March 8, 2018 at 5:30 PM - Bradley County Board of Education Regular Meeting

Dr. Cash told the Board that the schools had Kindergarten Rocks and Open House last week and it was a success.  The kindergarten numbers are up for next year.  The Supervisors and she divided up and went to schools for the fun.  Dr. Cash thanked the schools for all they did to make everyone feel welcome.   Our students are so well behaved, she told the Board. A crew came in from New York and Florida to film Open Court opportunities we offer. They praised our students and teachers; our students for their leadership and our teachers for being so focused on teaching. 

Dr. Cash recognized Tom Crye, County Commissioner.  Mr. Crye thanked the Board for being proactive on safety.  He asked them to continue to keep the pressure on to get something accomplished.  He suggested that each Board member and others in the community contact their County Commissioners and other elected officials to let them know how important safety in our schools is.  Mr. Crye told the Board that he and Milan Blake are on key committees with the County Commission and will work toward making the schools safe.  

Dr. Candice Belt, Principal, and teachers from Charleston Elementary explained their plan to become "A STEAM Academy" to the Board.  STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.  LeAnn Burgess told the Board that there have been many improvements to their school but the best one is the STEAM lab.  Their future plans are to focus learning around the STEAM lab.  Their goal is to engage all K-5th grade students in project based and problem based learning.   They hope to be a magnet for families that want a STEAM education.  They raised money and received several grants to help with this process.  They developed an application for additional students.  They contacted other schools to collaboration with their staff and get help with the process of getting state certified.   Dr. Belt invited the Board to come visit their school anytime and thanked them for their continued support.  Dr. Cash thanked Ron Baum and Lynn Voltez for the funding and backing for the STEAM lab.  Mrs. Voltez thanked Todd Walker and the members that worked diligently raising month for Charleston.   Mr. Baum told the Board that during their visits to Charleston he enjoyed see the students ability to work together.  This is a skill they will need in the industry.  

Mr. Caywood updated the Board on the progress at Lake Forest Middle School.   He told the Board that Mr. Stephenson invited Lewis Group to show the layout of the school to the new 6th grade students and parents during a recent open house. They also show cased the STEM and Art facilities that are flanking the center of the building.  Mr. Caywood told the Board that they have a wonderful interior design package.  We they are finished, it will top any middle they have done anywhere in the state.  Meetings to demolish 8 (eight) buildings are beginning. A coordination meeting will take place to determine when the first building will come down to get ready for the new parking log.  Lockers will arrive this week. Following are the percentages completed: 50% paint, 40% polished floors, 65% light fixtures, 60% ceiling grids, inside masonary complete, 65% brick complete, roofing complete, HVAC complete,  90% plumbing, electrical, and HVAC above ceiling, structural steel is complete, and 60% windows.  Jerry Frazier asked which building are being kept and which are coming down.  Coming down are buildings 1,2,3,9, 10, administration building, library, and performing arts.  The county is keeping 4,8,12, and 13 and the school will keep 11.  Chairman Dillard ask if we are still on schedule to open in the fall.  Mr. Caywood told him yes.  Mr. Caywood also told everyone to be looking for coming information about the legacy bricks.   

Dr. Cash told the Board that after Spring Break, at both high schools, there will be post certified security at each gate.  It is in cooperation with Sheriff Watson and his department that we are able to have this extra layer of security.  We are very appreciative.  The month of April will be used to focus on School Safety.  Scotty Hernandez, Safety Director, is working to get figures for items in the safety needs that was presented to the County Commission.  The schools will have community meetings to discuss safety and get ideas.  There will be an Active Shooter Drill at Bradley High on April 21st with law enforcement, emergency services, teachers and administrators.  Chairman Dillard said that Bradley County Schools are safe but this drill will let us know if there are things we need to improve on.    

Arlette Robinson explained the need to go to the Hannover Fair in German.  She told them that now that elementary schools are into STEAM and STEM, the secondary schools need to up their game before they get to them.  Instead of the little robots, they will need the $65,000.00 robots.  Their equipment supplier, Reletech, invited them to send three teachers with them to Germany to visit the equipment manufacturer, FESTO, and attend the International Hannover Messe 2018,  which is the world's largest trade fair.  All expenses will be paid by FESTO except airfare.  Reletech will pay for one ticket and they contacted Lynn at the Ed. Foundation to seek $2000 toward the other two tickets.  Teachers going would be:  Patrick Spangler, Brittany Cannon and Teresa Curvin.  

Chairman Dillard appointed Jerry Frazier, Chair, Amanda Lee, Dr. Cash, Commissioner Tom Crye, and Commissioner Milan Blake to a Capital Outlay Committee  for long range planning.  Susan Willcutt, Ellen Smith, and Chairman Dillard will meet with the committee, also.   Dr. Cash asked if Mr. Frazier, Mrs. Lee, and Chairman Dillard could meet on the current Capital Outlay Committee, also.