April 27, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Meeting

Discussion:   (See above)

Discussion: 
- Boston led the board members in a Moment of Silence. After a moment of silence, Hallie Evans and Kylie Tanner from Cumberland County High School led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Hallie and Kylie were awarded a certificate of appreciation for their participation in tonight’s meeting. 

Discussion:   - Boston advised, I'd like to say a very special welcome to all of our visitors. Thank you for being with us tonight and showing interest in our children in our school district. We appreciate that more than you know.

Discussion: 
 - Boston advised, Mr. Stepp our Special Recognition. Stepp advised, so tonight we want to recognize our students who have participated in the Tennessee School Board Associations, SCOPE. So, annually, TSBA hosts the Student Congress on Policies and Education SCOPE Conference. Which brings together 9 through 12th grade students from across the state to discuss certain topics in education. Participants will explore education issues through mock school board meetings, group discussions and debates with their peers. These events are designed to give students an understanding of how school boards operate. So the following students represented Cumberland County Schools: Owen Brown, Kami Farley, Emily Griffis, Camdyn Holbrook and Elijah Vandever. Safdie asked, Mr. Stepp, may I ask them a question? Stepp replied, absolutely. Safide asked, what was your debate topic?  Griffis replied, we did quite a few actually. We did one about whether or not we should have doordash policies at school. Farley replied, our explosive club sports could take a PE credit. Stepp replied, thank you guys so much. 

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #1) - Mr. Atkinson advised, we nominated Tabitha Troglin for the Kids First Awards and I'm going to read a little bit about her. She's been volunteering to help with CCHS FFA for the last five years. She's been a tremendous asset to our program. She's put in countless hours chaperoning field trips, coaching, judging teams, and helping with fundraisers. Just pretty much anything that we need, she is always there. She was instrumental in helping establish and start the Farm Day. The Fall Farm Day, I know some of you guys have been to. We've done it the past two years. She's been there from start to finish both years. Tremendous help there. She's also been instrumental in establishing our partnership with Aviagen. I don't know if you guys know that, but we have had a 12-week program with a Aviagen. This year, both at CCHS and at Stone. Where our kids have got to experience all aspects of the poultry industry. From one of the leading poultry companies in America and in the world. So it's been a tremendous asset for us and our kids to see what kind of jobs are out there and what kind of jobs are available in Cumberland County for the poultry industry. So she's done anything you ask. She's more than willing to do. Not just me, but I got a phone call from SMHS and several other people saying Tabitha needs this award and we couldn't be more pleased that she got it. So Mrs. Tabitha Troglin. Stepp replied, The Kids First Award awarded to Mrs. Tabitha Troglin for exceptional selfless service to the kids at Cumberland County Schools. Thank you for your continued support and love for our kids.

Discussion:   (See Above) Boston advised, I would also like to welcome our Student Representative, Neil Perak from SMHS and Elijah Vandever from The Phoenix School. 

Discussion:  - Declarations of Conflict - Per TCA 49-2-202 Board of Education Members who have relatives (per the statue: relative means: Spouse, parent, parent-in-law, child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, or any person who resides in the same household as you) employed by the system are asked to raise your hands to identify yourself. "Do you certify that the votes that you make tonight will be in the best interest of the school system, regardless of the effect that your vote may have upon the employment of your relative or relatives?" Boston and King certified by saying individually, "I do."

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #2 and #3) Boston advised, approval of the Regular and Special Called Minutes. I'll entertain a motion to approve. Stout replied, motion to approve. King replied, second. Boston asked, do you want to do all; group them together? Stout replied, sure. Boston continued, we have a motion and a second to approve the Special Call Meeting on March the 15th, March the 16th Regular Meeting, April the 5th Special Call Minutes, and April the 13th Special Call Minutes. Any discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken. 

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #4) Boston advised, next on the agenda is the Approval of the Agenda. I'd like to make a motion to approve the agenda with one amendment. Number 15 Junior Reserve Officer Training Corpse. In other words, JROTC would have an asterisk by it. So we could vote on that program and there is not. So if we could make that amendment to the agenda. Hamby advised, I'll second that. Boston replied, okay any discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken.  

Discussion:   - Boston advised, this time we would like to acknowledge our elected officials. I think we have Mrs. Colleen Mall and Mrs. Sue York. Thank you both for being here. Hamby advised, and Mr. Patterson. Boston continued, John you slipped in. Welcome, we're glad you're here with us. We always appreciate our County Commissioners being here. They support our schools in so many different ways and we appreciate you taking the time.

Discussion:   - Boston advised, Community Comments. I think we only have one. Mrs. Timson, if you would be so kind. Please state your name and your address. 

Mrs. Julia Timpson 6960 South York Highway Clark Range, Tennessee 
Subject: Professional Development Days, May 23rd and May 24th. Discussed possible date changes due to scheduled activities for the proposed dates. 

 

Discussion:   - Boston continued, next on the agenda is our School Board Reports. First is the TLN Report, Mrs. Shannon Stout

Discussion:   - Stout read, 4.27.23 TLN Report

• The General Assembly finished their business for the year and adjourned on Friday April 21st. They will reconvene at 12:00 noon (CST) on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

Budget Passed by the General Assembly: 
The General Assembly approved a $56.2 billion fiscal year 2023-2024 budget. A summary of major K-12 public education items that will be funded during the upcoming year are listed below:

• More than $1 billion in overall TISA funding
• $140 million for one school resource officer for each public school
• $40 million for school safety grants
• $125 million to increase teacher salaries
• $21.5 million to increase funding for summer learning camps
• $10 million for summer transportation grants
• $7.6 million for tutoring services for K-3 students who may be retained
• $15.5 million for six weeks paid family leave for school district employees

 
SB0281 / HB0329: Increase teacher pay through yearly incremental plan to $50k minimum by 2026/2027 school year. Passed by House & Senate within the fiscal year budget.
 
HB0784 / SB0556: Reimbursement of licensure expenses by DOE if obtaining TN license or endorsement while employed in a TN LEA. Taken "off notice" in the Finance, Ways & Means Committee on 4/18.
 
HB0437 / SB0300: 3rd Grade retention bill which was passed by the House & Senate.  Awaiting Gov. Lee's signature. Does not go into effect until 23-24 school year. The new bill will allow:
• Students who receive a TCAP score of "approaching" and are in the 50th percentile or above to be promoted to 4th grade, as long as they are provided with summer school and tutoring options.
• School systems have permission to assist parents of third graders who are being retained with the appeals process.
• Requires that data be tracked to determine the effectiveness of summer school, tutoring, and student retention; also requires that data be reported to the Tennessee General Assembly.
• Requires that any student who is retained in grades K-3 be provided with a tutor for remediation purposes.
• Gives the Tennessee Department of Education permission to contract with up to three qualified tutoring agencies.

HB0322 /  SB0274:    Bill places several new safety requirements on schools. All newly built, or remodeled, schools will have bulletproof windows and doors. An armed security guard will be placed at every public school. There are also requirements to increase mental health resources and for every public and private school to make annual safety plans.  Additionally, a state-level safety team will be established by The Commissioner of Safety, which will include a representative from The Department of Education and the following agencies:

• TBI
• Homeland Security
• Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
• Department of Health
• State Board of Education
• Tennessee Association of School Resource Officers
• Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Tennessee Sheriff’s Association
• Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police

This bill would also require that each school safety team, private school, and church-related school do at least one of the following each year:

• Armed intruder drill, conducted in coordination with the appropriate local law enforcement agency.
• Incident command drill without students present to prepare school staff and law enforcement agencies on what to expect in the event of an emergency situation in the school.
• Emergency safety bus drill without students present to prepare school staff and law enforcement agencies on what to expect in the event of an emergency on a school bus.

Passed by Senate & House & signed by both Speakers.  Awaiting Gov signature.
 
HB0424 / SB1221: authorizes a person who teaches under a temporary permit to satisfy the clinical experience required of candidates of an educator preparation provider for licensure if certain requirements are met. Passed by Senate & House & signed by both Speakers.  Awaiting the Governor's signature.
 
HB0270 / SB0197: Remove average class size requirement but leave max class size limit in place with the option of the LEA to request a waiver from the Dept of Ed to exceed max class size. LEA BOE & DOS with a need for max size limit waiver are required to make request to Department of Education who has 5 business days to respond if an issue. If no response, request is approved for entire school year.  This would go in effect 2023-2024 school year & provide flexibility to local LEAs. Passed Senate Committee 3/6. NOT PASSED by K-12 Subcommittee on 3/21. Bill Dead.
 
HB0158 / SB0102: prohibit Tennessee public school districts from forcing teachers to participate in "implicit bias training". Passed by Senate & House awaiting both Speaker & Gov signatures.
 
HB0843 / SB1060:  The bill states that books that meet the definition of obscene in state law would not even come up for review or a vote by an LEA but should instead be immediately removed. The bill states that books that contain nudity in whole or in part, descriptions or depictions of sexual excitement, sexual conduct, excess violence, or sadomasochistic abuse, as those terms are defined in Tennessee Code Annotated 39-17-901, is patently offensive, or appeals to the "prurient interest" must not be maintained in a school’s library collection. The bill also sets a time limit of 60 days from when a complaint is filed about an obscene book in a school library collection. If a school board does not vote on a book, it will be deemed inappropriate, removed, and then sent for review to the Tennessee Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission. Passed by Senate & House & awaiting both Speaker & Governor's signatures.

SB 0466 / HB 1269 Specifies that a teacher or other employee of a public school or LEA is not required to refer to a student using the student's preferred pronoun if the pronoun is not consistent with the student's biological sex; insulates a teacher or other employee of a public school or LEA from civil liability and adverse employment action for referring to a student using the pronoun that is consistent with the student's biological sex. Passed Senate & House.  Awaiting Speaker & Governor's Signatures.

Discussion:   - Boston advised, next on our agenda is Board Members Reports from Training. Is there any board member that has attended training that would like to share with us? Stout advised, since the last board meeting that we had, I've attended the Understanding ADA Laws and Understanding Student Data Privacy Laws virtually.

Discussion:   - Boston advised, Mr. Patton your Legal Report. Patton replied, I've advised the board in the past concerning a case-style Humphries versus Gail van, which is a case that stems from a bus accident that was not our bus driver's fault back in April of 2021. That case, the only reason the board was named in that case is because we have insurance that has an uninsured or underinsured motorist provision and so we were named for the potential that there would be excess coverage needed. That case is settled without economic impact to the board or its insurers. So that's the update that I have for you tonight. Boston replied, perfect. I know under Legal Report are you going to make any references to the policies that we have been discussing? If not, that's fine. Patton replied, I had not planned on it. Boston replied, okay.

Boston continued, I just want to clarify one thing and I was going to do it under your legal report. There is a perception, according to Ben Torres, that I have had the 23-24 budget for quite some time and I have been holding it hostage. That is incorrect. That is, I received the 23-24 budget and I think Mrs. Diana will verify this. I picked it up Friday morning. That's the copy you ran for me. It was emailed to me April the 18th and I received it on Friday after I pled with Mrs. Diane to run me a hard copy and indicated that I would look at it over the weekend. We would try to get that moving the first of this week and then there arose some questions. I just wanted; I got it the same day that the remainder of this board received the 23-24 budget proposal. I just wanted that shared, because that perception was just untrue. So however, that information got out there, my personal integrity would not allow me to hold any document hostage and that was the word that was used to me. So I I wanted to clarify that while we had all board members present and to clarify that, that I got it the same day that you did. Hale advised, I don't think I've received a copy of it. Boston replied, it's in the email. Hale continued, not one that I can open, I can't open now. Boston replied, I couldn't open mine either. So that's why. I'm technically challenged. Stout asked, did it not open in Google Docs for you? Hale replied, nope, it does not open on my computer at home. Boston continued, but I received it just in hard copy form where y'all received it on the same date. So as long as that is cleared up, I can feel comfortable that my integrity has not been questioned, because I would absolutely never ever do that to this point or to this district. So I'll move on now.

Discussion:   - Boston replied, next on the agenda is the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corpse. Stepp advised, so this one here where the commander is listed in your agenda. That's Mr. Harry Watson. He's the commander over the 7th Brigade of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps out of Fort Knox. I visited with him last Friday. He actually came and did a site visit. I've been speaking with him back and forth for many months. As most of you know one of my goals was to get JROTC back into the schools. He has worked with me and sat down and showed me all the requirements. We have to get on what's called an Order of Merit List or OML. So what we have to do is send in a couple of letters, one for each of the high schools or if we want to do three, and then I also have some government paperwork we have to fill out form 3168. I believe it is and what I'm asking tonight and it looks pretty positive. So there's two options here. Once we get on that Order of Merit list. We can qualify; they score our Order of Merit. They have points for different things. So like if you're a Title 1 school you get so many points or if you're different things, get different points. So we want to maximize the points on that. If we get up on the OML List high enough to where they'll recognize their schools as the next one in line to get our JROTC program. Then what they'll do is they'll supply everything, all the uniforms. They have some drone programs. You know, they have a ranger group. They have all kinds of different groups that are options in JROTC and they'll fund all of that and they fund half of the salary of those instructors. So if you get a core up to 150 students, then it's two instructors and so on and so forth. There's a lot of guidelines to it. So that's one way to get on the OML List. There's another way that, if we get approved for the National Defense Cadet Corps, we would fully fund the person, but they would supply everything. Is how I understood it. So we'd actually just be providing the salary for a person at each school and they will fund the supplies is how I understand it. So we'd actually just be providing the salary for a person at each school and they will fund the supplies and all the other things we need.  We do have facilities for it, so we have to show that. We also have the outdoor facilities for it. We obviously have the community interest. I think across the whole community to have these programs back at the high schools. So what I asked Mrs. Boston to add this to vote on is for you all to vote on for me to proceed to get on the OML list and go ahead. If we get accepted, be able to provide those programs to our high schools. King advised, madam chair, move to approve. Hale advised, second. Boston asked, any discussion? Safdie replied, yeah we've had a JROTC program in our school. I think as far back as 2008 and then it was closed down because the salary range for the two Military Officers who were became teachers succeeded the teacher's salary and even then I think when we paid half of it, it was like paying more than what normal teachers were getting. I have no doubt that the program is valuable. I just want to know will we have a stopping point to evaluate the salaries even though, they were providing the uniforms and  other paraphernalia on this program. Whether or not we will be able to evaluate the salary situation and determine whether or not we can afford that or not. Will there be a stopping point to evaluate that? Stepp replied, yeah I can get all that information we presented at the next board meeting. Safdie replied, okay. Stepp continued, or I can just email it out to you and then we can talk about it at the board meeting. However you'd like that. Safdie replied, I think we need to; I don't know what the appropriate Robert Rules of Order situation would be. For instance if their last salaries as a Commanding General in the forces for 160,000 or 155,000. Then we'll be paying you, know $60,000 to $70,000 plus all the insurance and other benefits. So I think we need to somehow; I think I'd like to be able to discuss that at the next board meeting or at a budget meeting. Be brought before the budget committee and then presented to the board. Boston advised, we are, correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. King, but the motion is to allow Mr. Stepp; we're not approving the program. We're allowing Mr. Stepp to move forward and investigate it. Safdie replied, in that case my discussion is over. Boston replied, that was very good information. Am I correct that is your motion? Just allow him to proceed? King replied, yeah. Boston asked, any further discussion? No one responded. Boston continued, so the motion is that we are giving Mr. Stepp permission to pursue the JROTC and see what needs to be done and what is required to be done to bring it back to this county. Is that what everybody believes? No one asked any questions. Boston continued, okay any further discussion? Stepp advised, part of that process is I will get us on the OML List for selection. Boston asked, then do we discuss the cost? Stepp replied, I can find out the cost. It depends on who applies for the job and all those variables. Like he said, it could be a General, it could be a First Sergeant. You know, those are two vastly different paid positions in the military. King advised, one other point, that's a 260-day position. So year round not just 200 day. Boston asked, so it's a 260 position? Stepp replied, yeah so they're getting paid more months and that's why the salary was so much higher. Safdie advised, I have no problem with JROTC program. I think the structure is wonderful. I need a little analysis of the salaries and see whether we can afford it. Stepp replied, absolutely. Hamby advised, we are giving him permission for him to move on and add us to the OML List. Davis asked, question. Who would those people report to or who would be responsible for them? Stepp replied, they are our employees. Davis continued, okay, so it would be the same hiring process. Boston asked, certified non-certified positions? Stepp replied, they would work to get either their occupational license or the teacher certification. Mr King might know better than I. King replied, yeah there's a JROTC license, so they get that license to teach. Boston asked, they would be responsible for obtaining that license? Stepp replied, yes. Boston  continued, or is that something that we would? King replied, like any other teacher, but there is a license for that. Boston replied, okay, once we get on the Order of Merit list, what does that mean? Stepp replied, so that's a selection process, so it could be one to a hundred and if we don't have as many points of like a title one school, then we could be at 18. But if these other 17 schools are on that list and ready to go and they're offered a program and they turn it down, they keep bumping it. Until they get there. So what happened last year the 19th school on that list actually got it, because so many schools turned it down before they got to and the only difference between going through that process and the other process is the OML. When we get chosen through that process they pay half of the salary. If we do it through the NDCC, The National Defense Cadet Corp, I believe I'm correct. Then we would be paying the full salary. That's the only difference. Everything else, they supply everything. They do all the above. So it's a very valuable program, invaluable to our students growing up really. For the ones that fit into that, you know. It's not for everybody obviously. Neither is aviation. Stout replied, well it's rounding out some of the CTE. Stepp continued, so currently out of the 16 clusters, we have 15 of those in this county. We're very CTE rich, have been that way for a long time, which is great. You saw several CTE kids here tonight. So this will round it out to where we provide 16 of the 16 clusters that the state of Tennessee promotes for Career and Technical Education. Davis asked, would you mind speaking a little bit to the educational impacts and opportunities that are presented. Stepp replied, absolutely. Davis continued, on what these, well you know just obviously the initial program itself. Stepp replied, I've had a ROTC program in the school I was at the whole time I was there. It is a huge leadership program. It teaches a lot of discipline, pride, character, integrity. It goes through the whole process of developing young leaders, but it goes through it's a military way. You know a classroom. That classroom's a company and there's a company commander and then there's a brigade commander and then a whole process of enlisted Cadets and everybody has a leadership role and you earn your way up by taking more responsibility. That can lead into any profession in this world. It's just massive, so there's all kinds of different programs. They have Ranger teams and they compete through physical fitness and obstacle courses. They have rifle teams. They now have drone teams, so what they're doing in these ROTC programs. They're creating pathways that lead into the jobs. The M.O.'s in army. So it's not a recruiting program, if you're in ROTC you don't have to go into the military, but it has had a huge impact. I had about 100 Cadets out of a 900 person school. So it was an amazing program for us the school I was at. I'm sure other educators can probably tell you the same coming from different areas where they have these programs. Nichols advised, Clark Range has an incredible program. I've been there a few times to see it. Stepp continued, so our local MOA, Military Officer Association supports almost, well all of them in the Upper Cumberland. So we got that support, five programs. So we have that support already. We got the Veteran Wars support. I've got several County Commissioners supporting it. Rotaries, I mean I've mentioned it everywhere I've been and everybody is like are you really going to be able to do that? So I'm going to try. I don't take no very well, so hopefully we'll get it rolling, but there's two options. If we don't get on the OML List I would probably come to the board to vote to do the NDCC Program where we maybe add one position at each of the schools and start the program. Safdie advised, let me also clarify or add on to my comment about one of the reasons why the program's not refunded for JROTC. The student enrollment had declined about 12 to 13 students, so with that low enrollment it couldn't cost justify itself. Okay, but the program itself was phenomenal. Stepp replied, yes sir. Hale advised, my son was in it whenever we had it in Cumberland County for the two years and he enjoyed it and learned so much from it and I thought there was more in it then just 14 or so, because when I went to those things there was a lot of young men and young women. I had students that joined the program and it was a great program. I was sad that it was not offered anymore in Cumberland County. Stepp replied, they also offer millions of dollars in scholarships. So there's a lot of benefit through scholarships for several different things, not just JROTC. Safdie advised, you know, with that lower enrollment we've got to remember that we've got Billy Stepp here to provide leadership. Anything that program will enroll with high students. Stout replied, just saying selfishly, now in this state we've got a bill that fast tracks veterans through their teaching certificate. So send them off to the military and let them get their education do their part and then we can fast track them in as a teacher. Boston advised, so the motion on the floor and second is that we allow Mr. Stepp to move forward with the JROTC program and see what is involved in bringing it back to this county. Any further discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken. 

Discussion:    (See Exhibit #5 ) - Mr. Mark Gregory presented and discussed his Energy Group presentation on Energy Savings LED lighting for Cumberland County facilities. Mr. Gregory will conduct a FREE audit analysis and report back to Mr. Stepp his findings and cost estimate to implement the recommended changes. Mr. Stepp will report to the board at a later board meeting to discuss and request approval. 

Discussion:   - Boston advised, next on the agenda is our Director's report.

Discussion: 
Stepp advised, so on 17.A this is the appeal from the DHA. Boston advised, this is one that we have to cast a vote on. A student has issued an appeal from the DHA and from Mr. Stepp to the board. We would be approving; what we are doing is voting on whether to hear the appeal or whether to not hear the appeal. Am I correct? Hamby advised, and uphold the DHA decision. Patton replied, expound a little bit it may help just to kind of review what the law says that the board is to review the record of the matter, which I think the board has done. Boston replied, we all have. Patton continued, so after the board reviews the record, the board has to choose between either A denying a board hearing and in that event, the board can choose but is not required to affirm the decision of the DHA. Overturn the decision of the DHA or to modify the decision of the DHA to a lesser punishment. Or the board can grant a hearing and if that's the case, there's a series of things that you have to do. Boston replied, okay. So I will entertain a motion. King replied, I moved to deny the hearing. Safdie replied, I'll second. Boston continued, okay so we have a motion to deny the hearing and a second. Any discussion? King replied, I think it's clear from what we looked at, every step has been followed correctly. Boston called for a Roll Call Vote.  Boston continued, so we have denied an appeal from the student from the DHA decision. Hamby asked, do we need to make a motion to a uphold the DHA? Boston asked, Earl do we have to make a motion to uphold or do we just deny? Patton replied, no. A denial is sufficient. The board doesn't have to say anything else. Davis asked, we do not have to affirm the DHS's? Patton replied, no sir. 

Discussion:    (See Exhibit #6) - Stepp advised, next on the agenda is the Math Textbook Adoption Approval. The board has to approve. This was a long process. There's a board policy that describes the committee that we have to use. It was a committee of teachers. They spent several sessions in reviewing all the approved materials from ECOE and they voted and this is what each grade band voted as our new math textbook for moving forward. Boston advised, I'll entertain a motion to adopt the math textbook. Hamby advised, I'll make a motion to adopt the math textbook. Nichols advised, second. Boston advised, so we have a first and a second to adopt the math textbook, that they have reviewed. A little history as I actually sat on the Math Standards Board creating this math textbook and I've never been so confused in my life. I'm just telling you. If it had not been for Kim Herrings I would not have known. Any discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken. 

Discussion:    (See Exhibit #7) - Stepp advised, so next is a Request to Apply and Participate in Federal Grants. So if you look at this, these are several of the Federal Grants that Dr. Wittenbarger is working on. The last two are competitive, so what we're asking here is for a motion to move forward and if awarded to be able to accept the grants. Boston advised, ESSER 2 and ESSER 3 are on here. Stepp replied, yeah so ESSER 2 is sun setting as we know, but we'll still have some liquidation we'll be doing in July. So we have to approve that to happen and then ESSER 3 obviously, auditorium. We got tutors and several other things and the Cox Grant. That's a competitive grant, a matching grant and then stronger connections grant. Those two are competitive. The rest we work on every year right. Boston asked, this is just participating and if we are awarded to accept the award? Stepp replied, yes ma'am. Boston continued, we're doing it in one fail sweep. Stepp replied, if that's okay with the board. Boston replied, yes. I'll make a motion that we vote to participate and should we be granted these grants, should be awarded these grants that we accept them and comply with what we need to. Hamby advised, I will second that. Boston asked, did everybody understand that motion? I'm not even sure I understood that motion. I just want to get it all in one fail sweep. Any discussion?  No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken. 

Discussion:    (See Exhibit #8) - Stepp advised, next is an equipment bid for the Nutrition Program that Mrs. Hamby's turned in for you to vote on. Boston advised, I'll entertain a motion to approve. Safdie replied, move to approve. Hamby replied, second. Boston replied, so we have a motion on the floor to approve the CCSNP equipment bid. Any discussion? Hale advised, I think this is just regular things that we usually do. Is it Mrs. Hamby? Hamby replied, yes. Boston replied, it's all the equipment. When you submit a bid, you give us a lot to read. Any further discussion. No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken. 
 

Discussion:    (See Exhibit #9) - Stepp advised, next is a Food Service Annual Bid. This is each year. Boston asked, this is where you bid out the food, right? Hamby replied, yes. If it's so much you have to competitively get it, right? Hamby replied, yes. Anything over  $25,000 dollars. Stout advised, motion to approve. Boston replied, motion to approve. Safdie and Hale replied, second. Boston replied, and we have Mr. Safdie second. Any discussion. No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken. 

Discussion:    (See Exhibit #10) - Stepp advised, next is the Innovative School Model Grant Overview. It's hard to read, because it's out of e-plan and we couldn't print it out of e-plan. So electronically, we ran into some issues, but basically what this does is overview all the things that Innovative School Model Grant will be covering. Whether it's personnel, equipment, middle school programming. So this Innovative School Tomorrow Grant had a lot of things required of it. So you're expanding or implementing high quality CTE programming, addressing skills gaps between regional industry needs and the skill level students. Expanding early post-secondary opportunities for students and so on and so on. There was several credentials that Dr. Eldridge did a great job of creating a plan to match our needs here in Cumberland County and something to note on the positions here. I had a good question earlier from Mr. Davis. On the positions Dr. Eldridge is putting positions in. There's going to be several new positions and you'll see that in there, but they generate more TISA money. So the first year it's a 100% funded by the ISM Grant and then each year it graduates down until the fourth year it's our expense, but by then the programming will be set up. So that we're actually getting paid for it by TISA. So it would be more money from TISA. It won't be us having to pull from that current budget. It's going to add money each year. Stout asked, so it'll be sustainable? Stepp replied, oh yes sustainable through the TISA formula, absolutely. King advised, we might even make some money. Stepp replied, I think the way we've had CTE has been set up in this county. Like I said earlier, we're CTE rich. We have some awesome teachers in that area. We're going to maximize that funding. So it's exciting. I know the County Commissioners, we got some visits set up for them to both schools here in May. One day I have to change, because it's a conflict with their Budget Committee, but we'll get that fixed. Boston asked, what is the amount? Stepp replied, 6.2 million is the total. So it's 1 million for Cumberland County High School, 1 million for Stone Memorial, $500,000 for all the elementary schools except  Pineview. Pineview is $250,000, I believe is that correct? Eldridge replied, $200,000. Stepp replied, $200,000, so I was close. Boston asked, have we received this grant or is this just permission to participate? Stepp replied, it's already been approved through e plan. TDOE has already approved this grant. We will be getting this money. There'll be a budget amendment later on where we have to budget that money that we are getting. Boston replied, I'll make a motion to approve. Hamby replied, second. Boston replied, okay. Any any further discussion? You had me at 6.2. You should have just let off with that. Any further discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken. King advised, don't we need to do a Roll Call because it's money? Boston replied, we'll we didn't do the federal. This is just accepting the grant. Now if it comes back and we have to I guess divot; do you want me to do a Roll Call? King replied, I think it clears it up. There's no question. Boston replied, okay let's do a roll call on this. This is the motion on the Innovative School Model Overview Grant money 6.2 million. A Roll Call Vote was taken. 

Discussion:    (See Exhibit #11) - Stepp advised, next is a job description for a person who will only be doing work-based learning and it will be supporting not only the Industry 4.0 Coordinator. Well that is what it's going to be doing and that is a new diploma program that a student can choose when they're a sophomore in high school. If they plan on going the industry route. So we can change, we can work on the flexibility of the classes and courses they take and also work-based learning you're allowed to have three credits your junior, three credits your senior year. So this supports that. Now currently we have work-based learning coordinators at each school, but it's usually somebody that already has a teaching load and they'll do one period here or two periods of students. With the direction we're going with the career framework that the board has adopted. We want to go from 100 to 600 or whatever number we can get in that area. Boston continued, okay so that's the declining salary. Stepp replied, right. We get TISA money for work-based learning. So the more students in work-based learning, the more money we get. All these are based on that funding structure. Boston asked, this is a new position? Stepp replied, yes ma'am it will be. King advised, I moved to approve. Boston replied, okay Mr King moved to approve. Stout advised, second. Boston replied, we have a second. Any further discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken. 

Discussion:    (See Exhibit #12) - Stepp advised, next job description is also new, but it is going to support the CTE programs and our career exploration that we're pushing down into the middle schools. So they will be working basically our Human Services person, which is usually Family and Consumer Science or different courses like that would work half providing that CTE program in the school and then the other half would be taken care of 6th through 8th grade career exploration. The goal is to match what we've been talking about when they become a sophomore or a freshman in high school. They're already, I might go that industry path or I want to be in this CTE program. In fact we've already prepped them, so that they're ready their junior and senior year to go and work either internships, work-based learning or practicums, and this would be at every middle school, every elementary school. Hale asked, would this position have to be certified? Stepp replied, it will be. What we're matching them up with CTE teachers. So like the Family and Consumer Science teacher, who's already certified, works half of that or part of the day doing that. The other part of the day supporting the career side. So we're really trying to beef up that education of the child before they get to high school and start working on Career Technical Education or College Pathway if they go that way. Boston replied, and this is also a new job description? Stepp replied, yes. Boston continued, that's covered under the Innovative School Model? Stepp replied, yes ma'am. Hale asked, and they would be in all of the elementary schools, what we consider elementary schools? This coach would be. Stepp replied, yes. For half of their time. The other half, they'll teach a CTE course. All of that generates money from the TISA. So in four years, the goal in all these positions is be fully funded by TISA. King advised, madam chair, move to approve. Hamby advised, second. Boston advised, we have a move to approve the CTE Middle School Career Coach Job Description. We have a first and a second. Any discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken. 

Discussion:    (See Exhibit #13) - Stepp advised, next is a grant through Special Education that we do. Boston asked, how much is this? Stepp replied, $15,210.00. Boston replied, okay just checking.  Stepp continued, yes ma'am. Boston asked, this is just a request to participate or if we're awarded to accept. Stepp replied, yes in the program. So once we get it, we'll get that money, but it'll still be a budget amendment when the money comes. Boston replied, perfect. King advised, madam chair, move to approve. Boston replied, okay. So we have a motion to approve the BBLC Grant Participation. Stout advised, second. Boston continued, and we have a second. Any further discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken. 

Discussion:    (See Exhibit #14) - Stepp advised, next one is also a Special Education Grant. It's to get adult changing tables for Martin Elementary and it's for $5,000. Boston advised. I'll entertain a motion to approve. King advised, move to approve. Safdie advised, second. Boston continued, okay so we have a first and a second to approve the DIDD Grant Participation. Further discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken.  

Discussion:    (See Exhibit #15) - Stepp advised, so the next is the stockpile days that Mrs. Timson was talking about earlier. Some school systems use it. Some don't. We don't have to accept this, but we could use it in a lot of areas. So some of the other areas not listed there will be the new math textbook. Mrs. Hamby said she definitely could use it with her people, also Transportation. So stockpile days can only be used if you have snow days left over. So let's say we hit 13 snow days. We can't use it. So it's really unpredictable. Different counties use them different ways. I know I was talking with the director in Warren County and what they've done is they actually use one stockpile day. He applied for it already, for next year. They use one stockpile day on the parent-teacher conference day. So they do professional development till noon and then the parent-teacher conference is 12 to 6 and it's because they have a lot of factory workers. So first shift can go, second shift can go and third shift can go. So that was a need in their community. So they use two of them for that during the school year and it's built into the calendar. Other school systems, I really didn't know this process until the Study Council. I have a Director's Study Council about 15 Upper Cumberland Directors and they were all talking about it and how they're going to use it for professional development and with all their employees. So if it's teacher assistance they'll be a professional development for that at the school or county-wide. You can bury this in and it's flexible and I am going to ask the state department your question to see. You know I'll make it work if the teachers; I know I've had several principals say our building is good with it. I've had several principals say that. There has been; I've gotten one email with concerns listed and they were legitimate concerns. There is some of this you have to be flexible to do and parents will, but I think a month out, it might be enough for them to make plans, but you know there's a lot to consider when we do this, but I can't change the calendar. The board can only vote on that. So I brought the option, but I didn't, I haven't instituted it yet. Hamby asked, so you could, can you still ask for that to be like the 12th and the 19th instead of? Stepp replied, I'm going to ask them. Nichols advised, because I would hate to have somebody to reschedule a whole field trip. That would be awful. Stepp replied, well typically when this happens this way. Stout asked, can we make a motion before we get into the discussion? Since this is a voting item? Boston replied, it's okay. I'd like to make a motion that we approve the two development days and ask in that motion that Mr. Stepp question as to whether we can coordinate the days around plans. You know like honors banquets and things of that nature. If the state approves that, then Mr. Stepp and his staff would have the authority to go ahead and plan those. Hamby advised, then I will second that. Boston asked, now does that make sense? Multiple board members replied, yes. Stout advised, just from the discussion part about going with Mrs. Timson said. I had contact from a few teachers that were thankful for the opportunity, but concerned about the timing of it, because of these things that are already scheduled that are difficult to be moved. So yeah I mean if we could, I think you said June 12th and June 19th. I'm sorry May 12th and May 19th looked like good days, so if that's something we can do. Hamby advised, we need to make sure of anything that might be scheduled on those days, because I mean if there's finals if there's anything else that's scheduled on. We really need to look at the whole picture. Hale advised, I think changing the calendar at this date and time is not a good idea. I think that we set the calendar a year ago and maybe it might be something that we can do for next year, because I've had several calls and emails about things that are going on those particular days and honor programs, reward things that the teachers have promised their students and big disappointment for students whenever they don't get their reward day. This kind of thing and I know the teachers have already worked the days because they add the 30 minutes in. Stepp advised, I would definitely give the teachers paid holidays if the state would let me, but they will not let me.  Davis asked, if we ask to modify the days. How long does that process take and then how long? Stepp replied, they email pretty quick back, a day or two. I think some of the looks I'm seeing in principles faces, there's different challenges at elementary compared to high school also. So I think Kelly did you want to, Mrs. Smith. Smith replied, May 12th is the Dave Kirk drawing for the car. Hamby advised, May 12th will not work. After having a detailed in depth conversation. A Roll Call Vote was taken. 
 

Discussion:    (See Exhibit #16) - Boston advised, okay moving on to number 17 now. Stepp advised, this is just an agreement that we have every year. We're short personnel, so we have two contracts or what they call agreement services and then Calvin University the next one is the same. Just agreements we have. 

Discussion:   - See 17.L

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #18) - Stepp advised, Annual Planning Calendar. So that is for the board. It is our normal every month reports.
 

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #19)

Discussion:   - Stepp advised, Attendance Reports.

Discussion:   - Stepp continued, Personnel Reports.

Discussion:   - Stepp continued, School News Articles. So these are new samples of newsletters, but they go out once a week. Principals are doing awesome with the communication. So I thank you guys for doing a great job.

Discussion:   - Stepp continued, and the calendars. Okay you're doing a great job of keeping those up too. So that's awesome. Thank you.

Discussion:   - Boston advised, next on the agenda is School Board Committees. First on the agenda would be the Policy Committee, Mrs. Hamby. 

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #20) - Hamby advised, approval for First and Reading Policies. We have 1.106 Code of Ethics, 1.1062 Non-Retaliation, 1.107 Board Member Conflict of Interest, 2.300 State Aid Federal Eligibility Determination, 2.402 investment Earnings, 4.209 Alternative Credit Options, 4.501 School Volunteers, 5.115 Assignment Transfer and 5.602 Staff Time Schedules and now I will go through these one at a time. I just want to get the numbers out there. Some of them had TSBA changes. Some have district changes. Sorry, I have misplaced my notes, but I will look at yours. Okay, this first one, which is the 1.106 Code of Ethics, this was the writing in red and all of that was TSBA changes and then we had I think one district recommendation change. This came from Policy, so we do not need a second, but if you would like and it's up to the board I can go through each one of them and then we can vote on it as a whole or do you want to vote on each one? Boston advised, well it's the first and final reading on all of these. I'm assuming that everyone has went through their packet and read these policies. So I think we can bring them together. Hamby advised, let's group them together and I won't go through each one. So we don't need a second. Boston advised, and this is for the first and final reading. So we have a recommendation coming out of the Policy Committee on these particular policies. Any discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken.  

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #21) - Hanby advised, Policy #1.809 Civility. It was on a Second Reading and this too came from the committee and there was just a few wording changes to Director of Schools and designee. So this also does not need a second. Boston asked, okay any discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken. 

Discussion:   - Boston advised, next is the Athletic Committee, Mr Davis. So we've not met in a little while. There's still been a lot of things that have been taking place. Kind of behind the scenes that are really encouraging. There's a Character Banquet scheduled in the next week or so with a collaboration from the Crossville Sports Council. They've invited student athletes to be recommended as those of good character to represent their school and their communities. It's a really neat undertaking. They've embarked on hiring Mr. Al Wilson from the University of Tennessee to come in to be a speaker to those in attendance. It's going to be a very, very encouraging moment for those youngsters. I know Mr. Stepp and Mr. Patton have been working on creating some framework for the TMSAA conversion, which will impact you know our middle school athletics. So there's a lot of moving pieces to that. So they're working on that internally. The subcommittee that was assembled to support the Strategic Planning Committee. We're scheduled to meet next week. I believe on the 4th to continue our efforts in building our plan and how we're going to kind of continue to navigate through that Strategic Plan and give us that framework to help us really make a difference where we haven't in years past. So we'll be looking to have a meeting, hopefully, next week or the week after as an Athletic Committee. To bring some more of that information to the table.

Discussion:   - Boston advised, next is the Budget Committee Meeting. We have not had as of yet, started our budget meetings. I'm assuming that's coming up fairly quickly.

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #22) - Boston advised, next is Building and Grounds Committee, Mr Safdie. Safdie advised, we had a meeting last month and here is a proposal, CCHS Band Tower proposal. I think our band director is here. Would you like to explain to the board what your proposal is all about? Just very briefly. Johnson replied, what our proposal is, is to build an observation platform on the CCHS band practice field for myself and other band staff. To be able to have kind of an elevated position to view rehearsals from. So we can fix formations on the field. We've tried very hard to help them sound their best and this platform will help them look their best in the marching band aspect as well. Safdie replied, okay I'd just like to add that he provided us with a 12-page diagram of the other areas. Just excellent work. Thank you so very much. So I guess the band boosters are paying for it all and do we need a motion to approve since it was approved by the Building and Grounds Committee? Boston replied, I think, probably. A very quick motion to approve. Stout advised, motion to approve. Hale advised, second. Stepp replied, just to let everybody know. I'll meet with Mr. Johnson if this is approved, on that new procedure that building grounds asked me to create for the new construction. So we'll be meeting and looking at that procedurally that process. A Voice Vote was taken. 

Discussion:   - Boston advised, next is the Safety Committee. Mrs. Hamby. Hamby advised, we're just still working on and looking at some reports that I'm waiting on from the schools. I believe, I did ask and I want to know what drills we have done in each of the schools and so still waiting on that and we're just looking at moving forward and we have asked that the window film be sent to the Budget Committee. So we're just going to move forward and we're going to continue to work and keep our staff and our students safe and I will do everything I can to make that happen.

Discussion:   - Boston advised, next is the Contract Committee. We have had no contracts in which to review to meet. That's kind of a as needed committee.

Discussion:  Boston advised, so next on the agenda is the Chief Financial Officers Report.

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #23) - Safdie advsied, at this point I would like you to know that the board is very concerned about your family and wishes you all the hope and deal with the grievance that you're feeling right now. We are all concerned about it and our condolences for you. Bray replied, I appreciate that, thank you. Boston advised, can we throw into one of the three jobs that you're currently doing. Nichols replied, bless you and thank you for your diligence in keeping up with all of it while you were away. You're pretty amazing. We appreciate you.

Bray replied, things are beginning to wind down. I feel like that we're on track pretty much with everything. Everybody needs to keep in mind that a lot of our revenue has already been collected. We will not get a BEP payment in May. It will be June. Most of property taxes have been completed, so you need to sort of keep that in mind as far as the expenses. Everything in total is online. Now you're going to see tonight and in the coming couple of months. There'll be some budget amendments to get some cleanup done between some accounts and between the lines on those accounts, but in total we're in good shape. As far as Budget Committee, I'm ready when you are Madam Chair. I've done the best I can do, so we might as well just dive on in. Boston replied, that's when I agree. The only thing I understand is that the Maintenance Budget has changed somewhat. Bray replied, right I took all the projects that were on the bottom, that were basically requests from the principals. I removed those. Boston asked, could you forward out to the board members a new and improved maintenance. Bray replied, the only thing that I left in there, is just the things that are on our schedule that we do every five years. Stepp replied, the top part hasn't changed. Bray replied, the top part is not changed. I eliminated some. Boston asked, could you take the bottom off and just email it out to everybody? Bray replied I can. Boston replied, thank you. Bray asked, is there any questions before we get to the budget amendments? Safdie advised, we have one comment. You know the chart of accounts that we use. They're pretty complicated. Is there any resource where if I want to know exactly what 44530 or 44570 or some of these other very general topics that insisted of in terms of real categories? You know what groups of expenses that they entail. Bray replied, well basically the titles that you see on this page are the group topic. Whether it's Pre-K or whether it's Fiscal Services, Human Resources and a lot of the categories within those groups or subcategories. As they call them, are the same Travel, Wages, Taxes. They're the same no matter what the category is. Now there is a uniform chart of accounts that the state puts out that's available, but I don't know that that would help you in any way, but I'll be happy to send that to you. Safdie replied, well thank you. We'll consider that later on. Bray replied, it's just kind of an accounting thing. Safdie replied, I know and sometimes that's real confusing, because when you look at it there's so many. Bray replied, correct it can be a bit overwhelming and I do apologize. 

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #24) - Bray advised, the only other thing I have and I completely skipped over the Sales Tax Report. We're still running ahead for the year. I hope it holds, because those extra funds should come to us, but we're still running $200,000 ahead. So buy local. Safdie asked, can you talk to anybody about you know why there's sales tax are incorrect? Braty replied, well they tried. This was an estimate and this was their best estimate when they did this budget at the forecast and basically at that point when he was doing this Bucc'ee's wasn't there yet. They knew it was coming. He was just doing his best guess estimate, because it's totally new and they really didn't know what to anticipate. He's done pretty good to guess a year out. Is there any other questions? No one responded. 

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #25) - Bray continued, I'll just throw myself under the bus right now. There were two budget amendments that came in very late, but I have been diligently working with our County Finance Director to make sure that I have all the language in those to their specifications. As far as our two construction projects. This is not something I do every day. So I had to work with him on it to make sure I had every eye dotted and every t-crossed and that was why they were late getting to you. Stout replied, better to be correct than to rush. Bray continued, I don't want to get before the County Budget Committee and them saying no. So I worked very closely with him. The first one that you see is just a general budget amendment because we have now picked up the South Project. GP is going to be responsible for the engineering cost. So I just moved some money around so that we can cover those. Hamby asked, which one are you? Bray replied, the first one. This is part of our responsibility for the balance on the auditorium. This was part of that indirect cost and now all I'm doing is moving that funds into the actual budget and then transporting it into Construction. Now we talked about doing this, because we're going to owe our portion of it.  It's a little bit over $400,000. So this is part of it. Boston asked, do you want to take these one at a time? Bray replied, it doesn't matter to me. Boston asked the other board members and they preferred taking the amendments one at a time. Boston continued, okay then I'll entertain a motion to approve. Hamby advised, motion to approve. King advised, second. Boston replied, okay so we have a motion and a second to approve the budget amendment and I think this total was 335. (Motion #1) A Roll Call Vote was taken.

Bray advised, the next one. This is basically the same thing. I needed about $47,000 more. So there was some money in the HVAC equipment lines and maintenance that I discussed with Mary, that we don't think we will have to use between now and the end of the year. Hopefully, fingers crossed, but she has some substantial funds left there. So I took it from there and this will get us to the total that we need in that construction line. Now this is just for our portion of the auditorium. Boston asked, so far we've moved $335. Bray replied, plus $47 and then there was already $45,000 in that construction line that I will use. That was left over from something else that I had no idea what, but it's been sitting there all year. So I'm going to utilize those funds and that will give us a total of roughly $427,000. Bray replied, which is our portion of that construction project. Boston asked, CCHS? Bray replied, correct. Stout asked, our portion meaning, that amount that we didn't have? Bray replied, ESSER will come first. ESSER will pay first and this will be our responsibility, but we have to go ahead once they sign that contract and record this liability and we have to have the appropriation there in order to do that and that's what we're doing. Boston advised, okay I'll entertain a motion to approve. Stout advised, so moved. King advised, second. Boston replied, okay so we have a motion and a second to approve the $47,000 budget amendment. (Motion #2) Any further discussion? No one responded. A Roll Call Vote was taken.

Bray continued, now this is the one I started just because it was on top of my stack. As I said, we are now responsible for the engineering fees that we will encumber for the project at South, because it is no longer ESSER. So I had to move some additional funds to the Engineering Services line in order for us to do that. Now it may not come to the hundred thousand mark. I just wanted to be certain that we had enough there. Boston asked, and these were excess funds in those lines. As to what you felt they were excess. Safdie asked, when do we expect the bids to be for that project? Bray replied, well they're already in. We've just got to wait to go before I think we got the approval for the CCHS auditorium. We've got to go back for South. Safdie replied, we rebid South. Bray continued, we rebid South and then we'll we'll go before the County Commission next week for CCHS Auditorium. Stout asked, so moving this over for the Engineering Services for South that's the service that we're going to pay for, regardless of whether we choose to move forward with the new bid or not. Correct? Just confirming, thank you. Bray replied, they're going to expect to get paid regardless. They do their work on the front end. Stout replied, but then we own what they have provided to us, to use at any time going forward. Bray replied, yes. Boston asked, do you have a date on that rebid? Bray replied, not yet. I have not seen anything from. Boston replied, Kim said it would take about three weeks. Bray replied, but now I've not seeing it go out, but I'm not saying he has it, but normally I get a copy of it. Boston replied, that's fine. I'll entertain a motion to approve the Engineering Services. Stout advised, motion to approve. Davis advised, second. Boston replied, so we have a motion and a second for the $100,000 for the resolution for Engineering Services.  (Motion #3) A Roll Call Vote was taken. 

Bray continued, and this is moving the money from Fund Balance to the construction line for the South project. Hamby advised, motion to approve.  Safdie advised, second. (Motion #5) Boston advised, okay so we have a motion and a second to move the 2.2 million dollars for the South Cumberland Elementary Building Project Resolution. Stout replied, I'm sorry discussion. We have a motion, discussion. So as not to put the cart before the horse. I wanted to move to postpone the motion until South rebid is received and we have progressed further with the 23-24 budget process. (Motion #4) So we know where we stand.  We don't even know what the rebid is going to come in at and we're wanting to approve moving this amount over. We don't even know if it's going to be this amount. Hamby replied, well I would feel better about knowing that it is allocated and it is there. We do not believe this bid is going to come in any higher than this. So therefore that locks this in. If for some reason we choose not to cover the bid or not to take the bid then it just rolls back over to something else. I'm not going to remove my motion. Stout replied, you don't need to. I've made the move on it, so then I guess we have to vote on my move to postpone the motion until South rebid's received and we have progressed further with the 23-24 budget process. We have more information. What;s it going to cost and what our budgets going to look like. Boston advised, we need a second. King advised, second. Stout continued, what's going to cost and what our budget's going to look like. Boston replied, we are doing a roll call vote on Mrs. Stout's move that we postpone this resolution. Mrs. Nichols advised, I'm really confused. Discussion was made explaining the motion by multiple board members. Stout replied, so my motion was to move to postpone the motion that was made until South rebid is received and we have progressed further with the 23-24 budget process. So we get the rebid back and see what the cost is before we pull money out and reallocate it for it and we wait until we get a little further along in the budget planning process. So we know what it's going to look like  with TISA next year. It's so I'm making
the movement to postpone the motion to approve. Nichols asked, so what is the benefit? I mean where do we differ on your motion and her motion? Boston replied, she (Hamby) made a motion to approve the resolution. She (Stout) made a motion or she moved to postpone. Hamby replied, I'm making a motion to go ahead and move the money and it allocates it and it/s there. She has made the motion to postpone. Nichols replied, and don't put the money in there. Stout replied, so until we get the rebid, so we know what it's going to cost and go to a little further into the budget planning process. Hale asked, we've not voted on the first motion? Hamby replied, we don't have to since she moved or made a motion to postpone it and we have a no and a no and we're waiting on Sheri. Nichols replied, Sheri's still confused. Safdie replied, either way it will work out, because either way the board is going to have to look at the bids and then decide whether to go on with the project or not or whether to fund it or how much to fund it depending on what the bids are. So either way it's going to work out. Shannon's motion is cautionary, saying why make it move now, because we don't have the bids in and Mrs. Hamby's motion is to go ahead and get this over with and just move the money. So when the bids come in, we don't have that step to have to go through. Boston  replied, this encumbers the funds for that specific project. Stout replied, reserves them. Hamby replied, for the South Project. Multiple board members spoke at the same time (audio) After additional clarification, Boston continued with the Roll Call Vote. Boston replied, so the move fails. We're going back to the motion to go ahead and move these funds and Kim we had to show that we have the money. Bray replied adequate appropriation. Boston replied, we have adequate appropriation in the line and we're genning to use it. Okay so the motion that we are currently bidding on is to approve this resolution. We have a first and a second. A Roll Call Vote was taken. Boston replied, so the resolution passes. 

Bray continued. okay this next one is a grant for North Kids Club. We got the exact same grant last year. This just allows that program to purchase things that benefit that program. Two of our employees is part of the grant. They get a bonus and then the rest is used for things for that particular program. They bought the program equipment and a lot of new things for the program there at North. This is the after-school program. Hamby advised, move to approve. Hale advised, second. (Motion #6) Boston advised, okay so the motion is to approve the North Kids Club Grant Resolution for $57,095.58. Any discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken.  

Bray continued, I believe the next one is a General Budget Cleanup. A Special Education Department, some of it's budget cleanup and then Cassie wrote me a note that this allowed them to purchase for the CDC department at Martin a washing machine. Safdie advised, move to approve. Hamby advised, second. (Motion #7) Boston replied, so we have a motion to approve and a second on the resolution for $14,574.10. A Roll Call Vote was taken. 

Bray continued, this is the one we've all been waiting for. This is our Innovative School Model Grant for 6.2 million dollars. Hamby advised, I make a motion that we approve. Stout advised, second. (Motion #8) Boston replied,  so we have a first and a second on the Innovative School Grant Models Grant. Any discussion? No one responded.  A Roll Call Vote was taken.  

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #26) - Bray replied, I believe the next two are also from the Special Education Department, but they're both from her Federal Budget and the note she gave you was just basic budget cleanup. Boston asked, so that the 1 0. Bray replied, that's at 142-901-7120, that's Federal Sped. Stepp advised, they have already been approved by the State Department. Hamby asked, is there any way that we could group these together? Bray replied, they have already been approved in e plan. King replied, madam chair move to group these together and approve. Hamby replied, and I'll second that. Boston replied, okay so we have a motion to, they're all 142 uh resolution and they belong to the Federal Programs. Bray replied, just Sped and regular Federal programs. Boston asked, any discussion. No one responded. A Roll Call Vote was taken. 

Discussion:   (See Exhibit #27) - Boston advised, next on your agenda is your Consent Agenda. Safdie advised, move to approve. Hamby advised, second . Boston replied, we have a first and a second on the Consent Agenda. Any discussion? No one responded. A Voice Vote was taken.  

Discussion:   - Boston advised, next would be old business to discuss, questions. Safdie advised, I was looking at you know the Strategic Plan and I just wanted to compliment the Director of Schools for following up with this procedure and talk a little bit about you know, the concept of team on the Board of Education and whether we're in the board or outside of a meeting. Our official capacity is only when we are meeting in an accrued meeting. Sometimes we have to act independently, but to act independently doesn't mean we're not part of a team. So in in my personal references to how we, I perceive this board is whether I do things with you or not, whether I attend a larger meeting or a smaller meeting. I am still part of the team of the Board of Education and I hope that you all feel that way too, because everyone has different schedules. Everybody knows their responsibilities and sometimes it's very hard when you realize that in some cases you're on an island unto itself, because the official capacity of us is here at this particular moment or at a called meeting. So I can relate and I'm sorry to take so long but I I can relate my own story about learning about the budget. I  asked Mrs. Bray about the lines on the chart of accountants, because it took me about a year to go over each chart of the account. A number and then learn what they represented. Of course in one ear and out one ear, but it took me a year and then it took me two years during my board of first residence as a board member to to figure it out and understand what was taking place. That the idea is that there was a work session on the budget. I attended that. I attended it and worked with the Director of Schools almost on a weekly basis to learn about the budget and I was constantly on the phone with TSBA learning about the budget and it was enough to get me through, but if I had just to rely on a single meeting to learn about the budget it would not have happened for me. It took two years for me to do that. Davis replied, question for you. Do you feel that if we were to meet with more frequency on specific matters as a group as opposed to committees that'd be beneficial? Safdie replied, it just depends on what you know for instance in talking about the budget there's a process that's taking place and it's always rushed at this time. We've exactly one month and one week, perhaps or two weeks to discuss the budget, but that process will be explained as the full budget. I think you all got copies of the budget right. We're talking about a budget right now. A Budget Committee and catching up with what it all means. I think that you know we'll have time to do that. I leave it up to the chairperson to arrange the meeting dates with the Director of Schools and that's what has to happen, because that's part of our policy. All right and unless the policy has changed those things will take place and it'll be rushed. It always is, I mean I've been on the board 15 years and it's always been rushed, because we don't get a final budget until May 17th. We don't know what the budget is even though there is a proposal now. Okay, there's a  a proposed budget, right. That the Director of Schools has created and gave to us today. That proposal has not been reviewed, but we're talking about team work. So if you need more activity to become part of a team, to feel your part of the team, then you need to work together with the chairperson to arrange those meetings. Okay, but whether I'm able to attend those meetings, because of personal conflicts, because it doesn't mean I'm not part of the team. Okay, I'm always a member of the Cumberland County Board of Education and now you probably feel that way too. Stout advised, transparency and inclusivity is very important and we all committed to that at the beginning of the year. Safdie continued, I just wanted to relate and give you a perspective on my first years. Two years to understand the budget. I was constantly. I was chairman one year and then the next year I was vice chairman and it just took me all that time to continue to do research and this year it seemed a more complicated and I'm just glad that we have Mr. Stepp looking at TISA and how it's unfolding and I'm glad we have a chairperson who's been you know staying on top of what needs to be done. Davis asked. what deadlines do we have right now? Like pressing, like this has to be done by next date? Boston replied, we don't. We do need to get the; the County Commission will give us a date to present. As long as we have our budget approved by the day before, which is what we did last year. Which was June the 8th we presented and as long as we have an approved budget by that. In reviewing back years, we've been as late as June the 15th in presenting the board. Safdie replied, and I've seen as late as the last day in June, because we turned in the budget and then the County Commission or the Finance Committee said they needed more information. Boston replied, yeah and they could send it back and they did last year. Davis replied, and that's the reason I asked, is trying to, in the spirit of building a Strategic Plan, being a new board member, aspiring to be a teammate, being able to plan for a date and time where all the information is available for all of us to review. With enough time to prepare, so we're not crammed. Boston replied, we have all of the information. Davis continued, right, but I don't I don't have the platform to have open conversation with each of you other than individually. Stout replied, or explanation. Boston asked, I mean Mrs. Bray are you available? Bray replied, always. Boston continued, Mrs. Bray is always available. You're welcome to sit down with her. Until we get to that point you know, we would look. Safdie advised, it's been difficult and again I'm not trying to. Hamby replied, and committee meetings will be set soon. Safdie continued, sorrow, but you know for the past three and four weeks Mrs. Bray has been going through a tragedy in her life right now. So sometimes that communication isn't available. Although she stays in touch okay, but I'm just saying that. Davis asked, what did our budget schedule say we were going to do? What did it say? Stout replied, if I can piggyback on that just really quick. Most certainly and out of respect for Mrs. Bray working three positions right now and everything else that she has going on. Trying to combine some sort of session where everybody can get the same information from her versus she or Mr. Stepp having to individually work with everybody on their questions, because a lot of us are going to have the same ones and some of us are new to this process entirely, and those of you who've been through the process before, TISA is new entirely. So we're all kind of going into this new and fresh with what we're doing at this point. Stull advised, part of that is the fact that we are tied to the fact that we can only do it in either an open meeting or one-on-one. Hamby advised, and we will have committee meetings that we can all join in and ask questions. Stout replied, one of the concerns is that in our Annual Operating Budget Policy, which Nick you're asking about the timeline and  what the plan is. It says the board shall provide a proposed budget in accordance with the budget timeline established by the board and the County Commission. We haven't been given a timeline. If a budget timeline is not agreed upon, the board shall submit a proposed budget to the County Commission no later than May 1st. May 1st is like a few days away so and we've had no work sessions, committee meetings. We just got the budget information from the first draft last Friday, per our request. Boston replied, okay, I mean this is getting away from old business. This is new business, so if you want to discuss it, I would strongly suggest you know, contact Mr. Stepp and find out; he and I should get together soon and set a timeline, but we do not have to our budget to the County Commission by May 1st. Stout asked, so what is the timeline we've agreed with the County Commission? Boston replied, they will give us, they don't know yet what day they're going to have us present our budget. They will let us know that at the end of May. Safdie replied, I mean if we have to modify that policy to make it a little more general and I certainly would look at. Boston replied, yes. Stout replied, I think we need to look over our policies as a whole and make sure that we're operating within them and if there's something we do need to modify, because it just doesn't fit going forward. So that's something we can talk about in a work session. This kind of piggybacks off of  under old business. I was madam chair going to make a motion to set a date for an Informational Professional Development Budget Training Session on the 23-24 budget in process. Boston replied, you can't make a motion. I mean that's not on the agenda. It was brought up during old business, but it it's not on the agenda and why are you making a motion?  Stout replied, because I've been told that we need to make a motion and vote if we want to have this kind of meeting. To get some training on the on the budget. Safdie asked, when will you and Mr. Stepp set a date with the Executive Committee to review the budget? Boston replied, I have no idea. Safdie replied, my request is to do it immediately.
Okay, Mr. Stepp, we've got it, immediately. The board members are asking questions and I think the Executive Committee is the first step. Stepp replied, yes sir.  I have military duty tomorrow. So it'll probably be Monday. Safdie replied, Monday okay. Stepp continued, I'll leave tonight. Safdie continued, that's right. The next two weekends after this weekend.  Do you have anything scheduled madam chair person? Boston asked, on Monday. Safdie replied, yes. Boston replied, no. Safdie continued, all right so figure out a time, do it, so that we can move forward please. Boston replied, I think Mr. Stepp being the Director of Schools and myself being the chairman. I think we can handle that, but thank you. Safdie replied, I hope so. You're welcome. Boston continued, I appreciate that. You've made a motion to do what? Stout replied, to set a date for an Informational Professional Development Budget Training Session for the 23-24 budget in process. Boston replied, okay. I mean you'll need second. King advised, second. Boston asked, any further discussion? No one responded. Boston replied, okay I'm going to go ahead and do a Roll Call. The motion on the floor is to set a date for an informational and training on the budget. Stout replied, budget and process. Boston continued the budget and process. Safdie replied, I'm a little confused. Is this a legal issue? Boston replied, no. I have no idea. Safdie well I have no problems with setting a date, but I think the Executive Committee. Boston replied, I think we've got to get where we need to be before we can set a date to do an informational. If you want to do an informational, I'm not sure what information you're looking for. Stout replied, on the budget process and on the departments and the what funds Federal, ESSER, local, school you know. How all that goes into the buckets for the departments and what the process. Boston replied, let's go ahead and address your motion. The Roll Call Vote continued. Boston replied, we'll we'll postpone that until we have some further dates. 
 

Discussion:   - Boston asked if there were any questions from the media. No questions were asked.

Discussion:  - Boston advised, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. Hamby moved and Stout seconded a motion to adjourn at 8:04pm.