| Minutes | |
|---|---|
|
1. Call to Order
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
Chairman Angela Griffith called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm.
|
|
|
2. Moment of Silence
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
Chairman Angela Griffith called for a moment of silence.
|
|
|
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Discussion:
Vice-Chairman Amy Eoff led the Pledge of Allegiance
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
5. Recognition and Awards
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Rationale:
Student Recognitions
Tennessee Youth Art Month (or YAM for short) is an annual observance each March to emphasize the value of art and art education for all children and to encourage public support for quality school art programs. In GMSD, we have incredible art programming for students. Tonight, we are celebrating students in our visual arts program, who have been recognized as best in class by the Scholastic Art Awards, a competition that is heralded as the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognitions program for creative teens. Students enter works in a regional competition, and then advance to the national competition. In the MidSouth, winning works were displayed at the Brooks Art Museum in Memphis, TN. Regionally,
Just last week, it was announced that Mary Margaret St. Clair advanced to win both a National Gold Key as well as a National Silver Key. Staff Recognition This month’s Employee that Empowers is Houston High School’s Ellie Talley. She currently serves as the Instructional Technology Coach at Houston High School. A former history and English language arts teacher, Ellie has served learning communities, from South Memphis to Germantown, for nearly thirteen years. She is passionate about inspiring curiosity, innovation, and a lifelong love of learning for all. At Houston High School, she has provided transformative coaching for teachers and has implemented the following:
All of these strategies make our classrooms more engaging for students in order to make connections. A fun fact about Ms. Talley- she has had five Boston Terrier dogs, all with names that start with a P; Puddin, Petey, Patty, Polly, and Pearl. |
|
|
6. REPORTS
Speaker(s):
Chairman
|
|
|
6.A. TLN Update (Tennessee Legislature)
Speaker(s):
Ryan Strain
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Board Member and TLN representative Ryan Strain presented the 3.29.22 TLN Report as follows,
Education-related legislation continues to make its way through the Tennessee General Assembly. Notably:
|
|
|
6.B. Chairman's Report
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
Chairman Angela Griffith reported the Board Members' Activities for March 2022 and presented her Chairman's Report as follows,
Board Member Curry’s Activities
It has been both written and said that hope springs eternal. I believe that and sincerely hope everyone enjoyed their recent Spring Break. Based on the blooming tulips and daffodils and budding azaleas, it is evident that Spring has indeed sprung in Germantown, Tennessee. Further proof of the nurturing that occurs for the bulbs, plants, and shrubs to mature and unfold. Much like the school year, many standards and concepts have been taught and academic seeds planted. Students and teachers are entering into review and reinforcement phases prior to their end of year assessments, all while realizing the growth achieved in the classroom. Progress with social and emotional development, is often noted in students this time of year as well. Similarly, we see students blossom in their own individual timing and unique ways, another result of the cultivation and support provided to them throughout their educational journeys. Spring is also budget season for school districts across the state. Additionally, our state, county, and city government funding bodies are preparing and proposing their annual budgets as well. Staying on theme, I have been known to comment in gest during board discussions that we must remember to water our "money tree", thus continuing to promote healthy fiscal stewardship. While the legislature is still considering Governor Lee’s suggested overhaul to our state’s public education funding structure, we still have many unanswered questions. I encourage our community to follow along with our upcoming budget presentations and discussions. Providing top quality programs for all students, in the best possible facilities, while striving to maintain GMSD’s status as a premier education employer in our region continue to be our financial focuses. During the Spring, many of our students are participating in competitions, conventions, and contests demonstrating what they have been working on throughout the school year. The recent art and essay contests displayed the many creative talents and works of GMSD students. The annual Germantown Education Commission’s Battle of the Brains was just held at Houston High School this past weekend, where competing students presented their STEM based projects for the potential to earn awards and cash prizes. Clubs and organizations are attending their state level conventions such as Houston High’s Student Government Association and HOSA. District wide staff are also participating in conferences within their concentrations. These annual events allow our students and staff the opportunities to collaborate with their peers, sharing ideas and celebrating successes. Has anyone here ever heard of Spring Fever? Cue the laughing from every parent, teacher, and school administrator present or listening. Spring fever is a term often used to describe the level of energy and excitement in students typically experienced following the seasonal time change. It can also be associated with a perceived lack of focus on schoolwork and increased desire for playtime and physical activity especially with our younger students. It can play a part in interrupting established routines, while also being a spark for spontaneity and positivity in school settings. As we enter the last nine weeks of this school year, I know many of us are feeling the effects of Spring Fever. Whether you are simply trying to stay motivated, helping your students master those final math standards, preparing to perform a piece that you’ve been practicing for months or chasing that personal record or goal; you have come too far to let up now. May the fruits of your labor and care, your work and effort be abundant. |
|
|
6.C. Financial Report
Speaker(s):
Kevin Jones
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Chief Financial Officer, Kevin Jones reported the Total Assets, Liabilities, and Fund Balances on the Balance Sheet for period ending 2.28.22
HEALTH INSURANCE FUND Average budgeted claims totaled $432K per month, Actual claims year-to-date average $446K per month CAFETERIA FUND SFE reported a net income of $123K for the month. OPEB TRUST FUND Year-to-date realized and unrealized losses on investments totaled $175K |
|
|
6.D. Superintendent's Report
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Discussion:
Superintendent Jason Manuel presented the 3.29.22 Superintendent’s Report with the following Highlights in his PowerPoint presentation,
College and Career Readiness
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 |
|
|
7. Citizens to be heard
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
The following citizens voiced their opinion on parent concerns,
- Lorrie Williams, 9629 Fox Hill Circle North, Germantown TN 38139 - Geoff Hicks, 9626 Mourning Dove Cove, Germantown TN 38139 |
|
|
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.
|
|
|
8.A. Approval of the Minutes
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Rationale:
Minutes from 2.22.22 Board Business Meeting
|
|
|
8.B. Review / Revision of Policies - Second 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:
()
|
|
|
8.C. Review / Revision of Policies - First Reading
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Rationale:
Revisions are recommended for the following,
First Reading 3.29.22 / Second Reading 4.19.22
1. Updated Revision Policy 1.803 Tobacco-Free Schools Page 1 / Line 16 - Add "es" to possess to become "possesses" 2. Updated Revision Policy 1.806 Advertising and Distribution of Materials and Use of School District Name Page 2 Line 7 - No.4 - Change to "No advertising shall be permitted' 3. Updated Revision Policy 5.113 In-Service and Professional Learning Opportunities Page 1/ Line 8 - Change to "insubordination" Page 1 / Line 14-20 - Strike entire paragraph 4. Updated New Policy 5.606 Political Activities Page 1 / Line 29 - immediately following the words "GMSD owned buildings," to include the following verbiage, "...except for political signs being held by poll workers on Election Day at such locations that are being utilized as a voting site" This is to resolve any inconsistencies between policies 5.606 and 1.806.
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
8.D. Adjustment to 21-22 FES Running Club Activity Fees
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion passed: I move to approve the increase of 21-22 FES Running Club Activity Fees from $150 to $160, passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Rationale:
FES running club (5K) has requested to raise the activity fee from $150 to $160 citing inflation as the factor. Their uniforms have increased in price which was unknown at the time of the earlier approval by the board.
|
|
|
8.E. Miscellaneous FY 21-22 Budget Amendment # 23
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Attachments:
()
|
|
|
9. BOARD ACTION ITEMS
Speaker(s):
Chairman
|
|
|
9.A. Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE) 22-23 contract amendment
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion passed: I move to approve the Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE) 22-23 contract amendment, passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Rationale:
Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE) 22-23 contract amendment. Attached is a copy of the amendment (already approved by the TN Office of School Nutrition) and documentation to support the 5.4% CPI.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
|
|
10. Announcements
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
Chairman Angela Griffith made the following announcements,
Tuesday, April 12 - Upcoming Budget and Regular Board Work Session Tuesday, April 19 - Upcoming Board Business Meeting Thursday, March 31 to Monday, April 4 - HHS Play Fiddler on the Roof |
|
|
11. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
The meeting was adjourned with consensus at 6:41 pm.
|
