March 8, 2016 at 5:30 PM - Bradley County Board of Education Work Session

Discussion:  The Chamber Choir from Walker Valley High School sang for the Board.

Discussion:  Dr. Cash reported to the Board that there are READ 20 events happening with Kindergarten ROCKS. We are registering kindergarten students for school, their families for the imagination library and I-Ready kits.

Discussion:  Dr. Cash explained to the Board that some policies from Section 5 have recently been reviewed and changes made with 1st and 2nd reading. The rest of Section 5 - Personnel has no other changes that are needed.

Discussion:  Mr. Coggin told the Board that the Social Studies standards have changed at the state level and they are out for review. According to teachers at the secondary schools, 7th grade has changed the most. The teaching of these standards will be approached strictly from a historical prospective. To help protect and reflect the values of the citizens of Bradley County Mr. Rose wrote a Resolution for the Board. Mr. Lillios asked who will decide who the religious leaders are that are referred to in the Resoluation. Mr. Turner told him that the Director of Schools is ultimately responsible for the decisions for curriculum. Mr. Rose told the Board that no one should be teaching their personal faith but they should be teaching about how the history of religion has inpacked the world. It is the execution of the resolution that might get the Board in trouble was a concern for Mr. Lillios. He stated that the Board can not discrimate against any religion. After more discussion, Chairman Turner suggested that Item 2 in the last section be removed. He went on to say that he feels like this is not about correcting a wrong. It is about protecting and reflecting the values of the citizens of Bradley County. We are establishing clearly what we expect relative to history standards.

Discussion:  Sarah Crispin, Human Resources Supervisor, presented to the Board her Options and Recommendation for a Substitute Program for Bradley County Schools. She recommends that the software programs that are currently being used as a hiring management program and on-line training program be replaced with a substitute calling system and a different hiring management program. This will allow for a District Savings for the 2016-2017 school year of $11,884.50. Without the start up cost, we will see a District Savings for the 2017-2018 school year of $18,084.50.

Discussion:  Scott Humberd provided the Board with the Bradley County Board of Education Janitorial RFP. All proposals must be turned in by 11:00a.m to the Board of Education Office on April 8, 2016. The contract will be awarded to a single vendor that will service ALL Bradley County Schools properties. After some discussion by the Board, they asked Mr. Humberd to add a clause for Proof of Evaluation to the RFP.

Discussion:  Johnny Mull introduced Russ Nelson from ESG. Mr. Nelson told the Board that they are at 25% estimate of the project needs. The others that are on the team from ESG are Kevin Waters and Project Manager Bill Nash. The goal is to enhance the learning environment and help to reduce operating cost. They look at HVAC, windows, lighting, monitoring energy use and bottom line is if they are budget neutral that shows success. A lot of their projects are replacing old equipment. Their projects are guaranteed on an annual basis. Mr. Nelson also told the Board that the CIP information is 7 years old. So, most equipment that was okay 7 years ago may not be now. According to ESG, the maintenance department is spread thin with 135,000 square foot per person to maintain. He also told the Board that what they need now is a vote to give them approval to finish their engineering work. He said that ESG is never involved in financing. They are a specialized design bid build construction company playing in renovations only.

Discussion:  Mrs. Calfee told the Board that she would like to recommend Rebecca Brnik for the TSBA Volunteer of the Year. She will read a Proclamation on Thursday as her recommendation.

Discussion:  Chairman Turner informed the Board that he has two students that he would like to present to the Board for the TSBA Student Recognition Award. With the help of Mr. Coggin, he would like to recommend Blaire Terrell and Vivian Baker. He will present a Proclamation for each student on Thursday.

Discussion:  PTO's bridge our funding gaps, they provide additional resources, they fund art teachers, and just pick up the slack that the Board is not able to fund, Mrs. Lee told the Board. They volunteer their time so it doesn't cost the District anything. Mrs. Lee would like to honor PTO Presidents at their board meetings. After some discussion, it was decided that Mrs. Lee and Dr. Cash will come back to the Board with a recommendation of how to make this happen.

Discussion:  Mrs. Lee asked the Board to put May 3rd on their calendar. Teacher Appreciation Day is May 3rd and she is working out a plan for Board members to go to schools. They will split up and cover every school. She would also like to invite the County Commission to go along with the Board. Mr. Coggin spoke up and told Mrs. Lee that May 3rd is a testing day. She asked the Board to hold that week for visits and she will work out a schedule for that week.

Discussion:  Thursday, March 10, at 5:30 is the Board Meeting. There will be an Ad Hoc Committee meeting for Energy Performance Contracts on Thursday at noon in the Mayor's Conference Room. Mr. Turner also announced that during the County Commission meeting last night they approved funding for Lake Forest Middle School.

Discussion:  The Board went into a closed session to discuss safety issues.

Discussion:  After the closed Safety Meeting, Chairman Turner adjourned the meeting.