December 13, 2022 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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

Staff: Dr. Trey Duke, Ralph Ringstaff, Sheri Arnette, Angela Fairchild, April Zavisa, Sonya Cox, Natalie Hardiman, Kim Williams, Maria Johnson, Joe Marlin, Sandy Scheele, Charise McDaniel, Kristy Mall, Lisa Trail, and Nicole Bell

Assistant City Attorney Elizabeth Taylor and City Liaison Bill Shacklett

 

Rationale:  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Aiden Primus, a third grade student at Reeves Rogers Elementary, and Monroe Johnson, a second grade student at Cason Lane Academy, along with Aubrey Mowery, a third grade student also at Cason Lane Academy.

Rationale:  Instruments For Education donated 40 electric guitars and amps to students at Bradley Academy.  Art teacher Abbi Miller helped coordinate the project. The guitars were given to students to take home and enjoy. 

Thank you to the Tracy and Becca Lawrence for Tracy Lawrence’s Mission Possible Thanksgiving Meal donation. This year they partnered with Murfreesboro City Schools' Outreach to supply 100 meals to our families the day before Thanksgiving. This meal included a fried turkey and sides of cooked corn, green beans, and stuffing.

Thank you to Jordan Ferguson with Hands Worldwide and John Jones Real Estate for providing 200 hot meals that were distributed to McKinney Vento families.

Thank you to North Blvd Youth Group for hosting over 300 of our students for a holiday party including coats, a meal and gifts and to North Blvd's Band of Brothers for hosting a shopping spree for students.

Congratulation to Cason Lane Academy on their amazing performance at the Tree Lighting Ceremony on the square.

Discovery School Applications are now open.  Applications and information about school tours are available on the school website. The application deadline is Friday, January 6, 2023.

 

Rationale:  Board members David Settles and Wes Ballard wanted to clarify that the promotion and retention policy came from TSBA.  Ms.Taylor said that yes, this was TSBA's recommended policy. Mr. Settles wanted to clarify that this policy is law and Ms. Taylor said yes.

Ms. Barbara Long clarified that as amendments are made to this law, changes would be made to this policy and policy 4.603.  Ms. Taylor said yes, changes would be made to our policies at that time.

Mr. Jimmy Richardson stated that our board signed a resolution showing our disagreement with this new 3rd grade retention law.

Rationale:  There was some discussion as to how scores are calculated and whether or not the cubed root method or raw scores would be used.  Dr. Duke explained that Dr. Chris George would clarify that and he would get that information to the board.

Rationale:  Dr. Duke presented the 2023-2024 school calendar to the board. He explained that there are several groups that have input in developing the calendar such as the Teacher Advisory Council.  Ms. Nicole Bell, a 6th grade teacher at Hobgood, as well as Hobgood’s Teacher of the Year and a member of the Teacher Advisory Council, explained her part in developing the calendar to the board. 

Rationale:  Dr. Duke told the board that the newly redesigned cafeterias at Bradley, Erma Siegel, Black Fox, Reeves Rogers, Northfield, and Scales look amazing and he invited them to go by and see them anytime. Dr. Duke thanked Mrs. Sandy Scheele and her team for organizing all of these wonderful renovations.

Rationale:  Dr. Duke suggested one change to the 2022-2023 Board Meeting Calendar.  He would like to add a voting portion at the beginning of the January 10 work session from 5:00-5:30, and then go into the board work session immediately following. 

Dr. Duke told the board that on February 9, Commissioners of Education from 14 states would be visiting our district to see how we use high quality reading instructional materials.  Dr. Duke thanked Mrs. Sheri Arnette and the instructional staff for the high quality instruction that they provide our students on a daily basis.

Dr. Duke ended his update by telling the board that winter break begins next week and students return on January 4. 

Rationale:  The meeting officially adjourned at 7:04.  The board remained in closed session to receive a security update from Mrs. April Zavisa.