September 12, 2024 at 5:00 PM - Bradley County Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Board Members Nancy Casson, Ted Bryson, Rachel Goins, and Dr. Jeff Lovingood read and signed their Oath of Office and were sworn in by Judge Andrew Morgan.

I DO SOLEMNLY AFFIRM THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE  STATE OF TENNESSEE AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC; THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; THAT I TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY, WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION.  I FURTHER AFFIRM THAT I WILL PERFORM WITH FIDELITY THE DUTIES OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF BRADLEY COUNTY, TENNESSEE.  I WILL EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THIS OFFICE WITHOUT PREJUDICE, PARTIALITY OR FAVOR TO THE BEST OF MY SKILL AND ABILITY.  SO HELP ME GOD.

Discussion:  Chairman Beaty called the meeting to order and welcomed dignitaries in attendance. 

Discussion:  The Pledge to the Flag was led by Ted Bryson.

Discussion: 

The Chairperson acknowledged that one individual had signed up to address the Board. Prior to allowing public comments, the Chairperson read the Board’s public comment policy, emphasizing that comments must pertain to the agenda item and that addressing student or employee issues is not permitted. Each speaker is allowed three minutes, and comments are directed to the Chair. The Chair has the authority to terminate comments if board rules are not followed.

Speaker: Lori Sentel
Address: 2530 Overbrook Circle, NW, Cleveland, TN
Agenda Item: Teacher Grievance (Item 8)

Ms. Sentel addressed the Board, sharing her experience as a dedicated educator with 33 years of teaching experience. She highlighted her successful teaching record, noting significant academic improvements among her students. She stated that her students had achieved 100% on-grade-level reading and significant progress in math by the end of the year.

Ms. Sentel explained her transition from Cleveland City Schools to Bradley County Schools, where she followed a trusted principal. However, after the arrival of a new principal, she claimed the required post-observation feedback under the Project Coach protocol was not provided. She submitted a grievance detailing the lack of proper feedback following classroom observations, which she noted was mandated.

Ms. Sentel also informed the Board that her former principal had allegedly altered dates and times in the observation records. She expressed concern over the ethics of this action, stating that her evaluation score was ultimately a "2" and her contract was non-renewed based on this flawed process.

In her concluding remarks, Ms. Sentel requested that the observation component of her evaluation be nullified and that she be provided with a letter acknowledging that Project Coach protocols were not followed.

At the three-minute mark, the Chair asked Ms. Sentel to conclude her comments. She thanked the Board for their time and consideration.

Discussion: 

Dr. Cash took a moment to recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, honoring the strength, resilience, and courage of children battling cancer. She expressed heartfelt support for the families affected by childhood cancer within the district and surrounding areas.

Dr. Cash emphasized our commitment to raising awareness and supporting these families. The district has partnered with local pediatric cancer foundations, including The Grayson Foundation, Live the Journey Foundation, and Mason's Life Foundation, alongside Cleveland City Schools. These organizations were acknowledged for their efforts in providing hope and resources to families facing the challenges of childhood cancer.

Dr. Cash also expressed gratitude for the community’s strength and unity in supporting this cause.

Discussion: 

Dr. Linda Cash welcomed LEAD Fellows.  Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation Lead Fellowship aims to bring together educators, administrators, and community leaders for the improvement of the school system. Dr. Cash emphasized the fellows' commitment to leadership and education and expressed gratitude for their attendance.

She noted that the fellowship is part of their learning journey, providing an opportunity to observe how board members deliberate and make important decisions for the district. Dr. Cash expressed appreciation for both the fellows' dedication and the service of the board members.

She concluded by thanking the fellows for their time and ongoing service to Bradley County Schools.

Discussion: 

Chairman Vicki Beaty introduced the next item of business, which involved an employee grievance. The grievance was submitted by a non-tenured teacher at Hopewell Elementary School, concerning minor procedural evaluation errors that had already been addressed by the school administration and Dr. Linda Cash, the Director of Schools.

Dr. Linda Cash addressed the Board, referencing State Board Rule 0520-02-01-.18. She stated that such minor procedural errors do not warrant challenging the final evaluation results unless they materially affect or compromise the evaluation's integrity. Since the grievances only involve minor procedural issues that have been resolved and do not meet the threshold for a formal grievance under State Board rules, Dr. Cash recommended that the Board deny the teacher's request for a hearing.

Chairman Vicki Beaty called for a motion to either grant or deny the hearing of the employee grievance.

Ted Bryson moved to deny the petition and accept Dr. Cash's recommendation.

Ms. Casson seconded the motion.

Discussion: 

Zech Pike, Supervisor of Security and Safety, presented a proposal for a partnership with the I Love U Guys Foundation. Pike highlighted that this initiative would incur no cost to the district.

The I Love U Guys Foundation provides a streamlined response system for emergencies and critical incidents, featuring clear communication, common language, and standardized procedures. The program aims to better prepare students, parents, and staff by eliminating confusion around terms such as "soft lockdown," which may be misunderstood as an active threat.

Pike explained that the partnership would offer valuable resources and training to schools, faculty, and students at no cost. The proposed agreement is a two-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) with no financial obligation and no penalties for cancellation.

Pike requested the Board’s approval to establish this partnership, which will complement the district’s existing emergency communication system.

Discussion: 

Zech Pike, Supervisor of Security and Safety, requested Board approval for the purchase of additional Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) needed throughout the district. Following an assessment by a long-time vendor and a review with Tabitha Payne, Nurse Manager, it was determined that 15 additional AEDs are required.

Pike outlined the following details:

• The total cost for the AEDs is $40,173.65.
• Funds for this purchase have been reserved within his budget, with savings from a previous project covering the cost.
• The purchase will be made through BuyBoard, a state-approved purchasing cooperative, which streamlines the bidding process.

The additional AEDs will be distributed across the district and will also be available for field trips and athletic events. Since the total purchase amount exceeds $25,000 and is being made through BuyBoard, Pike requested the Board’s approval.

Discussion: 

Todd Shoemaker, Secondary Supervisor, presented a proposal for extended contracts to support various programs within schools. He highlighted that this year's proposal mirrors last year's, involving the distribution of 25 contracts.

The contracts will be allocated to schools, with principals deciding how to utilize them. These contracts support a range of activities, including enrichment programs and assistance for at-risk students.

Shoemaker requested Board approval to distribute the contracts to principals so they can initiate and implement their respective programs.

Discussion: 

Milan Blake, Bradley County Commissioner, provided an update on the resolution concerning the Bradley Track project. He confirmed that the resolution, which was voted on and passed by the Finance Committee and the full commission, is now officially in writing.

Blake explained that once the funds become available, the project will be funded and work will proceed in collaboration with the school system. He pointed out that the resolution represents a significant step forward, as it ensures that the project is formally acknowledged and not just discussed without follow-through, unlike some previous projects.

Blake emphasized the importance of having the resolution in writing to ensure that the project moves forward as planned.

Discussion: 

Corbett Drew reported on the ongoing issues with the fencing at the Bradley Central tennis courts. Despite the warranty period having expired, the general contractor continues to honor the warranty as the claim was filed during the warranty period.

Key points included:

• The contractor has attempted one partial repair, which was not fully successful.
• The contractor has committed to resolving the issue and has requested until the end of the month to address the problem with their fencing subcontractor.
• If the subcontractor fails to resolve the issue by then, the general contractor plans to take legal action against the subcontractor and potentially bring in a new subcontractor to complete the repairs.
• Alternatively, the district has the option to arrange repairs independently, but would need to consult with legal counsel to understand the process for reimbursement and associated responsibilities.

Recommendation: Drew recommended allowing the general contractor until the end of the month to resolve the issue and provide a plan for final resolution.

Discussion: 

Peter Ludman, the architect on record for the Ocoee Middle School CDC Expansion, provided an update on the project bidding process. He reported that:

• The pre-bid meeting had a strong turnout, with six contractors submitting bids.
• All bids were close in amount, and notably, they came in under budget, indicating a positive trend in construction costs.
• The apparent low bidder is Wilder Contracting LLC, with a bid of $1,752,600.
• The bid includes a timeline of 270 calendar days, aligning with the goal to complete the project before the next school year, provided the contractor can commence within the next month.

Discussion: 

Amanda Lee presented an update on Policy 1.800, concerning the school calendar. She reported that there were no changes made to the policy itself, only to the procedures.

Lee made a motion to approve Policy 1.800 for its first reading.

Discussion:  Amanda Lee introduced Policy 2.403, concerning surplus property sales. The policy update includes a new requirement that legal notices must now be placed not only in newspapers but also on an online news and information website, as mandated by recent law changes.

Discussion:  Amanda Lee discussed Policy 2.806, which addresses bids and quotations. The policy update reflects a legal change that increases the competitive bidding threshold from $10,000 to $25,000.

Discussion:  Amanda Lee presented Policy 3.202, concerning the emergency preparedness plan. The policy has been updated to comply with Public Chapter 563, which requires districts to develop procedures for handling various emergency situations, including fire alarms, evacuations, and potential active shooter events.

Discussion:  Amanda Lee presented Policy 4.201, which addresses class size ratios. The policy has been updated to comply with Public Chapter 712, which modifies class size requirements to provide greater flexibility for technical and career education classes for grades six through eight.

Discussion:  Amanda Lee presented Policy 4.213, which addresses the family life curriculum. The policy has been updated to reflect several changes required by state law concerning family life instruction.

Discussion:  Amanda Lee presented Policy 4.301, which concerns interscholastic athletics. The policy has been updated to reflect a new state law that allows home school students to participate in interscholastic athletics in schools that are not members of TSSAA or TMSAA.

Discussion:  Amanda Lee presented Policy 6.4052, which addresses opioid antagonists. The policy has been updated to reflect new requirements for storing opioid antagonists according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It also states that school districts cannot prohibit individuals from possessing opioid antagonists on school property or at off-campus school events.

Discussion:  Amanda Lee presented Policy 4.600 for a second reading. The policy has been updated to include a clause stating that grading scores with a minimum above zero are not permitted.

Discussion: 

Chairman Beaty appointed Josh Taylor, Ted Bryson and herself to the committee for the Architect Selection for Park View Elementary School.

Discussion: 

Chairman Vicki Beaty addressed the board regarding the proposed land purchase for a future middle school on Lauderdale Memorial Highway, adjacent to Walker Valley High School. She highlighted the benefits of this location, including:

• Shared Academic Resources: Opportunities for collaboration between middle and high school staff, shared facilities (fine arts, science labs, computer labs), and potential shared spaces (library, auditorium, cafeteria).
• Enhanced Student Opportunities: Mentorship, leadership, and shared athletic facilities.
• Logistical Advantages: Easy access, utility options, and space for future growth.

Dr. Linda Cash supported the purchase, noting that the property has been under negotiation for some time and presents exceptional future opportunities for students. She recommended proceeding with the purchase.

Ted Bryson made a motion to approve the purchase of the property, emphasizing its strategic value and proximity to Walker Valley High School. He noted that if not purchased soon, the property might be sold to another buyer.

Discussion: 

Dr. Linda Cash opened the floor for nominations for the position of Chairman of the Bradley County School Board.

Amanda Lee nominated Vicki Beaty for Chairman.

Dr. Cash confirmed the nomination and asked if there were any additional nominations. With no further nominations, she moved to a motion for the election of Vicki Beaty as Chairman. The motion did not require a second but was subject to a voice vote.

Discussion: 

Chairman Vicki Beaty opened the floor for nominations for the position of Vice Chairman.

Nancy Casson nominated Ted Bryson for Vice Chairman.

Chairman Beaty asked if there were any further nominations. With no additional nominations, she declared the nominations closed and requested a motion to approve Ted Bryson by acclamation.

Discussion: 

Chairman Vicki Beaty opened the floor for nominations for the Tennessee Legislative Network Representative.

Ted Bryson made a motion to nominate Nancy Casson for the position, noting her excellent performance in the role.

Chairman Beaty asked if there were any further nominations. With no additional nominations, she declared the nominations closed and requested a motion to approve Nancy Casson by acclamation.

Amanda Lee made a motion that nominations cease and that Nancy Casson be approved by acclamation.

Discussion:  Chairman Vicki Beaty addressed the board regarding the October meeting. Due to the fall break and a limited number of agenda items for that month, she recommended canceling the October board meeting.

Discussion:  Mr. Taylor added that on September 19, 2024, Michigan Avenue Elementary School will have a playground dedication. 

Discussion:  With no other items to discuss, Chairman Beaty adjourned the meeting.




                                                                      
Vicki Beaty , Chairman



                                                                      
Dr. Linda Cash, Director of Schools