January 6, 2020 at 5:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Student Representative Hayes Martin opened the meeting and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Dr. Dyer provided an update:
He welcomed everyone back after the holiday break. 
The school choirs and bands did a great job during all the concerts in December. 
Dr. Cody Raper is the new Director of Innovation; he is transferring from his BLADE Facilitator position at Cleveland Middle School.
Schools will be closed on Monday, January 20 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Two Director's Roadshow events are scheduled for January at CMS and Mayfield.
Food Service bids are being reviewed by the state for privatizing meals. 
Governor Bill Lee will be visiting Cleveland High School tomorrow to see our CTE programs.
 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Dr. Dyer announced that the Tennessee School Board Appreciation Week is in January. We appreciate all the work that each Board Member does for our school system. Renny Whittenbarger explained that there was a design challenge to create a gift for the Board. CHS teacher Ben Williams recognized the sophomore design team that designed and created the wall plaque for the Board Members.  Southern Powder Coating donated the coating on the plaque. Students were introduced, and they presented the Board with the plaques. 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Renny Whittenbarger recognized Ben Williams as the 2019 Tennessee CTE Teacher of the Year for Secondary/Post-Secondary Education. Mr. Williams has a heart of service and humanity. His accomplishments include leading a class Malachi Project for special needs individuals, leading humanitarian trips to Nicaragua and Argentina, and starting the FIRST Robotics Team at CHS. Ben Williams thanked the Board for the support he's received from the top down. 
 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Vanessa Hammond provided an update on the Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation. 
2018 BCPEF Strategic Plan focuses on funding, staff development & succession planning, board membership, system & BOE relationships, program/project support, and BCPEF internal governance.
In 2019 BCPEF provided support for programs including GAPP, Telemedicine, Fitzgerald Innovation Award, and Lillie Frank Fitzgerald Excellence in Teaching Award. There were $70,000 in Teacher Grants awarded. BCPEF supported specific projects for CCS such as the Lucy Calkins Writing Institute, CMS Summer Academy, and CHS STEM & CTE program.
The total investment for 2019 was $310,707 which is a 521% Return of Investment.
The greatest challenges for BCPEF are staffing and operational funding, 
She is grateful for the support of the Board of Education.

Lynn Voelz provide a BCPEF operational update.
She described the state of the foundation in 2009 when she assumed the director leadership role. 
All academic support aligns to each system's strategic objectives. 
Over the last 15 years, $2.6 million have been contributed to the two school systems, and $750,000 has been contributed over last 2.5 years. 
Over the last 10 years, BCPEF has awarded 315 teacher grants; 55 grants were from 22 major grantors. 
BCPEF operates as a 501(c)(3) for both school systems. 
The Executive Committee is a non-paid volunteer board; committee members are also personal donors. 
The staff includes a full-time executive director, three part-time employees, and an accountant working approximately two hours a week. They have never exceeded 2.5 FTE. 
Sources of BCPEF operational funding and expenses were reviewed.  
Challenges continue to be staffing and operational funding. 
She praised the outstanding staff and Executive Committee.
She complimented the two school system administrators and principals for focusing on education. 

Board members thanked Lynn Voelz for her work, professionalism,and leadership.
 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Brian Templeton provided a snapshot on the CHS Chiller project. Pre-Bid meeting is tomorrow afternoon. Bids will be opened on January 16, 2:00 pm. They want the chiller operational by March 15. The bid alternate is replacing the cooling tower which is 30 years old. Hal Taylor reported that the chiller needs to be replaced. They have contacted the TDOE Energy Efficient School Initiatives Department. They estimate the project at $400,000. EESI has a $400,000 loan at 1.5% interest for 12 years; the payments are gained from energy savings. Because this is a loan, City Council will need to approve it. Board members asked questions about the project and loan. 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Hal Taylor presented the lease agreement for CMS theater. CMS Principal Dr. Leneda Laing reported that the contract is for six months and includes replacing the carpet. The sound booth would not be changed in this six month contract. If they are all pleased then another contract can be created that will include the sound booth. Dr. Laing showed carpet samples. Board members discussed lighting the steps in the theater and voiced support for the carpet samples. 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Hal Taylor reported that the City does not need the dirt pile at Candy's Creek Cherokee Elementary. The City will install a separate drive into the dirt pile so that trucks will not be on the school's asphalt drive. Since the dirt has a value, we need to bid the dirt to find out if anyone wants to purchase it. Hal Taylor stated that we have 500-600 cubic yards of dirt or 100 truck loads. Board members asked questions and discussed options.

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Dr. Dyer reported that the Student Discipline & Culture Committee revised this policy. The updates allow us to use the best practices for student discipline and follow state laws and regulations. Krista McKay questioned an error on page 3; Dr. Dyer stated that this would be corrected on second reading. 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Hayes Martin provided an update:
The Leadership program Do Good December was a huge success raising school supplies for local elementary schools. 
Boys and girls basketball teams are having a great season; boys are undefeated. 
Theater has a production on January 13 and 14. 
JROTC, Dance Team, and Marching Band participated in the Cleveland Christmas Parade. 
JROTC served food at the 3 Kings Feast and helped with the Empty Stocking Fund along with other school groups.
Wrestling is doing well this year; they are the Cleveland Dual Champs. 
Band and Color Guard held their Winter Showcase; he recommends watching the video for 20 carols in 2 minutes.
 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Dr. Dyer reported that the first Strategic Plan Steering Committee met this afternoon. He provided an overview of the process. It is based on the Capturing Kids Hearts EXCEL model: Engage in Fall 2019, eXplore in January/February, Communicate ongoing, Empower in February to April, and Launch in May to July. 

Discussion (Visible on Public Minutes):  Dr. Dyer asked for nominations for Chairman of the Board. Carolyn Ingram nominated Dawn Robinson and Peggy Pesterfield seconded. With no further nominations, the Board unanimously elected Dawn Robinson. Mrs. Robinson voiced her appreciation to the Board. 

Dr. Dyer asked for nominations for Vice-Chairman. Tom Cloud nominated Charlie Cogdill. Krista McKay seconded. With no further nominations, the Board unanimously elected Charlie Cogdill. 

Dr. Dyer asked for nominations for Chairman Pro-Tem. Dawn Robinson nominated Krista McKay. Peggy Pesterfield seconded. With no further nominations, the Board unanimously elected Krista McKay.



Dawn Robinson adjourned by general consent.