May 4, 2022 at 2:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Mrs. Robinson welcomed everyone to our meeting.  Ms. Leah Hargis led us in a moment of silence.

 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Ms. Leah Hargis led us in the pledge of allegiance.

 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes): 

•  

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Dr. Dyer states Sunday, May 1  was principal appreciation day and this week May 2-6 is teacher appreciation week.  He is very proud and appreciate of our staff.  We had our CTE Celebration this past.  It is graduation time!  The TOSS Legislative update session is set for May 16.  May 20 is the last day of school.  Our new CHS student representative has been named: Aarna Patel.

 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Mrs. Carolyn Ingram presents the Board of Distinction plaque to our Board.  Carolyn is on the State Board of Directors and she is responsible to giving Boards this distinction.

Dr. Dyer introduced Andrea McMackin as the new Executive Administrative Assistant to the Director of Schools and Board of Education.  Dr. Joel Barnes has been named as the new principal of Blythe-Bower Elementary School.  Kim Bradford has been named as the new principal of George R. Stuart Elementary School.  Kerry O'Connor has been named as the principal of Donald P. Yates Primary School.

 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Dr. Dyer presents the Budget overview.  The Basic Education Program will phase out this year after 30+ years.  The Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement will be our new funding mechanism from the state starting in the 2023-2024 school year.  As stated by TDOE, the goals of TISA are to do the following: Empower each student to read proficiently by third grade.  Prepare each high school graduate to succeed in the postsecondary program or career of the graduate's choice.  Provide each student with the resources needed to succeed, regardless of the student's individual circumstances.  We do expect to see an increase in state funding as a result of TISA.  That total amount is fully known at this time.
Our goals for the coming year are tied to our strategic goals: Math-Analyze and approve new math curriculum, purchase K-12 math curriculum.  STEM - continue STEM instruction throughout each school; offer STEM family events at all schools and provide STEAM camps; Tango flights; CAPS.  English Language Arts - Continue professional development and implementation of adopted curriculum.  Tutoring nd Credit Recovery - Raiders XD: K-8 tutoring and HS credit recovery programs.  Life Skills - Capturing Kids' Hearts, Social Workers, Behavior Support Team.  Interventions- After-school and summer programs; response t intervention and special education.

Employees:  3.5% raise and step increase for all eligible employees ($1,643,391).  Teacher Assistants will see an increase of 1 to 3 towards the starting pay of $15 per hour and adjustments to other parts of the pay scale ($124,990).  School Level Administrative Assistants will increase to a starting salary of $15 per hour and adjustments to other parts of the pay scale ($43,509).  School Interventionists will see longevity pay adjustments added ($2,153).  Substitute teachers' pay is being increased (Certified - $100 PD; 4 year degree - $90 PD; Others - $85 PD)

Requested Supports. Behavior and life skills Support: Behavior and life skills specialist (moving this position from grant funded to the general budget).  Hiring a new school psychologist to assist school teams with mental health and other support.  Learning Support interventions will be budgeted through federal Title 1/11 funds.  Special education behavior support interventionists will be budgeted through federal ESSER funds.  Behavior class teacher and assistant will be budgeted through federal ESSER funds.  Social workers will continue to be budgeted through federal ESSER funds.  Additional ESL teachers to meet ncr3easing demand.  Two additional teachers to be utilized as needed.  Blythe-Bower Elementary Operations coordinator.  A communications specialist will be added to assist with school and system wide communications efforts.

Dr. Dyer discusses the 2022-2023 expenditures summary pie chart. 

Revenues: The increase BEP ($1,418,000 (based on April estimate).  Increase Sales Tax 7% = $482,773.  Increase property tax 3%=199,411.  Total Revenues=$54,893,073.  Use of Fund Balance = $412,582.  Total Available Funds = $55,305,655.

The budget will not be on the website until the city approves this budget.

The board asks who would not be an eligible employee to receive the step increase?  Interventionists and any employee who has reached the top of the step schedule.  

 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Dr. Dyer takes a moment to present Ms. Aarna Patel to the board.  She was not able to be at the beginning of the meeting.  She is excited to see how she can contribute to the board.

Mr. Kelly Kiser presents the CCS Tenure Eligible Teachers for May 2022.  Angie Collins -CCCE.  Ali Creel - CMS, Angela Denton-Arnold,  Kristen Early - BB,  Rhonda Ferguson - CHS, Will Godwin - CHS, Kristin Gowin - Stuart, Cara Kirksey - CMS, Danielle Jones - Stuart, Cana Kirksey- CMS, Katherine Levert - Mayfield, Jake Moats - CMS, Casey O'Connor - CMS, Latishua Scurlock - CHS, Angela Wright - CMS. To be able to qualify for this position, they have demonstrated an overall effectiveness level of above expectations (4) or significantly above expectations (5) during the last two years of their probationary period. The probationary period is 5 school years or not less than 45 months. 

 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Mr. Nate Tucker states policies 6.403, 6.405, 6.504, 6.602, 6.604, 6.704, and 6.710 only changed the date.  Policies 6.302, 6.402, 6.404, 6.410, 6.500, 6.502, 6.503, 6.702, 6.705, 6.707, and 6.709 were reviewed for wording updates.  Full deletion of policy 6.501. 

Policy 1.103 is a new policy.  The board would make the motion to take line (b). "evaluation shall be at a scheduled time with no other items on the agenda and with all board members present"  out of the policy.  

Policy 6.500 on line #9 add "or designee" after Director of schools. Policy 6.402 last line add "or designee" after Director of schools.

Policy 6.705.  The board would like this policy to have a broader statement that would be followed up with a procedure set by the administration on how often parties could be held at the schools.  The Board ask for Policy 6.705 to be pulled from first reading approval and be brought back at the June meeting.

 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Dr. Dyer contacted 3 firms and they are not taking new clients.  We are in contact with NSPRA and Apptegy to get quotes.  When we have more information from these companies we will report back in June.  

 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Mrs. Kathy Barry presents the Strategic Plan Update for School Nutrition.  The first action step is providing an efficient and effective nutrition program to support success in and out of the classroom.  Since the beginning of August, school nutrition has been provided at no cost to the students: 428, 128 breakfasts and 597,244 lunches.  In our after-school supper program:  We have provided 21,547 meals since October 2021.  Our fresh fruit and vegetable program has provided fruits and vegetables 3x a week at Candy's Creek, Blythe-Bower, and Arnold Elementary.  We have reapplied for this program for next year. The next step is to initiate school nutrition student, faculty, and community satisfaction surveys.  School nutrition surveys can help boost participation and sales, as well as decrease food waste.  We plan to conduct surveys in SY 22-23, offering them on paper and via a link on the school website in English and Spanish.  We will offer separate surveys for parents and students. We want to continue getting student feedback.  We are discussing the possibility of obtaining student feedback in other ways: offering sampling stations to allow students to try new things and get immediate feedback.  The cafeteria managers and staff will continue to regularly check in with students on their opinions of the food items offered.  Student Interaction and Participation.  Each cafeteria manager will continue to encourage participation and interaction with students by: offering themed meals/treats fo holidays and special events.  Celebrating birthdays with a treat one day each month that celebrates all the birthdays in that  month.  Bringing their cafeterias to life with themed decorations and props to encourage students to participate in breakfast and lunch and have conversations about the foods being served.  Please follow school nutrition on twitter @CCS_SNProgram.  

 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Mr. Hal Taylor discusses Bus #64, which is a special needs bus with a lift.  The police department needs something to transport their bomb squad device and have approached the school system about acquiring the bus since we will not legally be allowed to use the bus after this school year.  Mr. Taylor would like for CCS to donate bus #64 to the police department.  Mr. Taylor states the most we could get from this bus is around $1,000-$1,500 if we were to sell it.  

 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Dr. Dyer presents Ms. Leah Hargis with a medal, certificate, and check since this will be her last meeting.  The board thanks her for her service.
 

Leah gives us news from Raider Drive.:

We are excited to say that Dr. Eric Garner has been named the new assistant principal. He will focus on 10th grade, math and curriculum. 

Sports 

We have 9 seniors that will be signing their letters of intent tomorrow, May 5 at 3:00 pm in the CHS Arena lobby to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. The sports Football, Boys Soccer, Girls Basketball, Volleyball, Wrestling and Cheer. Free sports physicals on May 20 @ 1:00 pm in Raider Arena. District play for baseball starts tonight in McMinn county. We play at 8. District play for softball starts Friday at CHS. After Friday all games will be at Ooltewah. Our girls overall record is 15-13 and 8-4 in the district. We are second in the district.  Boys Soccer - District play starts Friday at McMinn county. Track - Next Tuesday they will travel to Cookeville for sectionals. Tennis - Friday their district tournament will begin at the Champions Club. Football has started their spring practices.

The theater department put on their spring musical "FREAKY FRIDAY" and had an almost completely packed house several nights. We’re very proud of the success of our fine arts and the growing fan base. 

Summer Camps on campus

Lady Raider Basketball Camp - May 25-27 from 9-1 in Raider Arena. Email Tony Williams with any questions. twilliams@clevelandschools.org. Soccer coed camp - May 31- June 3 9-12 @ the Mouse Creek Complex. Email Miles Christian with any questions. mchristian@clevelandschools.org. Softball Camp - July 25-29 @ the softball field from 4-7. Email KJ Harris with any questions. kjharris@clevelandschools.org

We had several students participate in the special Olympics held at CMS. Our students enjoyed showing off their talents. 

Special services hosted a kickball game. The game was between Lee University’s softball team and our softball team as well as our special service students. CHS won! 

We had interviews for the new school board representative, Ms. Aarna Patel was selected. 

Senior Stuff

Senior walk was last Friday. Everyone had a great time going back to their elementary school. Like I said, tomorrow at 3 we have 9 athletes signing their intent to further their athletic careers in college. Senior awards are tomorrow night at North Cleveland Church of God starting at 6:00 pm. Prom is this Saturday. The theme is Cleve-vegas. It will be the at 5 point Museum center. Baccalaureate is Sunday at Peerless Road Church starting at 4:00 pm.  Senior exams are May 9-10. The SGA senior party is May 11 at CHS.  Graduation on May 13th. 

 It’s been very busy on campus with EOC and AP testing.

Students have been selecting courses for next year. The 8th graders come over on May 17th for a tour. Our leadership students will be showing them around campus. 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Mr. Hal Taylor discusses the Ross/Yates playground that they would like to install.  Ross would be paid with local fundraising and remaining CARES act funds not to exceed $23,000.  Yates would be paid with local fundraising and remaining CARES act funds not to exceed $20,000.  $3,000 will be for adaptive playground equipment paid by a grant.

Mr. Hal Taylor met with the contractors and TDOT about the construction at CMS.  They will need to shut down the main entrance at CMS for 6-8 weeks during the summer.  They are proposing adding a temporary drive on the north end of the property that will connect to the parking lot.  TDOT will be responsible for the addition and deletion of the drive.  

 

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