April 19, 2022 at 5:30 PM - Bedford County Board of Education

Discussion:  Chairman Michael Cook called the meeting to order, followed by a moment of silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance lead by Avarie Davis and Karley Kae Roberts who are students at Cascade Elementary School.

Discussion:  - Carol Garrette

Discussion:  Pat Welsh, South Central District Director and board member of the Tullahoma Board of Education, presented the board with the Board of Distinction plaque.   He explained that all boards across the state are evaluated in four ways, planning, policy, promotion, and board development.  He stated that not all systems will get this award this year.

Discussion:  The Eakin Drama Group sang two songs from their play 101 Dalmations that took place in April at Eakin Elementary School.

Discussion:  Diane Neeley spoke about this year’s SCOPE conference that she and Tim Harwell attended with six students from our school system in March.  Ms. Neeley talked about the different events that they and the students participated in such as a mock school board meeting, group discussions and debates.  Ms. Neeley gave the names of the students that attended, Naveah Buchanan, Carlie Belle Barber, Olivia Gabhart,  Ryan Waterson, Blake Olive and Lilly McCollum.  Carlie Belle Barber and Ryan Waterson came to the board meeting and spoke about their experience at the conference.  Mr. Harwell presented both Carlie and Ryan with their SCOPE certificate. 

Discussion:  Charlie Pope spoke on the United States Marine Corps Educator Workshop that he attended.  Mr. Pope said there were 254 applicants and only 46 were chosen, 12 from the state of Tennessee.  He showed a brief video and then spoke about what the workshop meant, what he and the other educators experienced and how it is intended to help educators understand what happens when recruits go to basic training so they can better inform the students.

Discussion:  Mr. Cook asked if there were matching funds.  Dr. Garrett said there are no matching funds.

Discussion:  Dr. Garrett explained that this was applied for by Ryan Womack and it provided two million dollars for laptops to our school system.  This will get the system one to one with computers.  There was some confusion about fund versus grant so the auditors said it needed board approval.

Discussion:  The funds came from fundraisers and an anonymous donation of $10,000.00.  Mr. Gilliland, SCHS Band Director, sent a memo requesting to approve the bid.  This bid came closest to meeting the needs and specifications of the marching band.

Discussion:   Daniel Kleindienst explained that they received no bids for carpet.  Going to look for other options, state bids and possibly piggy backing off another county. 
Glenn Forsee asked if we would by materials and provide the labor.  Mr. Kleindienst explained that we needed to let installers do the work for warranty purposes.  Mr. Cook asked about advertising for bids. Robert Daniel explained that it went out in newspaper, website and bid was sent to bidders/vendors they have on file.  Dan Reed asked if we were laying carpet in some areas at schools.  Mr. Kleindienst said carpet was being put down in some administrative areas but not in classrooms. 

Discussion:  Three bids were received.  Mr. Kleindienst is recommending the bid from Professional Roofing in Shelbyville.  The bid comes with an upgrade and was still the lowest bid. 

Discussion:  Only one bid was received.  Mr. Kleindienst recommends to reject this bid.

Discussion:   Only one bidder.  Mr. Kleindienst is going to work with the architect to take some things out of the bid that is not needed.  Mr. Kleindienst recommends to reject the bid.
Glenn Forsee asked with it being at the end of the school year if that was a factor.  Mr. Kleindienst said that if they had to turn off the fire alarm to install new equipment they would have a fire watch and that is acceptable with the fire martial.  

Discussion:  Dr. Garrett explained that the change was to match the model policy.

Discussion:  Dr. Garrett stated that this one needed the date changed since the state had change it from August 31 to August 15.

Discussion:  These changes will get us in compliance and matching the model policy.

Discussion:  Changes to get us in compliance.

Discussion:  This policy is mostly an administrative directive and the changes will get us in compliance.

Discussion:  The changes will match the model policy and we will be in compliance.

Discussion:  Getting in compliance with current laws and make sure we match the model policy.

Discussion:  Getting a couple of words cleaned up and adding ‘bus stop’ so that if this happens at a bus stop they would be able to receive punishment for harassing or bullying at the bus stop.

Discussion:  This one is a complete re-write.  Will now be up-to-date with what is going on in society at this point and in our schools and will now be in compliance.

Discussion:  Dr. Garrett stated "with our addition of one-to-one computers we would like to suggest the changes that you see in the bottom paragraph.  If a student does not return the equipment the parent would meet with the Director of Schools and we would work out a payment plan in order to make things right again.  We have so many computers out and so we want to make sure that we strengthen this policy." 
 John Boutwell asked "would the parent be advised of the policy prior to receiving the computer" and Dr. Garrett answered "yes, they have to sign off on the agreement".  David Brown asked "how many computers come up missing in any given year"?  Ryan Womack said they are doing inventory cleanup at this time so he doesn’t have an exact number.

Discussion:  Dr. Garrett stated that during the town hall meetings that one of the things heard from many parents was they did not feel that schools were consistent with the dress code.  "We will be very clear with principals and teachers and parents want us to be consistent" Dr. Garrett said.  "So that is our expectation that if we streamlined this, you guys approve this, it is a little more lenient but we expect people to follow it.  I make that commitment to you that we will follow the policy.  And I make that commitment to parents because that’s what I heard from parents and I appreciate the feedback that they gave me." 
Mr. Cook asked "When will this go into effect?"  Dr. Garrett responded "next school year".   Glenn Forsee asked "How many forms of communication will a parent receive about this?"  Dr. Garrett stated that she could do an all-call, email, social media, we can do a letter home, teachers could talk about it in their open house, and any kind of meetings they’re having to prepare for next year.  Dan Reed commented "The only thing nervous thing I see here is where do we draw the line between a not heavy coat and a heavy coat?"  Tim Harwell stated "there is going to be some interpretation there.  I think that separation from what a hoody or a light jacket is that next level is what we would consider a heavy jacket.  A parka, any of those type of jackets." "The biggest thing is something they could conceal something in and could be cumbersome during the school year in the hallways we would ask them to keep that in their locker until the end of the school day" Mr. Harwell explained.

Discussion:  Robert Daniel reports that property tax collections are down, $54,000 less than same time last year.   Sales tax collections are up $22,990 for the same time last year. 

Discussion:  The retreat will be the 29^th and 30^th at Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro.  Will begin at 6:00 pm.  Next school board meeting May 17^th at Harris Middle School.

Discussion:  Tim Harwell reported on High School Graduation.  Projected graduation rate for Cascade High School is 98%, Community High School is 91.8% and Shelbyville Central High School’s rate is 87%. 
Community High School’s graduation is scheduled for May 13^th at 7 pm on their football field.
Cascade High School’s graduation is scheduled for May 14^th at 10 am on their football field.
Shelbyville Central High School’s graduation is scheduled for May 14^th at 7 pm on their football field.
 

Discussion:  Community High School Addition ground breaking will be June 21^st 5:00 pm.  Rachel Porter, Pre-K through 4^th grade teacher, has reached the semi-finals for the Teacher of the Year.  Chad Fletcher, Federal Projects Supervisor, has reached the semi-finals for the Supervisor of the Year.  Plans for the addition to Community High School were on display for everyone to look at.

Discussion:  Glenn Forsee moved to adjourn the meeting at approximately 6:30.