September 10, 2015 at 5:30 PM - Bradley County Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Angela Lawson, Principal of Michigan Avenue Elementary School introduced the choir. They performed the song "For Good". She told the Board that they will be performing during fall break at the Disney Performing Arts stage.

Discussion:  Mr. Bill Graham, TSBA Southeast District Director, presented the board with a plaque to recognize the Bradley County School Board as a Board of Distinction. He explained that Tennessee School Board Association wanted to spotlight outstanding Board performance so they created the Board of Distinction program. They want to recognize the highest standards of performance by the Board as a whole. He went on to say that requirements are extensive and not every Board can qualify. He said he was proud to present Bradley County Board of Education with a plaque for being a Board of Distinction. Congratulations.

Discussion:  Dr. Cash began by saying one thing that creates excellence in schools is parental involvement. What our PTOs do for our schools is remarkable. Dr. Cash and the Board want to first say thank you to Michigan Avenue PTO and present them with a plaque. It reads Bradley County Schools recognizes Michigan Avenue PTO . The Bradley County Board of Education recognizes the Michigan Avenue School PTO. The Board recoginzes and honors Michigan Avenue's PTO for being awarded by PTO Today magazine as a nominee for the 2015 parent group of the year for TN and only one of two parent groups to be recognized in the southeast. Dr. Cash and the Board presented Angela Lawson, Principal of Michigan Avenue Elementary School a plaque that reads Bradley County Schools recognize Michigan Avenue Elementary School for the exemplary instruction and learning which established them as a "Rewards School" as designated by the state of TN. Bradley County Board of Education recognizes and honors the faculty, staff and students for their excellence.

Discussion:  No one requested to address the board.

Discussion:  Dr. Cash did not have a report.

Discussion:  Dr. Cash recognized the new principals. Candice Belt, Jennifer Huskins and Dana Yost. She said she just wanted to introduce them to the board. She asked them to say a few words about the exciting things that are happening at their schools. Ms. Belt is the new principal at Charleston Elementary School and is new to Bradley County Schools. She told the Board that it has been a blessing to join the family at Charleston Elementary. They have been so warm and welcoming and supportive. She is excited to be there to celebrate their successes and she looks forward to the growths they will have in the future. Dana Yost is the new principal at North Lee Elementary School. She to the Board that they are off to a fast and furious start. We are getting our interventions up and going. The community and the teachers have really rallied behind my coming to North Lee. We are just going to do some fabulous things in the future. Jennifer Huskins is the new principal at Waterville Community Elementary School. She was sick and had to leave. Dr. Cash told them that she and the Board appreciate them for all they do and for serving in Bradley County Schools.

Discussion:  Dianna Calfee asked if this was a new budget item. Mr. Rose said yes it is a new line item. This was done in response to a request from the commission asking that we put 1 million dollars into the Lake Forest Middle School project. The Board is meeting their request; therefore, we are one step closer to making the Lake Forest Middle School project a reality. Full steam ahead responed Chris Turner

Discussion:  Andy Williams from Ed Jacobs and Associates, came to answer questions for the Board about GAP insurance and how it works. He explained that the key points to an insurance policy are Physician Office Visits, Prescription Drugs, Deductibles, Co-Insurance, Out of Pocket Maximums, ER Visits, and Preventive Health. The Partnership and the Limited PPO offer the same insurance but have different copays, deductibles, co-insurance, out of pocket and ER visits. He presented a work sheet for the TN State Health Insurance options showing the differences. The premium for the employee with Partnership PPO is $540.71 compared to the Limited PPO at $346.06. If the employee moves to the Limited PPO with the GAP plan, it will make the employee whole. GAP helps to cover the additional expenses to the employee at no cost to them. The move from Partnership to Limited will save the Board the additional cost in premiums which will allow them to pay for the GAP insurance. This is a savings to the county and to the employee. Amanda Lee has been explaining the possible changes to employees. She feels everyone is receiving it well. She told the Board that GAP will pay up to $6,000.00 and it pays the 30%. GAP is to use instead of your insurance. You eat up the GAP insurance instead of using your insurance. Mr. Williams told the Board that they might want to request their claim history. As you look at these changes, if your claim history is low you might want to look at changing from the state insurance to save some money. If your claims are high, you will want to stay. Dr. Cash added that the state is rolling out an additional plan. It is a Health Savings Account. Mr. Turner asked if the Board could allocate the difference into a Health Savings Account for employees that decide to take that option. He asked Chairman Lillios if he would allow a motion. He made a motion - during this open enrollment period, any individual that chooses the Health Savings Account the board will assign any difference in plan cost to the individual’s Health Savings Account. Chairman Lillios recognized the motion and asked for a second. There was no second. Mr. Turner asked the Board to look at the brochure from Five Point. The bottom right corner. The brochure says What Does GAP Cover? There are four conditional words in two sentences about what GAP covers. We need to see the plan and we need to ask for a claims history. Chairman Lillios ask if the Board should consider a called meeting. Dr. Cash said she would like to put together a small committee to look at insurance options. Chairman Lillios agreed and ask for the committee to give a recommendation about setting up a called voting meeting.

Discussion:  The election of Chairman, Vice Chair, TLN Representative and Pro Tem will take place by Dr, Cash opening the floor for nominations. Board members may make nominations. Dr. Cash will ask for other nominations. A board member will ask for nominations to cease. A roll call vote will be taken. Positions will become effective at the adjournment of this meeting. Dr. Cash opened the floor for nominations. Chris Turner was nominated by Dianna Calfee. Dr. Cash asked for other nominations. Charlie Rose asked that nominations cease. A roll call vote was taken. Amanda Lee - Yes Vicki Beaty - Yes Chris Turner - Yes Dianna Calfee - Yes Nicholas Lillios - Yes Charlie Rose - Yes Rodney Dillard - Absent The vote was 6 Yes - 0 Nay and 1 absent. The new Board Chairman is Chris Turner.

Discussion:  Dr. Cash opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chairman. Vicki Beaty was nominated by Charlie Rose. Dr. Cash asked for other nominations. Dianna Calfee asked that nominations cease. A roll call vote was taken. Charlie Rose - Yes Nicholas Lillios - Yes Dianna Calfee - Yes Chris Turner - Yes Vicki Beaty - Yes Amanda Lee - Yes Rodney Dillard - Absent The vote was 6 Yes - 0 Nay and 1 absent. The new Board Vice Chairman is Vicki Beaty.

Discussion:  Dr. Cash opened the floor for nominations for TLN Representative. Dianna Calfee was nominated by Vicki Beaty. Dr. Cash asked for other nominations. Chris Turner asked that nominations cease. A roll call vote was taken. Chris Turner - Yes Amanda Lee - Yes Nicholas Lillios - Yes Charlie Rose - Yes Vicki Beaty - Yes Dianna Calfee - Yes Rodney Dillard - Absent The vote was 6 Yes - 0 Nay and 1 absent. The new TLN Representative is Dianna Calfee.

Discussion:  Dr. Cash opened the floor for nominations for Chair Pro Tem. Amanda Lee was nominated by Vicki Beaty. Dr. Cash asked for other nominations. Dianna Calfee asked that nominations cease. A roll call vote was taken. Dianna Calfee - Yes Vicki Beaty - Yes Charlie Rose - Yes Nicholas Lillios - Yes Chris Turner - Yes Amanda Lee - Yes Rodney Dillard - Absent The vote was 6 Yes - 0 Nay and 1 absent. The new Chair Pro Tem is Amanda Lee.

Discussion:  Chairman Lillios told everyone that out of a year of challenging meetings, this was a fun one. He appreciated everyone for coming.