June 17, 2019 at 6:30 PM - GMSD Board Meeting

Each year the Tennessee School Boards Association recognizes students from across the state who have distinguished themselves in academics, community and service activities and leadership roles and activities.

Superintendents are encouraged to help acknowledge the achievements of  students by nominating a junior.

When I reached out the high school staff, one name came up again and again.  It is my pleasure to introduce the board to our TSBA Student Recognition Award, Major Glenn.

Major is diligent and engaged and is one of Houston High School’s top mathematics students.  With a GPA of 4.67, he was ranked first in his class last year.  He scored a 35 on the ACT, serves as the Beta Club President, the International Club Vice President, competes on our HHS Knowledge Bowl Team, serves on the Junior Classical League Consul and is a drum major for the Houston Band. 

Last summer, Major spent the at Governor’s School for Science and Engineering. 

He also participates in many services activities; including volunteering at his church, where he runs A/V equipment and singing with Alzheimer’s patients at Kirby Pines. 

Congratulations, Major—we are excited to have you representing Germantown Municipal School District in this annual competition.  

• As we anticipated, Governor Lee signed legislation on May 24^th, 2019 allowing for Education Savings Accounts to be given to eligible students in Shelby and Davidson Counties. Less than two weeks later, Speaker of the House Glen Cassada announced his resignation of that post effective August 2^nd
• I will be participating tomorrow in the “2019 Legislative Review” webinar hosted by the Tennessee School Board Association which will be discussing specific education legislation recently passed by the General Assembly
• TSBA’s Annual Summer Law Institute will be held next week in Jackson, TN. I plan to attend along with with Ms. Landers, Ms. Fisher and Ms. Eoff. This training will also cover details of recently passed education legislation along with a review of Tennessee and national school court cases including Attorney General’s Opinions.

The evaluation used this year was the same tool utilized for the 2017-18 school year.  In addition to the Board’s completion of the evaluation, evaluations are completed by members of the District Cabinet, as well as a self-evaluation done by the superintendent, which does not figure into this overall evaluation.

Results are based on weighted averages: Achievement of Board Goals/Strategic Plan comprises 45% of the overall score, the Board Observational Data comprises 35%; and the Cabinet Survey comprises 20% of the overall score. 

The ranking scale is a four point scale with 1 indicating Ineffective, 2 indicating Developing, 3 indicating Effective, and 4 indicating Highly Effective.

Last year, based on the evaluation and scores, Chairman Landers and the Superintendent identified Visibility and Self-improvement (increasing the Superintendent’s professional development opportunities) as areas for growth.  As a result, the Superintendent has calendared regular visits to all schools and has found that time valuable.  The Superintendent has also been present for or participated in many PTO meetings, sporting evenings, art shows, performances, special events, and recognitions.  As a leader among his peers, he serves as chair of the Southwest Core for regional superintendents.  He plans their monthly agendas to reach the Tennessee Department of Education’s strategic goals and plan their professional development.  The Superintendent also serves on the Education Commissioner’s Superintendent Executive Council to help shape education in Tennessee. 

The Chair and the Superintendent agreed that 2019-2020 goals would be established following the Board consideration of focus for the GMSD Strategic Plan.

This year the Superintendent received a rating of 3.8 for achievement of Board Goals related to the Strategic Plan, a 3.54 from Board Observational Data, and 3.91 from the Cabinet Survey resulting in an overall score of 3.73, Highly Effective. 

Thank you to Mr. Manuel for your leadership and commitment to education and to GMSD.

Kevin Jones, Chief Financial Officer reported the Total Assets and Total Liabilities and Fund Balances as of 5.31.19

SCHOOL OPERATING FUND

The final technology loan payment, $296K, was made to the City of Germantown.  A $143K transfer to the City of Germantown was also made for the bond payment on the Riverdale addition.

The target percentages for expenditures are:  administrative or support categories – 92%; instructional categories – 84%.  For total expenditures, we have spent 72% of the total budgeted.

OPEB TRUST FUND

The net of realized gains and unrealized losses on investments totaling $108K was reported by US Bank for the month. 

Superintendent Jason Manuel gave a PowerPoint Presentation on 2019 Summer Facility Updates with the following highlights;

• Houston High School Safety Upgrades
• Houston High School Flood Damage repairs
• Bathroom renovations at Dogwood and Farmington Elementary
• Repainting at Dogwood Elementary
• Window replacement at Riverdale Elementary
• Demolition and removal of old portables at Farmington Elementary
• HVAC replacement and miscellaneous upgrades at Riverdale Elementary
• Construction ongoing at the New Forest Hill Elementary site
• Construction ongoing at the new administrative office building site

The above presentation can be viewed on the District website under the following link:

http://www.gmsdk12.org/BOEReport6179SummerFacilities.aspx

The following Citizen thanked the Board, Superintendent and the District Staff for the clarifications and answers received on the concerns regarding the Cell Tower at Dogwood Elementary,

Carie Alley, 2553 Rooksworth Cove, Germantown TN 38139

Chairman Rebecca Luter made the following announcements;

• Schools Re-open Monday August 12 
• Forest Hill Elementary will make 6 GMSD schools
• Next Board Work Session/ Meeting - To be announced
  
  The Chairman recognized the Board Secretary, Vijaya Subramani for achieving Level III with the title as Certified Board Secretary under the TABS Certification Awards Program