October 20, 2022 at 6:00 PM - Bedford County Board of Education

Mr. Cook recognized the members of Leadership Bedford who were in attendance.

Ms. Garrette shared a brief report on some of the highlights of the Good News Report.  She gave a special thanks to our Shelbyville Bedford Community Foundation, WLIJ and WZNG radio stations and the Times-Gazette for supporting our Unity Day efforts and also National Bullying Prevention Month.  Also, thanks to the Shelbyville Bedford Partnership for their support in creating our second annual Workforce Development Summit for our middle and high school teachers.
Ms. Garrette also said that the Tennessee Department of Education is recognizing Best for All school districts across the state.  Bedford County Schools will be celebrated as a Best for All District on TDOE’s social media pages the week of October 31, 2022.
Mr. Cook said the radio ads were fantastic.  He expressed, "It’s great to see our students with the courage to get out and promote the anti-bullying message."   Glenn Forsee talked about how much the community is involved and engaged in supporting our school system.  He said, "It’s monumental."

Students from Shelbyville Central High School, along with their sponsor Ms. Kelly Kingree, gave a presentation on Renaissance.  The students spoke about how Renaissance has made a positive change to the culture at SCHS and about their experience at the conference they attended.  They thanked Cooper Steel for supporting and being a partner this year.  Ms. Kingree said, "Renaissance is about celebrating all of the kids in your school.  It’s about the little things and the big things."  Barton Williams suggested that they start a mentor program at SCHS.  One of the students said they are starting the program and she is one of the mentors.  Mr. Williams said, "That will be a great asset."  The students who presented were sophomores Krisha Patel, Vanessa Torres and Caden Duggin.  Juniors were Victor Smith Rogel and Gracie Herrod.  And Edith Vasquez Diaz was the senior in the group.

Teri Parks read a letter to the board members concerning BCEA and the petition regarding collaborative conferencing.  Dr. Andrea Anderson brought up about the Special Question Committee.  Dr. Anderson and Courtney Bogle volunteered to be on the committee. 

Dr. Kim Germany and Mr. Tim Harwell gave a presentation on Third Grade Retention law.  Dr. Germany stated, "The whole premise of the law is to make sure that our children are leaving third grade on level and that we have closed all of the learning loss gaps due to the pandemic."  Children that leave third grade on level are more likely to graduate high school, enter and complete post-secondary programs, and remain gainfully employed later in life.  Those that are not on level are more likely to drop out of high school, have higher rates of poverty, to not have the best medical care, etc.  Mr. Harwell explained the required interventions, that is, Summer Bridge Camp and Tutoring.  He went over the decisions that the district needs to make and the timeline for the requirements.  Brian Crews asked, "Does this apply to our current third grade students?"  Mr. Harwell answered "Yes."  There was much discussion on the percentage of students that would need intervention and potential problems with staffing and timing of the summer program.  Shanna Boyette asked, "The TN All Corps, is that coming out of the state budget, that’s not local?"  Dr. Garrett explained that it is a state grant that we have applied for and received.

Four delegates are needed for the TSBA Convention.  Courtney Bogle, Shanna Boyette, Barton Williams and Andrea Anderson volunteered to be delegates.  Dan Reed and David Brown were appointed as alternates.

Dr. Garrett said that we would like for the board to approve giving the executive committee the ability to recommend a vendor when the bid closes on October 26, 2022.  That would keep it from being delayed until the November board meeting.

Dr. Garrett stated that the General Assembly passed a law that we have to do Remote Learning Drills and that each school would have to document that.

Dr. Garrett explained the changes made to the policy.  Robert Daniel also explained why there were deletions to the policy and that parts of it is covered by the state and covered in the school system insurance policy.

Dr. Garrett said that we got $90,000 with no matching funds for the Resilient School Communities Grant. We will be able to do social and emotional learning curriculum and more mental health and behavior support.

Robert Daniel explained the report. 

Robert Daniel said the numbers are the same as the monthly report because they are for the first three months of the fiscal year. 

Robert Daniel explained the Tax Analysis report.  He said we are ahead on sales tax as far as this time last year.  Glenn Forsee asked about an audit.  Mr. Daniel said he does not have a final audit as yet.

Terise Rhodes reports that the enrollment numbers are up.  Dr. Garrett said there are students working on more audio and video about attendance.    

Surplus property declared for the Community High School, Technology, Cascade Elementary and Central Office.
Mr. Cook gave the dates for the annual convention, November 10 -13, 2022.  The next board meeting will be November 17, 2022.  Trying to put together a date for a strategic planning session.  Looking at January 5, 2023, he asked for the board members to let Dr. Garrett know if that date will work for them.

Dr. Garrett extended condolences to the Johnnie Davis family.  He was a maintenance tech for the school system.  She expressed how proud she was of the staff and teachers coming together for Unity Day.  She said next board meeting will be at Thomas Magnet and we will be recognizing the Level 5 teachers.  She recognized Ryan Womack.  He has been nominated as the president of the Middle Tennessee Technology Group for the upcoming year.  This will also give him a spot on the State Technology Board.      

Glenn Forsee moved to adjourn the meeting at approximately 7:13 pm.