September 7, 2021 at 2:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

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

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

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  -Dr. Dyer states we have been back to school for one month into this 2021-2022 school year.  He is very happy with the progress into the school year.
-We hosted the Southeast Superintendent Study Council with TDOE Commissioner Penny Schwinn and TOSS Executive Director Dale Lynch in attendance.
-Dr. Dyer attended the Cleveland Chamber LeaderCast with Senior District Administration.
-Doug Moore, Cliff Eason, and Dr. Dyer met with Judge Painter with the Juvenile Court to discuss our partnership and future goals.
-Last Friday, Dr. Dyer was a part of Mix 104's Football Friday, then he went to lead a leadership discussion with Mr. Marino's Leadership class.
-On Friday, TOSS announced an "adopt a teacher" in Humphreys County.  We are looking into this and will pass this information on once we have it.
-TOSS/TDOE Fall Superintendent Study Council will be September 12-15 and Dr. Dyer will be in attendance.
-House Summer Education Committee Meeting will be September 22-23 and Dr. Dyer will be in attendance.

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  -Mr. Michael Kahrs talks about enrollment for this 2021-2022 school year.  Our current enrollment total is 5,522, which is 40 more students than where we ended last May.  This year's 9th grade group is the highest number in attendance in the district.
-Mr. Kahrs shows charts and discusses how we had a steady growth in enrollment up until COVID-19 happened. He shows the year over year comparison of each school's enrollment.  He discusses our race/ethnicity breakdown and that we are 35% economically disadvantaged.  The breakdown of the Special Education and ESL population is equal and growing each year.

-The board asks in regard to enrollment numbers are we in range for capacity numbers?  Dr. Dyer states that as of right now, facility wise, we are in good shape, but keep in mind we are doing the long-range study and these numbers will be shared for that study.
-The board asks if the economically disadvantaged was 50% in years past, as it is this year?  Mr. Kahrs states they used to take the numbers from students who received free and reduced lunch.  Now that the districts do CLP, now we calculate this off direct certified kids.  The state sends us a list of which students are assisted by food assistance/government assistance programs then we enter it into our data.

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  -Mr. Michael Kahrs discusses Student Success.  We received our TVAAS District Growth Scores and we are a 5 overall, with a 3 in literacy, 5 in numeracy and 5 in Literacy/numeracy.  This is something to be celebrated!  
-The Board asks why there is not a Science and Social Studies score? Mr. Kahrs states the state had a science test last year so this year we will receive a TVAAS score.
-In the student success strategic plan we are monitoring the data points in student data and Mr. Kahrs shows the website to view.
-Dr. Jeff Elliott discusses the 2020-2021 Key strategies for student success.  They implemented a new K-5 ELA curriculum across the district.  We introduced a new ELA curriculum to Grades 6-12.  We implemented a new math curriculum at CHS.  We conducted intensive ELA professional development session through the year with elementary staff.  We began grades 6-12 ELA professional development session during the 2nd semester as materials were purchased and delivered.   We conducted I-Ready diagnostic assessments in grades K-8 and SchoolNet assessments in grades 9-12.  We provided leadership training, conducted walkthroughs, and reviewed data key components of ELA Instructional Practice Guide and Math Instructional Practice Guide Walkthrough Observation Tool.  We expanded the role of technology teachers to focus on STEAM education in schools.  We delivered instruction in an ongoing virtual environment for 1,100 students.  We coordinated STEAM implementation throughout CMS for STEM Designation application.  We provided STEAM professional development for leadership and teachers.  We purchased Chromebooks and distributed devices at elementary schools to become 1:1 district.  Introduced two CAPS business partnerships with Cleveland Utilities and Tennova.  We conducted virtual special education IEP meetings throughout the year.  We added an ESL family engagement position to assist families with enrollment and translation services.  We offered summer intervention programs for elementary, middle, and high school students.
-Summer Camps:  Camp Raider was our elementary camp.  We had 3 sites: Blythe-Bower, Mayfield and Ross.  We had over 300 students in grades K-4 participating.  This six-week program focused on Reading, Math and STEAM.  We had over 100 staff members working the camp.  We had nurses on site, transportation and meals were provided.  4 C's Camp was located at CMS.  The four-week program focused on Reading, Math and STEAM.  Over 150 students in grades 5-7 participated, with 39 staff members worked the camp (including Nurses, Transportation team, and meals).  The Credit Recovery program took place at the high school which continued to offer summer recovery programs.
-Dr. Elliott shared some stories from the summer camps and shared the statement from the LIFT Network on our success in the first year of joining LIFT.  
-Dr. Elliott discusses what they want to focus on this school year.  Focus on our 5 C's so they are ready to be successful when they graduate.  We are partnering with LIFT Network, Core Knowledge Language Arts, Instruction Partners, Capturing Kids Hearts, Tennessee STEM Innovation Network, National Institute for Excellence in Teaching, Tennessee Department of Education, Center for Advanced Professional Studies Network, and Curriculum PD Specialists.
-The 2021-2022 Key Strategies for Student Success:  To continue to provide professional learning support for K-12 ELA teachers.  Create math task force for elementary and secondary levels in preparation for standards updates and 2023 math adoption.  Increase walkthrough observations in ELA and math.  Expand the usage of Schoolnet Assessments in tested subjects at the elementary, middle and high school levels, Create after-school tutoring program for students in need of an extra dose of ELA and math instruction.  Implement STREAM Camp opportunities.  Expand CAPS Network partnerships.  Add Teaching As a Profession, Pharmaceuticals, Welding, and Web Design to CTE programs.  Analyze schedules including the impact on intervention, ESL, and special education programs.
-TN ALL (Accelerated Literacy and Learning Corps).  This will be our after school tutoring that will be implemented starting next week.  This will be funded by State and ESSER 3.0.  The focus will be on 15% of 1st-5th grade students and 10% of middle school students.  We will call this program Raiders XD (Extra Dose) which will begin on September 13 and will run for 12 weeks each semester.  The goal is to tutor 430 1st-8th grade students in Reading Math for 24 weeks during the 2021-2022 school year.  We would like to have 130 small groups.  We have over 110 staff to work in the program.

-The board asks if there will be transportation available to these Raider XD students?  Dr. Elliott states Hal Taylor and his team have made this happen for our students and there will be transportation available if needed.
-The board asks if there is any plan to provide snacks for the students?  Dr. Elliott states this is part of the planning meeting we will have tomorrow.
-The board asks how many students will there be in a group?  Dr. Elliott states it will be 1 teacher to every 3 students.  OR 2 adults to 6 children in one class.  Dr. Dyer states when you keep the numbers 1 to 3 it brings maximum effectiveness.
-The board would like Dr. Elliott to expand on the ELA CMS program.  Dr. Elliott states Amplify is the parent company to CKLA.  It is a follow through from CKLA for 6th-8th grade.
-Leah Hargis asks if Camp Raider will be happening in the future summers.  She states some educators expressed concern over our younger students not having enough brain breaks.  Dr. Elliott thanks Leah for this feedback, and he believes this is something they can look into for next summers schedule. 
-Dr. Dyer thanks Mr. Kahrs for creating the dashboards and making it simple for us to understand the data.  He thanks Dr. Elliott for his work in student success.

 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  -Dr. Dyer discusses the proposal for a new position Chief of Staff.  We are at a point where items, i.e. COVID-19, can knock us off of our path.  We need someone who will not be derailed in driving the train of our strategic plan.  He discusses some components of the job description.  The job goal is to assist the Director of Schools with the day-to-day operations of the school district as well as providing leadership/management to support the attainment of the goals and objectives of the District's Strategic Plan. He discusses some essential functions of this position.  Dr. Dyer discusses the Organizational Structure chart that is on the screen and how this new role would fit into our flow chart.

-The Board asks how many people report to Dr. Dyer right now?  Dr. Dyer states he has 7 directors, his assistant, and 8 principals.  
-The Board asks if Dr. Dyer would still be making the final decisions for the system?  Dr. Dyer states he would be the final decision maker to bring recommendations to the board.
-The Board asks what the financial impact will be on the budget?  Dr. Dyer states our budget is in good shape for this year and future years.
 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  -Mr. Kelly Kiser is here to ask the board to go into contract with StaffEZ to take over our substitute staffing.  The biggest issue I hear from our staff is the lack of substitute teachers.  In August of 2021 our substitute fill rate was 60% and in August of 2020 our fill rate was 88%.  In August of 2020 we had 248 openings and August of 2021 we had 548 openings.  It will help take some time off of the business department with payroll, and take some time off of the Human Resources department for on boarding.  It will take the training of the substitutes off the district as well.

-The board asks how will the existing substitutes be handled?  They will get all information of our current substitutes and give them the first opportunity to continue subbing and become StaffEZ employees.
-The board asks will we send money to StaffEZ to pay the substitutes?  Mr. Kiser states we would reconcile the statement from StaffEZ each month then we will pay StaffEZ their fee and StaffEZ will pay the substitutes.
-The Board asks what the pay rate is right now for substitutes?  $65 if the substitute meets the regular requirements, $70 if you have a college degree, and $80 if you are certified.
-The board asks if there will be an impact on teachers to use this service?  Dr. Dyer states he has used a service like this before, and it will be easier.  The service company will be making some of those calls to obtain substitutes.  The system will use the same AESOP program as we use now.
-The board asks where the StaffEZ company is located?  Mr. Kiser states they are located in Tennessee, and he received great recommendations from other TN school districts.
-The board asks if a principal is not happy with the substitute, how do they handle that?  Mr. Kiser states there is a procedure for the teacher/principal to walk through with the company.
-The board asks if substitutes are covered under insurance?  Mr. Kiser states they are covered under our liability insurance.  
-Dr. Dyer states this contract will not begin unless we get the funding from ESSER 3.0.  
-The Board asks how this service will find substitutes that we can not?  Dr. Dyer states this company can recruit solely for us when CCS does not have the time and manpower to do this.
-The board asks if the company will give us feedback from the substitutes?  Mr. Kiser states they will.
-Dr. Dyer recommends you approve moving forward with the StaffEZ substitute staffing contract.

 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes): 

-Leah Hargis states:

We had a great start to the new school year. 

Fall Sports: We have started a bowling team this year with Seth LaManga as the coach. They’re excited for their season to officially start on September 30. They have 18 members currently, and they are both male and female students. The football team is currently 2-1. They went 2-0 for the first time since 2017, and we went 1-0 for the first time since I’ve been in high school. This past weekend, #2 Destun Thomas, our starting wide receiver and defensive back, committed to Memphis University. #67 Nick Nicodemous, our starting left tackle, recently committed to Tennessee Tech University as well. Our new Jumbotron was also up and running for the Bradley game this past Friday, and we are very excited about that improvement to Benny Monroe. Our volleyball team is currently in 8th place in the state with a record of 13-6, and they have defeated several teams that are currently ranked above them, such as 8x in a row defending state champs, Brentwood. Last Thursday, the freshman, jv, and varsity teams all swept their cross-town rivals, the Bradley Bearettes. We are very proud of them and can’t wait to see how the rest of their season is going to go. Girls soccer currently has a winning record of 3-2. They have won against Polk County, McMinn Central and The Chattanooga school of arts and sciences. Our cross-country team has had a great start to the season with Ryan Lovelace winning the overall this past weekend in Rome Georgia at berry college against tough competition. Also, this past weekend, several runners posted personal best times. Girls golf has had two matches where they shot 5 under par, which is a school record. For boy’s golf, Tripp Hall tied for first in the Cookeville invitational. 

Parking: Our VIP parkers were able to paint their parking spots on August 29 and had a great time. This is the first year that the lower and middle lots have been open for VIP spots, with it normally being just the middle lot. There is a makeup day on September 19 for students who either didn’t finish painting their spot or weren’t able to start painting. 

Masks: Our mask requirement began today and about half of the students are wearing them.

Marching Band and color guard: The marching band and color guard are putting the finishing touches on their competition routine. Their first competition is coming up on September 18th, and they are performing time after time, hazy shade of winter, too much time on my hands, time warp, time in a bottle, and sign of the times. We can’t wait to see all of their hard work put on the field. 

Upcoming events: Hall of Fame is this Friday, and we’re so excited to welcome our esteemed alumni back to Cleveland High School to celebrate their successes. Homecoming is the week of September 24 and our students are getting ready for several fun dress-up days and the possibility of a dance depending on COVID regulations. We will play walker valley for the first time since 2018, my freshman year, so we’re very excited about meeting our other cross-town rivals the week after next. The Cleveland High School Theater Department’s Fall play is titled "The Fall of the House of Usher", which was adapted by Tim Kelly from the classic tale by Edgar Allen Poe. The shows will be held on September 23, 26, 27, and 28 with the show times being 7:00 on the 23, 27, and 28 and 2:30 on the 26. Admission for adults will be $10 and students will get in for $7. 

5th Block: Extended learning 5th block (or EL5) begins on September 13. EL5 will be on every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3-5. 

Picture retakes: Lifetouch will be at the high school on September 27 for makeup pictures for all students. 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Peggy Pesterfield, Carolyn Ingram, Krista McKay, and Charlie Cogdill were appointed Delegates to the TSBA Annual Conference.

 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes): 

-Mrs. Robinson adjourned by general consent.