January 25, 2022 at 6:00 PM - GMSD Board Business Meeting

Discussion:  Chairman Angela Griffith called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm.

Discussion:  Chairman Angela Griffith called for a moment of silence.

Discussion:  Board member Betsy Landers led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Discussion:  Student Recognitions:
2022 Spelling Bee Winners
Emmy Ryan, Forest Hill 
Daniel Rojas, Farmington 
Amelia Nevmatulin, Dogwood

Staff Recognitions:
Employee that Empowers
Candace Plaisance from Houston High School.  Ms. Plaisance is a student favorite at HHS who goes out of her way to create a warm, and open environment in her classroom-but this month, she brought that ease to the entire student body of HHS.  On exam day, Ms. Plaisance arranged for puppies to be delivered to the school as a stress-buster.  

 

Discussion:  Board member and TLN Representative Ryan Strain presented the TLN Report as follows,
The General Assembly reconvened on January 11, 2022.  Many education-related bills are being considered, including:
 

• HB1671 / SB1674, which expands eligibility for vouchers to students zoned to attend schools in the Achievement School District or in school districts that do not offer 180 days of in-person instruction in a school year due to COVID-19.
• SB1818 / HB1836, which requires each public high school to begin classroom instruction no earlier than 8:30 a.m. and each public middle school to begin classroom instruction no earlier than 8:00 a.m., beginning in the 2023-2024 school year.
• HB1741, which authorizes full-time public school teachers to enroll in one course at any state-supported college or university without having to pay tuition and fees.
• HB1887 / SB1763, which requires the Basic Education Program (or "BEP") formula to fund full-time response to instruction and intervention positions at a ratio of one per 1,000 students.
• SB1764, which requires the BEP formula to fund full-time school counselor positions at a ratio of one per 350 students.
• HB1863, which increases the number of BEP funded full-time public school nurse positions from one per 3,000 students to one per 750 students and requires the BEP formula to fund full-time school counselor positions at a ratio of one per 250 students.
• HB1849, which authorizes a district to use the ACT, ACT Aspire, or SAT suites of assessments, instead of state-mandated assessments, to test students in grades 9-12 in the subjects of math and English language arts.
• HB1862 / SB1815, which requires four-year public institutions of higher education to obtain a student’s score on nationally recognized college admissions test before being admitted.
• HB1753 / SB1834, which requires TCAP tests to be administered in a paper format for students in grades three through eight, allows the commissioner of education to determine whether end-of-course assessments must be administered in a computerized, online, or paper format, and allows a district to administer end-of-course assessments in a paper format if it objects to administering end-of-course assessments in a computerized or online format.
• HB1648, which authorizes districts to enroll students who are unlawfully present in the United States, but eliminates state education funding for such students.
• HB1723, which requires a district’s policy on the inspection of school instructional materials by parents or legal guardians of students enrolled in the district to allow a student’s parent or legal guardian to check out from the student’s school one set of the instructional materials used in the student’s classroom for a period of no less than 48 hours to allow the parent or legal guardian time to inspect the materials.
• HB1895 / SB1861, which requires the commissioner of education to withhold a portion of the state education finance funds that a district is otherwise eligible to receive if the district fails or refuses to determine a student’s gender, for purposes of participation in school sports, by the student’s sex at the time of birth, unless the failure or refusal to do so is required by a court or other legally binding order.
• Additionally, the Daily Memphian reports State Representative Mark White will refile a bill that would transfer ownership of Germantown Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.

In school funding news, the public comment period on the state’s review of the public school funding formula and a recently released new draft framework has ended.  The Tennessee Department of Education and Governor Lee’s administration are currently reviewing those public comments, as well as recommendations from subcommittees and the central legislative steering committee.

The Department of Education also recently shortened the length of time from 7 to 5 days that schools can go temporarily remote due to COVID-19.

In legal news, on February 24^th the Tennessee Supreme Court will rehear arguments in a case involving the constitutionality of a school voucher law passed in 2019 limited to school districts in Memphis and Nashville.  In 2020, the Tennessee Court of Appeals unanimously upheld the ruling of a lower court that the law was unconstitutional.

Additionally, the state has appealed a federal court decision preliminarily enjoining the State of Tennessee and the Tennessee Department of Education from enforcing new state laws regarding face coverings in schools.  The Court denied the state’s request for a stay of that Order during the pendency of the appeal.

Finally, state Senator Brian Kelsey’s trial for campaign finance charges has been delayed until January 23, 2023, and on February 2^nd the state Senate is scheduled to take up Senator Katrina Robinson’s expulsion from that body due to federal wire fraud convictions.
 

Discussion:  Chairman Angela Griffith presented the Chairman's Report as follows,

"I would like to wish my fellow board members a Happy School Board Appreciation Week! I also want to thank them for their purposeful participation in our recent Board retreat where we recapped our previously set goals and advocacy plans and adjusted them for the upcoming year ahead. 

Many of us set personal goals as each new year begins. These goals can be short term, long term or simply a refocus on a previous one. Some commit to more sleep or exercise, healthier eating habits or drinking more water, while others try to identify ways in their daily life to reduce stress or focus more on their personal priorities. It is often a time of renewal or resetting. For many families, it is the calm before the storm of a busy and active Spring. For our 5th graders, 8th graders and 12th graders it is the beginning of their final semester at their current schools. It is a hopeful time for many while also being a typical time of reflection. 

As I look back over the past year, I know we are not the same as we were. How could we be? Students, families, teachers and staff have all had experiences that impact their daily perspectives both inside and outside of school. Following uncertainty, it is common for people in a community to seek a feeling of security in traditions or nostalgia. There is also a freshness and renewal that can come from trying new things. GMSD kicked off the school year back in August promoting the importance of reestablishing connections among students and staff members. As we enter the second half of this school year, I’m encouraged to keep that momentum going. There is excitement and anticipation, as we continue returning to activities and events, many of which were missed or altered over the past couple of years. Academic, extracurricular, social and service opportunities continue to be expanded in our schools, and I am constantly inspired by students as they pursue their passions and seek joy while often making a difference in their lives but those around them. 

While I may be known for approaching most situations with a great deal of optimism, I know that there is much work and opportunity for growth ahead, as always."     

Chairman Angel Griffith reported the Board Members' Activities for January 2022 as follows,

Board Member Curry’s Activities:

• Attended Mr. Murray's class at HMS on Elvis and his impact on civil rights
• Numerous HMS basketball games, including Houston at Riverdale
• Germantown at Houston High basketball games/8th grade recognition
• Dinner with BMA at GPAC
• Visit to HHS for School Board Appreciation Week and meeting with the SGA
• Participated in Board retreat

Board Member Eoff’s Activities:

• Joint dinner meeting with the BMA
• HHS Choir winter concert
• Board Retreat

Board Member Griffith’s Activities

• Attended HMS Holiday Choir Concert including the FES Farmingtones and the FES Guitar Club
• Attended HHS Holiday Choir Concert Comfort and Joy
• Attended HMS Homecoming Basketball Games and Riverdale vs Houston Middle Boys Basketball game
• Enjoyed dinner with the Board of Mayor and Aldermen at GPAC
• Attended Mr. Murray’s 7^th grade Current Events Class at HMS
• Participated in the Board Retreat

Board Member Landers’ Activities:

• Participated in GMSD School Board Executive Session and Special
• Called Meeting, December 31
• Attended the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Board of
• Education dinner, January 12
• Visited Mr. Murray’s classroom presentation "Elvis and the Fight for
• Civil Rights" at Houston Middle School, January 19
• Participated in the GMSD School Board Work Session, Executive
• Session and Special Called Meeting, January 19.
• Participated in the GMSD School Board Annual Retreat, January 22

Board Member Strain’s Activities

• Attended Houston High Choir holiday concert
• Attended Dogwood PTO meeting
• Attended joint Board of Education/Board of Mayor and Alderman dinner meeting
• Attended portions of TSBA workshop on advocating the Board's vision
• Attended Mr. Murray's class on Elvis and civil rights
• Attended Board retreat

    

 

Discussion:  Superintendent Jason Manuel presented the Financial Reports. He reported the Total Assets, Liabilities, and Fund Balances on the Balance Sheet for period ending 12.31.2021.

SCHOOL OPERATING FUND
Sales tax revenue has averaged $773K monthly to-date.  Annualized, the total sales tax revenues projected is $9.3 million versus $7.7 million budgeted.

CAFETERIA FUND
SFE reported a net income of $70K for the month.

OPEB TRUST FUND
Year-to-date realized and unrealized gains on investments totaled $114K

Discussion:  Superintendent Jason Manuel presented the 1.25.22 Superintendent’s Report with the following Highlights in his PowerPoint presentation,
Preparing for Open Enrollment

• Open Student Enrollment for 2022-2023
  • January 24 - February 24
  • Germantown Residents Transfers
  • Non-Residents Transfers
  • Historical Enrollment
• Houston High Academies
  • Tours Now Offered Daily
  • In- Person and Virtual Tours
• Houston Eighth Grade Preveiw Night - January 27
  • Eight Grade Sessions
  • School Tour
  • Rigor vs. Remorse
  • Path to Post-Secondary
  • CTE Tour
  • Beyond the Books
  • Exceptional Students
  • Curriculum Overview
  • Fine Arts Exploratory Tour
• Houston TOP TEN - Countdown to Preview Night
  • Top Ten Things to Love About Houston
  • Social Media Campaign
  • Created by Student Interns
  • Successful Registration rate
• Preschool Applications are live
• GOAL - Germantown Online Academy for Learning
  • Highly rated and flexible
  • Fully Virtual K-12 Option
  • Open to all Shelby County Residents
• Continued Promotion
  • Weekly Roundup & Reminders
  • The GMSD Connection
  • Addition of New Alexa Skill to GMSD Connection

 

Discussion:  The following Citizens voiced their opinion on Mask Mandates and Parental Choices,
- Kristin New, 1859 Glenbuck Cove North, Germantown TN 38139
- Lindsey Devers, 3210 Chapel Woods Cove, Germantown TN 38139
- Lorrie Williams, 9629 Fox Hill Circle North, Germantown TN 38139
- Kristin Hicks, 9626 Mourning Dove Cove, Germantown TN 38139
- Livi Hicks, 9626 Mourning Dove Cove, Germantown TN 38139
- Laura Polley, 2142 Cornwall Street, Germantown TN 38139
- Harvey Green, 9600 Dove Spring Cove, Germantown TN 38139
- Geoff Hicks, 9626 Mourning Dove Cove, Germantown TN 38139
- Stephen Williams, 8498 Dogwood Road, Germantown TN 38139
- Carle Kalsi, MD. 2300 Elderslie Drive, Germantown TN 38139
- Jonathan Weimer, 1435 Pecan Trees Drive, Germantown TN 38138
- Alicia Branan, 1885 New Riverdale Road, Germantown TN 38138



 

Discussion:  There were no Board action items at this time.

Discussion:  Chairman Angela Griffith announced the following,
Wednesday, February 16, 2022 - Tentative Board Work Session
Tuesday, February 22, 2022 - Tentative Board Business Meeting
 

Discussion:  The meeting was adjourned with consensus at 7:21 pm.