March 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, Kim Williams, Joe Marlin, Angela Fairchild, Don Bartch, Ken Rocha, Emily Spencer, Don Bartch, Sara Walker, Tiffany Strevel, Maria Johnson, Kathy Daugherty,
Sia Phillips, Lisa Trail, Adam Bryson, Beth Prater, Kim Inglis, Kristy Lewis, Macari Harrison, Amy Walker, Kristy Timberlake, Devontae Kelley, Jennifer George, Francina Jackson, Stephanie Stephens, Shirelle Ford-Jackson, Anna McDonald, Amanda Turnbo, Kimberly Kahle, Lance Pearcy, Jessica Sorth, Kayla Embry, Kim Taylor

Assistant City Attorney Elizabeth Taylor and City Liaison Bill Shacklett

 

Rationale:  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Aleks Georgiev, a 6th grade student at Overall Creek Elementary, and Amaura McMullin, a 3rd grade student at Bradley Academy.

Rationale:  Murfreesboro City Schools would like to thank Atmos Energy for their $1500.00 donation to purchase books for Bob.

The United Way Service Day at Bradley Academy was a huge success. The Touchstone Energy Community Service Project along with Middle Tennessee Electric provided new lighting throughout the building as well mulch and paint to spruce up the campus.

STEAM in the City was a huge success on March 10. Lane Agri Park was filled with community partners and families enjoying STEAM activities.  This event was hosted by our five STEM designated schools along with our three schools in process of applying for the STEM designation.

Over 200 family buckets were donated to Healing Hands International to help Ukrainian Refugees.  Thanks to Don Bartch and Overall Creek for leading this district effort.

MCS student art is now on display at the City Hall Rotunda through April 29 and at The Frist through April 12.  An art show will also be held May 10-21 at MTSU's Todd Art Gallery.

MTSU Men's and Women's Tennis will host over 100 students for a tennis clinic on March 23.  This is an event that happens each Fall and Spring.  

The City Schools Foundation's Excellence in Education is scheduled for Saturday, April 9 at Copper Ridge Event Venue.  

The Gifted Academy graduation has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 23.  

After Mrs. Trail's portion of communications, Dr. Duke then recognized Erin Nunley, 6th grade teacher at Overall Creek, for being chosen as one of three state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching.  She will go on to compete at the National Level.  

 

Rationale:  Dr, Duke asked the Teachers of the Year, Principal of the Year, and Supervisor of the Year to come forward to be recognized.  This group will also be recognized at the Employee Celebration coming up on April 21. Dr. Duke congratulated the group for a job well done. The board concurred.

Rationale:  Ms. Kathy Daugherty and a teacher, Ms. Kim Taylor, spoke about what a wonderful program that Sounds First is. They also presented a Power Point for the board explaining how the program works. There were many positive comments from board members regarding this program and the wonderful results it has already provided.

Rationale:  Mr. Ballard stated that he was excited to see field trips off campus being taken by students again since we are hopefully past the worst of the pandemic.

Rationale:  Mrs. Moore said that she wanted to thank everyone who was involved with developing this plan. She was very excited about it and felt that it is good to have this as a guide for our district.  She is also so happy that it is a working document and not sitting on a shelf somewhere.

Rationale:  Roseann Barton said that she is so happy that we can do something to repay our nurses for their hard work over the past few challenging years.

Rationale:  The consensus of the board was that this bonus was a wonderful thing, and they were very pleased that this could be done.  Jimmy Richardson said that it is an investment in our teachers.

Rationale:  Dr. Duke presented a short Power Point to better explain the TISA funding bill and what is being proposed in the General Assembly right now.  He said that this formula has a base amount of $6860.00 per student, and students would generate additional funds based on unique learning needs.  The difference is that the BEP is a resource based funding model whereas TISA is a student based funding model.  The TISA plan also includes direct funding for specific programs and outcome funding for achievements made in the school district. Dr. Duke said that he was cautiously optimistic about the TISA funding bill.

Rationale:  The board is up for Board of Distinction status again in August of this year.  There are certain requirements that must be met, the board self evaluation being one of those requirements.  The board was each given a self evaluation document to complete and return to Lisa VanCleave in April. 

Rationale:  In the Director's Update, Dr. Duke informed the board of several things happening in the district at this time. 
 

• Much needed updates to the MNE nursing clinic would begin soon. 
• Ms. Andrea Blackburn, 6th grade teacher at Scales Elementary that was recently recognized as the February National Teacher of the Month. 
• TNReady testing will begin on April 19 and that would be a two-week testing period.
• The TN General Assembly passed a new zoning and zone waiver process.  It states that we have to publish the number of open seats at school, and parents would have to apply through a lottery process.  In our district, this process opened on March 1.
• Health screenings are happening at every school. Dr. Duke also stated that Darla Sampson, our Coordinated School Health Supervisor, had received an email from a parent thanking them for the health screenings because they caught a hearing problem with her child.  Dr. Duke stated that we do more than just educate students in our system.

Rationale:  The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.