June 6, 2023 at 6:00 PM - GMSD Board Business Meeting

Discussion:  Chairman Ryan Strain called the meeting to order at 6:27 pm. He welcomed Laura Harrison, Chairman, Lakeland School Board and Kay Williams, Board member, Arlington Community Schools.

Discussion:  Chairman Ryan Strain called for a moment of silence.

Discussion:  Vice-Chair Amy Eoff led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Discussion:  No Legislative Updates were presented at this time.

Discussion:  Chairman Ryan Strain presented the Chairman's Report as follows,

Chairman’s Report (June 6, 2023)

Board Members’ District-related activities since our last business meeting included the following:

Board Member Curry:

• Participated in the May Tennessee School Boards Association Legislative Representative call; and
• Attended Forest Hill’s 5^th grade promotion ceremony.

And Board Member Strain:

• Met with a Village at Germantown resident council member on behalf of the Board.

And now for my report.  I’ll be short and sweet this month, in part, because we’ve talked about the subject I’m going to speak on ad nauseum.  We’re about two weeks into a new era in elementary education in Tennessee - one where high stakes tests are the leading determinative factor in which third graders advance to fourth grade, rather than a holistic review of a nine-year old child’s capabilities, challenges, and best interests.  We’re no longer theorizing about the effects this will have on Tennessee students; soon we’ll know for real.

Here in Germantown, we saw the State’s highest TCAP ELA scores.  That’s something to be proud of, and is a testament to the preparation and hard work of our teachers, tutors, administrators, district office staff, and, of course, parents.  Our TLA Department had a very short turnaround time to contact parents after receiving TCAP scores.  Thank you for your hard work and the assistance you provided to parents in helping them to choose the best option for their children.  I know that hard work continues this summer, and that our teachers and staff are doing all they can to help our students.  To our students and their families, know that we’re with you.

 

Discussion:  The Financial Reports ending 5.31.23 will be presented at the next upcoming Board Business Meeting.

Discussion:  Superintendent Jason Manuel presented the 6.6.23 Superintendent’s Report with the following Highlights in his PowerPoint presentation,

Deputy Superintendent Josh Cathey presented as follows,

2023 Summer Projects (Ongoing / Under Construction)
 

• Gym Floor Upgrades at Farmington Elementary and Dogwood Elementary Schools
• Stage Project Upgrades at Dogwood Elementary
• Kitchen Upgrades at Dogwood Elementary
• Playground Upgrades at Forest Hill Elementary
• Stadium Lighting Upgrades at,
  • Houston High Baseball Field
  • Houston High Football Field
  • Houston Middle Soccer Field
• Repainting Upgrades at Houston Middle
• Door Hardware Upgrades for ADA Compliance & Safety at,
  • Farmington Elementary
  • Riverdale Elementary
  • Houston Middle
  • Houston High
• Roof Renovations at Riverdale Elementary

The above presentation can be found at our GMSD website link https://www.gmsdk12.org/apps/pages/superintendent
 

Discussion:  The following citizens voiced their opinion to the School Board,
- Geoff Hicks, 9626 Mourning Dove Cove, Germantown, TN 38139
- Kristin New, 1859 Glenbuck Cove North, Germantown, TN 38139
- Jonathan Ashford, 8307 Willow Oak Road, Germantown, TN 38139
- Murf Appling, 2685 Hacks Cross Road, Germantown, TN 38138
- Lindsey Devers, 3210 Chapel Woods Cove, Germantown, TN 38139

Discussion:   

• Our elementary schools are having kindergarten camps this summer.  If you have a rising kindergartener, please check with your school for more details.
• And, finally, the Board’s next Work Session and Business Meeting are tentatively scheduled for July 27, with the Work Session at 4:00 p.m. and the Business Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

Discussion:  The meeting was adjourned with consensus at 7:33 p.m.