October 26, 2021 at 6:00 PM - GMSD Board Business Meeting

Discussion:  Chairman Amy Eoff called the meeting to order at 6:07 pm.

Discussion:  Chairman Amy Eoff called for a moment of silence.

Discussion:  Board member and TLN Representative Ryan Strian led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Discussion:  Board Member and TLN Representative Ryan Strain presented the TLN Report as follows,
Tomorrow the Tennessee General Assembly will convene for its third special legislative session of the year.  Issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic will be addressed and are expected to include masking in schools, vaccinations, independent health departments, and executive power to implement health mandates.

Additionally, non-COVID-related House Bill 9002 has been filed.  If passed, the bill would allow school board elections to be conducted on a partisan basis.  The Germantown Board of Education opposes House Bill 9002 for several reasons, including the Board’s concern that partisan school board elections will divert the focus of school board elections from education policy to immaterial partisan disputes.

Earlier this month the Tennessee Department of Education announced that it intends to review the Basic Education Program (or BEP), which is the state’s public education funding formula.  The review will include 18 topical subcommittees reporting to a central steering committee of policymakers exploring what is being called a "student-centered investment strategy."  Members of the public may apply to become a subcommittee member through the Department’s website.  The Board encourages strong public education advocates to apply.

Additionally, The Tennessee Department of Education is holding eight regional public town halls addressing the state’s review of the BEP.  Each town hall will take place in-person and will also be livestreamed.  The town hall for the Southwest Region, which includes GMSD, will be held Thursday, October 28, at the National Civil Rights Museum, beginning at 5:30 p.m.  A link to the livestream is available on the Department’s website.  Later in the fall the Department will also provide an opportunity for public comment through a formal survey.

In federal news, nine funding bills including legislation for the Department of Education have been released.  The bills include $98.4 billion in funding for the Department, an increase of $24.9 billion over the 2021 fiscal year.  One bill includes $820 million to increase the number of qualified, well-trained mental health professionals in schools, including school counselors, social workers, psychologists, or other mental health professionals.

Additionally, ahead of the expected authorization of the COVID vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, the Biden administration says the vaccine will be distributed to school-based clinics as well as pediatricians’ offices, pharmacies, and other sites.  The federal government will also launch a program helping school districts start school-based vaccination sites by "matching" districts with vaccine providers.  The Biden administration’s plan, however, does not mention making vaccines mandatory for school attendance.

In legal news, on September 30, 2021, State Senator Katrina Robinson was found guilty on four of five counts of wire fraud related to use of federal grant money.  Sentencing is set for January 5, 2022, though Senator Robinson has filed a motion seeking an acquittal or new trial.  State Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally has called for Senator Robinson to resign her Senate seat, but Senator Robinson has not made a decision on whether to do so.  Senator Robinson still faces federal charges in another case in which she is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.

Additionally, on October 22, 2021, State Senator Brian Kelsey was indicted in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee on federal campaign finance charges arising out of his 2016 run for Tennessee’s 8^th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.
 

Discussion:  Chairman Amy Eoff presented the Chairman's Report as follows,
Mr. Strain reports he attended the GMC PTO Lunch and Learn, Dogwood Family Movie Night, student-directed one-act plays at HHS, Forest Hill Elementary's Charity Basketball Game, Houston vs. Arlington football game, and Haunted Houston.

Ms. Landers reports she met with an alderman, and attended the Germantown Education Commission. She also participated in the GMC PTO Lunch and Learn.O

Mr. Curry reports he attended GMC PTO Lunch and Learn, National Walk to School Day at Riverdale, Forest Hill October PTO meeting, Germantown Chamber of Commerce October luncheon, TSBA October Legal Lunch, subject was board member ethics, Jesse Owens Invitational cross-country race, West Tennessee regional championship cross-country race, and the Tennessee Elementary and Middle School Cross Country Championships in Knoxville

Ms. Griffith reports she met with an alderman, and attended HMS, FHES, and Riverdale PTO Meetings. She also attended HHS Theatre Student Directed One Act Plays, Houston Middle and High School Football Games, SPED Technology Seminar, FHES Charity Basketball Tournament, HMS and RES Basketball Jamboree at Bartlett High, and HMS 10^th Annual Haunted Houston.

Ms. Eoff reports she attended TSBA’s Chairman Workshop, two band competitions in Huntingdon, TN and Paragould, AR, Houston vs. Arlington football game, and student directed one act plays at HHS.

Last week, the school board reviewed the updated Master Facilities Plan for the district.  This 5-year plan is updated annually by committee, provides guidance for future capital needs, and contains a wealth of information. Inside the report, information on the history of the district, enrollment, programs, zoning, facility needs, funding sources, and so much more.  I encourage our families to review this document and see what new facts they learn about our district.

This month, I attended the TSBA Chairman’s Workshop in Nashville.  It was a wonderful session of learning and networking.  Included was time to share our experiences and struggles over the last year or so.  We were able to encourage one another and learn from each other new and better ways to run meetings, lead the board, and build trust. I am thankful for the opportunity to meet with so many excellent chairmen from across our state.  But one thing that became abundantly evident over the workshop is how blessed I am to work alongside the ladies and gentlemen of this Germantown Board of Education.  Not all districts have healthy, functioning school boards. The people on this Dias are passionate about our students, care about public education, and serve with selflessness, humility, and thoughtfulness. Thank you for your integrity and your service.  It is an honor to serve with you.
 

Discussion:  Chief Financial Officer Kevin Jones reported the Total Assets, Liabilities, and Fund Balances on the Balance Sheet for period ending 9.30.21

FEDERAL PROJECTS
$1.1 million in ESSER 2.0 funding was spent representing 24% of the total budget.

CAFETERIA FUND
SFE reported a net income of $123K for the month.

OPEB TRUST FUND
With a decline in market value, year-to-date realized and unrealized losses on investments totaled $42K

Discussion:  Superintendent Jason Manuel requested Deputy Superintendent Josh Cathey to present in the Superintendent’s Report with the following Highlights in his PowerPoint presentation,

MASTER FACILITIES PLAN

• ANNUAL REPORT
  • Historical and Current Enrollment and Demographic Information
  • Improvement/Renovation Projects completed at the schools
  • List of prioritized improvements that the district may make
  • Funding sources for capital improvement projects
  • A 5-year plan for addressing facilities needs
• PROJECTS COMPLETED/ BEGINING IN FY20-21
  • Houston Middle Addition (will last through 2022)
  • Houston High Softball Field Underway
• OTHER PROJECTS COMPLETED IN FY20-21
  • Bathroom Renovations
  • Outdoor Classroom at Forest Hill Elementary School and Dogwood Elementary School
  • Safety and Security Projects
• Dollars invested in Facilities in GMSD
• Capital Improvements this Summer and projected for next two years

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


 

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

Discussion:  The Board recommended the following changes/edits to the below 4 policies, to be updated and added to the Consent Agenda for the Business Meeting on 10.26.21

HR Policy 5.501 Employee Related Complaints - Page 1/ Line 13, After Human Resources, add "or Director's designee".
                                                                                 - Page 1 / Line 15, Add a new sentence at the end, "If a satisfactory resolution of the problem cannot be reached after speaking with the Deputy                                                                                       Superintendent, the employee may contact the Superintendent."

Policy 3.217 Energy Management - Page 1/ Line 18 - Strike through "and"

Policy 6.425 Life-Threatening Allergy Management - Strike through Page 1 Line 9 Beginning "An IHP" until Line 12 ending "Tennessee Schools"

Policy 6.709 Student Fees and Fines - Page 1 / Item No. 1 - Clarification on Field trips - It will remain in the policy.
                                                               - Page 2 / Line 13, "Director" replaced with "GMSD Assistant Superintendent"

Discussion:  There were no Board Action Items at this time.

Discussion:  Chairman Amy Eoff made the following announcements,

October 29 - Houston football game against white station
November 2 - Election Day no school for students
November 11 -  Veterans Day
November 12-15  - Houston Theatre performances of Emma
November 16 - Work Session
November 18-21 -  TSBA Annual convention in Nashville
November 22-26 -  Thanksgiving Break
November 30 -  Business Meeting and December Work Session

Discussion:  The meeting was adjourned with consensus at 6:38 pm.