February 22, 2022 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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

Staff: Dr. Trey Duke, Ralph Ringstaff, Sheri Arnette, Angela Fairchild,
Lisa Trail, Kim Williams, Kim Fischer, Beth Prater, Angela Fairchild,
Amy Miller, April Zavisa, Kim Frank, Sandy Scheele, Tiffany Strevel,
Robin Newell, Adam Bryson, MCS School Counselors and MCS tenured
teachers.

Assistant City Attorney Elizabeth Taylor and City Liaison Bill Shacklett

 

Rationale:  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the following students:
Jax Peek, a 4th grade student at Black Fox Elementary
August Golden, a 5th grade student at Mitchell Neilson Elementary
Elias Espejo, a 4th grade student at Mitchell Neilson Elementary
Calvin and Ryker Scruggs, both 1st grade students and twins at Mitchell Neilson Primary-twins for 2/22/22 (Twosday!)
Jack David Wilson, a 1st grade student at John Pittard Elementary

Rationale:  Murfreesboro City Schools would like to thank First Community Mortgage for the donation of coats. We would also like to thank Friends of Linebaugh Library for their donation of books to BOB.

Erma Siegel would like to thank the Guitar Center Music Foundation for awarding Mark Hale a $2500 grant to purchase instruments.

The Board is invited to STEAM in the city on March 10, 5-7 p.m.
STEAM in the City is the first time our STEM designated schools and those in process of STEM designation have come together to showcase STEM education.  

February 15 was National School Resource Officer appreciation day. We want to take this opportunity with the board to celebrate our school officers.

MCS students participated in Invention Convention on Feb 17.  Winners names include Ariyanna Killings, Chloe Graves,Chloe White, Hayden Thornell, Bridget Millsaps, Mallory Bush, Jayvion Miles, Jorden Frierson, Lennon Kirby, Abbey Dell, Perla Sanche, London Williams, Layla Gobelet, Omar Mohamed, and Ashton Taylor. These students attend
Erma Siegel, Salem, Bradley and Mitchell-Neilson Elementary Schools

The MCS student art show with be in the city hall rotunda from March 1 - April 28.  MCS will also be participating in the Frist Art Show at the Frist Art Museum in Nashville. Student artwork will be displayed March 19-April 2.

Bradley and Patterson Park are hosting Moments in African American History on Thursday (2/24/22) from 5-7 p.m.  (This event was postponed from January.)  

Mr. Ballard commended Lisa Trail on her selection to join the National Superintendent’s Conference last week.  


 

Rationale:  Earlier this month, MCS celebrated National School Counselor Week.  
Dr. Duke recognized our 19 school counselors for their critical role to
ensure we are meeting our goals in providing whole child supports to
every student in our district.  
 
Ms. Barton stressed how invaluable our counselors are to everyone at our
schools. Ms. Moore thanked all the counselors also, especially this year.

 

Rationale:  Dr. Duke presented the Best of MCS certificate to Ms. Amy Miller to
recognize her work as a Special Education liaison at Central Office
providing support to our teachers and special education students across our
district.  

 

Rationale:  Mr. Jimmy Jobe reported on their FY21-22 audit of MCS. Mr. Jobe
mentioned that Kim Williams and her staff were a tremendous help with
sending them all the information they needed for this audit. Mr. Jobe stated the audit resulted in a clean opinion on the audit and the district is in good financial health.
MCS had two findings. Mr Jobe stated that this is not unusual for a         system of this size. The procedures associated with these findings have already been corrected.  

Mr. Richardson thanked Mr. Jobe for the thorough report.  Mr. Ballard
asked Mr. Jobe if there was anything alarming to him while performing the
audit. Mr. Jobe said the two findings were discussed thoroughly and  
corrections have already been made, so he did not find anything alarming.
Ms. Barton commended and thanked Ms. Williams for her hard work and
noted that is hasn’t gone unnoticed.  Mr. Campbell commented that only
two findings is wonderful and thanked the Finance Department.

 

Rationale:  Mr. Ringstaff and Ms. Arnette presented the teachers who were present
with their letter of tenure.  

 

Rationale:  Dr. Duke requested approval of the Minimal Rezoning Plan for the 22-23
school year where approximately 110 students from Overall Creek would
be rezoned to Northfield, 133 students from Salem would be rezoned to
Cason Lane and 121 students from Salem would be rezoned to Black Fox.  We are not recommending any changes on the zones from what the Board and community has already seen; however, we are proposing changes to the grandfathering policy based on feedback gathered at the three community meetings.  Our revised proposal adds out-of-city 5th students eligible for grandfathering also. We are also recommending that Black Fox, Cason Lane, Overall Creek, Salem and Scales be listed as closed zone schools for the 2022-2023 school year.  

Mr. Settles questioned the net effect of the grandfathering change for
out-of-city 5th graders to stay.  Dr. Duke answered that 4 students from
Overall Creek and 8 students from Salem would be able to stay at their
school.  The reason behind this request would prevent these students from attending a different school in 4th grade, 5th grade and 6th grade.  Ms. Moore thanked all the parents who came to the meetings and submitted comments. She also asked how many of our open zoned schools are STEM designated. Dr. Duke said we currently have five STEM designated schools. Northfield, Hobgood, and Salem are going through the process and hope to have that designation by the end of the year.  Ms. Moore also asked whether rezoned families can still try to test into Discovery School even though their application process has already closed. Dr. Duke said we could make that happen and students who qualify can be put on the waiting list. Mr. Richardson asked if the only changes to the plan were due to feedback from meetings. Dr. Duke confirmed this.  Mr.  Settles commented that rezoning is not comfortable but has to happen but the encouraging thing is that all MCS schools are excellent schools.  He wants our parents to know that Board has done the least harm that they could while still ensuring all our schools operate far below the state requirement for pupil-to-teacher ratio.  The Board has listened to and read all the comments and have done the best they could with this situation.  Mr. Settles commended Ms. Zavisa and Dr. Duke for the tireless job they did with this rezoning.  Mr. Campbell agreed with Mr. Settles. Mr. Campbell said even though we have some newer buildings all of our schools are wonderful.Ms. Goff asked how many students it would affect if the new grandfathering proposal of allowing 5th grade county students to stay were adopted.  Dr. Duke reported that it would affect 4 students at Overall Creek and 8 students at Salem.  

 

Rationale:  Mr. Settles questioned if this policy change was a result of TSBA.  Ms.
Taylor explained that it was just a result of our annual policy review and to
ensure our policy is in line with all protected classes under federal law.

 

Rationale:  Mr. Settles asked for clarification on bereavement leave.  Mr. Ballard
asked whether bereavement leave and sick days are separate.  Mr. Ringstaff
clarified to the Board members that we have been offering bereavement
leave to employees already, and we are just putting it in a Board policy.

 

Rationale:  Mr. Campbell questioned what changed.  Dr. Duke answered that we
changed the language to match the State Board rule.  Mr. Settles asked
what we do if a sub is not qualified.  Dr. Duke said this type of situation is
usually not a surprise and HR and the building principal work together to
get a qualified sub in the school.

 

Rationale:  Dr. Duke recommended and explained changes to Nutrition budget.  There is no change to fund balance.  Mr. Ballard questioned the unemployment fee.  Mr. Settles asked about supply change issues - has it loosened?  Ms. Scheele explained we are still having supply chain issues and said it is probably going to be 2023-2024 before it eases up.  Mr. Settles commended Ms. Scheele on her hard work.  Ms. Moore asked about the decrease in the food line.  Ms. Scheele explained that she added extra funds in the food line and she’s been able to use her commodity funds for food.  That’s why funds are being shifted from the food line.  

 

Rationale:  Ms. Arnette reported that plans are well underway for summer school. It
will be held from 6/6-6/30 at four schools - HG, JP, CLA and NF.  We’ve
sent out an interest form to our teachers and over 100 teachers are
interested. Summer school will serve current K-6 students.  The schedule
will look the same at last year with hours of 7:30 to 12:30 each day. We
will provide transportation, and breakfast and lunch will be served.  MCS
will be using our adopted curriculum and will be providing training for
teachers also.

Ms. Moore asked how our summer school invitations work.  Ms. Arnette
reported that we are going to send invitations by looking at Benchmark
data and teacher recommendations.  We will send invitations first at parent/teacher conferences and then open spots will be available. Ms. Goff asked what the teacher pay will be for summer school. Ms. Arnette replied that it will be the same as last year-$200 per day. We will have an administrator in each building with 2 EAs and an office assistant.  Mr. Ballard questioned enrollment last year.  Ms. Arnette stated that we started with 1,600 students and ended with 600. Attendance really dwindled during July 4th week.  Ms. Arnette expects to serve 1,200 students this year. Dr. Duke clarified that due to the July 4th decrease MCS decided to focus on 4 weeks in June and that the invitation is a state requirement.  

 

Rationale:  Mr. Ballard questioned if extra funds will carry over to next fiscal year.
Ms. Williams answered yes. Mr. Settles encouraged everyone to shop local because it matters. Ms. Goff asked if we are still leading other districts with beginning teacher pay.  Mr. Ringstaff said we’ve surveyed 9 other districts and only one other district is paying their starting teachers more than we do. We pay on years of experience and degrees.

 

Rationale:  Dr. Duke informed the Board that we are expecting the governor to release draft legislation this Thursday on the school funding model. We are watching this closely as it will have a huge impact on how schools are funded. Dr. Duke will keep the Board informed on this matter.  If this
legislation passes, it will go into effect in 2023-2024.

Dr. Duke reported that STEM in the City will take place on March 10th at
Lane Agri-park Center. This is the first time MCS has participated.
 
MCS was recognized by the state as Best For All district by State
for our commitment of using our federal funds to support student success.  

Ms. Goff gave a shout out to John Pittard on their Predators Grant featured
on Channel 5.  

 

Rationale:  The meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m.