February 20, 2018 at 6:30 PM - GMSD Board Meeting

Chairman Betsy Landers requested the audience to join in a moment of silence in honor and memory of the victims and their families in Parkland, Florida  School Shooting Tragedy with deep sympathy, thoughts and prayers.

HHS Silver Team

2nd in National JV Non-tumbling Division

World Champions

Ashlyn Bialowitz

Sydney Caldwell

Morgan Davis

Kaitlyn Dozier

Paige Foster

Ashton Gary

Caroline Grisanti

Catie Grusin

Maddie Heinz

Audrey Hill

Abbie Lamberth

Olivia Litvin

Gracie Makinster

Sophie Nipp

Jordan Oxendine

Jaidah Phillips

Elizabeth Reents

Kendyl Sorin

Lauren Swiger

Katlyn Williamson

Josie Woody

Katie Upton

Addie Williams

Teacher: Melissa Gray

Coach: Chris Crabtree

Houston High School Black Team

Super Varsity National Champions

World Champions 

Gracie Allen

Allie Bates

Lauren Burke

Keagan Chalifoux

Carsyn Childress

Michala Hartzell

Delaney Hayes

Mayci Jobes

Caroline Jones

Kennedy Kuhn

Brooke Lawson

Liza Lesley

Madeline Lewis

Malena Long

Neely Makinster

Taylor Mills

Abby Mullahey

Addi Newby

Emma Nicell

Joslyn Primicias

Abbi Grace Rogers

Olivia Scaramastro

Madeline Sells

Hattie Williamson

Cayla Yancy

Teacher: Melissa Gray

Coach: Chris Crabtree

Chairman Betsy Landers announced a break from 6:41 pm until 6:56 pm to enable the recognized members to take pictures with the Board and the Superintendent

·      Our Board and the Superintendent attended the TSBA – Day on the Hill on February 12^th and 13^th.  It was a great trip and we were able to attend 3 committee meetings and meet with 6 of our Legislators.  As we only get about 15 minutes with each Legislator, we focused on discussion on several key bills/resolution. 

o   SB2610/HB2474 (Gresham/Moody) - As introduced, extends eligibility for an individualized education account to any student with an individualized education program (IEP).  This bill would apply to all "Gifted" students as defined which is about 40% of our student population.  We believe this bill brings us back to the slippery slope of vouchers.  Having spoken to Rep. Mark White who serves on one of the House Education Committees, it does not appear that this bill will gain traction in the House. 

o   SB2196/HB2272 (Pitts/Swann) - As introduced, requires LEAs to employ one licensed social worker in each school that conducts classes in any grade from kindergarten through grade 12.  We support this bill as long as it is fully funded and not passed as an unfunded mandate or partially funded (as RTI was). 

o   Senate Resolution 0593 (Haile) - directs the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations to study the overall effects on public education relative to having multiple school districts operating in the same county.  We are concerned with the direct of this resolution and the amount of work and money which could be involved in a Direct Study which would investigate an operating procedure which is effectively working not only within our state, but across the nation as well.  

·      The Department of Education has reconvened its Task Force on TNReady.  They added Rep. Mark White as a member.  They met for the first time on December 11^th and had their second meeting on Friday, January 19^th.  I will be attending their 3^rd meeting in Nashville on February 26^th.  Based on discussions with Rep. White during our Day on the Hill, the task force is focusing on ways to reduce the time and amount of tests for our students.

·      The Tennessee Board of Education added 2 new members from Shelby County late last year.  The Superintendent and I will be meeting with them in the next several weeks to understand their role and how we might connect so that the Local School Board voices are brought to the Board of Education meetings and so that we can better understand any potential policy changes. 

·      Attended with Education Work Group for the city of Germantown – 2/1

-   The group is comprised of City department representatives and the GMSD Cabinet

·      Attended the Education Commission’s annual Battle of the Brains – 2/3

-   It was a terrific day!  We had seven (7) teams competing, with the winning team coming from Houston High.  The projects these students entered were amazing – we are very blessed to have such amazing talent in our schools.

·      Participated in GMSD Community Tour Day – 2/7

-   Again, an amazing day to show off our award-winning school system.  Participants included prospective students and their families, as well as interested community members. 

·      Met with the Superintendent, Mayor Palazzolo and City Administrator, Patrick Lawton – 2/8

-   To discuss the district’s upcoming year and associated projects.

·      Took part in the Leadership Germantown’s Class of 2018 Education Panel – 2/7

-   This has become an annual opportunity to speak with the newest Leadership Class about the school system, the great things we are accomplishing and our future projects.   Our thanks to Alderman Mary Anne Gibson for arranging this opportunity for the Superintendent and the entire Board.

·      Participated in Tennessee School Boards Association’s Day on the Hill in Nashville – 2/12-213

-   Ms. Jones, as our TLN chair will cover this in detail.  It was a wonderful day and a great opportunity to advocate for our teachers and students.

·      Spent Valentine’s Day at Dogwood Elementary – 2/14

-   Had the chance to read to Mrs. Dancy’s classroom – one of my tour guides was Ms. Parker’s granddaughter, Adison. Toured the school and had the opportunity to meet many of the amazing teachers at Dogwood.  Enjoyed a luncheon with Principal Price, a several of the staff , PTO leaders, and most importantly, four terrific students from the 4^th and 5^th grades. 

REPORT TOTAL ASSETS AND TOTAL LIAB AND FUND BAL

SCHOOL OPERATING FUND

Property tax revenue collections totaled $2.8 million for the month.  This represents 18% of the total budgeted.  The majority of property tax revenues is received during the months of January, February, and March.  $2 million in cash was transferred to the Local Government Investment Pool for investing.

CAFETERIA FUND

ARAMARK reports a $105K profit y-t-d.

OPEB TRUST

The District’s annual OPEB contribution of $735K was made during the month as determined by our actuary.

Superintendent Jason Manuel briefed on the following;

• All State required drills being conducted at the schools to be in compliance (from Letter sent to parents from Superintendent & Board Chair)
• To have more balanced drills for school shooting events (since more number of kids lost in school shooting compared to last school fire in 1950s)
• With City partnership, SROs in each school and Lt. Schiel at the District overseeing all SROs stationed in each schools
• Safety precautions and how to be proactive and improve the process further being discussed with the Principals
• Procedures currently in place:

• District emergency preparedness plan
• Individual School emergency preparedness plan
• Front desk check point in each school with Raptor system for background check
• Security alarm
• District wide communication radio system
• Cameras in all schools
• Anonymous Alert system – sends messages instantly to Superintendent and Cabinet cell phones
• Email monitoring system to filter unusual messages

• Will work with Administrators to find out how to improve the process during a transition or class parties where a group of visitors are dealt with
• Will work with Lt. Schiel on increasing preparedness and will communicate to parent in the next few months regarding how they can be trained to deal with kids on the home front

The following citizen voiced concerns on School safety issues after the recent shooting tragedy in Parkland, Florida,

Natalie Williams - 8049 Neshoba Road, Germantown TN 38138

Chairman Betsy Landers announced the following;

Houston High Theater Performance shows opens this friday 7 pm

March 1 - Work session to discuss CIP

March 12 - 16 - Spring Break for GMSD Schools

March 19 - Next Board work session and Business Meeting