November 10, 2020 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  In attendance:  Chair Butch Campbell, Vice Chair David Settles, Wes Ballard, Roseann Barton, Amanda Moore, Becky Goff, and Jimmy Richardson

Staff:  Ralph Ringstaff, Angela Fairchild, Sheri Arnette, Joe Marlin, Greg Lyles, Kristina Maddux, Robin Newell, Lisa Trail, Sara Walker, Ashlie

Assistant City Attorney Elizabeth Taylor was absent.  City Liaison Bill Shacklett was present.

 

Rationale:  The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by our newest Board member, Mr. Jimmy Richardson III.

Rationale:  Chair Campbell asked that during the moment of silence, the Board and audience remember Assistant City Attorney, who was absent that night due to sickness.  Also Ms. Lisa Lowe, an EA at Black Fox, whose father had passed.

Rationale:  Murfreesboro City Schools (Community Outreach) would like to thank United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties for coordinating a gift card donation from Publix Supermarket and Publix Supermarket Charities in the amount of $4,940. There were 247 gift cards, of $20 each, distributed among all of our schools.

Murfreesboro City Schools (Community Outreach) would like to thank General Mills Foundation Hometown Grant-making Program for $10,000 for the Backpack Food Program. This grant will allow us to enhance the weekend food bags we sent out across the district to over 300 students each week.


 

Rationale:  Mr. Ringstaff explained the addition of the asynchronous learning days.  He stated that the days would be November 24, February 5, and March 19.  These days are for teachers and EA's to plan.  All support areas will report to work as usual. Students will not report to school on those days, but will do school work provided by the district at home. ESP will be open from 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at all sites and will be available to help students with school assignments.  Nutrition will send home a breakfast and lunch with all students the day before the asynchronous day.

Roseann Barton asked that if at all possible, that no other meetings be held on those days for teachers.  She asked that the days strictly be for planning.  Mr. Ringstaff said that there would have to be one exception on November 24.  The state has a mandated zoom meeting for all kindergarten teachers for one hour to complete a training on portfolios.

Mr. Richardson asked if these days line up with the county calendar.  Mr. Ringstaff said that they do not, but in the past we have had other PD days that did not line up with the county. 

Mr. Richardson also asked if there would be a need for additional asynchronous days to be added to the calendar. Mr. Ringstaff siad that if that is the case, he would come back before the Board for approval.

Rationale:  Mr. Marlin explained the Enrollment Report to the Board in detail.  He asked the Board their thoughts on receiving this report a little less often than once a month.  A majority of the Board would like to continue receiving the report once a month.

There was also discussion regarding tracking homeschool students.  Mr. Lyles came forward to explain the homeschool process.

Rationale:  Mr. Smith explained that he would probably be adding a coversheet to this report that would explain the items in detail.  Mrs. Moore stated that would be very helpful as she is preparing for the meeting.  

Mr. Ballard mentioned that he would like to see the impact of monies spent and received because of the COVID pandemic. Mr. Smith will be working to make the reports a little more detailed.

Rationale:  Sara Walker and Ashlie Archer presented a power point to the Board explaining how they are handling the pandemic as well as day to day activities at each school. 

There was much discussion regarding LPN's working overtime during the pandemic.  Mr. Ringstaff will compile a report to get that information to the Board.  The Board mentioned possibly trying to add raises for the nursing staff during budget talks.

The entire Board expressed the extreme appreciation to the nurses of MCS for all of their hard work during this time.
 

Rationale:  The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.