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1. Call to Order
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
Chairman Angela Griffith called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
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2. Moment of Silence
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
Chairman Angela Griffith called for a moment of silence.
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3. Pledge of Allegiance
Discussion:
Board member Brian Curry 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):
Chairman
Rationale:
Student Recognition:
All West Band & Orchestra Staff Recognition: Principal of the Year Supervisor of the Year Teachers of the Year
Discussion:
STAFF RECOGNITION: TEACHERS OF THE YEAR, SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR, PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
Candace Plaisance, Grades 9-12 Ms. Plaisance is a well-loved AP European History & AP US History teacher. Her class environment is heavily focused on respect and collaboration and often allows students to role play famous historical figures. FUN FACTS ABOUT MS. PLAISANCE:
Spencer Nesvick, Grades 5-8 Mr. Nesvick is a talented musician who began teaching band at Houston Middle School many years ago. Mr. Nesvick is a passionate supporter of the fine arts program and believes that they "are essential parts of a comprehensive education and a healthy school culture". He goes the extra mile to host after-school help sessions to support students who are auditioning for All-West. Community members can often see his students performing at sporting events, concert festivals, and the local Kroger (during the holidays). He's also brought in top-musical talent to speak with students. FUN FACTS ABOUT MR. NESVICK:
Karen Teel, Grades PreK-4 (Dogwood Elementary School) Ms. Teel serves as the gifted teacher at Dogwood Elementary School. She is an innovative instructor with an eye for detail. Teel sees her position at the school as an "impactful opportunity" in which she does daily, morning, breakfast check-ins with her students. She also volunteers her time teaching in the South Bronx in New York. Other highlights of her work include the annual Envision Project Expo at Dogwood Elementary School. FUN FACTS ABOUT MS. TEEL:
Andy Martin, School Coordinated Health Though only two years into his position, Mr. Martin has accomplished an extraordinary number of programs for staff and students! From the bike program to monthly staff fitness challenges, we were not surprised when TAPHERD named him their Supervisor of the Year also! Prior to his role in GMSD, he taught PE to young students. FUN FACTS ABOUT MR. MARTIN:
Jessica Woody, Dogwood Elementary School All you need is LOVE. Ms. Woody's passion for creating a positive culture is her defining characteristic as a school leader. Ms. Woody has been working as an educator for twenty-five years. Prior to her three years at Dogwood, she taught social studies, math, and reading for nine years; served as an Instructional Coach for Shelby County Schools; and has spent twelve years as an Assistant Principal at Houston Middle School. FUN FACTS ABOUT MS. WOODY:
STUDENT RECOGNITIONS Each year, the West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (W.T.S.B.O.A.) puts on a large convention in the Cannon Center downtown to show off all the great things that are happening with music education in West Tennessee. Since the students are the greatest things that can happen in education, the most successful players are selected to participate in honor bands of other high achievers with guest conductors of great skill and prestige. This month, we celebrate the student musicians who were invited to perform. |
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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,
Education-related legislation continues to make its way through the Tennessee General Assembly. Notable bills in committee over the next few weeks include:
In other General Assembly news, the state Senate voted to expel Senator Katrina Robinson following her conviction on federal wire fraud charges. In legal news, on February 24th 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. Former Tennessee associate solicitor general and newly confirmed state Supreme Court Justice Sarah Campbell, an appointee of Governor Lee, has recused herself from the case. Additionally, a federal court lawsuit regarding public school bathroom access for transgender students will be dropped as the plaintiffs move out of state. Finally, on March 16, the Tennessee School Boards Association will host the 2022 Student Congress on Policies in Education (or "SCOPE") conference, which brings together 9th through 12th grade students from across the state to discuss current topics in education. Participants will explore education issues through mock school board meetings and group discussions. Board Chair Angela Griffith will participate in the conference in a leadership role. |
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6.B. Chairman's Report
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
Chairman Angela Griffith presented the Chairman's Report as follows,
"If communication is key to success, and I believe that it is, we all must do our part to participate. Communication is often reciprocal, a two-way street of sorts. It is an exchange of thoughts and ideas. One of the primary benefits of being a smaller municipal district is the community’s local access to not only the Superintendent but also to its School Board members. We often meet with or participate in phone calls with stakeholders to gain valued feedback and input. Email correspondence is also a regular way for the community members to contact us. Whether it is verbal or written communication, the sharing of information between individuals or groups is not only how we express ourselves but also how we learn and grow by listening and trying to understand. Clear communication can instill and increase confidence in all facets of the community. As we heard during last week’s HHS Facilities presentation, the focus on community was a predominant and recurring theme which came from the stakeholder committee work. Interpersonal communication is crucial as well, especially since many of us have had limited face to face interaction over the past couple of years. I think many can agree that having eye contact and reading body language can help appreciate someone’s intent and tone. Communication intended to inform can come in a variety of ways to our GMSD families and staff. The recently launched Weekly Round Up, brings a frequent district wide update directly to your phone, tablet or device. The Let’s Talk App and Link has been a phenomenal way for our families to get their questions, concerns, suggestions or comments directly to the specific school or department necessary to address them. Regularly scheduled, school level communication and PTO/PTSO newsletters are received by those who are applicable subscribers. District and school level social media is a fun way for the community to keep up with specific programs, teams, club and events. As school board members, we often hear from parents with questions about who to contact regarding a certain topic or situation. Maintaining a school level and district office appropriate chain of command is paramount to preserve proper communication channels as well. Strengthening student to teacher communication and connections continues to be a district focus #connectgmsd. Many benefits in the classroom can come from this such as establishing mutual respect and building a classroom specific rapport. Student to student communication has certainly evolved as the reliance on text messaging and social media messaging is becoming a more prevalent way for peers to interact. As a result, the continued emphasis on digital citizenship is as pertinent as ever. Communication is not solely the information sent or shared but also the receipt of it. For open dialogue and discussions to take place there must be willingness by all sides. If communication is constant and consistent, much can be gained but there is always room for improvement. BOARD MEMBER ACTIVITIES All five GMSD Board of Education Members met with the following legislators; both local and from around the state who serve on their respective education committees about proposed legislation impacting students, schools and staff in public education. These legislators include Chairman White, Representatives Leatherwood, Hurt and Haston, Chairman Lundberg, Senators Akbari and Rose. I make a point to mention that our entire board participated in these meetings because many boards send a member or two, if any at all. The continued legislative advocacy efforts and coordination by this board warrants being noted as the collective activity it is. Board Member Curry's Activities:
Board Member Eoff's Activities:
Board Member Griffith's Activities:
Board Member Lander's Activities:
Board Member Strain's Activities:
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6.C. Financial Report
Speaker(s):
Kevin Jones
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Superintendent Jason Manuel reported the Total Assets, Liabilities, and Fund Balances on the Balance Sheet for period ending 1.31.22
SCHOOL OPERATING FUND We received $6.5 million in property taxes, which represents 39% of the total budget. The district also made its annual contribution to the OPEB Trust fund in the amount of $679,422. CAFETERIA FUND SFE reported a net income of $94K for the month. OPEB TRUST FUND Year-to-date realized and unrealized losses on investments totaled $80K |
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6.D. Superintendent's Report
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Discussion:
Superintendent Jason Manuel presented the 2.22.22 Superintendent’s Report with the following Highlights in his PowerPoint presentation,
Foundations and Planning of GOAL Community Engagement Timeline
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 Citizens voiced their opinion on the School District and the Board,
- Amy Lipscomb, 1570 Blue Grass Cove, Germantown TN 38138 - Kristin Hicks, 9626 Mourning Dove Cove, Germantown TN 38139 - Geoff Hicks, 9626 Mourning Dove Cove, Germantown TN 38139 |
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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 1.25.22 Board Business Meeting
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8.B. Review/Revision of Policies - Second Reading
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Rationale:
1.19.22 Rationale for Revision of Policies / Attached Consolidated document to include the Rationale and all the Revision of Policies in order.
First Reading 1.25.22 / Second Reading 2.22.22
Attachments:
()
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8.C. Review / Revision of Policies - First Reading
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Rationale:
2.16.22 RATIONALE FOR REVISION OF POLICIES
Revisions are recommended for the following, First Reading 2.22.22 / Second Reading 3.29.22 During the past few months, we have observed the need to review policies not just for legal sufficiency but also for necessity. Emerging from that review is the discovery that there are policies some of which are not legally required, are aspirational in nature, and/or are unenforceable as a matter of policy. Going forward, we recommend that some policies be repealed, if they fall into those categories. REPEAL Policy 1.602 Administrative Committees - The reason for recommending the repeal of this policy is that inherent in his job responsibilities, the Superintendent may exercise his discretion to establish committees, without need for a policy. REPEAL Policy 1.603 Administrative Reports-The reason for recommending the repeal of this policy is that the Superintendent and his staff routinely provide administrative reports. Many of the items listed in this policy are already embedded in documents the Board receives throughout the year; additionally, some of the items listed are unclear. To have such a policy seems redundant and/or creates a lack of clarity as to what is expected. REPEAL Policy 1.700 School District Goals- The reason for recommending the repeal of this policy is that while it is clearly within the Board’s purview to establish school district goals, the goals in this policy are primarily aspirational and are, for the most part, unenforceable as a matter of policy. It is to be noted that this policy is not the same as the Board’s "strategic plan". Revision Policy 1.601 Administrative Procedures-The recommended changes to this policy involve changing "director of schools" to "Superintendent", capitalizing words, removing superfluous language, removing footnote numbers and updating citations. Revision Policy 1.701 School District Planning-The recommended changes to this policy remove superfluous and obsolete language. The language regarding the "board retreat" is removed because the Board has the inherent authority to have a board retreat without the need to reference same in a policy. Removed footnote and updated citations Revision Policy 1.703 School Attendance Zones- The recommended changes to this policy include changing "director of schools" to "Superintendent", replacing the word "areas" with the more common reference with "zones", and updated the policy to reflect common attendance zone considerations. Removed footnote and updated citation. Revision Policy 1.802 Section 504 and ADA Grievance Procedures-Updated policy to reflect current legal requirements and contact information. Removed footnotes and updated citations. Revision Policy 1.808 Registered Sex Offenders-Updated policy to reflect current legal requirements. Removed footnote and updated citation. Revision Policy 1.809 Non-Discrimination Statements- Changed title of Title IX Coordinator, removed footnotes and updated citations.
Attachments:
()
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8.D. Approval of Special Course Application
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Rationale:
FINE ARTS APPRECIATION - 1 credit A course designed for students to fulfill a fine arts credit who may not desire a year-long experience in a single sphere of the fine arts. This survey course offers students quarterly rotations comprising experiences in theater, general music, visual arts, and film. Through experiences with each sphere, students will build familiarity with and understanding of the varied methodologies employed by artists. Students will work to develop basic competencies in creating and producing minor works as well as responding to and connecting with established works of art in multiple genres. Students will make use of critical thinking and problem solving skills necessary to analyze and evaluate established works of art and employ content specific critical strategies such as visual thinking - all of which support student engagement and cross-curricular connections invoking higher order thinking. PREREQUISITES: None |
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9. BOARD ACTION ITEMS
Speaker(s):
Chairman
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9.A. Miscellaneous FY 2021-22 Budget Amendments # 21 & 22
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion passed: I move to approve Miscellaneous FY 21-22 Budget Amendments # 21 and 22, passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Rationale:
Budget Amendment # 21 - Title I Fund Budget Revisions * pending State Approval
Budget Amendment # 22 - Cafeteria Fund Budget Revisions
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
()
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10. Announcements
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
Chairman Angela Griffith announced the following,
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11. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
The meeting was adjourned with consensus at 7:22 pm.
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