September 12, 2017 at 5:30 PM - Bradley County Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion: 

The pledge to the flag was led by Amanda Lee, 6th district Board member. 

Discussion:  No one signed up to address the Board.

Discussion:  Julie Bennett had a family emergency and was not able to attend the Board meeting to present the plaque.  The Board of Distinction plaque will be presented to the Board at the TSBA Fall District meeting Thursday night.  Mrs. Beaty showed the audience the plaque and explained that this is the third plaque the Board has received with three different Boards.  The Board must jump through a few extra hoops to be designated as a Board of Distinction.  She thanked the Board members for their hard work to receive this honor.  Chairman Dillard also recognized  Mrs. Beaty for her hard work.  She took charge of all the items for this project. 

Discussion:  Dr. Cash had great news and shared it with the Board.  TAVVSS scores came in today and we have 5's overall for the district. 

Discussion:  Mr. Bennet prepared a lease agreement for Westmore Church of God and GOAL.  Dr. Cash made a recommendation that the Board accept the lease agreement. 

Discussion:  Dr. Cash ask that the recommendation for the Master Lease be postponed until a later meeting.  She just received it from Mr. Bennett and has not had the time to go through it nor has the Board. The Board should have time to review the Master lease, Tranco lease, and addendums at the same time.  Dr. Cash told the Board that she will email them out to the Board.  Chairman Dillard also told the Board to email questions or recommendations to he and Dr. Cash.  

Discussion: 

The architects for GOAL Academy and the PIE Center will work together on this project.  Because they will be in the same building, everything will need to flow together, Dr. Cash explained to the Board. 

 

 

 

Discussion:  Annie White, Program Manager for Pathways Southeast TN, and Arlette Robinson, CTE Director for Bradley County Schools presented to the Board a new program for CTE students.  TN Work Ethic Diploma. Ms. White has been meeting with local industry employers to find out what certifications and what type of skills were lacking.  She had one employer that told her to put down her pencil and listen.  He told her that if the schools sent them students that come to work everyday on time and drug free, they would do the rest of the training.  She told the Board that this really changed her direction.  Students really need employability skills.  The northeast region developed the TN Work Ethic Diploma and is sharing it with the southeast region.  Employers and educators came together and came up with the 14 standards that they feel are missing when it comes to the workforce.  The students will achieve 20 points during their senior year and they will receive a seal for their diploma.  The seal will guarantee them an interview with the employers that are listed in the documentation.  Over 300 students graduated with this diploma in the first year in the northeast region.  Ms. White wrote a grant that will let them purchase the seals, lapel pins,and a website for students, career coaches, and industry to verify the information.  Ms. White and Mrs. Robinson ask the Board for approval of this program.   

Discussion: 

Lisa Eulo, German Teacher from Walker Valley High School, showed the Board pictures of the 2017 visit to Cleveland by the German students and the return trip of Bradley County / Cleveland students to Germany.  It was enjoyed by all.   They are looking forward to GAPP 2018. 

Discussion: 

Cason Conn, TriCon Project Manager, gave an update to the Board on Lake Forest Middle School.  They are 65% complete on the walls, 35% on the roofing, and 60%on the plumbing and electrical in the walls.  Everything is going really well.  Weather has been really tough on them.  Based on the number of weather days they are right where they need to be but would really like some crisp autumn days. The first coat of paint is on and the second coat will go on after they have climate control.  They are getting as much started as possible.  Mr. Conn said that working with Lewis Group and Lake Forest Staff has been awesome.   The most stressful part of the project is building next to students but there have not been any problems.  Amanda Lee asked what the estimated completion date is. When students show up with lunch boxes in the fall Mr. Conn told them.   

He went on to tell the Board that they should be under roof by mid November and under climate control by February or March.  We know school must start next year and I am watching it closely.  There is a great deal of work that can't begin until school is out this year. 

 

Doug Caywood thanked Mr. Stevenson and Dr. Cash for coming to the Knoxville office to get the interior palette picked out.   

Discussion:  Danny Coggin, Secondary Instructional Supervisor, presented the  Extended Contract program to the Board.  The criteria for distribution and the amount of money is the same as last year.  Extended Contracts are used for the betterment of our kids. Allotments are based on school populations. Dr. Cash explained that the money was approved in the budget so there is no action needed.  They just wanted the Board to see what it looked like when it was rolled out to the schools.

Discussion:  This is on the agenda for discussion purposes.  Mrs. Calfee sent one to the Board from the Athens Board on vouchers.  Athens is just trying to get the word out that vouchers will come back up this year and public schools should join together against vouchers.  The TSBA Fall District meeting is Thursday and that would be a good time to talk about this.  Mrs. Beaty suggested getting several Boards together with the legislators for discussions about upcoming legislations.