August 30, 2022 at 6:00 PM - GMSD Board Business Meeting
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1. Call to Order
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
Chairman Angela Griffith called the meeting to order at 6:01 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 Ryan Strain 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:
The Germantown Board of Education is pleased to recognize our Early Literacy Teachers in grades K-5 who outranked schools in TN for proficiency scores on the TCAP assessment, as well as showed incredible growth in nationally normed K-1 assessments. GMSD is proud of its Elementary School English Language Arts (ELA) Teachers.
5th Grade ELA teachers supported students in achieving 69% proficiency and was ranked #5 in the state. 4th Grade ELA teachers supported students in achieving 73% proficiency and was ranked #1 in the state. 3rd Grade ELA teachers supported students in achieving 74% proficiency and was ranked #1 in the state. 2nd Grade ELA teachers supported students in achieving 65% proficiency and was ranked #1 in the state. In Kindergarten, 91% of our students were meeting grade level standards by the end the year. And in 1st Grade, 92% of our students were meeting grade level standards by the end of the year. |
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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 as follows,
TLN Report (August 30, 2022) In General Assembly news, after Governor Bill Lee and his education advisor, Hillsdale College President Dr. Larry P. Arnn, were criticized extensively for comments Dr. Arnn made over the summer disparaging teachers, House Education Administration Committee Chairman Mark White stated that "[w]hen the General Assembly convenes again next January any hope that Hillsdale will operate in Tennessee has been shattered." Chairman White’s comment was made in reference to Governor Lee and Dr. Arnn’s previously expressed hopes that Hillsdale would open up to 100 charter schools in Tennessee. Additionally, on August 22, former Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, Glen Casada, and his former chief of staff were both indicted on numerous counts of bribery, wire fraud, and kickbacks related to an alleged scheme to illegally enrich themselves through business with the state. Both men have pled not guilty. In Tennessee Department of Education and State Board news, the Department has announced that it is again delaying its plan to give A through F grades to Tennessee public schools. Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn says the delay is due to inconsistency in data caused by three straight years of pandemic-related disruptions across the state. This is the fifth year in a row that the Department has delayed assigning the grades. On August 11, the State Board of Education reviewed the proposed rules for Tennessee’s new public school funding law, the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement Act (or "TISA"). After its review, the State Board provided a unanimous positive recommendation. The rules, which are meant to further flesh out the law, define terms, and establish processes and procedures for funding disbursements, will now move forward in the formal rulemaking process. In U.S. Department of Education news, on June 23, the Department released proposed amendments to Title IX regulations for public comment. According to the Department’s Fact Sheet, the proposed amendments would:
The U.S. Department of Education plans to issue a separate notice of proposed rulemaking to address whether and how the Department should amend the Title IX regulations to address students’ eligibility to participate on a particular male or female athletics team. The U.S. Department of Education also released new guidance meant to help public schools fulfill their responsibilities to meet the needs of students with disabilities and avoid discriminatory use of student discipline. Over the summer, education-related issues were also the subject of numerous court cases, from the trial court level in the State of Tennessee all the way to the United States Supreme Court:
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6.B. Chairman's Report
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
Chairman Angela Griffith presented as follows,
BOARD MEMBER CURRY ACTIVITIES Met with the Mayor and Aldermen to discuss eliminating GPAC fees for the GMSD Fine Arts programs Toured the construction sites at Houston Middle School and the new softball field at Houston High School Attended the GMSD Back to School Kickoff Celebration Greeted parents and students at Forest Hill Elementary for the first day of school Attended Forest Hill PTO July and August Meetings Attended the Charity Basketball Game at Forest Hill Elementary Attended Curriculum nights at Forest Hill Elementary and Houston High School Attended GMSD 1-mile Elementary Cross-Country race at Johnson Rd Park BOARD MEMBER EOFF’S ACTIVITIES Attended Mayors Community Conversation Helped with Houston Band Ice Cream Social Worked Houston Band Camp week Attended HHS Schedule Pick-up and Curriculum Night Attended two Houston home football games Participated in the District Calendar Committee Met with various constituents for comments BOARD MEMBER GRIFFITH’S ACTIVITIES Attended TSBA Summer Law Institute Toured the HMS Expansion, HHS Softball Facility, and HHS Baseball Facility Attended the City of Germantown’s Annual Back to School Principals’ Luncheon Attended GMSD 2022-23 School Year Kickoff event Welcomed students and families on the first day of school at HMS and Riverdale Attended the football jamboree Attended the Forest Hill Elementary School Charity Basketball Game Attended Curriculum nights at Forest Hill Elementary and Houston High School Attended GMSD 1-mile Elementary Cross-Country race at Johnson Rd Park Attended the Houston vs. Ridgeway and Briarcrest football game and tailgate BOARD MEMBER LANDERS’ ACTIVITIES Participated in Board of Education meeting, June 7th Attended Germantown’s Principal Appreciation Luncheon, July 29th Attended the GMSD Back to School Event/Kickoff, August 5th Welcomed students to the First Day of School at Farmington Elementary, August 8th Attended Germantown Education Commission, August 16th Participated in the BOE Work Session, August 24 BOARD MEMBER STRAIN’S ACTIVITIES Attended TSBA Summer Law Institute Toured the HMS Expansion, HHS Softball Facility, and HHS Baseball Facility Attended GMSD 2022-23 School Year Kickoff event Attended the football jamboree Attended the Forest Hill Elementary School Charity Basketball Game Attended the Houston vs. Ridgeway football game Attended the Houston vs. Briarcrest football game CHAIRMAN'S REPORT As the kids these days would say, it’s been the best back to school ever! Not only have I heard that from students, but also from parents, teachers, and administrators. The excitement from the annual district in service, kick off was electric and impactful. The school open houses and orientations were met with enthusiasm and the first day of school with smiles all around. Admin teams from across the district reported the that there were the smoothest, first day of school car lines in the history of first day of school car lines. The number of eager students who arrived on the first day of school early to get into their buildings and connect with peers and to see new and old teachers was noted. In person curriculum nights, were back at all schools. I attended both the Houston Middle and Houston High nights walking around our facilities seeing friends and neighbors and hearing directly from their my student’s teachers about what to expect in the upcoming school year. Events that have been canceled during the past two pandemic effected school years have not only returned but are back with additional purpose and pizazz. The fun school spirit promoting events such as pep rallies and tailgates that students and families have craved are back better than ever. These are great examples of how opportunities for family engagement outside of the classroom are still such a vital part of the overall school experience. You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who loves Friday night lights as much as I do, but I’m for every day and night events where people from our community can come together! |
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6.C. Financial Report
Speaker(s):
Kevin Jones
Rationale:
Preliminary June 2022 Financial Reports
Attachments:
()
Discussion:
Superintendent Jason Manuel presented the Financial Report Highlights for the month ending June 30, 2022.
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6.D. Superintendent's Report
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Discussion:
Superintendent Jason Manuel presented the 8.30.22 Superintendent’s Report with the following Highlights in his PowerPoint presentation,
Early Literacy Curriculum
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 to the School Board,
- Murf Appling, 2685 Hacks Cross Road, Germantown TN 38138 |
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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 6.7.22 Board Business Meeting.
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8.B. Miscellaneous FY 22-23 Budget Amendments # 1 through 7
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Rationale:
The following Budget amendments are attached:
1 - ESSER 2.0 2 - TN All Corps 3 - ESSER Planning Grant 4 - IDEA and IDEA Preschool 5 - Consolidated Admin and Title I 6 - Titles II and IV 7 - ESSER Pre-monitoring |
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8.C. School Fees and Activity Costs 22-23
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Rationale:
The Changes are highlighted in yellow.
Attachments:
()
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9. BOARD ACTION ITEMS
Speaker(s):
Chairman
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9.A. Review / Revision of Policies after one reading
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion passed: I move to waive the second reading and approve all the policies after one reading, passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Rationale:
Rationale for Revision of GMSD Policies 8.24.22 Work Session / 8.30.22 Board Business Meeting
Revisions are recommended for the following, "To waive second reading and adopt all the below policies after one reading." The Board recommended few housekeeping and minor changes after discussion during the 8.24.22 Board Work Session. These changes can be seen in italics. 1.102 - Board Members Legal Status - changes made due to change in State law. On Page 1/ Line 16 - replace the word "him" with "the Board member". On Page 1/Line 17, after the phrase "or through due process proceedings" it was recommended to add "...initiated by the Board in the event a Board member fails to carry out that member’s legal duties and obligations, or acts in a manner inconsistent with existing Board policies." 1.800 - School Calendar /School Day - changes made pursuant to change in State law and in order to make the policy more consistent with existing State law, in order to provide parents and staff with more information about State law requirements. 2.403 - Surplus Property Sales - changes made due to change in State law and in order to provide staff with more information about State law requirements; updated citations. 4.210 - Credit Recovery - changes made due to change in State law and in order to provide students and parents with more information about State law requirements. 4.400 - Instructional Materials - RESCIND - changes made because this subject matter is being addressed in Policy 4.401, consistent with changes to State law; changes also made in order to streamline the policy manual for ease of reference for parents, staff and students. 4.401 - Textbooks and Instructional Materials -changes made due to changes in State law and in order to provide parents, staff and students with information regarding the manner in which they can provide feedback. On Page4/Line 26, after the word "parent" add "/guardian". On Page4/Line 34, replace "feedback may be filed" with "that individual may submit feedback". 4.600 - Grading -changes made due to changes in State law and as recommended by Board members to provide a more equitable and consistent grading scale; updated citations. On Page 4/Line 41, replace "65" with "60". On Page 5/Line 26, replace "five (5) days" with "seven (7) days". 4.603 - Grades K-8 Promotion and Retention - changes made due to changes in State law and to provide parents with a detailed explanation of the promotion/retention process; updated citations. 4.4061 - Employee Use of the Internet -changes made due to changes in State law and to provide parents, students and employees with information regarding the manner in which they can provide feedback; removed superfluous language; updated citations. 4.4062 - Student Use of the Internet - changes made due to changes in State law and to provide parents, students and employees with information regarding the manner in which they can provide feedback; removed superfluous language; updated citations. 5.200 - Separation Practices for Tenured Teachers - changes made due to changes in State law and to provide tenured teachers with statutory processes; updated citations. 5.201 - Separation Practices for Non-Tenured Teachers - changes made due to changes in State law and to provide non-tenured teachers with statutory processes; updated citations. 5.303 - Personal and Professional Leave - RESCIND- recommend that this policy be rescinded and folded into Board policy 5.310 in an effort to streamline the policy manual and make it more user friendly. 5.310 - Vacation, Personal/Professional Days, Holidays - refining this law to be consistent with State law in order to provide employees with a complete explanation regarding vacation, personal/professional and holiday time off. 5.701 - Employment of Substitutes - RESCIND - recommend that this policy be rescinded because language in existing policy is not current (i.e. substitutes are employed by outside vendor). 6.200 - Attendance and Truancy - changes made due to changes in State law; updated citations. 6.318 - Admission of Suspended or Expelled Students - changes made due to change in State law; updated citations.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
()
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9.B. Stop Loss Insurance Renewal
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion passed: I move approve to support the Self-Funded Stop Loss Insurance proposal with American Fidelity (AF) at a $125,000 Specific Deductible and removed lasers based on the understandings presented by Health Cost Solutions, a Lucent Health Company, and consultants with ESP, LLC., 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.
Attachments:
()
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9.C. Dogwood Gym Floor Upgrade/Replacement
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion passed: I move to approve Sports Floors, Inc. to install a new hardwood gym floor at Dogwood Elementary School in the amount of $103,092.33, 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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9.D. Farmington Gym Floor Upgrade/Replacement
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion passed: I move to approve Sports Floors, Inc. to install a new hardwood gym floor at Farmington Elementary School in the amount of $104,403.77, 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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9.E. Approval of Two ESSER 3.0 Plans
Speaker(s):
Jason Manuel
Recommended Motion(s):
Motion passed: I move to approve ESSER 3.0 Safe Return to In-Person Instruction Plan 2022 and ESSER 3.0 Public Plan for Remaining Funds 2022, passed with a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2.
Rationale:
Board Approval is required for the below two plans. These have already been approved by the TDOE.
ESSER 3.0 Safe Return to In-Person Instruction Plan 2022 ESSER 3.0 Public Plan for Remaining Funds 2022 These documents must be approved by the School Board before posting on the LEA website; however, there is no board approval form that needs to be submitted to the department. We recommend LEAs keep documentation of approval at the LEA level.
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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10. Announcements
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Rationale:
Thursday, September 22, 2022 / 5:00 pm - Next Tentative Board Work Session
Wednesday, September 28, 2022 / 6:00 pm - Next Tentative Board Business Meeting |
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11. Adjournment
Speaker(s):
Chairman
Discussion:
The meeting was adjourned with consensus at 7:08 pm.
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