October 11, 2022 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale:  In attendance:  Chair Butch Campbell, Vice Chair Jimmy Richardson, David Settles, Wes Ballard, Barbara Long, Karen Dodd, and Amanda Moore.

Staff:  Dr. Trey Duke, Sheri Arnette, Joe Marlin, Tori Carr, Angela Fairchild, Kim Williams, Maria Johnson, Cindy Cliche, Kathy Daugherty, Ranesa Shipman, Robin Newell, Kristen Treinen, Terry Guess, Kelli Bush, Quinena Bell, and Stephanie McIntyre.

Assistant City Attorney Elizabeth Taylor and City Liaison Bill Shacklett

 

Rationale:  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Morgan O'Leary, a 3rd student at Scales Elementary, and William Frierson, a first grade student at Mitchell Neilson Primary and his sister, Mariya Nelson, a pre-K student, also at Mitchell Neilson Primary.

Rationale:  Mitchell Neilson Primary would like to thank the Mitchell Neilson Alumni Group for their generous donation of snacks to our Leaders! MNS Alum, Mr. Rodney Boyd, spearheaded this effort and promises more to come. Some of those donating include Susan Garrett Jones, Frank Cox, Sandy Brello, Adam Flynn, and Marilyn Cook Pruitt.

Thank you to Jeremiah's Italian Ice and to Bethel United Methodist senior adult class for collecting and donating school supplies for our teacher's closet.

Hobgood Elementary, on behalf of Murfreesboro City Schools, served as the host site for the Knowledge Matters National Campaign Tour.  Three districts in Tennessee were selected to showcase transformations in reading instruction, and we were delighted to be one of the districted chosen as a result of the summer’s Early Reading Training and Secondary Literacy Training.  

The MCS and RCS School Partnership Fair will be held on October 22 from 9-11 at Siegel High.  This fair is designed to enhance community partnerships within our schools and faith based as well as non-profits and businesses.  
 
October is Farm to School Month - we want to take this opportunity to highlight our farmer educators and the work they do in our schools. From school gardens to working with teachers on science and environment stewardship, our farmer educators are growing healthy food and are equipping our students with the tools and resources they need to help build healthier communities.
 
As part of Farm to School Month, we will once again be participating with National Crunch Day.  On Thursday, October 20, all students and staff will receive a locally grown tasty apple to enjoy with one large crunch.
 
The MCS basketball schedule begins tonight, October 11 with games across the district.  The full schedule can be found at the MCS website.  The run of schedule will include JV Girls and Boys, followed by Varsity Girls and Boys. Games will begin around 5 p.m. based on bus time.
 
Boro International is scheduled for October 22 at MTSU.  MCS is proud to be a part of this year’s festival.
 
The MCS Education Day hosted by MTSU women’s basketball is set for December 1. This year our 4th-6th grade will be a part of this awesome experience.
 

Rationale:  Dr. Duke introduced Mrs. Kathy Daugherty, MCS Early Literacy Coordinator, who shared information about the Sounds First program that our district has implemented.  She also shared that MCS was chosen by the state as one of three districts in Tennessee to be highlighted by the Knowledge Matters Campaign for our literacy work and would be visiting Hobgood Elementary two days in the upcoming week. The videos of their time at Hobgood can be viewed at Knowledgematterscampaign.org

Dr. Duke thanked Mrs. Daugherty, Mrs. Arnette and the staff at Hobgood for the good work. 

Karen Dodd stated that she was very happy to hear the word phonics and that the program sounds impressive.

Barbara Long asked if Mrs. Daugherty had seen results.  Mrs. Daugherty said that based on science of reading we will be seeing great gains.

Rationale:  Dr. Duke asked Cindy Cliche, MCS Math Coordinator, to explain to the board about how the committee was chosen, who it consists of, and the process and timeline for selecting the curriculum.  She explained that the curriculum that they will have to choose from has been selected by the state and aligns with TN Standards.

Chair Campbell said that all the committee members have volunteered their time to serve on this committee, and he thinks it's great that teachers have the opportunity to select the curriculum for our students.

Chair Campbell and David Settles thanked everyone involved in this process for their hard work.

 

Rationale:  Amanda Moore asked for clarification on offered versus served lunches.  Dr. Duke explained.  She was also concerned about students who couldn't pay and would they be offered an alternative meal.  Dr. Duke explained that there is no charge limit and students would not be offered an alternative meal and meals are not withheld. 

David Settles found a typo on line 31 of the policy, which will be corrected before the second reading.

Dr. Duke also explained that beginning this year, schools will be given a certain amount of money based on the average of their past unpaid collection to take care or help with any unpaid debt.  

Rationale:  Mr. Ballard asked that with this grant if Dr. Duke could look at fees for ESP.  Dr. Duke said that we do pay for field trips for students but would also look at fees for students.

Rationale:  Dr. Duke told the board that October is National Principals month and that we, as a district, would be recognizing the outstanding job that our principals do each day.

He told the board that the City Schools Foundation will be funding $62,000 in grants this year, along with $5000 to the backpack program.

Dr. Duke told the board that Kim Frank has recently applied for a grant and after lots of determination and resubmission of the grant, we  received 1.4 million dollars over the next five years to provide full-time mental health clinicians for Mitchell Neilson, Bradley, and Reeves Rogers.  He said that will allow us to increase our capacity in each building.  Dr. Duke thanked Kim Frank for her hard work with that grant.

Dr. Duke told the board that MCS has partnered with United Way for Born Learning Academy that will be held at Hobgood Elementary.  This program will equip parents to prepare their children for kindergarten.  He said that a meal is provided to the families, along with daycare, while parents go through mini lessons.  He told the board that we are very excited to be partnering with United Way.

Chair Campbell added that Murfreesboro City Schools has received a lot of grants because of the quality of people working in our system. Dr. Duke said that these grants have been sought out and applied for and they in turn benefit our schools and the community as a whole.

Rationale:  The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.