August 15, 2016 at 6:30 PM - GMSD Board Meeting

Discussion:  Chairman Linda Fisher called the meeting to order at 6:43 pm.

Discussion:  Chairman Linda Fisher called for a moment of silence.

Discussion:  Board member Natalie led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Discussion: 

The following two amendments were made to the agenda,

1. Addition of item 7.H Board Communications and Advocacy Plan

2. Addition of item 10.C Resolution to TSBA Delegate Assembly

Discussion:  Assistant Superintendent Dan Haddow welcomed Dr. Meredith Park as the new Director of Academic Advancement for GMSD.

Discussion: 

Board member and TLN Representative Natalie Williams briefed on the updates from the TSBA Legislative and Law Conference, that she attended along with other Board members in Gatlinburg, TN.

She also discussed the following current and upcoming items being discussed in legislation,

1.       Elected Superintendent bill will return

2.       Using ACT test in HS in place of TNReady and EOC exams could be back as legislation

3.       Voucher bill to come back as a pilot program for Shelby County only

4.       Physical Activity bill may be modified so that PE time can be included in physical activity requirement. PC 669

5.       DOE will develop a A-F grading system for LEAs. Measures and formula have not yet been determined. We can offer feedback. Some indicators which have been discussed are TNReady and EOC scores, TVAAS data or other student growth measures.

6.       Teacher and School Leader evaluation instruments. Should we advocate again to waive scores?

7.       PC 1020 BEP funding. CDF is at 25%. Should we advocate to keep it at that level with additional state funding?

Board Vice-Chair Lisa Parker briefed to the Board the TSBA update on PC 499 regarding the state requirement of taking the Civics test for graduation, but not required to pass the test.

 

Discussion: 

Chairman Linda Fisher gave the Chairman's Report as follows,

"Ms. Parker and Ms. Williams, our attorney, Debra Owens and myself attended the TN School Board Association Summer Law Institute in Gatlinburg. An overview of the bills passed in the 109^th General Assembly, special education update. Student speech, legal realities of transgender students, access to facilities and educator licenses were a few of the topics presented to over 400 school board members.

The calendar for selection for the vacancy for Position 2 by the alderman is,

August 15 - Applications to City of Germantown

August 24 - Alderman to meet to determine finalists

September 7 - Board conducts interviews with top candidates

September 12 - Board selects Board of Education replacement

September 19 - Position 2 is sworn in to office

Thank you to superintendent, district staff, principals, teachers, and parents who all worked together to open our doors for the third year. It was a great show of community.

Also, thank you to our football coaches and players, who came to our schools on the first day to welcome students back. Thanks to Coach Will Hudgens for organizing."

 

Discussion: 

Superintendent Manuel presented the Student enrollment report and the data below,

In K-5 grade band in elementary school level,

-there is an increase of 117 students from 2015-16 to 2016-17 school year

- there is an increase of 544 students in the past three years

In Middle school band level,

-there is an increase of 88 students from 2015-16 to 2016-17 school year

- there is an increase of 271 students in the past three years

He said that there are 500 students over the maximum capacity at the elementary level, which has led to the need of modular classrooms at Farmington and Dogwood elementary schools.

Discussion: 

Chief of Operations Josh Cathey gave updates on the following completed summer projects as well as the ongoing capital improvement projects,

- Houston High -  Choir Room, Cafeteria, Auditorium, Paving, Sidewalk additions, New Scoreboard

- Farmington Elementary - New Exterior Lights, Modular Classrooms

- Dogwood Elementary - Modular Classrooms, Rooftop Units, Energy Management systems, Pre-School Playground

- Riverdale School - New Addition

Discussion:  Chauncey Bland, Director of Student Services, presented to the Board the 2015-16 GMSD Bullying Report, as required by GMSD Policy SP 6.304. He gave the data that the total number of bullying cases reported in the 15-16 school year was 18, out of which 8 were founded and 10 were not found.

Discussion: 

Kevin Jones, Chief Financial Officer, presented the financial reports with the Balance sheet, Revenue and Expense statement for period ending 7.31.16

Discussion:  Superintendent Manuel said " Looking at the enrollment numbers and huge jump in the kindergarten numbers, the increased number of Teachers,  we are seeing a dramatic growth in the student population in Germantown. The partnerships between all stakeholders in the City of Germantown is seen at various levels in our school system, like Parents and Administrators making a team to tackle the traffic situation at the construction going on at Riverdale school and like the PTA parents and teachers making a team to move into the new modular classrooms at Farmington and Dogwood Schools. Good things are happening in Germantown."

Discussion:  Kate Crowder, GMSD Communications specialist, presented to the Board "The School Board Communication and Advocacy Plan". She said that this plan was developed to be in alignment with the GMSD Strategic Plan Vision Objectives for Community engagement as a school board.

Discussion:  There were no citizens to be heard at this time.

Discussion: 

Board member Ken Hoover requested an update on 1:1 blended learning in the next board meeting.

Chairman Linda Fisher clarified that the Board Annual Agenda, includes the Classroom visit of the 1:1 initiative in the month of October.

Discussion: 

Chairman Linda Fisher announced the following,

- Thursday August 25 - BMA and GBOE Retreat at the GMSD office from 6-8 pm

- Friday August 19 - First football game with the new Jumbotron scoreboard at Houston High School

- Monday September 19 - GMSD Board Meeting and work session at the City council chambers

Discussion: 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 pm.