July 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
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1. CALL TO ORDER
Description:
All Board Member present
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2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & MOMENT OF SILENCE/PRAYER
Discussion:
Work Session-Pledge led by Hudson McNeal, recent graduate of Rutherford County Virtual School.
Board Meeting-Plege led by Blackman Youth Football and Cheerleading Organization. Prayer led at both meetings by Frances Rosales
Description:
We will be opening the meeting with a brief moment of silence or prayer and the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag. No one is required to participate or be present for any of these and being in this portion of the meeting is completely voluntary.
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3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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4. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Claire Maxwell disclosed that her son, Michael Maxwell, is on the consent agenda under Nepotism.
Frances Rosales disclosed that her family's non-profit is listed on the consent agenda under Use of Facilities. |
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4.A. Minutes:
Attachments:
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4.B. Bids:
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4.C. Nepotism:
Discussion:
Claire Maxwell declared that her son, Michael Maxwell, is listed as a Sped EA at LaVergne High School.
Frances Rosales declared that her family owned business, Break Thru Tennessee is on the Use Of Facilities list. |
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4.D. Use of Facilities:
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4.E. Non-Faculty Volunteer Coaches:
According to the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) guidelines, Board of Education approval is required to allow non-faculty volunteer coaches to participate in the school athletic program. The following non-faculty volunteer coach is for the 2025-2026 school year: |
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4.F. Salary Supplements and Contract Payments:
Description:
1 Approved previously for an amount $500 or greater 2 Overtime rate for special events 3 Anticipate amounts over $500 this school year 4 Amend prior approval 5 Less than $500 but part of the event total 6 Must have the approval of the Transportation Department 7 Classified Employee (with approved agreement) 8 Regular Rate - Part-time employee |
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5. PUBLIC COMMENTS*
Discussion:
Chelsie Bennett spoke in support of Novus SMART.
NaCaria Guy spoke in support of Novus SMART. Erics Roberts spoke in support of Novus SMART. Charles R. Frazier spoke in support of Novus SMART. Alejandra Beltran spoke in support of Rocketship. Dominique Smith spoke in support of Rocketship. Claudia Vazquez spoke in support of Rocketship. Lakeia Covington spoke in support of Rocketship. Dr. Courtney Covington spoke in support of Rocketship. |
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6. FEDERAL FUNDING UPDATES
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6.A. ATLAS Liaison
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Description:
Request to move ATLAS Liaison from Federal funding to General purpose school funds. No additional funds/position will be needed due to an open position currently at the CO where this position will transfer. This request is due to RCS not receiving funding for McKinney Vento for the 25-26 SY.
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6.B. Title III Positions
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Description:
Request to move 6 Title III positions to General Purpose school funds from Fund 142 due to the freeze of Title III funds currently impacting districts across the nation. These positions are vital to our operations and academic success. Additional funding is not needed as funds realized from three open ESL teaching positions that are no longer needed will be utilized. These positions are no longer needed due to the academic success experienced by our students and teachers requiring less ESL staff.
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7. INSTRUCTION
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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7.A. Rocketship TN #4 Application
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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7.B. NOVUS Smart Academy (K-8) Application
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
ROLL CALL
KD Yes FR Yes SV Yes BV No CT No TS Yes CM No Motion passes |
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7.C. ISM Grant Funds
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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Description:
The Curriculum & Instruction CTE Department would like to allocate approximately
$9,000.00 of the ISM Grant Funds 2025-2026 funds to support the OSHA Trainers for our High School CTE students. The purpose of the in-house OSHA Trainers is to eliminate barriers for students obtaining OSHA TDOE-approved industry Certifications. The OSHA Trainers would be responsible for completing the OSHA Train the Trainer Course set for July 2025.The allocations are: Each participant receives a $500.00 stipend for attending the 8-day Professional Development sessions. |
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7.D. Governor's Early Literacy Foundation
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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7.E. The Carl D. Perkins Basic Grant
Description:
The Carl D. Perkins Basic Grant - The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2018, known as Perkins V, is presented for approval for the funding period of July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026. The grant is $754,876.90. The Carl D. Perkins Basic Grant provides funding for program improvement, equipment, travel, and staff development for our Career & Technical Education teachers.
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7.F. The Carl D. Perkins Reserve Grant
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Description:
The Carl D. Perkins Reserve Grant - The Carl D. Perkins Reserve Grant is presented for approval for the funding period of July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026. This competitive grant is $50,000. The Carl D. Perkins Reserve Grant provides funding for Welding Booth Trainer Simulators for the Agricultural Mechanics CTE Program of Study at Riverdale High School.
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8. SPECIAL EDUCATION
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8.A. Updated Job Description for Speech Language Pathologist
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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8.B. Updated Job Description for General Education Student Services Specialist
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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9. HUMAN RESOURCES
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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Description:
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9.A. Perry Weather
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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10. LEGAL
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10.A. 2025-2026 Approved Fees
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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Description:
Per Policy 6.709, prior to the beginning of each school year, the Board, upon the recommendation of the principals and the Director of Schools, shall approve all student fees for the upcoming school year. Additional fees may be approved during the year as needed.
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10.B. Records Clerk Job Description
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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Description:
The Legal Department is requesting the approval of a new job description for the 2025-2026 school year. The new position will assist the Legal Department with managing and fulfilling student, staff, and administrative records requests.
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10.C. Campus School Agreement
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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Description:
MTSU has renewed the agreement between RCS and MTSU regarding Campus School. This agreement will be effective for five years.
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10.D. Policy Adoption - First and Final Reading
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Description:
The policy changes below are recommended on the first and final reading as they are necessary to take effect before the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
a. Policy 3.400 - Student Transportation Management Revises language for awarding and renewing contracts and updates language consistent with current contract. b. Policy 6.312 - Use of Wireless Communication Devices Adds language for use of personal communication devices for students pursuant to a change in state law. |
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11. ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION
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11.A. Oakland Middle School Concrete Pad
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Description:
Oakland Middle Concrete Pad request. Principal Brad Decker has requested to install a few concrete pads at no cost to the School Board. The cost will be covered through the soccer account along with a donation from Smyrna Ready Mix. Smyrna Ready Mix is donating 6 yards of concrete for this project. The anticipated budget for this project is $2,600.00. Engineering and Construction has reviewed the request and has no objections.
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11.B. Daniel McKee Cafeteria Mural
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Description:
Daniel-McKee Cafeteria Mural request: Principal Nicole Stirbens is requesting to allow the Experience Church to paint a mural in the cafeteria area. This project is anticipated to cost $2,075.00 and is being donated by the Experience Church. This project is at no cost to the Board. Engineering and Construction has reviewed the request and with the noted possibility of standing water, has no objection.
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11.C. Poplar Hill Elementary and CUD Cost Reimbursement
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Poplar Hill Elementary and CUD Cost Reimbursement agreement: As part of the overall Poplar Hill Elementary and Middle school project, RCS is required to relocate an 8" water line owned by CUD. While we are doing the work, CUD would like to upgrade the water line from 8" to 12". By making the request CUD will reimburse RCS for the difference in the cost of the materials. The cost reimbursement is $50,395.00. Engineering and Construction has reviewed the request and has no objection.
Attachments:
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11.D. Energy Efficient Lighting Program
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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Description:
Energy Efficient Lighting Program: RCS has recently been provided with the requested cost report for the LED lighting project from Excel Energy. After a review of all schools, Excel has provided a cost analysis for review. The expected total cost today is $8,400,000.00. Anticipated TVA incentives are $768,000.00 make the net cost $7,600,000.00. This is an annual energy savings of a little over a million dollars and our payback would be roughly 6 years. This project is budgeted this year in Fund 177 at $4,000,000.00 with any additional review being added later in the year.
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12. FINANCIAL MATTERS
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12.A. Updated job description for ISA Accountant
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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12.B. Updated Job Description for Payroll Acounting Specialist I
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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12.C. Updated Job Description for Payroll Accounting Specialist II
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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13. SMYRNA HIGH SCHOOL AND DUNKIN DONUTS
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13.A. Sponsorship Proposal between Dunkin Donuts and Smyrna High School
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
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14. BOARD MEMBER DISCUSSION
Discussion:
During the Work Session, this was discussed and determined not to be needed because currently we do not have many open positions.
Description:
Discussion about offering a stipend for hard to fill Structured Setting EA positions. Current open positions to be presented. Possible proposal for the 26-27 SY budget.
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15. FINANCIAL REPORT
Discussion:
Covered during the Work Session under Federal Updates. August 20th new teacher will receive their first check. Shout out to Payroll!
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16. DIRECTOR'S UPDATE
Discussion:
Summer Summit this week and over 400 teachers attended. Thank you to Marcie Leeman and the Instruction Department for training our staff. Special thank you to Motlow for hosting our Principal Meetings this week and to Dr. Torrence for dropping by to greet everyone. Another thank you to TOA for a long-standing partnership. I recommend that we move away from the new agreement based on recent changes to the agreement in exclusivity.with TOA.
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17. GENERAL DISCUSSION
Discussion:
Mrs. Maxwell shared that another successful Camp Wonder took place last week. She also had a special shout out for Smyrna High for hosting the camp.
Ms. Sharp paid tribute to Jane Holmes, who, after her passing, generously donated culinary supplies to LaVergne High School Culinary department. Mrs. Maxwell and Mr. Tidwell shared their thoughts and prayers for the recently deceased Patricia Peay, wife of Commissioner Robert Peay, Jr. |
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18. ADJOURNMENT
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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