July 14, 2020 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  In attendance:  Chair Butch Campbell, Vice Chair David Settles (by conference call), Wes Ballard, Roseann Barton, David LaRoche, Amanda Moore, and Becky Goff

Staff:  Interim Director Ralph Ringstaff, Gary Anderson, Joe Marlin, Lisa Trail, Sheri Arnette, Angela Fairchild, Robin Newell, Greg Lyles, Trey Duke, Sandy Scheele, April Zavisa, Tammy Garrett, Emily Spencer, Mark Gonyea, Dr. Maryam Hill, Scott Campbell, Kristy Mall, Sara Walker, and M’Lisa Miffleton.

Assistant City Attorney Elizabeth Taylor and City Liaison Bill Shacklett

 

Rationale:  The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Mr. David LaRoche.

Rationale:  Mr. Ringstaff asked that the CDI Contract be taken off the agenda and added to the August 11 meeting. The motion was made with this change.

Rationale:  This item will be moved to the August 11 board agenda. No action was taken.

Rationale:  Before discussing the plans to reopen schools, Mr. Ringstaff told the Board about Teacher Signing Day that took place at central office today and the training camp for new teachers that will be held at central for the next two and a half days.

Mr. Ringstaff explained that the Continuous Learning Plan was a collaboration of lots of people and departments including central office staff, principals, supervisors, and parents, and lots of thought had gone into it.  He explained that the Commissioner is requiring that all students are to receive 6.5 hours of instruction per day for 180 days. Mr. Ringstaff plans to submit this Continuous Learning Plan to the State by July 24.

Mr. Ringstaff gave an overview of each option and then allowed each department supervisor to explain the detailed plan for their areas.

Option 1-Traditional (in person) Classes & Choice Distance Learning
All students attend full day classes at school with the exception of students whose parents choose distance learning.
Parents have the choice of changing from traditional to choice or vice versa at the end of each 9 week period.

He also explained that all teachers will be in classrooms, even if they are chosen to teach distance learning.

Option 2-Hybrid Instruction
PreK-2 attend traditional school (ESP offered)
3-6 utilize distance learning (ESP offered)

Option 3-Distance Learning Instruction
All students will receive instruction via distance learning with the exception of CDC students

Mr. Ringstaff also explained that we may not get computers until January
ESP will be decided if this option has to be chosen.

Mr. Ringstaff told the Board that four surveys were sent out to parents, employees, and stakeholders before this plan was completed.

Masks will be required for all staff and students.
The calendar will now mirror Rutherford County's calendar with the first day for students to be August 10 and the first day for teachers will be August 3.

Mr. Ringstaff then let each supervisor present the plan for their department.
Gary Anderson
Sandy Scheele-Ms. Scheele explained that Summer Feeding ends July 24 and will not be extended past that date if school doesn't begin on time.
If school does not start on time.
Sheri Arnette
Angela Fairchild
Joe Marlin
Sara Walker

Mr. Ringstaff ended the presentation by explaining that staff is working on a plan for students to receive wi-fi.  He also explained FMLA.  He said that he could approve that staff receive FMLA multiple times if need be and it could possibly extend throughout the year. 

There was much discussion and many questions from the Board regarding the plan.

The Board thanked Mr. Ringstaff and the staff for all the hard work put into this plan.

A roll call vote was taken.
Wes Ballard-Yes
Roseann Barton-Yes
Becky Goff-Yes
David LaRoche-Yes
Amanda Moore-Yes
David Settles-Yes
Butch Campbell-Yes

 

Rationale:  The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m.