He says they in a critical part of their preparation for the next contest. The students the students needed him to be there this evening and so he's with the students this evening. So, uh, he considers this an advantage. You guys are all here instead of that. So, but he was very appreciative that the board was recognized this. This is also the first year that the TVA has done the robotics grants. They've done
012STEM grants before, but this is the first time. And so, it's just great that we've had so many of our schools apply and get these. >> Great. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> All right. Keep going with the next part. >> Well, next part. So, uh, each month, as you all know, we do the, uh, RCS strong outstanding staff awards, and we are here with our sponsors from Sonic, and I promised them I've been practicing this one man's name because apparently I've been saying it wrong for a year and a half. He says everyone does, but Mr. Alan Squeaks, that one I got. They are both supervising partners with Sonic Drive-Ins of Rutherford County who have been sponsoring these awards now all of last year and they've agreed to do it this year as well.
013There you have five categories. Our first honore tonight is in the support staff category is Mr. Anthony Simon who's a custodian at Rockville Middle School. [Applause] >> Mr. Simon, I'm going to I'm going to embarrass you a little bit here because I I'm going to read I'm going to embarrass all five of you, but I'm going to start with you. But uh I want to read some of the nominations that people actually uh did here. So Mr. Anthony is a ray of sunshine in our building. He is so kind and helpful to our faculty, staff, and students. He has the most recognizable laughter, and he gives his best every day. During the summer, his son passed away unexpectedly. His resilience and his desire to make others smile even while he was facing a personal challenge
014was unmatched. He is an encourager and his presence makes a difference every day in our school. Thank you. [Applause] All right. All right. Miss Leah Moltz from Christianana Middle School is in the teacher category. Miss Moltz really tries to build a relationship with each student in each class. The students are always trusting her to listen to their their stories and she is always there listening. She teaches great life lessons and is a great mentor teacher to me as well. So, as you know, as you can tell, you were nominated by a fellow teacher. Uh, I am a first year teacher and she has made sure I am in the loop and always have someone to talk to to ask questions. Congratulations. [Applause] Okay, Miss Monica West is an AP at Blackman High School and she's
015being recognized in our administrator category. Miss West is a phenomenal assistant principal at Blackman High School. Through her hard work and dedication to students and teachers, she has created a rapport with her students and staff to work collaboratively, reflect upon best practices, and ensure student safety. Her ability to create a relationship with students is outstanding. In many moments with discipline is required, her relationship with the student and the support staff benefit her success in helping students improve. Thank you so much. in our central office category. It's I'm going to say this. I don't just want you guys to hear this part. Dr. Shana Groom, come on up. Dr. Groom. So, Dr. Groom just recently completed her doctorate. So, we are very proud of that. And she says it's still weird to hear that. So, I
016want to say it as many times as possible. Dr. Groom. Okay. So, Dr. Groom goes above and beyond. Now, Dr. Groom was nominated four times. And in every nomination, the phrase, it wasn't the same person, the phrase above and beyond was used to describe her. So, you should know that goes above and beyond to make the RC school's nursing department the best it can be. She's an accomplished professional nurse. Uh, recently obtaining her doctor a great doctor degree. She is personable. She ever she always strives to create the best atmosphere for the school nurses and therefore the students we serve. Thank you. Okay. And Miss Janet Johnson is next. [Applause] Miss Johnson is bus 126. Um she drives for Smyrna High School. She asked to stay with her current route after this after this family
017subdivision was reszoned from Stewart's Creek to Smyrna. She told me she was out and about watching over her kids after her son's uh after being her son's personal bus driver for more than five years and previously served eight years as my daughter's driver who's also a 2019 graduate. She always has a wave, a smile, and she keeps a firm grip on her bus and we love her. [Applause] Guess we're going to stand up again. >> Thank you again to Sonic for sponsoring these. Appreciate you. Thank you all for what you do. Here we go. >> Ready? Uh, Miss Maxwell, slide to your left, please. Left. To your left. All right, great. Here we go. >> Thank you all. [Applause] Congratulations. Now we move to the public comment uh section. We have three people that are
018signed up to speak tonight. And first we have Miss Deanna Osborne. It's nice to see you again. Good evening. I have to take these off. Thank you for the opportunity to speak before you tonight. I'm Danna Osborne. Um I'm the president of Rutherford Education Association tonight. Not just tonight, but um and I come before you tonight to bring the Pekka petition signatures for presentation. um representing our desire to move into the collaborative conferencing phase for this year. As the board knows, Tennessee Law recognizes that a collaborative relationship between the board and its professional employees assists in the establishment and maintenance of an educational climate and a work environment that attracts and retains highly qualified and professional staff. Collaborative conferencing or PEKA recognizes the obligation of the board and its teachers to collaborate on matters relating
019to the terms and conditions of employ of professional employee service and sets forth the process whereby we can work together towards producing the agreement that is the memor memorandum of understanding on issues such as salary, insurance and working conditions. We in Rutherford Rutherford County are very fortunate to have gone through this process previously with the district and we have an existingou which is still valid. Um your ratification of the priorou um affirms to educators and community members that you value our work and our voice in this process and we very much appreciate that. Um, we also appreciate the continuing opportunity to collaborate with you on matters that are essential to attracting and retaining highly qualified professional staff and so that together we can continue to work the work um to achieve the highest potential for
020our district. I'm here before you tonight with another round of signatures. Um just requesting to start the process again due to the PEKA law which uh places the obligation or the charge upon the educators to come together and determine if they want to move into this process. So we have the signatures. Um we've obtained the signatures. This is an every three-year process. So we're on the verge of starting that again. and we bring these to you specifically in the month of October as designated by the law. As the board knows, under this law, once this petition is submitted, the board then has the duty to um appoint an equal number of board members and professional employees to serve on a special question committee who set up the particulars of conducting the confidential poll. And the
021confidential poll is a vote by teachers about whether or not they would like to engage in collaborative conferencing. As president of the association, I would be honored to accept an appointment to be on the special questions committee if this board sees fit. Um, thank you for accepting this position petition. Our association looks forward to working with you in this process going forward. >> Thank you. Yay. Um, and if is it possible to to get a quick photo just of us presenting this the physical signatures? James. >> He's outside still. >> He's still >> Dr. Martin can do it. >> Miss M. >> Or Miss Martin. >> Martin's got it. >> Everybody's got one. Yeah. >> Yeah. Our next speech is Miss Stacy Hardy. Good evening. Sorry, I'm a little uh sinusy. We do live in
022Tennessee. Good evening, school board, and thank you for allowing me to speak tonight. I am not here to retell the story of my son, what happened with him. Y'all have all the information on what happened. You re view review view review viewed both sides of the situation. Tonight I speak not only as a parent but as my students mother as some of you as someone who believes in the power of education to shape character not through through just academics but through compassion, fairness and understanding. Um my child is a strong student. He earned top grades. He volunteers his time and has built meaningful relationships with teachers and peers. Recently, he made a mistake. He pulled a prank on a friend and it was immature. Yes, a lapse in judgment, but it wasn't cruel. It wasn't
023dangerous and it wasn't done with malice. Originally, he was given nine days of out of school suspension. That punishment was later changed without warning to 4500 points at Smyrna West. This consequence is far more severe and it means suspension, exclusion from school events and a permanent mark on his record. I am not here to excuse his behavior. I am here to ask does the consequent ma match with his intent. We teach our children to own their mistake and mine has. He's apologized. He's reflected and he has learned. He's taken his time at Smyrna West seriously, earning 100 points every day that he has attended. But when punishment overshadows the lesson, we are sending the wrong message that one misstep can erase years of good character. Um, he maintains a 3.8 GPA. He's in the band
024and he was a National Honor Society Beta Club and other clubs. Um, high school is a very is a time for growth. Mistakes are part of the journey. If we respond to every error with maximum discipline, we create a culture of fear, not of learning. We must ask ourselves, are we gu guiding our students or branding them? I'm asking for perspective, for proportionality, for a chance to turn this into a teachable moment, not a permanent scar. I believe we should show students that we believe in redemption and not in punishment. That we see the whole person and not just the worst day of their life. Because we can extend grace to a good kid who made a bad decision. What are we really teaching? I respectfully ask the board to reconsider the severity of this
025consequence and restore the original suspension. Thank you for your time. Our last speaker is Mr. Chuck Isel. >> Hello. Thank you for letting me speak tonight. Um, something about me, I've been a safety advocate before 2020, but in Halloween of 2020, I lost my son and I have asked multiple times about safety messaging being sent out for the holiday. Dr. Sullivan was gracious enough to do a phone call two years ago, but I think there needs to be more messaging on social media to make parents and non-parents aware aware of children being out there. The the phone call is great, but it only covers a small percentage of the county. It doesn't cost anything to put something together put out on the 30th. I think it'd be a great thing for the resource that we
026have to protect our children, which is our most important thing. I have been doing this safety advocate role for a long time. I didn't pick this up four months ago like some people. It's constant. It's been going on and on and on. I know you've seen my news interviews and different things I've done around town for the last five years. I implore you to take the time to do that this year and make it a continuing thing going forward because for some reason you have to remind people, hey, kids are out. Kids are out. And I know Dr. Sullivan, you understand you lost your son. It's something you don't get over. Like I said, in two weeks, it's going to be five years. Every day I want to text him something. It doesn't go away.
027And I would hate to see another parent go through that or experience that. But when we can send out messaging, hopefully that will make a people aware of what's going on. It's not taking a stance. I don't want my son's name on it because I've been accused of that before. But that's not what it is. It's a just about safety messaging. Prime trick-or- treat times are 6 to 8. It needs to state that that children are going to be out between 6:00 and 8. That's, you know, it's all I have. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. >> Next, we go to instruction. >> For instruction, we have the 2026 2027 school calendar. Uh, for approval, uh, as required by policy, we have a member from each school that's a member of our calendar committee. They
028meet, they have multiple options they can look at. The calendar committee is bound by 200 days for teachers and 180 days for students. And this calendar does several things. One, it starts on Monday, August 3rd. It ends before Memorial Day. It ends before Memorial Day because Memorial Day would be in June or if we went past that, it would be in June. So, it ends Friday, May 28th. It does still have a full week for fall break, Thanksgiving break, and spring break. The difference in this calendar and previous calendars as teachers will have to get 12 hours of inservice on their own instead of six hours of inservice on their own. So, the last four or five years we've done six hours. This calendar will have to have 12. Otherwise, teachers and students would have
029to come back on Monday, December 21st, and that would probably not be a well attended day by staff or students. And so, instead, they'll have 12 hours instead of six. >> Any comments or questions? >> Miss Maxwell. >> Yes, Mr. Sal. >> Move to approve. >> Thank you. >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Vaughn. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes. Next, we move to legal. So we have two disciplinary hearing appeals. So the first one's discipline hearing appeal 25101. The board has been requested to review a decision of the disciplinary hearing authority and of the director of schools to uphold the zero tolerance of a student from Steuart's Creek High School. Based on a review of the DHA's record, the board may a affirm the decision of the DHA and
030of the director, B overturn the decision of the DHA and the director, or C grant a hearing before the board. Just to note, there is no recommendation from the director on here because I have already reviewed it. And so it has already been upheld by me. So that's what's difference between this and out of county. >> Any comments or questions? >> Miss Maxwell. >> Yes, Mr. Rosales. >> Move to affirm the decision of the DHA and the and of the director. >> Do I have a second? >> Thank you, Mr. Vaughn. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Motion passes. Next. >> Next is the second disciplinary hearing appeal. This one is number 25102. The board has been requested to review a decision of the disciplinary hearing authority, DHA, and the director
031of schools to uphold the remand of a student from Stewart Creek High School. Based on review of the DHA's record, the board may a affirm the decision of the DHA and of the director, B, overturn the decision of the DHA and the director, or C grant a hearing before the board. >> Any comments or questions? >> Make a motion to approve. >> Thank you, Mr. Vaughn. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Rosales. to affirm the decision. >> Yes. >> Okay. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Motion passes. Number nine, financial. >> All right. This is a long one. So this instead of doing three separate budget amendments, this is one budget amendment together with three separate grants. This amendment increases budgeted fiscal year 2526 fund 141
032revenue and expenditures to recognize multiple state grants. The first grant consists of carryover money from the innovative model schools grant. This grants in the third year and the funds will be used to provide 50% of salary payment to existing CTE personnel stipens for project-based learning works training vehicle and equipment purchases for various CTE activities and construction renovations to CTE buildings and structures at multiple schools. The carryover amount of this grant is $8,889,685. The second grant is the public school security grant. This grant will recognize the fiscal year carryover amount of $14,875 and the new fiscal year allocation of $1,49,958 for a total of 1,64,833. The funds will be used to provide new threat assessment software and license, the purchase of flip charge, signage, radio equipment for schools, repeaters for FCC license and installs, weapons detection
033equipment and resistant film. The third and final grant is the reoccurring fiscal year 2526 state special education prek grant. The fiscical year 26 allocation amount of this grant is $519,488 with no carryover amount from fiscal year 25. The funds will be used for additional education assistant positions to assist in the pre-K classrooms, a compliance specialist, additional training for teachers and EAS, sensory and deescalation items, supplies, materials for IPK classrooms. All these grants have been approved by Tennessee Department of Education, and none require a local match. And recommended motion is to approve. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Thank you, Miss uh Sharp. Thank you, Mr. V. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Number two. >> All right. We have, I believe, three school support organizations uh to approve. So, I'll
034read the first one in detail. The first one is board recognition of the Central Magnet Baseball Booster Club at Central Magnet School as an RCS school support organization or SSO per RCS board policy 2.404. Only a group or organization that's entered into a written cooperative agreement with the board may use the name, mascot, or logo of a school or the school district to solicit or raise money, materials, property, security, services, or other things. Tiger baseball supports provided all information requested from the board's written cooperative agreement and can be recognized as an RCS SSO. It is noted that this SOS has not received an IRS determination letter to be recognized as a 501c3 nonprofit entity that's in compliance with the board of education written cooperative agreement. The IRS letter will allow the SSO to open and
035operate out of a checking account that's separate from central magnet school student activity funds. Once they receive that, until the determination letter is received, the booster club will utilize central high school student activity funds for all its financial activities and be subject to the boardation financial policies and procedures. Also, this approval is contingent upon the organization providing a detailed financial policy which they've been notified about. So, the difference here is that they do not yet have the IRS determination letter, but that is custom for what we have when new groups are starting quite often. >> Any comments or questions? >> Move for approve. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Sharp. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion passes. And I'm sorry, Miss Darby. I looked right at you and called you
036sharp. Sorry. >> Next. >> All right. Next. And if the board's okay, I'm not going to read this whole thing. I'll just point out the difference. All right. This is for the board recognition of the Oakland Middle School Home Run Club at Oakland Middle School as an RCS school support organization. The difference here is that it's noted this SSO has received their IRS determination letter to be recognized as a 501c3 nonprofit entity that's in compliance with the board of education written cooperative. So they will be allowed to open and operate a checking account that's separate from Oakland Middle School student activity funds. >> Move to approve. >> Thank you, Mr. Bot. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes. And the third one is board recognition of the Eagleville structured classroom special
037education fund at Eagleville schools and RCS support organization. And they also have the IRS determination letter as well. So they will be opening their own checking account. >> Thank you, Mr. B. >> Second. >> Well, thank you for Sharp and Darby. Uh couldn't tell who chimed in faster. Uh all in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Number 10, engineering. Seagull High baseball baseball scoreboard replacement. Principal Larry Trey is requested to replace the existing scoreboard and locate the new one in center field. The cost for this request is 70,000. It will be funded through the baseball booster account at no cost to the board. Seagull High will be required to request permits from the city of Murphy'sboro and work with Middle Tennessee Electric for new service in this location. Engineering Construction has reviewed the
038request and has no objections. >> Any questions? >> Move to approve. >> Thank you, Mr. Ba. Thank you, Mr. Bond. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes. Number two, >> Christiana Middle softball scoreboard request. Dr. Kyle Nicks and Christian Middle has been offered the existing Riverdale High School scoreboard. Christian Middle will be responsible for relocation installation. Cost for relocation installation is $3,875 and electrical connection is $250 for materials. Maintenance will be provided the labor for the electrical connection. Engineering Construction has reviewed the request and has no objections. >> Move to approve. Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Tidville. Thank you, Mr. Vaughn. All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Motion passes. Number three, >> power hour bus contracts. The original motion from September 11th was withdrawn. Discussions regarding having two drawings
039per year for these contracts rather than one drawing per year as it is currently. So I need a motion from the board to guide us on one drawing or two. >> Move to approve drawings. >> MARP. Okay. Do we have a second for the move to approve two drawings? >> Thank you, Miss Darby. Yes, Mr. Ros. >> Yes. I need to make a clarification. So these two um drawings for the power hour um I had said that if a bus contractor got it one time they shouldn't get it the same time. I spoke to some bus contractors and um I did not realize at the time that this pool of um bus contractors that are interested for the bid is rather small. It's not That's what I I was told that there's not a whole
040lot of bus contractors that are bidding for these power hours. And so therefore, I will say that I don't know what it what it reads or restrictions or anything. So if a bus contractor does bid and get it the first time that they can still go ahead and bid and get it the second time because the pool is very very limited. That's what I was told and aware when I spoke with some contractors. >> Dr. Sullivan is is that do we have to put that in place or is that already >> right now? There is no restriction in place. So if someone gets it the first, the board would have to make the motion to put a restriction in place. >> Okay. Mr. Darby, Mr. Didn't we talk about um kind of going through like
041the people who were on the first one wouldn't be on the first opportunity for that second power hour run, but if you then needed more once that was exhausted, they would be avail. >> That is not the way we've been operating. Everyone who applies is eligible and we use the picker wheel. So, if there's three people and they apply the first time, those same three people could potentially apply again. There has never been a restriction on holding someone out. >> Would there be an issue with with doing an initial drawing with those that didn't have the opportunity the first time and then if there were remaining routes doing a second drawing? >> I'll do whatever the board asked. >> I think that's a very fair way of doing it, but Mr. Vault, >> and I'll
042comment just a little bit. I came out here and watched it and and Francis, to answer your question, there were several of them. There was only one person applied. Um, I don't know, a handful. That was two. I'm going to say most of them were three or four at at the most. So, if you limit if you block out those people that did it in the fall, you know, you're discriminating against them. I mean, the it was advertised. It was said they were doing it for the entire year. I don't think that's a pro. If you want to do twice a year, I I mean that's up to the board to say that, but I don't think we ought to discriminate against somebody that won it in the fall. Uh they've never done it before.
043I think the um and I'm not going to put Trey on the spot right here, but I think it was just kind of a workload kind of deal that they were just trying to simplify this. But, you know, if the board wants to do two draws, do two draws. But I I don't think I would be for uh discriminating against the ones that that were in the that ran in the fall. >> Miss Maxwell, >> I'm just making it clear re recarifying my statement because after speaking to some bus contractors, they made me aware that the pool of of applicants just very small. It's only three. It's not a whole lot. So I don't think there should be restrictions. So if they get it the first time and they go again. >> Well, right now
044there are none. >> It's just a Yeah. >> M starvy. >> I'm just going to say so that it's on record for myself. If you have three If you have three or four people apply in the fall, one of those people gets it and then in the spring you have those same three or four people apply again and that same person gets it. First of all, I disagree with the term discriminating. I think we're trying to be fair across the board. And I think that what are we saying to those other contractors then if that person they don't get the opportunity when someone else already had an opportunity because you can exhaust that list and and or if you don't have anybody apply then allow the person that ran it in the fall to run
045it in the spring but at least you've given everyone a fair opportunity. >> Yes. Mr. on. >> Is it Did we advertise this that it would be done once a year? >> We did this year. Yes. >> I think the way I mean we can solve this problem. You know, we can't decide what to do about eliminating them. Just do it one time for the one drawing for the whole year. That solve a problem. we wouldn't have to worry about eliminating and discrimination all like that. >> Madam Chair, Madam Chair. Yes, Mr. Clark. Madam Chair. Well, but what if we have new bus drivers and somebody actually does want to from the new bus drivers? If we have >> All right. Can you repeat the question? If we have new bus drivers that come in
046between now and the second hour power drawing, wouldn't we want them to be able to apply to if they wanted to? Because >> the currently if there's a new contractor that came in, they could submit next year because we've we the way it was sent out and the way it was intended, we were going to draw one time this year and that was it. We weren't doing two drawings, one for the spring, one for the fall, and one. >> So, if they're new, they just lose out all together. >> No, they get to apply next year like everybody else. >> Okay, >> Mr. Long, >> I'll make a motion. We do it once a year. >> Well, we have a motion on the floor for two the the motion is to approve having two drawings
047per year. >> Tammy, Mr. T, >> Dr. Go ahead and I'll come after. Yeah, I definitely understand the reason for it, too. And I'm I'm totally for of course implement whatever the board suggests. I think when we're looking at what our number one job should be for continuity for our students, it is easier for students if they have one, but if we're doing two this year, I think that's fine. As we move forward, I would recommend one. So, there are these are young students for power hour and they're getting pretty close to doortodoor service. The more changes we have with bus drivers, the the harder it is for our students. So >> we we get the calls of a kid getting dropped off at the wrong place or something or a parent not being there.
048So yeah, >> having consistency does help, but of course locally whatever the board desires >> the reason I suggested this uh initially is out of fairness and then hearing some some stuff back from bus contractors. So, I'm not uh to me the I'm not s super set on whether or not we're going to have a repeat person in the fall do it in the spring or not or whe they have the same opportunity because it's going to be random both times, but I am certainly for um splitting it up. I think that does grant more opportunity and these are from the contractor's mouth, you know, lucrative routes that a lot of people like. So, if that's if that's the case, and that's what I'm hearing is the case, then I certainly want to provide as
049much opportunity as possible. Um, this is this is one step in into the right direction. If we want to look at changing it even further and the following year, that's fine. But I at least want to get it split up into halves um for each year just to provide more opportunity for our contractors. I appreciate our contractors, appreciate everything that they're doing. Uh I think they're a very important part of the process. So if we can provide at least a greater opportunity for more of them, I'm all for it. So I support the motion. >> Okay, we have a motion on the floor. If that's all the discussion we have, motion on the floor is to move to approve having two drawings per year for power hour. Would you like to pull the role? Call
050the role. >> All right. Mrs. Rosales, >> yes. >> Mr. Vaughn, >> no. >> Mr. Tidwell? >> Yes. Miss Sharp. >> Yes. >> Mr. Vault. >> Mrs. Darby. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Maxwell. >> Yes. >> Passed. >> Okay. Thank you. Yes. M. >> Just to clarify, we did not put restrictions on somebody from the first. Correct. >> Restrictions. Okay. >> Okay. Next. >> Next. We have a new middle school location for power hour at Rocky Fork Middle School. It was suggested this route be covered by a bus currently running this route daily in order to pick up students in a timely manner. If multiple middle school drivers are interested, then those buses will be chosen by lottery. >> Do I entertain a >> Yes. >> Move to approve. Second. >> Second. >> Okay. Thank you,
051Mr. Ba. Thank you, Miss Rosales. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Motion passes. Next we have the naming of the middle school. >> We have recommendation to name Popular Hill Middle School. PHM mascot the Bobcats colors primary hunter green and secondary gold matches the elementary school. Thank you Mr. Darby and your team for your work on that. >> You were very speedy on that too. I appreciate it. >> Do I entertain? Thank you Mr. Darby. >> Second. >> Thank you Mr. B. All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes and go Bobcats. Mayor John Ba Batty will be proud. >> Yes, he will. >> Number 12, >> Oakland High School and Play on Sports agreement. Play on Sports would like to partner with Oakland High School to provide
052a branded school video portal, school-based event, scheduling, information, availability, etc. Recommended motions to approve. >> Move to approve. >> Thank you, Mr. Bond. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Sharp. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes. Next, we have director's update. >> Just two quick things. one transportation related. We do have um over 30 contractors that we are still waiting. I guess contracts would be the correct way to 30 contracts. We are still waiting on required information from. We have sent notices at the end of September. We're getting close to sending other notices. Trey, can you explain that a little bit more of what we're waiting on? >> Yeah. Per section 2.6D, 6D. It's a four weeks after the start of school. We require that the
053contractors send us their route descript. We give them a route description at the start of the year. We give them four weeks to run the route and then provide feedback to us. It's basically the same route because some of the students don't ride. they, you know, combine a stop and it they give the route description back to us so that we can input the information in the computer because it changes the times. So, we run the route for about four weeks and then we asked for that information back. We probably were a week or two late this year just because this year was with all the reszoning and everything, we let it go a little longer. We sent letters out um September back at the start of the year. So in September, at the end
054of September, we sent a letter out to the contractors we had not heard from. We gave them 5 days more and said, "Hey, we need these back. We still have few more than 30 that have not sent us the route back." >> Looks like 36 or 37. >> 37. Per our contract, the board can begin today withholding their pay. I don't think that's what we would like to do today. It's not what we're recommending. What we're recommending is allow us to send a 30-day letter, which is also in our contract as part of our contract, that they have we're putting them on 30 days notice that they're in breach of contract. It's a little less heavy than withholding their money, but notify them one more time. Give them a few more days and if they
055don't, I'm going to come back and ask you to withhold their money. That's just a it doesn't need a vote. I'm just letting you know because this is something we're going to do. You may hear back from it and I want you to understand why we're doing it. >> No, I don't. >> It's already in the contract. >> It's in the contract. I'm letting you know what we're doing to follow the contract. >> Correct. other than withholding their money. I'm gonna send them another I'm gonna send them a 30 put them on 30 days notice for lack of a better term. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And then wait I'm going to follow that. Why would they not send it back? I mean we're we're 12 weeks in. I mean if this is a common
056practice every year >> don't >> is it lack of attention, lack of a detail is >> I don't I don't have an answer for that. I would I would be speculating. >> Okay. I didn't know if it was burdensome if there was some way. >> It is difficult. That's why we've gave them a little extra time this year because our routes have been kind of a little more fluid especially on the elementary side this year because of all the reasoning we did. >> Do we have a a bunch of new drivers too and maybe they're having a hard time? >> They're contractors. >> Okay. >> I mean I mean this goes along with them certifying their miles. goes along with certifying their pay. >> Yes, sir. >> Right. I mean, it's all kind of hand
057in hand. >> It kind of ties in. Yeah. This is more for us so that we can get the computer updated so that when a parent looks on our website, we we've adjusted our times on the website. >> Well, it also would give you feedback information about how to create another route or how to redesign a route next year or the following year. It could help us this year if they've got suggestions to improve it >> cuz we we've got to do everything we can for efficiency >> in my opinion. I mean, right? I mean, it was what $35 million a year, >> correct? >> Transportation, right? And it's growing every year. >> So, I mean, for us to for you to be able to do your job to provide transportation to basically half the
058students in the system, we're just asking for a little help, a little feedback. Right. It's a collaborative portion of our contract. >> Okay. Anyway, I just I I couldn't Why wouldn't you do it? But anyway, thank you. >> Yes, sir. >> And again, the vast majority halves, we're talking about 30 something, but still 90% that did. Yes. 90% did. >> Yeah. Yes. >> Yes. Um other thing, we have multiple principles here. So, thank our principles for being here. We have Andrew Barnes from Wilson Elementary, Randy Upain from Las Casses, Dana Nichols from Rockfell Elementary, Scott Balden from Rocky Fork Elementary, Yisha Campbell from Kitell Elementary, Brian Wagner from David Yuri, Shane Witwire at Springs Empower, Dr. Hatchet's back there from Lever High School, Steven Wayne, I saw. Oh, yep. He's over here um from Rock
059Springs Middle. We had several other here for the robotics. No, Dr. Nicks was here. Um M. Clark was here. And I don't see if anybody else. I don't think so. >> Yes, Dr. Gang was here as well. So, yep. Thank you guys for being here. >> Is that all? >> Yep. >> Okay. Any other general discuss? >> Miss one, >> I just want to let everybody know the gates at Lever High School are going live on October 27th. We have notified the EMS. We've notified the city of Lever. We notified the city of Smyrna. We have rented signs big like you see on the side of the road electronic blinking coming soon to a lane near you. Um that is happening on the 27th. Everything is ready and in place. So we've done all the
060notifications and that will go live on the 27th and I do expect some negative attention from that um because people are used to using it as a thoroughare but it is not a cut through or thoroughare. is our property and we wanted to lock that down for safety of our students, but I do expect some some negative attention from community members on that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Good. Yes. >> Good. Thank you. Um I have a couple things. So, one, um I wanted to know about the whole robotics thing, and I'm a huge fan of robotics. I believe in robotics. So, is I think we've had asked this before and I don't remember. Do we have a robotics program at every single school? >> How many schools are lacking robotics? >> I'd have to
061find out, but you a lot of it deals with stipens. So, we're gonna have to stipen somebody to do it. Um, second is just the material, the competitions, the cost, and you have to have student interest. Not every school has student interest, but it's it's more than the majority. >> Okay. And then the other that's this is not my second thing, but since there's quite a bit of interest, I don't know how many schools have robotics. if there's any thought about hosting a robotics competition here in um Rutherford County. Um I know that there's other >> groups in the area that would be willing to be a part of that. Um I would love for that to happen somehow. >> We have done that in the past. Um, and I if it's okay with you,
062then we'll just get Miss Finley, we can get a list of how many we have and report back to you guys on what competitions are in the area and if we're hosting any this year because I'm not aware that we are hosting this year, but >> yeah, that does happen. >> Okay, >> great. Um, and then the second thing is, and I apologize Dr. Um I know that in the past when it comes to the Halloween, we have made a mention of it to kind of remind um parents and those that are driving about that we are having a lot more traffic. Do we have we put it that I thought we put that in the social media. If we haven't is that something are we able to do? So what we've done in the
063past is that we've asked the sheriff's department to initiate that because it's it's somewhat out of our jurisdiction to talk about safety of roads outside of our campuses and then we have re-shared that on our own social channels. So the end result is similar. We're just not the one initiating the message. They do it and then we share it and then Dr. Sullivan has also done his own message about it before. >> Okay. Is there something that we could do we send out any emails or anything like that that we can include or >> we did the phone call? Uh, we have done a phone call in the past. Dr. Sullivan's message went out as a video message and then it was on our socials as well. Like I said, the re-share from the sheriff's
064office. >> Could we send that video message as a video as a email? >> I mean, potentially we could. Yes, ma'am. And I think that we did when we did that a couple of years ago. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. If we could do that again, that'll be great as a reminder that there's a lot of kids that are going to be out and for um those that are driving to be cautious. Thank you very much. That's it. >> So, Mr. Lee Sto, I I've been out at Leverne High School today and saw the big signs and everything and I've already done a video and posted I didn't get to speak with Dr. Hatchet and she will be sending emails out notifications to the parents. So, there's going to be a lot of
065media around that and a lot of notifications. So, um but Dr. Sullivan, you're probably right. there is there's going to be some push back because listen, I've been guilty of it myself trying to cut through to go to Wendy's or something like that because that it's always been like that. But um it's it's great that we've got the money for the gate and everything now and it's going to more secure our campus and um Mr. Lee, the annex is looking phenomenal. Um they're I don't know if they're ahead of schedule or on schedule or what, but it looks phenomenal. Uh, I've been doing updates and um that those students um are going to be so excited when it gets open. So, I don't know if you want to speak on that or not. >> We're
066currently close to schedule winter. We're we're entering my favorite and my least favorite time of year. >> For personal, it's my favorite time, but for work, it's least winter and rain and cold. But we're hoping to have the PL uh temp u most of the roof dried in in the next couple weeks which is really good. Um which will allow us to continue and Popular Hill Middle is coming along very well too. >> Thank you. We we have been blessed with some good weather. >> Anyone else? >> If that's all MBY move to adjourn.