001It's It's for sale. Goes Good cause. >> All right. All right. Appreciate your patience as we work out some technical challenges. Welcome to our October night meeting agendas tonight is here with us tonight. She's our junior representative high school junior senior. She's a junior. She's our student representative serving on the board. So agenda agenda items for tonight. include work session as well as those corrections changes. Okay. onto corrections. I'm going to go through the Maintenance Just want to call us. facilities assessment go backs up that's not item Anything else? Hey, what is it? Foreign September. Federal last year. children. Thank you. chairman. I received a reimbursements for those time. Thank you. Questions, comments. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. the money that's left over the largest amount in that falls Hold on. Also,000 Finally, we have expend
002on the school that was million. What are the other projects? I would have to go back. There's a long I can pull that back. Just just these are just budgets. So budget questions transfers. report shows pat. All that comes in anytime. Any questions? It's very shows. That's 52 interviews. questions. Six cases of Those are all the discuss our tonight. Just as a reminder spotlight this year. with those skills. So that's also attention to questions, comments, appreciate Tuesday night direction. That being said, I know that articulate process weaknesses and strengths. opport until we have session discuss what the what it is we're working on that's basic steps missations. Put that together. Anything else we need to go back answers here contracted for the capital outlay. And then questions, comments. We will return to work session. This
003is your two minute warning start. Okay, at this time I'd like to call the October 9th meeting county board of education order. Everyone would please stand. We're going to let our newest nana on the board, Miss Officer, lead us in the pledge. Thank you, M officer, and congratulations to you for your exciting past few days. Um, again, would like to welcome everyone here tonight to uh to our meeting, board members, staff, members of the public, happy to have you here as we conduct business of county school district. Uh before we uh consider tonight's agenda, I just want to follow the Tennessee code annotated and board policy 1400 states that every meeting of the board is open to the public where all session agenda for the board meetings are posted on the district's website www.pipchools.net and
004the agendas are posted at least three days prior to each meeting. Public acts of 2023 Chapter number 300 in board policy 1404 requires for each meeting agenda to include an item reserved for public comment as well as the conditions under which those wishes comment will be recognized. A signup sheet is made available prior to the beginning of each regular meeting. Individuals who have signed up prior to the start of the meeting to speak to speak will be recognized in the order listed on the sign up sheet of appointment in the agenda designated public comment. meetings are streamed with the help of our central office technology staff for live recorded view links are provided on the district websites and attending or speaking during tonight's meeting implies consent that comments and appearances can be used. So before
005we consider tonight's agenda like for anyone on the board that might have a conflict of interest on any of the agenda items being considered tonight please uh let that Mr. school system. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Smith. So, that Mr. McDonald officer Mr. Smith on the agenda for Mr. or Mr. Smith officer herself from discussion item numbered tonight start none. All those in favor signify by saying I pass agenda items. These items work session cover items on the policy to be reported. from our Mr. Budget as far as financials goers. So members being agenda. Does anyone wish to remove any item for discussion? Okay. Not objections agenda will be adopted by vote as presented. Any objections? No objections consend. So next item on our agenda is our school. This year we are focusing the
006school spotlight on recognizing the students that are engaged in the fine arts throughout our district. So each board meeting will be recognizing students from various schools in our district celebrating those involved arts. So tonight we are Murray students from schools. >> Thank you. So here tonight with the wife tonight and so we want to recognize first his selection was Mr. George and he writes, "It is with his sincere pleasure to nominate George Me for the artist of the year award to represent our White County middle school band program." Uh, he did apologize for not being able to be here today. George is a great multi-instrument player who brings energy, positive attitude, and musicianship to the classroom. George is always one of the first students into the band room in the morning and one of the
007last ones out. Is eager to learn, help, and even entertain as needed. his armor every day by being accountable, respectful, motivated, organized, and responsible. Thank you, George, for helping making the White County band program a success. Work ethic is seen and admired. Next up, Miss Nicole Farley chose Miss Leila Simmons to be recognized because of her excellence in many different forms of art in class. She would always go above and beyond the requirements for the assignments. Every artwork she created in her class showed great skill and creativity creativity because herification and desire to she would always show Miss um Farley her drawings, paintings and crocheted projects uh that she made at home. They were all outstanding back in September. entered enter entered work into the fair and received one second place and two first place
008awards and her work was even chosen to be entered into the state fair competition. She also recently sold her first painting and I know that as time goes on she will only get better and as far expects great things. And now Miss Beth Del will talk about her. I nominated Dalton Woody to be recognized tonight by the school board because he truly embodies what it means to be a dedicated and talented vocalist. He consistently goes above and beyond whether it is auditioning for solos, honor choirs, or performing in the talent show at the middle school. Um, but really what really stands out about Dalton is his attitude. He's dependable. He's humble and always willing to help others. His love of music and his positive spirit make him a joy to have in class and a
009wonderful representative of our choir program at WCMS. Thank you. We had one other candidate, but he can >> All right. Thank you. Um, Mr. Murray, Miss Del, before you all sit down and and for uh for George and Leila and and Dolan, let's get Dalton. Um, would you uh please come up forward? We're going to take just a recess and so that way we can get a few good pictures and uh we can put them through our various social platforms. So we take a recess for pictures. parents and grandparents, if you want to take pictures, you're more than welcome. our guests, you're more than welcome to stay for uh the rest of our meeting, but if you do have uh previous OB obligations, you're more than welcome to leave. Um but we will at this
010time come back uh call our meeting back back to order. Um so, uh Mr. Murray uh Miss Delt, thank you very much and all those at middle school for appreciate your work in the uh area of fine arts and it's great to hear those reports on those kids and recognizing them. Um so we'll move on to the next item on our agenda and that is the recognition of the White County School Board as a platinum level healthier challenge award recipient. Um, you may remember last spring we were presented with a challenge by uh uh Miss Canard and uh we we all participated and evidently we uh we did okay. Uh Mr. D, I'll let you speak to that if you'd like. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm going to let Miss Canard come up
011to you as influential in uh that whole process. I just want to say I'm very proud of the board and not just for earning some money for our school system, but for getting out there getting healthy. I said I can't tell you how many nights I saw Bob Young walk by my house late at night while I sat on the couch eating ice cream. And I was so proud of our school board and the effort that they put forth to get healthy. And so Marcy' like to Miss B Miss Canard would like to uh to acknowledge that as well. >> It's okay to call me Marcy. Um, I wanted to say I really appreciate y'all getting on board and doing a little healthy challenge for me so that we could make sure that we had
012all 13 boxes checked because we did have all 13 boxes checked and that made me very proud and happy for our school district. Um, there will be an award ceremony at the TSBA conference and I will get to accept that award and I think that Mr. McDonald is actually who gets to give it. And we are also getting an $8,000 monetary award. So, we'll put that back into our help. And I made y'all boo baskets just to say thank you. And this month has been about doing fun things for our teachers. And I wanted to do something fun for y'all as a thank you and just encourage you to continue to be healthy. Miss Bernard, I do want to say one thing to that. Um, across the state, I'm not sure exactly how many districts
013there are across the state. The White County is one of 17 districts across the state that receive platinum status. So, um, that's that's the highest level we could get. So, uh, congratulations to this board and and everybody that put in the effort. So, yeah, I'll be excited to give that coming up on November. >> Yep. Absolutely. But thank you again. I appreciate it. >> Well, Miss Canard, before you before you uh step down, just uh want to say thank you for your leadership. Um we were one of 13 boxes get checked and you were doing a lot more work uh to to make this happen. You and your staff, I'm sure, promoting health throughout our district. And uh just really appreciate you looking at that opportunity and take advantage of it and um uh for
014for getting recognized. So, look forward to seeing you down in Nashville and receiving that award on our district's behalf. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> So, the next item on our agenda is the uh file file fire hall property at at Bondi Crop. uh board members of you uh may recall there past uh uh couple meetings that we were approached by members of the Bonnie Crawford Volunteer Fire Department, specifically uh Chief Smith and regarding u potential of us uh deeding that property that where the Bonny Croft Volunteer Fire Department resides, deeding that over to them uh so that they apply for grants that would help them uh facilitate some maintenance and and projects that they they have that they can't apply for currently because they are not the property owners. Um
015so we went through a process of uh having discussion on on on that the past couple of uh months. Um and that was it was asked to be put on the agenda tonight. So uh I think some board members had some thoughts comments on this. So, I'm going to open the floor to those that wish to make comments. >> Mr. Chairman, I have a comment. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Uh, yes. I have spoken to many people that live up there on the mountain. Some have called, some have emailed, even had some come by the house, and they are not in favor of this transaction at all. Their concerns were just giving the Yes sir. Absolutely. But they were not okay with just the fact of giving it to you all and just leaving the school
016there without it's just giving away the property. They were not in favor of that at all. I think everyone wants to be a good neighbor with you all, but they were just not okay with just with us just beating that over. That was not said. I don't believe that was the case. They just were not okay with giving out the giving. They know what we know. They know what we know. And I was able to give them the information that I know. That was just several different people um that called or emailed or even had one come by the house. >> I just want to pass that along. >> So, um so excuse me just one um for for just a moment. Miss Douglas, appreciate you u bringing those comments up. Um, Chief Smith, you
017were down to uh to speak on public comment. Um, considering that this is an item we've already been discussing with you regarding this and we have that on our agenda. Um, but I just want to recognize you now. If uh if there's anything you want us as a board to know, um, we'll recognize you and then board we can have discussion after that. Um so allow you to to speak and then after that the board will will have discussion. Okay. >> Yes. Thank you. building up right here. I have a list of everything that needs to be done and Mr. D our base floods and it's going to create a big issue. So if it does, we can have a fire at the station. I understand your concerns and other people have talked to me
018and said that y'all donate that to us over so we can make our butt until we get it over to us. We cannot get a grant to upgrade to if y'all would like to see a list. I have it right here. I know we talked earlier. >> No, Mr. Smith, I I appreciate that. Um and uh so uh if you could if you could um let's have some discussion on board and we need to ask you to come back. So, um, Miss Douglas, thank you for for bringing that up and being part of u listen to what uh saying from constituents in that that area. Um, we did uh trying to look back through our our minutes quickly um on this. We we did have discussion, Miss Smith, Chief Smith brought this to our attention
019uh couple months back. I'm thinking it was August. might have been uh might have been July um but I believe it was August and he brought this to our attention that in order to facilitate uh uh grant funding for uh for the facilities uh they had to have the property in the fire department's name. Um going through that process uh we worked out a survey a plat that was uh that was that was put together. I think Mr. Markham uh the county actually uh did that or was part of part of that um developing that that uh survey and so the plat has been been laid out. We agreed to proceed with uh have having that done as as a board but There were also a couple of things that we have to remember that
020uh we're going to have to be satisfied. One of that is uh having an organ organization established for which that uh property can be deed over. And so there's uh because we cannot just deed it over at to an individual. Uh it would have to be uh a entity recognized by the state 501c3 I think is uh that done. So um there would probably be even before you could even have discussion about you know voting to uh uh approving the transaction from the board standpoint that would have to be established. So I'm not sure where where that is in the process but um just trying to bring us as a board back up to speed on what has transpired since that time. Um Mr. D, I'm not sure if you uh have any updates that
021you could share with us. Well, I'm certainly interested in helping our fire departments and those especially, you know, we have three properties that share our school property and I' I've met with Chief Smith. We've, you know, I have looked at the building. There's needs there. Um, you know, I I there's some unanswered questions about um, you know, what the other fire departments do and what the other fire halls do. And specifically, I would think Castle because they're in a similar situation on our property. Um, and and it was my desire. I brought this before the board for your consideration because I want to be a good neighbor to those that are helping us and and we've worked well together. Sher Chief Smith and I, you know, we've worked together on the on the sign. We
022have a partnership on the road sign up there. Um, you know, we've worked together on, you know, egress and and things like that. So, uh, we want to have a good relationship there as they those folks, you know, they volunteer and take care of us. Um, but at the same time, want to make, you know, good business decisions. Um, what I don't think anything's changed. I I talked to you. I'd heard that there was some conversation of, you know, different opinions across the board. And, uh, you know, my opinion still is that what we want to help even if we can't beat it. I'm I'm already thinking of, okay, well, then how do we help from a county standpoint if that's our building? You know, can we have equipment and is there any way to
023help with our maintenance folks to to help some of those things? I mean, like I said, we have equipment, we have fork list, we have, you know, we have tools, we have people. um how can we do that in a way that helps that facility if it's on our property if that's something the board want to entertain. Even if this doesn't go through like we originally planned, I'm still interested in helping our folks up there. Um you know it the it still the question remains capital-wise. How are they going to raise money to significantly make changes there? I know there's an interest and a need to add a bay and some other things up there. Um yeah, I want to do what's best for the county. I mean, and if that if that means helping
024our our volunteer fire department, but I we got to be good stewards of the schools dollars as well that are generated by students. So, I'm just saying I'm open to those things happening if it can't be a truly deed situation. I'm still interested in helping our volunteer fire department, which is on our property and uh you know um from that perspective. So, I know that's a little bit uh you know, talking out each side of my mouth, but I just whatever the board's process uh decision is, I'm still interested in helping our volunte. Now there are conditions for which this can move forward and that have not been met to my knowledge um yet as far as establish an organization that would have to be dealt with through the county I guess or um maybe
025I'm speaking out term here we would have before with the county Mr. Mark, if you wouldn't mind, just correct me or give me a nod if I'm going the right direction. For the county, which the property that's on, it's part of the school system. Yes. But it's also county property as school system under being under the county. Um the county would not deed any property over to individual. It would have to go to an organization. So, um, that would have to fall on the fire department, the volunteer fire department estab to establish whatever organization you need to function under, that would have to be done before the property can move. Um, so that would be something you have to have to take care of. I think we have as far as the plaque goes, that's
026been been addressed, but you know, the as far as the county goes or the property goes with the county. I mean, this is this is really a something that the volunteer community, fire department community throughout the county um that and the the uh the county administrators need to come together and say, "What is the plan for, in my opinion, what is the plan for volunteer uh fire departments throughout the county?" And you know, we're involved in this because we're you and also in uh in central view or in Casville are on our property um because properties are however they're designed. That's uh that's what took place um at some point in time. But, you know, if there's a reason why, I mean, I think that there has to should be some movement on the county's
027side to help you because if I think if uh I don't know if that would address your constituents concerns, but I mean, at the end of the day, you know, we should not be the board should not be the ones decide whether or not you get property to take care of your maintenance. I mean that needs to be a part of your strategic plan for for the fire department and also part of the county. That's my opinion. The reason why we're here is your facility just happens to be located on school property. We have gone through the process of saying this is the property that we uh uh that we we would deed over through the county say yes. But if we're going to backtrack on that as a board, then we're going to have
028to have that on the agenda item to come back and say we need to reconsider that. I'm not sure if I'm prepared to have that discussion tonight if we're going to backtrack on on that. So that because this is really the first I've seen heard of the details of what this agenda item is about. Mith, >> just a couple questions. How are the other volunteer fire departments structured? Are you are you a nonprofit? So the branch you're speaking of, would that cover the entire mountain? The only thing standing in the way Mr. Miss >> Chie Smith, is that is every time that you apply, is that what they tell you? It's just because of that very reason that you don't own the building or the property. Right. If there's repairs or things like that, would
029the grant would it work with you in that way or is it just because you want a whole new building? I mean, have you tried it by just saying we need different things? And how's that look for you? Does that ever Chief Smith, I appreciate appreciate that comments and and again recognize Douglas for sharing piece of community. Um what I didn't hear in that uh instead of what you shared is that the community doesn't want a fire department. What I what I heard was that they concerned about deeding property o over. Okay. Um and so as public uh representatives we have to uh we have to consider that keep that in mind. Um, however, there are other ways that you can get there. Um, maybe rather than beating property over. Um, but I think a
030lot of it hinges on you getting completion of your uh organization established. Um, you we won't know when that is. um you know, whenever government uh reopens and whenever you get your final uh uh papers from from the from the feds. Um what I would board members, what I would like to s what I suggest we do with this is um Miss Douglas ask that you probably do a little bit more research with those that have expressed their concern to you and ch uh Chief Smith, it might involve uh some meeting and it may be that people just don't understand your plan. And I I listen I I get it. You put plans together and sometimes it all gets up here maybe not get communicated way that people understand it or they're listening one way
031and we're talking another. Not suggest suggesting you do that. It just can happen. But um maybe it's just a little bit clarity on that and we understand the reason why there might be an objective but nothing can happen until your organization gets becomes official and put this as an old old business item uh next month and maybe we can come back with some more information uh that time. That's uh that's what what I'm thinking. Board members, anybody else have a comment on that? I just have One quick question. What What does your uh fundraising look like? I know Cherry Creek does their handbrake, North End does. Okay. I I didn't know I I I don't get on social media a lot, but I don't see a I don't if I'm on social media, I'm I'm
032looking marketplace to buy something. So, uh yeah, that social media is is is awful. But, um it is good for those those type things. I just didn't know what what y'all's fundraising looked like and how Okay. Yeah, I know. I mean Yeah, that yeah, that that was just my question on on you know all the other all the other fire departments or organizations from the rescue squad or whatever have fundraising activities and I just I hadn't seen anything from the Bonnie side. Like I said, I'm not a I'm not a social media guy. So I like I said, social media I'm not a big social media guy. But thank you, Mr. Chairman. I was going to say that's, you know, that's maybe a way that we can partner with you as well. Um, you know,
033I don't want to get into Miss Savage's kitchen, but we could certainly use our fac you know, differently. If the school is available to you, you know, for breakfast and, you know, think you want to host a basketball tournament. People love that in this town. And, uh, you know, we could utilize the gym, the school could be made available for some of your events, uh, so that you guys could spread out, maybe do something bigger and grander to to raise some money. Um, so I, like I said, regardless if this doesn't happen right now or we're working towards that, we want to work together. Um, you know, as you help protect us, we want to help serve you all. So, if there's a way that the schools in that in that meantime that's we can
034talk those things through. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Uh like you say, most of our bad weather and our events happen on the mountain where the snow and ice are. Uh maybe this should be um talked up in the community more about uh you know if you're out of power mountain and we are providing some kind of shelter for you, people might be getting more because there are several snowtorms people's been out of power for like weeks and no heat stuff like that. Uh that would be a good avenue to be promoting it. >> So Chief Smith, um thank you for sharing that. appreciate um appreciate what you and all the volunteers uh that serve Bonnie Croft community uh do. I I think the walk away from our discussion tonight and board's discussion is uh nothing
035can happen as far as any type of property transfer until your organization is fully established. Um that's one and second is that from the school standpoint we want to partner with you to whatever we can do to help you fund raise in the interim before that. So please take advantage of that. um we just have to wait till uh you know when you get that approval then um we'll set it as an agenda item and but u asked Miss Douglas to just do some followup on the reason why there's some push back to that but I think all right any other discussion on that okay if not uh move down to agenda item into agenda item number 10 and that's discussion on the U educational freedom act uh $2,000 teacher bonus. Um information was provided
036to you in your packet regarding that. Uh it does seem like that there's uh some corrections that need to be made on that. So uh Mr. D, if you could just give us an update on where we are and what as board we may need to do. So, the as you remember from past meetings, the Department of Education sent um each district a list of what they defined as teachers uh that would qualify for the uh for the bonus under Education Freedom Act. Um and we were supposed to vet we vetted that list and sent it back to them. And when they paid it out, there were actually three people that on that list that we would have not considered to be under that definition. They work very hard. We love them. We appreciate them.
037But they didn't meet that that definition as as defined by the state. That has uh sent a little ripple through the district for people that spend similar amounts of time with with students as qualified under that definition. Uh, and so what I presented to you are an additional 13 people that I would argue have similar u time spent with students each day that would qualify had they had their names been on that list as well. Uh those so what I've shared with you the three the three names in green are those that were included in the states list that would already receive the bonus. The yellow equal amount comparable amount of time would qualify and the reds are all Okay. Um, so board members, we've been asked to consider approving $1,500 for uh 13 uh
038licensed licensed teachers that from a workload they do equal amount of instructional time compared to uh the three that did meet the state's qualifications. ation of a teacher. So we it's been presented that uh to to equal this out where there's uh uh comparable pay for comparable works and qualifications. Uh director is recommending that we balance that out by by paying them the additional $1,500 uh bonus as uh we did on the uh school psychologist. So that's what's being presented to us tonight. So, um, anybody have any questions on what's being asked of us? I have a question. Um, so there's 27 other names on that list um that spend as much or if not more time in front of students as some of these other folks. and they're the ones that are in the
039front lines every day. Um, I would like to see us take care of all of these folks. Last month, we we approved a budget item last month with $178,000 and we never batted an eye at it. Um, that was missed during budget times. If my Dole math is correct, $1,500 a piece for 40 folks is $60,000. Um, I'd like to make a motion that those 13 people that were listed in yellow be uh be given the $1,500, but I would also like to see uh the 27 other folks in the school administration, principles, assistant principles uh and then the district level and folks that are in red as well uh be uh given that money as well. >> All right. Um, appreciate that, Mr. McDonald. I'm going to ask for for clarity that we first
040address what was presented to us um for consideration and that is addressing the 13 IND uh 13 employees uh that would qualify for the uh similar similar qualifications as those uh school psychologists. that uh that were paid the bonus. Um I would like for us to uh first take take uh make a decision on that. Um make a motion on that and then if we come back to the discussion portion, Mr. McDonald, you can restate what it is and we'll try to get get all this in a in a the proper motion, but let's let's first consider these first 13 that were recommended to us. So, uh, we have, uh, 13 counselors, uh, one district level employee, excuse me, 12 C, uh, counselors and coaches, one district level, uh, employee that qualified for the $2,000
041bonus uh, that was pro uh, provided uh, through the state guidelines for the uh, $2,000. They have already been paid $5,000 bonus. So, the recommendation is that we I'm sorry, what did I say? >> 5 I'm sorry, Freudian slip. Um $500. Um so, we would be paying them an additional uh $1,500 to round them up to a total of $2,000. So, uh first, I would entertain a motion to uh uh to approve uh paying these 13 individuals the additional $1,500 as presented. Move. >> Motion by Mr. Smith. Do I have a second? Second by Miss Stone. All right. Discussion. Mr. McDonald. I'm going to go back to you. >> Okay. So, looking at this list, um, every one of those school administrators have a teachers license. Teacher license. I'm going to venture out and say
042that everybody on this list of district level with the exception of maybe Mr. Ally, does he have a teaching license? Okay, I didn't know that. So, I'm going to venture out to say that everybody on this list, all 27 of those folks that are listed in red have a teachers license. They went to school for it. They They put their effort into it. I think they deserve it. I think we need to make all of these folks, and they none of them's asked for it, but I I think we need to make these folks feel wanted, appreciated, and I just think it's the right thing to do. Um, and that's just my feeling, >> Mr. D. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I certainly want to echo that and I've been on the record before saying
043that I can make an argument that our principles are the most influential instructional leaders in the building. Uh, and my job would not be possible without the fantastic people in this room that are my supervisors that I would u that would I I would fight you tooth and nail for. They certainly are deserving. There are a couple names on this list that are no longer with us. Um, so that would reduce that a couple. And I'm certainly not going to incur endorse myself getting a a bonus. I hope my wife's not watching. Um, but I am um, but I'm not going to suggest that I get it. But for for these people, I appreciate your support and I certainly would applaud them receiving that. But I do want to make the point too that when
044this list was originally created, the definition by the state really what this was or at least what it came from the state saying was it was about classroom teachers and the amount of money that they were spending out of their pockets to buy supplies. And that's usually even though all of us buy things for students and for and for teachers and things, but that's where the that was the the spirit of that uh the initial um verbiage. So just want to make that point. Thank you. >> So even though there's maybe a couple names that's not on this list or that's on this list, this reverts back to last year's contract if I'm not mistaken. So wouldn't they also still receive that money as well? We we have not been in the usually in the
045case of of chasing those down if they're no longer with us. Just like we don't give people increases, salary increases if they've left. We don't give them the difference that they would have received if they were still with us. So that's not been our precedent. But yes, it's good. But no, I understand your question. >> It's power. >> Thank you. So, I'm going to step out on a limb right here because you've got school nurses. We're going to start this right here. Then you've got school nurses that have a degree and they see students when they come in. And I know principles aren't with them all the time. And I love every one of our principles and the people that work up here. But if you're going to step out on a limb and we're
046going to start spending money, then you're going to have to get everybody. Because if we keep on throwing money, our savings is going to dwindle down. We got to stop somewhere. Mr. Chairman Smith, >> I I agree with you, Miss Fowler. Um, the names in red here, all very highly capable, important people to the education system. My concern is like Miss Fowler, she mentioned nurses. Who else are we missing that would also be worthy u in in this category of recognition of the value they bring? I I think we're going out on a limb um a little too far in this situation. >> Thank you, Mr. Smith. So, um, board members, as you're maybe gathering your thoughts, just let me remind you that, uh, the, uh, uh, teacher bonus was part of the Education Freedom
047uh, act that was approved last uh, spring by the legislature. and they uh they provided guidance for what that they said here's how much money we're going to pay to these individuals meeting these qualifications and they if I'm not mistaken Mr. D did they not set based on the size of your district the number of certain positions that you should have or am I thinking of something else? Okay, I'll scratch that. But they did set the um criteria for those who who would qualify for this particular money. They didn't come ask us if that was if it was okay, if we thought our opinion on uh who should get the money and out of spirit of just appreciating all those in our district that make education possible. Uh it's obviously the the spirit in the
048heart of the board that we would love to we recognize everybody but the state didn't. State said we're going to fund this group of people and it left it was specific on who it who qualified and who who did not. Um, if you if you continue to add to this uh this number, then you probably need to consider uh having a a fiscal review on that. should not just uh arbitrarily on one board meeting on one Thursday night. Um uh make that kind of decision. Mr. McDonald, I appreciate what you uh what you uh mentioned on our regarding our budget that was left off that budget item that we approved last month that was left off. But if I'm not mistaken that uh that item was part of the overall educ operation of the education
049system that we occur on annual basis and so and so it's this is a very special circumstance um that again as Mr. D said we're appreciate the state for giving us the opportunity to work through this. Um so if you if any board member wishes to amend the motion uh then you have the opportunity to make a motion that be seconded. We would have discussion to amend the motion that's on the floor. Uh the motion on the floor right now is to approve uh the 13 uh uh counselors, coaches that qualify for the u uh the meet the requirements set by the state to receive a $2,000 bonus rather than the $500 bonus that dollar bonus that we we gave them. Uh the motion is to approve those 13 individuals that were uh that has
050has been recommended to us uh by the by the director. So if you want to I do, Mr. Chair. I want to make an amendment to this motion. And I first want to start that off by >> thanking our state legislature for putting us in this position of pitting people against people uh pitting administrators and district level employees against teachers who got a bonus. So, I want to first thank those folks first and foremost on the record uh for for putting us in this position um trying to get their their their agenda passed. Um it's worked. It's worked on their end. So, my amendment would be to include these 27 other folks um into this bonus structure of paying them $1,500 um just like we are going to do the 13. All right. So, I
051have a motion on the floor to include Okay. Um have a motion on the floor to include um those on the certified personnel list not receiving a bonus on the state list to include uh school administrators. 16 school administrators and district level employees that would meet the requirements for uh as defined by the date as an educator. So, I have a motion to amend um to include those individuals on the U district level file that was presented to us in the SIMS of this. >> Mr. Chairman, yes, ma'am. I believe there's a couple on that there that is no longer in the system. Would that include I think it's Darla Dunn and Barry to Larry Thompson. >> Okay. Is them the only two that's that's not in the district now? >> Yes, I think that's
052correct. >> Okay. So, that would be non district level administrators. All right. Seven. Motion for to include those individuals. Do I have a second? >> Those folks were employed by us last year. I just I feel like those need to stay in there. So, your motion included them. Okay. All right. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. >> Yeah. The uh 27 total. >> All right. >> 16 and 11. >> All right. I have a motion to include the um the 27 total school administrators and district level staff meeting those requirements uh qualifying for the uh for this definition of a state educator based on the education freedom act of 2024 uh excuse me 2025. Uh have a motion do I have a second? Do I have a second? Okay. Motion to amend fails for not receiving a
053second. So, we'll go back to motion to approve uh the 13 administrators as presented uh that meet the state qualifications of educators um from the Education Freedom Act of 2025. I have a motion and and a second. Any more discussion? Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Motion passes. All right. Next item on the agenda is discussion of snow days snow day pay for staff. So Mr. D, would you uh like to speak to that? >> Sure. So >> Oh, I'm sorry. The school board uh has addressed this a couple of times in the past, most notably over the summer. Um in the past we have uh for our support staff particularly you know when we talk about that we're talking about our educational assistance um they do not get paid on
054snow days there is no work for them on snow days and in order to make up some of that money or some of that lo lost revenue. The board has allowed them to make up to five days worth of snow time. So even though we might have missed 10 days at least they didn't miss 10 days of work they were able to make up five. The way that we've done that though over the years is to allow them to work right now today. They worked a little bit after school and then they bank that time and then when the board it would that 15 extra minutes over the course of the entire 180 days is about 5 point something days. I think it's actually 6.2 is what it amounts to. But um that's what we've
055done that in the past. Um but that's really problematic. That's really not correct accounting procedures. um it's it's really hard to keep up with who's worked that time, who didn't work that time, and then in a lot of cases, I know with cafeteria staff trying to do that as well, it's been hard to find work for them to do to make up that much time. It's a lot of time over the course of the year. So, without a real uh course of action from the board this summer, we made the decision or I made the decision to pay people their extra 15 minutes right now. So, as they're work, they are working extra. We need them to work after school because it takes everybody in a village to get students into the school and out
056of the school each day. And so we made the decision to pay them right now. So the extra 15 minutes they've been working in the past, they're getting paid for it on their check right now. But as it stands right now, because we're paying them for that, they're not banking it. So, if we miss 10 snow days this year, those 10 snow days will come off of their deducted from their checks at the end of the year in the summer because they've spread their pay over 24 pay periods. So, instead of getting that money at that time, we're going to have to deduct it at the end because we don't know how many snow days we're going to use. So, but let's say we use 10, we're going to deduct 10. And that means they
057probably won't get a whole paycheck on that last paycheck. So, that's where we are right now. That's why we've explained it to our staff. So there's right now there's no mechanism for making up snow days. They're getting paid right now for the 15 minutes that they were getting to bank for in the past. So what I really want to do right now is just give the board information to think that perhaps if the board wants to make any changes or I'll recommend some things over the next month that you could come back and decide if you want to make any other changes, but that would really be the last time this year to do it because after that it may snow and so we we'd be into that into that business. Um, so we have
058some options and I will share those with the board individually. I'll share them with you in in updates and give you some things to think about. We estimate uh it's I've given you the numbers. It's about $35,000 a day that it costs for this staff that I'm talking about. Um, and so that's 35,000 35,000 a day that if it snows that if they don't work that we're putting in the bank. And so that's that's how we get that money at the end of the year that we put back into our fund balance. We have options of paying that out. There are some districts that just pay people not to work that day. It's always been a it's always been problematic for me because we have maintenance people that have to work. Now, a lot of
059times that's the best time to get in and fix maybe a pipe first. They have to go in and work. So, it's hard for me to I can't say to educational assistants, you get paid to stay home when other people have get have to go to work. Um, so, uh, custodians work, that sort of thing. there's an option for us to split the difference and say, you know, they get half pay or something for snow days. Uh, and everybody stays home on half pay, but obviously maintenance would be on call. Um, you know, custodians if something happened be on call, that sort of thing. Or we can leave it alone and people just need to budget and know that at the end of the year, um, they're going to be deducted. So, I just want
060the board to understand where we are there. Right now, there is no mechanism for making up snow days. They're getting paid right now for the time that they're working and they will be paid all year long for the time that they're working. Um, but if it snows and I'm gonna and that's why I try I you know I know I get a lot you you that's you know being a it's like being a referee on snow days. You make people happy, you make people mad, but I try not I try to go to school. That's our job is go to school every day. So I am a little uh stingy about that. But I'm also looking out for people that don't get paid and I'm looking out for kids that don't get to eat. And
061so, uh, we we try and go to school when we can. Um, I do have some other options this year with some virtual days. There are some things that we can do that we can count as school days and they would still get paid and I'll try and utilize those as well. Um, but I'm just trying not to get in the pocketbooks of people, but I'm still trying to be safe and be out of school when it's dangerous to go to school. So, really just information. I will share more ideas with you. Um there's really no action the board has to take on it, but as we consider um those people that are missing out on a lot of money because it snowed, I just want to give the board some information and options. Mr.
062Chair, I do have a question. In uh in years past, we have um as a board forgiven five days, correct? Correct me if I'm wrong. So those five days are would those be in in addition to the 6.2 that they're already working or how how will that work in the in the long run? I mean the board could do that again but there's just they're working it right now and getting paid for it right now. So if the board just wanted to say, "Hey, we're just going to give everybody five days." You could do that, but they're not going to work for that time because they're already working the minutes now. So, they're not banking them. And there probably wouldn't be time at that point to make up that many hours. If we decided in
063after the season, say in in March or April, that you make that decision. There's not enough time in the in the year for them to make up five days. So, that would be a true forgiveness and p and just straight out payment that the board would make. >> All right. Thank you. Any more discussions for a director regarding snow day pay for staff? >> Just one the staff that this affects they know there is a chance when they get into May and June their paycheck could be less. That's that's been made. >> Yeah, we've communicated that and I'm I'm not sure if that's resonated or not. I we've delivered that message to our principles principal meetings and we've shared that out. So, um, you know, they they understand that we've changed their hours, that they're
064getting paid extra 15 minutes, and this is why I know I don't if you can confirm that, Miss Ryan, that we've shared that with our staff, so they know that. I I don't know if that's going to sink in until May, but we we have communicated to our to our personnel. Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Any more questions, discussions on snow days? Thank you for that information, Mr. D. Uh next we'll move on to uh agenda item number 12. Uh it has been requested that we consider renaming the Finley gym uh recognizing Coach Rhonda Girdley who has taught in our school system for over 50 years. And uh think that we uh have the uh the uh individual who is making this uh recommendation to us here with us tonight. That's uh Mr. Becca Ryan,
065principal of uh Finley. So, Miss Ryan, if you'd like to come address the board, >> thank you. I appreciate you giving me a chance to speak. Um I am Rebecca R. I'm the principal at Finley Finley Elementary. I've been there for nine years. Um, Miss Girdley, I'm sure most everyone in the room knows what I'm talking about when I mention Miss Girdley. She's synonymous with Finley. She started teaching in Finley in 1977. She just finished her 50th year. Um, she taught kindergarten all 50 years and I think Mr. Whitaker moved her to third grade once and quickly moved her right back to kindergarten is what she told me. Um, she's right now currently coaching her 44th basketball season as elementary basketball coach um at Finley. uh just beat Woodland Park about two minutes ago. So,
066our cross town rival. Um I just think that um no one will ever probably be able to match Miss Gardley's dedication to the students at Finley and especially the basketball program. I think she even helped coach the boys team for quite some time. Um she was one of the first people that I met when I came to White County um a little over 20 years ago and um welcomed me. She was my mentor as I coached the high school softball team and and helped coach at the high school uh the basketball team as well. So, just know Miss Girdley for a long time. I've tried to go back and find some statistics on how many times she's won the county tournament or how many wins and losses she has, but um 44 years of basketball
067is hard to track. So, I've not really been able to come up with that. Currently, our gym floor is named after Kelly Jolly Harper. It's Kelly Jolly Harper Court. Um, of course that's probably Miss Girdley's um, uh, former player that she's most proud of. So, I think that she would be honored for the gym to be named after her. And so, um, I've spoken with Mr. Ospa. He was a former principal as well. Um, he has some ideas as well and and he and I kind of discussed this together before I made my request. But, um, that is what I am requesting tonight is that we name the gym the Ronda Gerby Gymnasium. >> All right. Thank you, Miss Ryan. Appreciate that. Um board members, it is uh within our uh purview to uh uh
068address the facilities uh naming uh board policy 2310. Uh states that facilities school system shall be made through uh named through board action based upon the following criteria. And in this situation, it would uh it would be uh name for uh those that have uh that have contributed to bear with me one second. Uh and a living person provided that he or she has made an outstanding contribution to that school. And that would be what this uh recommendation is being based on. Um and if uh if we do uh decide um that that's uh to that to be renamed. Um so the uh the policy states that uh school facility that the director shall submit the recommendation which he did on behalf of uh Miss Ryan to the board after seeking input from school school
069personnel and the public. So, uh, Mr. D, Miss Ryan, I guess, uh, could call on you as well. Uh, just if you could give us an update on, uh, what that is, uh, what your responses has been. So, I got that response from Miss Ryan. She's, you know, talked with her faculty, I think, and they've discussed that, and she said she's reached out to people in the public as well. I don't know at that survey if if they've been formally surveyed um but I know she's talked to as she said former principles and um and other administrators and um you I certainly think Miss Gurnley's made a significant contribution to the school and to our community and I can't think of anybody else that would be worthy of that honor. Um so I don't think
070and I think some of the thousands of people that have been under her tulage and and uh and uh and on her on her teams over the years would respond in kind. But like I said, I don't know that we have a formal survey, but I think everyone that in that's been a part of that's part of our district now and has been uh under her leadership that would agree with that. >> Thank you. Board members have uh comments. >> Mr. Chair, I would uh think that there's no better person to name that gymnasium after. So, I'm going to uh in a formal motion, a formal formal motion uh before this board uh seek that we name the Finley Gymnasium the Ronda Gertley Gymnasium um in honor of Miss Girdley's contribution to uh Finley Elementary
071School over the last 50 years and the last 44 coaching basketball. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. McDonald. So, I have a motion to approve naming of the Finley Elementary gym uh in honor of Miss Rhonda Girdley. Do I have a second? Second by Miss Fowler. Discussion. The other areas or facilities that have been named um is the same process used. For example, Donnie Haley's name is on the facility in football field. E Harris's name is on the football field. So, what process went to get those name? Was it this policy as well? >> Um can't speak to that for when those uh facilities were named, but it would have followed the policy because that is uh uh there are state uh statutes applied to that. So it would follow this policy or a similar
072policy. >> I can't answer to um the softball facility um was followed through this uh in honor of of Mr. Buckshot Sims. So it was brought before this board uh to name that after him. So yeah, I think we're doing the right thing. The the policy method in which we're doing this is correct. I have a motion and a second. Any more discussion? Just one one more comment. When when you say the name Miss Gardley, can you hear her yelling at you or yelling at your child? >> There. There we go. >> There we go. >> I I changed my mind. >> My only comment says that if it's not named for Miss Rhonda Girdley, then it would go unnamed. So, um have a motion and second. Any other discussion? Okay, hearing none. All those
073in favor signify by saying I. I >> opposed. Motion passes. Uh, Miss Sims, I need to backtrack for just a second. Please note, and Miss Officer, uh, please confirm that on the uh, agenda item number six, discussion of the EFA, uh, $2,000 teacher bonus. Um, motion that is approved and passed that Miss Officer did uh, recuse herself from that vote. >> Make sure that's she did not vote. Just make sure that's in the minutes. Thank you. All right. Um, ladies and gentlemen, we are honored to have tonight our newest member of the board. Uh, as you know that, uh, White County School Board uh, allows for student representatives to be a part of our board. And we, uh, have a junior uh, school board member and a s junior representative schoolboard member and a senior
074representative schoolboard member from White County High School. And uh tonight I'd like to introduce you to Miss uh Calli Odell. Callie is 11th grader at the high school and she is going to be here. This is her first meeting and she's going to be delivering to us uh the student representative report. So Miss Odell, I'll recognize you tonight >> much. I am excited to share some highlights from this month at the high school. October has been very busy but very successful for our students, teachers, and staff. Um, from academics to school spirit, there's been a lot of progress and participation across the campus. Um, so I'm going to start with our academic portion. We recently took the practice ACTs juniors and it went very well. Um, I interviewed some students and they were very satisfied.
075We got our scores back probably two days after. Very satisfied with our results. Um, a helpful factor that many of the kids mentioned is that we have a third block ACT prep class that rotates um, every three weeks throughout the subjects that are on the ACT. Um, they shared that the class just gave them more confidence and helped them to better understand the structure of the test. Um, one junior told me and I quote, "That class has helped me to focus on the areas that I need to improve. I like that my teacher showed us how to break down the problems and it made the test feel more manageable." Many felt that having dedicated time during the school day to practice made a noticeable difference in their performance on the test. Um, our administration has
076done an excellent job of emphasizing the importance of the ACT and the opportunities that the scores will provide for students if they choose to pursue their higher education. Speaking of higher education, college application week was a hit very recently. Um, many of our seniors chose to apply to local schools such as Tennessee Tech, Maltlo, Vall State, and nearby TCAT campuses. Um, seniors expressed that the most helpful part of the week was the hands-on support that they received, and having guidance through each step of the process made it much less stressful and more approachable. Um, Miss Suzanne Rushing and the new Ayers Foundation team have been extremely helpful in assisting seniors and making sure that this process remains as smooth as possible for them. Outside the classroom, students have also been busy getting involved in clubs
077and activities with Beta Club leading the way. Um, select members of the Beta Club are preparing to attend the Beta Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville this November. Thanks to our club sponsor, Miss Laurel Farley, our club has continued to grow into what it is meant to be. um which recognizes high academic achievement, fosters personal growth and integrity and develops leadership skills while also inspiring all of the Beta members to serve their schools and our community. Um I would also like to recognize our 2025 Beta officers who were selected through professional interview processes. Um the president is senior Olivia Hart. Upperassman vice president is me. Um underassman vice president is sophomore Summer Phillips. The secretary is um senior Addie Ko. Um treasurer is senior Langley Austin. Historian is junior Katie
078Eller. Community outreach officer is um senior Harley. Communications officer is junior Tori Mave and the senior coordinator officer is SD Willis. Um beyond academics and club activities, students have really shown their school spirit throughout homecoming week this week. As you guys know, the parade is happened today. Um, student council has worked very hard over the past few weeks to ensure that this year's homecoming will be the best one that we've had yet. And students have shown tremendous school spirit and participation in the Alice and Wonderland themed dressup days. Um, and the costumes have been outstanding. This week's activities provided something fun for everybody. Monday we had volleyball. Tuesday there was dodgeball. Wednesday there was rock paper scissors all day. And at the end of the day, um, the winner with the most beads got a
079Taco Bell gift card. There's also supposed to be lunch on the lawn that day, but there was bad weather, so it got cancelled. Um, today we had a car and tractor show and sponsored by FFA. And then tomorrow we have a big pep rally and our homecoming game versus Dav County. Um, after such an exciting and busy month, it's important to recognize all our teachers and staff who made it happen. I'd like to recognize and thank our teachers, administration, and staff for their continued dedication this month. From providing targeted ACT support to organizing college application week and coordinating beta club activities, their hard work has made these successes possible. Um, a special thanks to Miss Rushing, Miss Farley, and the Ayes Foundation team for their tireless work to support seniors, Beta members, and juniors as
080we move into the next part of the semester. Um, the students will carry that same motivation and support into what's ahead. Next week marks the start of our fall break which everybody is very eagerly anticipating. Um after the break we will return ready to dive back into coursework and to begin pair preparing for our end of course exams and other midterms. Um the beta members look forward to their convention and all the other student clubs and organizations will begin planning their holiday events and community service projects. Um, school spirit remains strong and students continue to stay motivated both academically and socially as we move into our second half of our semester. So, that's everything that we have this month and thank you for letting me share what's been going on. We're really trying to make
081the most of this semester. >> Thank you, Missell. Um, any questions and comments for Miss Odell, our student representative? >> Mr. Chair, I I want to I just want to commend our administrators at the high school for picking such quality individuals who who started this program all the way back to Mr. Simmons and and Miss McGill, Miss Sacket, and now Miss Odell. I know mom and and Amos are are very excited. I want you to know that y'all done a very good job. Dad, Scott has done a good job raising these uh these kids. So, uh, it's just a blessing to see such wellspoken kids in our school system making a difference. So, thank you, Miss Odell. Thank you, Mr. McDonald. Um, I just appreciate the report, Miss Odell, and thoroughess and just all that
082things going on at the at the high school level and and that's awesome to hear. I do appreciate you pointing out something that uh in your report about the improvements in the AT ATC scoring um and the testing training. I know that over the past years um that has been one of the objectives for high school to improve ATC AT AC act ACT scores, excuse me. Um and uh >> she's hard to follow, isn't she? >> Pardon? >> She's hard to follow. >> She Well, listen. Yes. Everybody's hard to follow for me. Um the um but uh that was something several years ago that we'll look to improve and taken seriously on trying to trying to make some advancements in that and the testing that goes on at the junior level. Um appreciate appreciate that.
083So it's great to hear that that scores are improving and if you look at data over the several years those uh that is taking place. So again yes thanks to administrators for making that happen. Any other comments for our student representative report? Okay. Uh if not, then we'll move on to our district uh update. Uh Mr. Stroberger, turn it over to you. Thank you. I'll try and be brief. I'm looking forward to inviting um Sheila Felton, our federal program supervisor. She's going to come help up and present with me this evening tonight. But uh uh first of all, just want to tell you fall break is upon us. Fall break for White County schools is next week, October 13th through 17th. seems uh to be coming at a good time as many folks appear to
084be needing a little time and space. Uh personnel report are in your folders. Uh I'm glad to say that this time we're fully staffed with qualified personnel on our bus routes and in our classrooms. Legislatively after the break, preparation will begin for the upcoming legislative session. Both school board and I will be at conferences and meetings in the coming weeks concerning possible legislative changes. Uh health and safety. We've extended our partnership with Navigate 360 to include positive behavior support initiatives for all schools to assist with school culture and to incentivize good school behavior. Financially, as you've heard, we're uh have a good financial report. The district finances are in good shape and on track for this time of year. Athletically, the White County football team, White County High School football team is ranked ninth in
085the state in class 4A and will play at home Friday night against the Dicab County Tigers. Go Warriors. uh building projects. The walls are going up at Doyle. Several trees have been removed from the playground for safety reasons. Uh new HVAC equipment being installed in the vocational building next week. So those are the big building projects right now. Uh academically, as I said at this time, I'm going to give the floor to Miss Sheila Felton, our federal program supervisor. She's here to discuss our TISA accountability report. Thank you, Miss Felton. >> And I know this board isn't situated good. If y'all need to stand up, move around. It feels good to stand up, move around, so you may want to do that. Um this accountability report. You have 31 pages of the actual report in
086your packet. I've got it nine slides for you. First off, the reason why we do this, you notice new thing. This is a mandated report we do. Um there are some things that must be included. The first one says goals for student achievement. The next one, one goal must be about third grade ELA. We have to explain how our goals can be met within our budget. We have to describe how how the previous year's expenditures helped to meet those goals. And the last box over there, this report has to be up for public review and comment. It has to be approved by the school board tonight. So, I'll need that to be done when I get finished and then I can submit it by November the 1st. Have five goals on this. The first one
087has to be third grade ELA. Our second grow goal is fourth grade ELA to English 2. The third goal is third grade math to integrate math three. So that covers all the LA all the math. Um goal four is ready graduate and ACT. So some news that will go right along. And then we have a fifth goal this year. This is a new goal. I'll explain that in a minute. Is college and career ready. All right. How are we making progress? The first goal is ELA for third grade. We set this report was first done in 2023. We set the goal that 53% of our third graders need proficient by 2028. This whole thing start it was a five-year plan from 23 to 28. We had a goal that 53% would be proficient. If you
088look in that middle box at the progress made spring of 2025, we hit 53.1%. So we hit our 2028 goal in 2025. So at the end we had to set a new goal. So, we just added 2% to that um to make 55% in the spring of this school year. And at the bottom line, it tells you the amount of TISA funds. That's right at 8 million. So, that's all that counts everyone that influenced third grade ELA. So, you we started with preK, first, second, third grade teachers, administrators, everybody that had an impact. That was their total salaries. The next goal if third grade ELA, we went to fourth grade, everybody ELA up to English two. Um, we've got the grade level. Um, the goal that we had for this past school year or actual,
089but I want to look you at have you look at the last column. We exceeded or met every one of those goals except for two. Seventh grade ELA did not meet it by 6610 and English one did not meet it by 210. So we were very close. So out here on the bottom, we met or exceed five out of those seven targets that we made. U the amount expended was right at 12 and a half billion. So that gets all or million. Uh that gets all the people that influenced prek all the way up to English, too. The next goal is math. So again, we have all of our grade levels and subjects over here. Again, look at that last column. Exceeded, exceeded, exceeded, exceeded. We go down through there. There's only two that was
090not met was integrated math one and integrated math two. Um, met integr math three exceeded. And again, down here, seven out of those nine, we either met or exceeded. We have a little over 13 million of the salaries that went toward influencing that goal. Talking about ACT, this deals with our next one. We have ready graduate and For both of these, we exceeded the goal. This is like third grade. We exceeded the goal that we set for 2028. So down here on the bottom left, what we've done is we've removed this goal. We met it three years early. So we're past that. We've removed that goal. A couple of reasons for that. Ready graduate status is no longer going to be reported and ACT actually rose into goal five that we did. And there's the
091TISA funding amount spent. And that's basically everybody in the district because prek on up affects getting ready graduate ACT. And then our new goal is college and career readiness. Um we set this goal brand new for this year that 71% of the high school graduates will achieve the CCR or college and career readiness by getting one of the following. Notice the first one's the ACT score. So that kind of includes what we had on goal four uh post-secary placements, industry credentials and then as for military readiness. So that is our brand new goal. So next year that will be reported on how we did toward meeting that goal and and we set that goal based off what the previous year was and added percents to that to get to. Um, you have the full report
092and it is available posted on each school's website. There's a link that you can see the full report, can make public comment on it. Um, there's also an action plan for how we met each one of those goals, how we're what we're going to be doing like tutoring, uh, things like that to meet those goals. Um, and then in that plan is also goals all the way up to 2028. So, we have current year goal plus going forward to 2028. And that's it. now need you to be approved and we can submit that to the state. We'll leave it open for a time of window for um public com public comment on it. Um we have received a couple of comments. Um so far it's kind of related to you over test. We agree with
093that but the state didn't ask us that. The state asked us to report on how we've done. So uh there you are in a nutshell for 31 pages. Did I do okay >> Miss Felton? You did you did outstanding. Thank thank you. Um this uh is accountability for TISA funding. So this you we started this in 2023 >> and so we're in academic year three of reporting. >> Uh we expect this to continue on as long as the state's funding us under the TISA model. Um and far as accountability and your tying results to the actual dollars spent on in that report. So overall we this is this is um this is the world we live in balancing out uh accountability for funding and educational >> funding that was spent and how we made progress.
094>> So um great results uh this probably should be something that is published uh so and sometimes it takes more than one vehicle to get that information out. So please consider that uh great results. It's also interesting to note how some of the goals that were areas that were not met were met in the seventh grade period and the uh uh seventh grade uh level and the freshman level. Uh so I don't know if that has anything to do with just development of kids but uh it's uh it was great to see the developments that were that were made otherwise. So >> and I'll be sharing this tomorrow. we have a principal meeting. I've got this linked in the principles update that they get. So then they can show that out to their faculty as
095well because it is a great shout out to all the work that everyone does in our district. >> Great. Um board members, any uh any more comments on the TISA accountability report uh given by Miss Felton? >> Just one quick question and a comment. Very nicely done. Very impressive scores. How did you set the goals the original goals? We worked off prior year goals and added to um every year we have to do a district plan and it correlates we made the TISA report correlate with district plan and rightfully so because they're fixing to revamp their entire district plan format to make us do but we've already done that. So it's just a plan every spring we get together make a plan for the next year and it follows right along with that. Miss Smith,
096any other uh questions, comments? So, uh Miss Felden, you're uh draft approved the report uh as pres as you presented it. Nothing specific other than just uh proving your plan that you'll be submitting to the state that we also also included in in our packet. So, all right, board members have a motion to approve the TIS of planning. uh accountability report by Mr. McDonald. I have a second by Miss Stone. Any other discussion? Okay, hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Opposed? Motion passes. >> Thank you. The minutes and that will be uploaded in the document as well. >> All right. Thank you very much. >> No, that concludes my report. Thank you. >> All right. Any other questions for our director regarding district update? Okay. If not, that leads us
097down next agenda item and that's public comment. Um, Chief Smith was given the opportunity to speak. Uh, he was signed up on our uh sheet for tonight, but he was given the opportunity to speak when the uh item on he wished to discuss was on the agenda. Uh, and since we'd had that in previous business, we allowed him to speak then. Uh, no other signups for on our public comment for tonight. So that leads us to new business items and think we have uh a new business item we need to address. Get back to that page. >> Uh yes, Mr. Chairman, I if you don't mind, I I will step in there. This we did have a a late request for a field trip request form from White County High School and Middle School Tennis.
098uh they would like to take their tennis teams uh November 13th through 16th and we would we need that approval before our next meeting. So that's why they've asked for us to do that now. Uh but they're going to be volunteering at the National Wheelchair Tennis Championships in Mcdana, Georgia. Uh so they're going to take about 15 students down there in some vans that they'll have chaperones with them on a they'll have chaperones on a 1:5 ratio. They will be serving as ball persons, refreshment monitors, court monitors, and anything else needed to help with the National Wheelchair Tennis Championships. And so they're seeking approval for that overnight travel and out of state travel in November. Okay. Hey board members have been asked to approve overnight travel for the White County Middle School tennis to uh
099tennis team to go uh serve at the uh USTA wheelchair uh championship in uh McDonald Georgia uh next month. Uh so do I have a motion for approval? >> So move motion by Mr. Smith to have a second. >> Second by Miss Power. Um any discussion? for uh for the public uh information. Um tennis team, we did approve this trip uh last year for the 2024 uh middle school tennis uh team to go down and participate in the championships. Uh and we uh there was an email received to uh to coach Walls uh from uh the USA tennis officials. Uh just like to share that with you. says, "Uh, uh, my name is, uh, Melody Lucas. I'm one of the many, uh, T USA officials. I've been work as an official for over 15 years.
100Had the pleasure of working with Toeer Wilds and his crew of exceptional young men at the National Wheelchair Championship this past week for four days. Had the pleasure of working with all of his crew on the court for long hours in some challenging situations. All of his young men showed exceptional knowledge of tennis and rules and willing uhness to work to work. They were ball boys, ball retrievers, and just fun to work with. I could not have asked for a nicer, more respectful group of young men. Uh I thank them for all they did. I'm sure they will grow to be outstanding young men. I hope they get some well-deserved rest because they worked hard without complaining. Uh so, uh we appreciate that. Uh it's great to know that our uh our students and our
101our our athletic teams wherever they're at are representing our our county well and so appreciate that. Congratulations to last year's team and also wish this year's team uh best luck in their volunteer service. So appreciate that and uh had a motion for motion and a second. So board members, all those in favor uh for approving this uh overnight trip, please signify by saying I >> opposed. Motion passes. Uh that is the only new business item. Uh there are no items on old business. So that leads us to uh uh one of the last items on our agenda. That's chairman's comments. Our next schoolboard meeting will be November 6, 2025 here at the board of education. Uh our spotlight will be on bond recognizing those that are involved in fine arts. Uh so uh with that
102uh next item on our agenda is uh adjournment. So here entertain a motion for adjournment. Motion by Miss Fowler, second by Miss Stone. Any all in favor? Thank you. Appreciate you everyone being here tonight.