August 2, 2021 at 5:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Dawn Robinson led us in a moment of silence. 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Tom Cloud led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  -Dr. Dyer states we had fantastic summer camps this year.  It was a huge success.
-We had a great professional development week that wrapped up today.
-Earlier this summer Dr. Dyer attended the AASA Governance and advocacy Conference. We talked about what we needed as superintendents and as school systems.
-CCS Annual Report has been published and it is available in print and on the website this week.
-#CCSRowtheBoat (#CCSRTB).  We will be using this hashtag throughout this school year.  It is based on a book called Row the Boat.  It is based on 1-the Oar (Paddle) - Energy-which way are you going to paddle? 2- The Boat - Sacrifice- The more you give, serve, and make your life about helping others, the better and more fulfilled your boat will be, and the bigger your boat gets.  We must work to be in the same boat!  3-The Compass - Direction- In our case, this is our strategic plan.  This is our guide and we must all paddle together to accomplish our end goal!  
We also have a logo that will be used on social media as well with #CCSRTB.  This is a cute logo but if we don't put the work behind it then it doesn't work!

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  -Mr. Kelly Kiser recognizes our Retiring Teachers with a PowerPoint slide show and quotes from their principals.  The retiring teachers that were recognized are:  Leigh Ann Sprouse from Arnold Memorial Elementary School.  Anita Brown from CHS.  Delisa Dismukes from CHS.  Jacqueline Lane from CHS.  Mark "Steve" Stephenson from CHS.  Stephanie Pirkle from CMS.  Gwen Turpin from Ross Elementary.  Sandra McClintock from Stuart Elementary.  Cheryl Gilbert from Mayfield Elementary.

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  -Mr. Kelly Kiser recognizes the New Teachers on a PowerPoint slide show.  Kathy Barry - Supervisor of School Nutrition.  Melissa Calandrillo - Speech Pathologist.  Haleigh Thomas - Speech Pathologist.  Callie Baggett - Arnold Elementary.  Josh Cofer - Blythe-Bower Elementary.  Jami Thomason - Blythe Bower Elementary.  Chelsey Williams - Blythe - Bower Elementary. Eden Wilbanks - Candy's Creek Cherokee  Elementary. Chris Alvarez - E. L. Ross Elementary.  Mariah Ellis - Stuart Elemenatry.  Cicely Barker - Mayfield Elementary.  Samantha Eason - Mayfield Elementary. Lindsay Miller - Mayfield Elementary.  Donald Benton - CHS.  Jeffrey Bise - CHS.  Abigale Dye - CHS. Delano Halfacre - CHS. Leanne Shurette - CHS.  Alexandra Squires - CHS.  Josiah Vacheresse - CHS.  Nat Akiona - CMS. Ron Markel - CMS. Kelly Owens - CMS.

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  -Dr. Elliott states that tomorrow we start to bring back our students.  We went through summer school not requiring staff or students to wear masks, but it is an option if they choose to.  We will not be taking temperatures this year as well, but parents are encouraged to monitor their child's temperature at home.  We are going back to our regular procedures that were in place before COVID happened.  Mr. Taylor and the operations department will have masks, sanitizer, and gloves on the bus if students would like to use them.  We will still use the foggers to clean as well.  We are going to follow the CDC guidelines and watch the ongoing guidelines.
-Laura Hudson discussed the ELC Grant CCS received. This Grant is funded through the Department of Education, and CCS was awarded $1.5 million.  This grant will provide COVID testing if needed, and clinic nurses will have rapid testing available.  It will update clinic supplies throughout the district.  We will have a mobile unit for a COVID nurse to travel to different schools.  This could be achieved by purchasing an ambulance that later can be used by our CTE department.  The COVID nurse could provide preventative education to our staff and students.  The grant can provide new water refill stations and order more equipment for PE departments. This grant will provide a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) that is available for both staff and students.
-The Board asks if a student has been vaccinated would they have to be quarantined?  Mrs. Hudson states they do not have to be quarantined if they have been vaccinated.  
-The Board asks if a student has already had COVID would they have to be quarantined?  Mrs. Hudson states they would have to look at the current guidance from the CDC.  As of now, the student would have to be quarantined.
-The Board asks how long is this grant for?  This is a 1-year grant. 
-The Board asks how will CCS keep an eye on COVID and where the system will go with our guidance?  Dr. Dyer states himself and Dr. Elliott follow the CDC website daily for new updates, and they are a part of a Wednesday meeting that discusses this.  Whatever choice our task force makes going forward we encourage our parents to make the decision that works for their family.  
-The Board asks if the system will be providing normal school lunches or if it will be bagged lunches?  Kathy Barry states it will be normal school lunches, except for a couple of schools with maintenance projects wrapping up these first few weeks.  Those schools will then go to normal school lunches as well.
-The Board asks if TSSAA has made any updates for sporting events at CMS and CHS?  Mr. Doug Moore states TSSAA states you should follow your local guidelines.  Dr Dyer states we are following the CDC Guidelines.  
-Mrs. Robinson states we would like to remind the Task Force to communicate with our families if there is a change in the COVID protocols for each school.  

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  -Dr. Dyer states previously you approved a 2.5% raise for the 2021-2022 school year.  Cindy Geren has crunched more numbers as the 2020-2021 school year closed to find another 1% raise for our employees.  This is a total raise of 3.5%.  Dr. Dyer recommends the Board approves the raise.

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  -Dr. Leneda Laing would like for the board to approve Spanish 1 and Health Science Education at CMS for a high school credit.  
-The Board would like for Spanish to be offered at the elementary level, in the future, so the students could be fluent by the time they graduate.

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  -Mrs. Autumn O'Bryan introduces Leah Hargis.  She is a senior, a cheerleader and has been an All American Cheerleader for 4 years.  She has a 4.0 GPA, and is a star in the digital media department at CHS.  During the interview process she stood out by thinking through problems. Her parents are here tonight with her.  The board welcomes Leah to the board.

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  -Mr. Charlie Cogdill announces Toby Pendergrass and Josh Cullman. They are excited about putting a Bill Talley statue on the CHS campus.  They presented the drawing of what the statue could look like.  The statue of Mr. Talley would be leaned up against a podium with the story of Bill Talley on it, so anyone could read his story.  
-Dr. Dyer makes the motion to approve the statue to move forward with this concept.  The Board thanks the foundation for this donation, it is appreciated.
-Mr. Cogdill asks when the completion of the statue will be?  It should be completed in the fall with hopes of a spring dedication for baseball season.
-The Board wants to make sure this statue is placed where it is not vulnerable to vandalism.  They would like it to be placed inside the fence for protection.

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  -Dr. Dyer reads all the policies and states he recommends we adopt all of these as first readings.  

-For Policy 4.213 the board would like to make the motion to change the wording to remove any ambiguity and state it is definite. When this is approved, change the color of the word changes to show the changes after discussing with TSBA.  

 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  -Dr. Dyer states this law is no longer in the books since it did end on June 30, 2021.  He recommends removing this policy.

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  -Dr. Raper discusses the new website that was unveiled this summer. 
-The board asks what is the plan to encourage schools to have updated information on their websites?  Julie Smith states she will be meeting with the principals or web masters of each school monthly to make sure each school is up to date with their website information.
-Leah Hargis asks if we have looked into having a work based credit for high school students to help with the website and social media content?  Dr. Dyer states that is in the works so stay tuned.

The new app has been released, and we will be communicating more out about this soon.  If anyone has any questions about communications email Julie at pr@clevelandschools.org.

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  -Mrs. Robinson adjourned by general consent.