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1. Call to Order
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
Chairman Eoff called the meeting to order at 6:04 pm.
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2. Moment of Silence
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
Chairman Amy Eoff called for a moment of silence.
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3. Pledge of Allegiance
Discussion:
Board Member Angela Griffith led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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4. Approval of Agenda
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion passed: I move to approve the agenda,, passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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5. Recognition and Awards
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Rationale:
Student Recognitions:
This month, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the names of its Semifinalists in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program including eight of HHS’ Seniors: Sophia Cheng Daniel Gottschalk Hamin Jin Hari Rajadurai Robert Randall Darsh Shah Ashley Yan Susan Zhang These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be offered next spring. The nationwide pool of applicants is about 1.5 million, and the Semifinalists represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. Additionally, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation has identified 34,000 high performers who scored remarkably on the PSAT as Commended Students. Aslam, Suha Baymiller, Matthew Canter, Owen Chheda, Anjali Eoff, Adam Hamlett, Jefferson Osman, Azah Parikh, Megha Reed, Gavyn Reynolds, Chancellor Uh, Daniel These top scholars deserve recognition for their academic excellence as well also wish to congratulate their teachers for the important work they do with our students each day. We are also recognizing Emma Grace Benzing this evening. As you know, she was selected as the Delta Region’s Student Excellence Award recipient by the Tennessee School Board Association this month. Due to pandemic restrictions, that in-person meeting was moved to a virtual setting, so our board wanted to take a moment to recognize Ms. Benzing in person. She was chosen for her commitment to servant leadership and representing student voice, as she served on many district level committees last year. Staff Recognitions: Our staff recognitions are the first of their kind. Each month, we’ll be recognizing Employees that Empower--teachers that are working to further the goal of creating student to student connections inside and outside the classroom. This month, two teachers from Houston Middle School began a new program that helps 8th grade students both express themselves as individuals and their belonging to the 8th grade class at HMS. They began a rock garden in which each student is invited to paint and place a rock. They hope it will become an HMS tradition, with each class adding their rocks to the garden each year. We want to thank Andrea Starks and Devon Pohlman for starting the new tradition as this month’s Employees that Empower. |
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6. REPORTS
Speaker(s):
Chairman
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6.A. TLN Update (Tennessee Legislature)
Speaker(s):
Ryan Strain
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Board member and TLN Representative Ryan Strain presented the TLN Report as follows,
Germantown Board of Education - TLN Report Despite some additional requests from state legislators for a special legislative session to address the Shelby County Health Department’s authority and federal measures directed at COVID-19, the Tennessee legislature has remained in recess. Last week, Governor Bill Lee’s administration reported improvements in reading and math for students who attended last summer’s summer learning camps. Based on 10-question tests administered at the start of the six-week camps and then again at the end, the Governor’s administration reported an overall improvement of nearly 6 percentage points in English language arts and more than 10 percentage points in math. The camps required six hours of daily instruction in reading and math five days a week. Tennessee’s Basic Education Program (or BEP) Review Committee is urging Governor Lee to allocate more funding for school nurses and counselors next year. According to the Committee, an annual investment of about $110 million is needed for Tennessee to attain nationally recommended ratios of nurses and counselors in public schools. Currently, Tennessee funds 1 nurse for every 3,000 students, 1 counselor for every 500 elementary school students, and 1 counselor for every 350 students in grades 7 through 12. The additional funding would improve those ratios to 1 nurse for every 750 students and 1 counselor for every 250 students. The BEP Committee also urged additional funding for teacher compensation, technology, and hiring more specialists for the state’s instructional intervention program. In notable state and local news, Superintendent Manuel has been selected by his fellow Tennessee superintendents to represent all Tennessee public school districts on a Tennessee Department of Education committee reviewing Annual Measurable Objectives (or AMOs). AMOs are requirements the Department sets for each school and district to incrementally reduce the number of students who are not testing "On Track" or "Mastered" on state standardized testing. In federal news, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (or OCR) opened directed investigations in five states, including Tennessee, exploring whether statewide prohibitions on universal indoor masking discriminate against students with disabilities who are at heightened risk for severe illness from COVID-19 by preventing them from safely accessing in-person education. OCR is concerned that state mask restrictions on schools and school districts may be preventing schools from meeting their legal obligations not to discriminate based on disability and from providing an equal educational opportunity to students with disabilities who are at heightened risk of severe illness from COVID-19. OCR will begin collecting data from each state educational agency as part of the directed investigations over the coming weeks. Opening a directed investigation does not imply that OCR has decided there has been a violation of a law that OCR enforces. In legal news, 20 states, including Tennessee, have filed suit over the Biden administration’s interpretation of Title IX protections as applied to LGBT students. Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Knoxville, asking for a number of declarations regarding Title IX, including that the law does not prohibit schools and from having showers, locker rooms, and bathrooms separated by "biological sex"; that the law does not require school employees or students to use a transgender person’s preferred pronouns; and that the law does not prohibit having school sports teams separated by "biological sex." The education policy carries the possibility of federal sanctions. Additionally, U.S. district courts in Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville have issued Orders requiring students and school employees to wear masks and/or preventing opt-outs from mask requirements. Two of the Orders, including the Order issued by the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, will remain in place during the pendency of lawsuits alleging prohibitions on universal indoor masking discriminate against students with disabilities who are at heightened risk for severe illness from COVID-19. The Tennessee Attorney General has filed appeals of those two Orders, stating the rulings "have impeded the governor’s executive authority during an emergency to direct the state’s public health response." Governor Lee has not decided whether he will renew his mask opt-out executive order, which expires October 5. Finally, on Sunday, local state senator Katrina Robinson was acquitted of 15 of 20 charges she was facing in a federal theft, wire fraud, and embezzlement trial that began September 13. Senator Robinson’s defense of the remaining 5 charges began today. |
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6.B. Chairman's Report
Speaker(s):
Amy Eoff
Discussion:
Chairman Amy Eoff presented the Chairman’s Report as follows,
Mr. Strain reports he attended the Houston High Field House donor appreciation event, Dogwood PTO meeting, and the TSBA Fall District Meeting Webinar. Ms. Landers reports she participated in TSBA "Legal Lunch" Webinar, Topic: Students and the First Amendment, and orientation for the new Student Board Representative, and attended the Houston High Field House donor appreciation event and the TSBA Fall District Meeting where she was awarded TSBA School Board Academy, Level 3. Mr. Curry reports he participated in TSBA "Legal Lunch" Webinar, Topic: Students and the First Amendment, and orientation for the new Student Board Representative, and attended the Houston High Field House donor appreciation event, the TSBA Fall District Meeting, and multiple HMS and elementary cross-country competitions. Ms. Griffith reports she visited Mr. Murray’s Classroom at HMS to observe the application of grammar and logic to a Constitutional Civics based lesson in Japanese culture, and presented at Dogwood’s September PTO Meeting. She also attended the HHS Football Field House Donor Appreciation Event, the Germantown Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, several HHS and HMS Football games including Homecoming (Go Mustangs!), orientation for the new Student Board Representative, and the TSBA Fall District Meeting where she was awarded the TSBA School Board Academy, Level 2. Ms. Eoff reports she participated in orientation for the new Student Board Representative, and attended the Houston High Field House donor appreciation event, several HHS football games, and the TSBA Fall District Meeting where she was awarded TSBA School Board Academy, Level 3. Believe it or not, we are approaching the end of the first 9 weeks of school. So far, we have seen our students working hard and enjoying being together again. We have seen our teachers work to engage and grow our students creatively while dealing with the in and out nature of illness and exposures. We have seen our administrators be more flexible than should be reasonably expected with changing requirements outside of district control. We have seen our nurses and district staff work exceedingly long hours and weekends to do more than is necessary to keep our students and faculty safe and keep our school doors open. To all of you from this board, thank you. We know how much you are doing, above and beyond, and we know that, like us, your focus continues to be student-centered. Thank you. Last week, our neighbor city, Collierville, experienced an unimaginable tragedy bringing home the realization that nowhere is immune from violence. Please take time in the coming days to speak love into the lives of the people around you. To our Collierville neighbors, we love you, we are praying for you, we stand with you. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. This board recognizes the importance of mental wellness in educational and lifelong success for our students and staff. Our emphasis in our strategic plan regarding serving the whole child and social emotional learning is intentional and purposeful. Our students learn best when they are safe, secure, and well. GMSD will be implementing district wide a new social-emotional learning curriculum called Character Strong. This curriculum will work alongside Olweus Anti-Bullying Program. Besides the educational component, I would like every student, teacher, staff member, administrator, district employee, superintendent, and board member to know this... I love every one of you. You are loved. You are enough. If you need help or know of someone who does, please reach out to any of our school counselors or another trusted adult, Anonymous Alerts, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255. |
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6.C. Financial Report
Speaker(s):
Kevin Jones
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Chief Financial Officer Kevin Jones presented the Financial Report as follows,
Total Assets, Liabilities, and Fund Balances on the Balance Sheet as of 6.30.2021 HEALTH INSURANCE FUND There were $1.4 million dollars in medical and pharmacy claims for the month. We expect a significant reimbursement from our stop loss insurance carrier for claims in excess of $115,000. OPEB TRUST FUND Year-to-date realized and unrealized gains on investments totaled $99K |
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6.D. Superintendent's Report
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Discussion:
Superintendent Jason Manuel presented his Superintendent's Report with the following Highlights in his PowerPoint presentation,
BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN
GERMANTOWN ONLINE ACADEMY OF LEARNING - GOAL The above presentation can be found at our GMSD website link https://www.gmsdk12.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2177271&type=d&pREC_ID=2181786 |
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7. Citizens to be heard
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
The following Citizen voiced their opinion on CRT and Covid Protocols,
Carle. C. Kalsi, |
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8. CONSENT AGENDA
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion passed: I move to approve all the items in the Consent Agenda,, passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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8.A. Approval of the Minutes
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Rationale:
Minutes from 8.24.21 Board Business Meeting
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8.B. Review / Revision of Policies - First Reading
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Rationale:
9.22.21 RATIONALE FOR REVISION OF POLICIES
Revisions are recommended for the following policies First Reading 9.28.21 / Second Reading 10.26.21 * Policies are uploaded in BOE Connect in Numerical Order Department of Student Services SP 6.200 Attendance and Truancy - Moved responsibility language regarding driver’s licenses and permits to attendance supervisor; added statutory language regarding excused absences; added statutory language regarding absences for non-school sponsored extracurricular activities; added language regarding postsecondary school visits in order to provide easier reference and language regarding travel; added statutory language regarding military absences; removed language regarding "pregnant students" because it is now included in homebound policy; added statutory notice requirement. SP 6.2001 Attendance During Postsecondary Visits - Repealed this policy and folded this policy into 6.200 for ease of use by families and added more language surrounding travel. SP 6.311 Care of School Property - Changed from "Director of Schools" to "Superintendent" to be consistent. SP 6.313 Discipline Policy - Adds new mass violence language and hacking and cyberattacking to discipline policy; adds notice language to provide due process to students. Title changed from "Discipline Procedures" to "Discipline Policy" SP 6.314 Corporal Punishment - Strikes language that became obsolete when latest discipline policy was drafted, which provides for alternative disciplinary practices. SP 6.318 Admission of Suspended or Expelled Students - Added statutory language regarding students admitted from other school districts that have been suspended or expelled. SP 6.4001 Students Surveys, Analyses and Evaluations - Removed unnecessary procedure language in that procedure is set forth in policy. SP 6.402 Physical Examinations and Immunizations - Added statutory language regarding homeless students. SP 6.404 HIV / AIDS (Students) - Added statutory language in order to correct confusion between AIDS discrimination not just HIV as it relates to students; deleted infection control language in that the district provides protocols for infection control. SP 6.405 Administering Medicines to Students - Corrected typo which referenced policy as a procedure; expanded language to include statutory language pertaining to students with pancreatic insufficiency or cystic fibrosis; added statutory language permitting the use of asthma inhalers. SP 6.409 Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse - Corrected typo correcting "or" to "and", removed procedure provision because all is explained in policy. SP 6.411 Student Wellness - Frequency of legislative changes has caused footnotes to oftentimes be inaccurate and require re-ordering of numbers, which causes confusion. Moving forward we will be transitioning away from footnote numbering; changed from "director of schools" to "superintendent" to be consistent with GMSD reference. SP 6.413 Concussion - Added statutory language regarding annual completion of concussion training for employed and volunteer coaches. School Board Operations 1.404 - Appearances Before the Board - Amended policy to be in conformance with new legal precedent; both counsels have reviewed and approved. Department of Teaching, Learning and Assessment 4.203 - Advanced College Placement - Repealed this policy because it is subsumed into 4.203.1 4.203.1 - Enrollment in Advanced and College Level Courses - This policy was overhauled as a result of new statutory requirements. 4.404 - Use of Copyrighted Materials - 4.404- Added language to clarify employee responsibility in regard to copyright infringement, based upon recent claims by copyright owners; removed language regarding "regulations" and "practices" in that the law is clear and does not require further regulations, and because all employees have now received in-service training regarding copyright infringement. 4.700 - Testing Programs - Page 3/Line 1 - 7th OR 8th Graders added Department of Human Resources 5.401 - HIV / AIDS (Employees) - This policy was changed to be consistent with the language changes regarding clarifications pertaining to AIDS and HIV that were made in the Policy 6.404 HIV / AIDS (Students). This policy 5.401 pertains to employees. Title changed to be consistent with the Student Policy 6.404
Attachments:
()
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8.C. Miscellaneous FY 2021-22 Budget Amendments
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Rationale:
Miscellaneous FY 2021-22 Budget Amendment # 10,11,12
Attachments:
()
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9. BOARD ACTION ITEMS
Speaker(s):
Chairman
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9.A. Approval of LEA Health and Safety Plan
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion passed: I move to approve the current LEA Health and Safety Plan, passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Rationale:
Board Approval is a requirement to Complete ESSER Approval from the State.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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9.B. Approval of ESSER Spending Plan
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion passed: I move to approve the current ESSER Spending Plan, passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Rationale:
Board Approval is a requirement to Complete ESSER Approval from the State.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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10. Announcements
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
Chairman Amy Eoff made the following announcements,
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11. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
The meeting was adjourned with consensus at 6:45 pm.
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