August 24, 2021 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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

Staff:  Dr. Trey Duke, Sheri Arnette, Ralph Ringstaff, Greg Lyles, Lisa Trail, Joe Marlin, Kim Williams, Emily Spencer, Ynetia Campbell, Sara Walker, April Zavisa, Crystal Farris, Heather Knox, Amy Jackson, Charise
McDaniel, Sandy Scheele, and Jennifer Whitlow

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

 

Rationale:  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Emily Spencer, Principal at Erma Siegel Elementary, and Ynetia Campbell, Principal at Northfield Elementary. 

Rationale:  Murfreesboro City Schools Community Outreach would like to express our sincere appreciation to Drs.Russ and Sherry Galloway for their generous donation to the Indigent Care Fund.

Murfreesboro City Schools would also like to thank the Murfreesboro Muslim Youth for their donation of school supplies which included:
Kleenex tissue, dry erase markers, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes

Mitchell Nelson Schools would like to thank Third Baptist Church and Tasty Table Olive Branch Bakery for providing lunch for all faculty and staff for our first day back.

They would also like to thank Parks Realty for once again donating teacher wish list bags to every teacher in our building. We are so grateful for their continued partnership.  And thank you to Brennan Slusher for choosing Mitchell Nelson Primary for his Eagle project. He built a little library to put in front of the school.  It is on the national registry of little libraries and is ready for the Mitchell Nelson leaders to use!

Murfreesboro City Schools would like to thank First Community Mortgage for providing eleven volunteers to assist with projects at our district office and for a generous food donation to the Backpack Food Program.

The City Schools Foundation Back to School Dash is scheduled for September 18 at Overall Creek Elementary, as well as virtually.
 

Rationale:  Mrs. Anna Stewart, a Discovery parent, shared her thoughts on a COVID protocol with the Board.

Rationale:  Jones Foundation Grant
Gifted Academy
Heather Knox, Amy Jackson, and Jennifer Whitlow were in attendance
to explain the process of the Gifted Academy and funding and support
through the Jennings and Rebecca Jones Foundation.  

 

Rationale:  The Board decided at the Board Retreat on August 10, 2021, that they would discuss removing lines 35-38 on Board Policy 1.401 Public Participation in Board Meetings. 

Roseann Barton made the motion to approve the Board Policy with the lines removed. Becky Goff seconded the motion.

Jimmy Richardson felt that by removing those lines it would send the wrong message that we didn't want to hear from the public during Board meetings.

Amanda Moore asked if by removing the lines, would that leave any option for someone to speak at future meetings without completing the proper paperwork ahead of time.

Ms. Taylor explained the policy would be changed, but the Board could suspend the policy and go by Roberts Rules of Order and vote to allow someone to speak if the Chair felt it necessary.

Roseann Barton stated that she wanted to make sure that the Board was consistent about allowing or not allowing someone to speak.

Mr. Wes Ballard asked if by removing these lines, would that override the ability of the Chair to recognize someone that had requested to speak. Jimmy Richardson stated that the Chair can supercede. 

David Settles then called for the question. Mrs. Becky Goff seconded the call for the question. Mr. Ballard suggested that the motion be tabled, but with no other response, a roll call vote was taken to call for the question:

Wes Ballard-No
Roseann Barton-Yes
Becky Goff-Yes
Amanda Moore-No
Jimmy Richardson-No
David Settles-Yes
Butch Campbell-Yes

With 4 yes's and 3 no's, another roll call vote was taken on the original motion to approve the policy without lines 35-38.

Wes Ballard-No
Roseann Barton-Yes
Becky Goff-Yes
Amanda Moore-Yes
Jimmy Richardson-No
David Settles-Yes
Butch Campbell-Yes

With 5 yes's and 2 no's, the motion passed on the first reading of the policy.

Rationale:  Amanda Moore asked if this policy is allowing us to have the four quarantine teachers that will provide live instruction.  Dr. Duke said yes.

David Settles asked why this policy was listed as first and final.  Dr. Duke explained that was because the school year had already begun, and the policy needed to be put in place.

Rationale:  Amanda Moore asked about the parent position that is not yet filled.  Mrs. Arnett explained that as soon as all PreK's are placed, they will select a parent representative.

Rationale:  Wes Ballard asked if this resolution was for COVID-related purchases only.  Ms. Williams said that it was for COVID tests for staff to be administered as needed.

Mrs. Goff asked if we pay membership fees to MMCAP and Ms. Williams said that we do not.  Ms. Williams explained that we joined the state's bid. 

Rationale:  David Settles asked if the stipend was like a bonus.  Kim Williams explained that the IRS considers a stipend and a bonus supplemental income and it is taxed at a higher rate, which is why the amount was raised from $500.00 to $600.00 for current and new hires. This is being funded through a USDA grant that we received for $404,000.00.

Jimmy Richardson asked if other surrounding districts were doing the same.  Ms. Williams stated that only one other district that she was aware of, Rutherford County School District, was offering a $500.00 stipend.

Amanda Moore asked why a stipend and not a pay raise.  Dr. Duke said that the pay raise had already been approved across the district, and these were considered hard to fill positions at the moment. 

Rationale:  Dr. Duke reviewed the number of positive COVID cases in our district since school began two weeks and explained how he is seeing a rise in the number of cases each week. He recommended to the Board that beginning this Thursday, August 26, there be a mask requirement for all students and staff in all buildings, unless parents choose to opt out per the Governor's Executive Order. This would be a temporary requirement until September 29, at which point, the Board could review COVID cases and possibly adjust the protocol.  Dr. Duke also explained that no changes to this recommendation would occur outside board approval. 

Dr. Duke said that if the Board voted on this recommendation, parents would be given access to an opt-out form by Wednesday, August 25.

Roseann Barton made the motion to approve Dr. Duke's recommendation.  David Settles seconded the motion. 

There was much discussion regarding the Governor's Executive Order.  Mr. Settles asked Ms. Taylor what it can and cannot do.  Ms. Taylor explained that the Executive Order has the force of law for the State of Tennessee and was given by the General Assembly.

Mr. Settles asked Ms.Taylor for possible options that we have as a district if we do not want to comply with an Executive Order.

After much discussion on this item, Jimmy Richardson called for the question, Mr. Settles seconded the motion.

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

The motion passes with 7 yes's and 0 no's.

Rationale:  The latest version of this report will be handed out at the board meeting.

Rationale:  In the Director's Update, Dr. Duke gave the following updates:

Carson Lane Academy recently received a $5000.00 grant from Richard Siegel Foundation. 

The Northfield entrance that was being repaired was completed before the first day of school. There are still minor repairs on front archway that need to be done and the timeline on that will be finalized after meeting with the engineer.

Mercury Court PreK is moving those two classes to Hobgood Elementary.

ESP has moved 200 students off of the waiting list since the Board approved the stipend for ESP employees. They are still in need of about 30 employees.

Dr. Duke explained that if a school has to be shut down due to a COVID outbreak, which would be a last resort, we would have to utilize stockpile or snow days.  We have limited availability of nine stock pile days.

Dr. Duke thanked Gordon Ferguson and Dr. Little for their guidance over the past weeks.

Mr. Campbell thanked everyone that was in attendance at the Board meeting for their respectfulness.  Jimmy Richardson thanked the parents, teachers, and medical staff for all that they do for Murfreesboro City Schools.