May 15, 2023 at 5:00 PM - GREENEVILLE CITY REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Rationale:  Origin:
___ Topic presented for information only (no board action required)
_X_ Board review required by: 

Rationale: 

Rationale: 

Rationale:  Origin:
___ Topic presented for information only (no board action required)
_X_ Board review required by:  _X_ Action requested at this meeting
___ Action requested at 
Previous Review/Action:
_X_ No Previous board review/action
___ Previous review/action
Background Information: 
Per policy 1.600, at least biannually, the Board shall review its policy manual for the purpose of passing, revising, or deleting policies mandated by changing conditions.  This routine review of district policies is done on an ongoing basis by central office administrative staff with the assistance of TSBA’s policy maintenance service.

Summary of Major Elements: 
During routine review, it was determined that no changes were required in the attached policies.

Director of Schools' Recommendation: 

Approval

Impact on Resources:

None

Timetable for Further Review/Action:

2nd reading at the 06/22/23 Board meeting

Rationale:  Origin:
__ Topic presented for information only (no board action required)
_X_ Board review required by: 
__ State or federal law or regulation
_X_ Board of Education policy
Other:  __________________________________________
_X_ Action requested at this meeting
__ Action requested at 
future meeting: _______________ (date)
Previous Review/Action:
_X_ No Previous board review/action
__ Previous review/action
date: ________________
action: ________________________________________________

Background Information: 
Board Policy 4.302 specifies that the Board must approve field trips that are both overnight and out-of-state. Additionally, approval is required when students must leave school early for participation in athletic events. 

Summary of Major Elements: 
The detailed trip request is attached. 

Director of Schools' Recommendation: 

Approval

Impact on Resources:

None

Timetable for Further Review/Action:

None

Rationale: 

Origin:
	Topic presented for information only (no board action required)
X	Board review required by:
	X	State or federal law or regulation
	X	Board of Education policy
		Other:
X	Action requested at this meeting
	Action requested at
		future meeting:							(date)
Previous Review/Action:
X	No previous board review/action
	Previous review/action
date:
	action:

Background Information:
Tight budgets and aging buildings leave community schools facing a difficult decision between funding learning programs and making needed facility upgrades that can lower energy costs and improve health and comfort. TVA’s School Uplift program partnered with local power companies across seven states to help 64 public schools tackle energy waste this school year.

School Uplift is a year-long energy management training program developed with the State of Tennessee’s Energy Efficient Schools Initiative that helps public schools make smart energy choices that improve the classroom learning environment and save money through decreased energy use. 

Highland Elementary joins over 118 schools to have completed School Uplift over the past three years, competing to earn grants for building upgrades and other learning environment improvements. On average, participating schools save nearly 10% on their annual energy bills from behavior changes alone. 

Summary of Major Elements:
Highland Elementary School has been awarded the School Uplift Building Energy Upgrade Grant in the amount of $400,000.  This grant will be used to replace and install new HVAC units. These upgrades will improve air quality and the overall learning environment. In addition, the school will receive a Learning Environment Grant of $10,000. Highland's students voted to build an awning at the front of the school with the Learning Environment Grant funds.

Director of Schools' Recommendation: 

Acceptance

Impact on Resources: 

N/A

Timetable for Further Review/Action:

N/A

Rationale:  Origin:
___ Topic presented for information only (no board action required)
_X_ Board review required by:  ___ Action requested at this meeting
___ Action requested at 
Previous Review/Action:
_X_ No Previous board review/action
___ Previous review/action
Background Information: 
Financial Statements are presented to the Board of Education each month.

Summary of Major Elements: 

Attached are the following financial statements:

· Local Revenue Tracking Report
· General Purpose/Federal Statements of Revenue & Expenditures

Director of Schools' Recommendation: 

Acceptance

Impact on Resources:

None

Timetable for Further Review/Action:

None

Rationale: 

Origin:
	Topic presented for information only (no board action required)
X	Board review required by:
	X	State or federal law or regulation
		Board of Education policy
		Other:
X	Action requested at this meeting
	Action requested at
		future meeting:							(date)
Previous Review/Action:
	No previous board review/action,
X	Previous review/action
date:			05-08-2023
	action:				Greeneville City Board of Education Budget Workshop

Background Information:
Greeneville City Board of Education approves a budget to be presented to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen each year. The 2023-2024 General Purpose Budget presented reflects the latest information available. The Budget is a culmination of a thorough and in-depth process. It reflects the Administration, Leadership Team, and the Board of Education’s best efforts to address the needs of Greeneville City Schools and meet State and Federal requirements.

Summary of Major Elements:
 
The 2023-2024 General Purpose Budget is attached.
           
Director of Schools' Recommendation:

Approval

Impact on Resources:

As Presented

Timetable for Further Review/Action:

Budget Amendments as needed during Fiscal Year 2023-2024
 

Rationale:  Origin:
___ Topic presented for information only (no board action required)
_X_ Board review required by:  _X_ Action requested at this meeting
___ Action requested at 
Previous Review/Action:
_X_ No Previous board review/action
___ Previous review/action
Background Information: 
Per policy 1.600, at least biannually, the Board shall review its policy manual for the purpose of passing, revising, or deleting policies mandated by changing conditions.  This routine review of district policies is done on an ongoing basis by central office administrative staff with the assistance of TSBA’s policy maintenance service.

Summary of Major Elements: 
Revisions are recommended to the attached policies on 1^st reading.

Director of Schools' Recommendation: 

Approval

Impact on Resources:

None

Timetable for Further Review/Action:

None

Rationale: 

Origin:
	Topic presented for information only (no board action required)
X	Board review required by:
	X	State or federal law or regulation
	X	Board of Education policy
		Other:
X	Action requested at this meeting
	Action requested at
		future meeting:							(date)
Previous Review/Action:
	No previous board review/action
X	Previous review/action
date:			March 28, 2023
	action:				Amended the 22-23 Graduation Date from May 26, 2023, at 7:00 pm to May 27, 2023, at 10:00 am.

Background Information:
A concern was expressed that a conflict existed between the date of the 2023 GHS Graduation Ceremonies and the 2023 TSSAA Spring Fling State Championships (Baseball, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, and Track and Field) on May 26, 2023. Typically, the state championships have occurred on the 4th Friday in May dating back to at least 2015 with the tournaments beginning on Tuesday of that week. Previously, the Girls Softball team, the Baseball team, and the Soccer team State

Championship games/matches have conflicted with the regularly scheduled graduation ceremonies and the students were not able to participate. In two instances, a special ceremony was held for the students who missed the regularly scheduled graduation ceremonies and in the other instance, the Soccer team won the State Championship and came into the regularly scheduled graduation ceremony late, still wearing their uniforms and carrying the State Championship trophy fresh from winning earlier that day and were able to participate.

Summary of Major Elements:
A conflict exists between the 2024 Spring Fling and the 2024 GHS Graduation Ceremonies currently scheduled for May 24, 2024. To be proactive and alleviate the conflict, the Board directed that a recommendation be brought for their consideration to move the 2024 Graduation Date to a date that does not conflict. A team was formed at GHS that included teachers, coaches, extra-curricular sponsors, and administration and their recommendation is to move the 2024 Graduation Ceremony to May 25, 2024, at 10:00 am.  

Director of Schools' Recommendation: 

Approval

Impact on Resources: 

N/A

Timetable for Further Review/Action:

The 2025 Graduation Date will be reviewed in May 2024.

 

Rationale: 

Origin:
	Topic presented for information only (no board action required)
	Board review required by:
		State or federal law or regulation
		Board of Education policy
		Other:
X	Action requested at this meeting
	Action requested at
		future meeting:							(date)
Previous Review/Action:
	No previous board review/action
	Previous review/action
date:
	action:

Background Information:
Computers are used daily by students in all schools and at all grade levels daily. In addition, many of our teachers and students are embracing the use of computing devices along with digital textbooks and resources to make teaching and learning more interactive and engaging.
                     
Summary of Major Elements:
The following devices are being recommended for purchase for students at Greeneville Middle School.

• (750) Dell 3140 computers @ $330/each for a total investment of $247,500.00.

The recommended vendor for the purchase is Dell. The opportunity to purchase is due to the availability of a shared Wilson County Schools contract.
 
Director of Schools' Recommendation:

Approval

Impact on Resources:

• IT funds and textbook funds will be utilized for the project.

Timetable for Further Review/Action:

Immediate
 

Rationale: 

Origin:       Topic presented for information only (no board action required)   X Board review required by:     X State or federal law or regulation       Board of Education policy       Other:     X Action requested at this meeting     Action requested at     future meeting:   (date) Previous Review/Action:   X No previous board review/action     Previous review/action   date:         action:                           Background Information: GCS maintains a fleet of maintenance trucks for purposes of providing services for all schools and offices in the district. The GCS BOE has established a cyclical replacement program to ensure dependable vehicles are always available.   Summary of Major Elements: A recommendation is made to utilize the Tennessee state contract to purchase a 2022 Ford F-150 4WD truck. After necessary additional options are added (per attached supporting documentation) the total cost is $43,205. Director of Schools' Recommendation: Approval Impact on Resources: 2022-2023 Budgeted funds will be utilized.   Timetable for Further Review/Action: None

 

Rationale: 

Origin:
	Topic presented for information only (no board action required)
X	Board review required by:
	X	State or federal law or regulation
	X	Board of Education policy
		Other:
X	Action requested at this meeting
	Action requested at
		future meeting:							(date)
Previous Review/Action:
X	No previous board review/action
	Previous review/action
date:
	action:

Background Information:
The district has utilized Education Networks of America (ENA) for VoIP services across the system including all schools and business offices. Most of the existing hardware is several years old and needs to be replaced.

Summary of Major Elements:
Recent cost reductions in the pricing structure for voice services offered by ENA have afforded the district an opportunity to replace 80 desk phones identified by the district Tech Team for upgrade. The phone chosen is the Yealink SIP-T58W Pro. The cost to purchase 80 devices is $335 per unit for a total cost of $27,200 with details on the attached supporting documentation.
 
Director of Schools' Recommendation:

     Approval

Impact on Resources:

This project will be paid from 2022-2023 communication funds.

Timetable for Further Review/Action:

None at this time


 

Rationale: 

Origin:
	Topic presented for information only (no board action required)
X	Board review required by:
		State or federal law or regulation
	X	Board of Education policy
		Other:
X	Action requested at this meeting
	Action requested at
		future meeting:							(date)
Previous Review/Action:
X	No previous board review/action
	Previous review/action
date:
	action:

Background Information:
Our current Work Based Learning Job description is included in the description of the counseling position at Greene Technology Center, but we do not currently have a Work Based Learning teacher at Greeneville High.  With the Innovative Schools Model Grant, we were approved to hire a full time Work Based Learning Teacher at Greeneville High School. The purpose of Work Based Learning is to provide students the ability to develop knowledge, skills, and values from direct experiences outside a traditional academic setting and to provide students with sufficient education, training, and counseling to enable them to enter the job market or higher education with the necessary skills, interests, and understanding to continue their growth and maturity as workers and individuals.

Summary of Major Elements:
Some Essential Functions Include:
•Creates and maintains online database of employers for student internships and pre-apprenticeships
•Solicits, develops, manages, and creates partnerships with work sites and local organizations and acts as a liaison to participating companies
•Works with instructors, administrators, and counselors to identify and place eligible students in WBL capstone placements aligned with their CTE pathway/elective focus
•Processes student Personalized Learning Plans and maintains complete student records and documentation in compliance with standards
•Meets with instructors to formulate course objectives and develop course content related to WBL experiences
•Assists CTE teachers and host sites with following the Tennessee Department of Education WBL guidelines

Director of Schools' Recommendation:

Approval

Impact on Resources:

No impact on resources for the 23-24 school year (100% covered by grant)
$18,000 for the 24-25 school year (75% covered by grant)
$37,531 for the 25-26 school year (50% covered by grant)
$75,062 for the 26-27 school year (grant funding ends)
 
Timetable for Further Review/Action:

None
 

Rationale: 

Origin:
	Topic presented for information only (no board action required)
X	Board review required by:
	X	State or federal law or regulation
	X	Board of Education policy
		Other:
X	Action requested at this meeting
	Action requested at
		future meeting:							(date)
Previous Review/Action:
X	No previous board review/action
	Previous review/action
date:
	action:

Background Information:
There is a challenge being faced by school districts that needs to be addressed now: the mental health crisis of students that has been caused by social media companies. We see children constantly using these platforms, at home and at school, often to the point of developing a severe addiction. Inadequate age verification measures, insufficient parental controls, targeted algorithms, constant notifications, and endless scrolling have been designed to addict students.

The United States Surgeon General has declared a national advisory on the youth mental health crisis, blaming social media, in part, for the growing number of youths experiencing depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. You can read the full report HERE. The CDC National Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that the rate of teen depression rose by more than 60% between 2011 and 2018.

Frantz Law Group has commenced litigation on behalf of public entities, such as school districts, against Meta, TikTok, Snap, and YouTube as well as other social media companies. This lawsuit alleges that these companies have caused a mental health crisis among children and teenagers that is marked by higher proportions of anxiety, depression and thoughts of self-harm, all of which severely affect their ability to succeed in school.

Summary of Major Elements:

Approval to enter into an Attorney Fee Agreement (attached) with the Frantz Law Group and to designate Steve Starnes, Director of Schools as the authorized representative of the Greeneville City School System to direct Attorneys and to be the primary individual to communicate with Attorneys regarding the subject matter of Attorneys’ representation of Client under this Agreement.

Recommended Motion: On behalf of the Greeneville City School System, I move that we join the Frantz Law Group in its nationwide litigation efforts on behalf of school systems against social media companies such as Meta, Instagram, Tiktok, and others.

Director of Schools' Recommendation: 

Approval

Impact on Resources: 

N/A

Timetable for Further Review/Action:

N/A