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

Discussion:  Chairman Beaty called the meeting to order and welcomed dignitaries in attendance. Chairman Beaty took a moment to remember educators who have passed away during 2024 and honor their legacy.
 

• Carolyn Bilbo: Special Education gifted coordinator and special education lead teacher at Bradley Junior
• Dianne Fair: Prospect Elementary, with 41 years of service (1972-2013).
• Herbert Lackey: Former Black Fox principal and Bradley Central High School Agriculture teacher.
• Alvin Lee: Bus contractor for 52 years, serving in Bradley and Hamilton counties.
• Joe Spencer: Teacher for 44 years at Michigan Avenue Elementary, Trewhitt Junior High, Bradley Junior High, and Ocoee Middle School, as well as an award-winning girls' basketball coach.
• Janice Suits: Former principal of Blue Springs Elementary and classroom teacher at Oak Grove.

Discussion:  Board Member Rachel Goins led the Pledge to the Flag.

Discussion:  The board addressed the consent agenda. There were no requests to pull items from the agenda. A motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Mr. Bryson and seconded by Mr. Taylor. The motion carried.

Discussion:  No public comment was given.

Discussion: 

The Director of Schools presented the following highlights in the Director's Report:

• Graduation Rate: Bradley County Schools achieved a district-wide graduation rate of 97.7%, the highest in its history.
• Transportation: Over 8,000 students are transported daily across 45 regular bus routes, 15 Special Education routes, and two PIE Center buses.
• Recognition of Excellence:
  • District Teachers of the Year:
    • Elementary: Jamie Seymour
    • Middle School: Molly Boston
    • High School: Lindsey McChesney
  • Novice Teachers of the Year:
    • Elementary: Lauren Mayton
    • Middle School: Anna Grace Merritt
    • High School: Ryan Gamble
  • Principal of the Year: Dr. Candice Belt
  • Supervisor of the Year: Mr. Terry McElhaney
  • State-Level Achievements:
    • Kirk Campbell recognized as Southeast Principal of the Year.
    • Dana Yost named East Grand Division Supervisor of the Year.
    • Tina McCracken won the Tennessee RISE Award and will compete at the national level.
• Property Updates:
  • Lauderdale property for a future middle school is scheduled to close by January 13.
  • Discussions are ongoing regarding the North property, with plans to explore additional potential properties.

Project Updates (presented by Mr. Corbett Drew and Mr. Kyle Page):

• Ocoee Middle School CDC expansion is on schedule and within budget.
• Bradley Central High School vestibule project is nearing completion.
• Bradley Field House project design is underway, with permits and bids anticipated in February. Construction will begin after the baseball season.
• Hopewell Elementary School design development is progressing, with plans to bid in spring and start construction in summer.

The Director concluded by noting Bradley County Schools’ unique achievement as the only district with representatives in every category at the state level in Nashville, highlighting its exemplary leadership.

Discussion: 

The board discussed the proposed Universal School Vouchers and the Education Freedom Act of 2025, which would allocate $144 million in funding for 23 vouchers worth about $7,000 each. Dr. Cash emphasized the importance of public education and expressed concerns about the potential impacts of the voucher program on public schools.

Key Points:

• The proposed vouchers would use taxpayer funds for students attending private schools, and the bill includes provisions for expanding access after a set number of vouchers are issued.
• Dr. Cash reiterated that the board supports Bradley County's public schools and recommended that the board send a letter to lawmakers expressing concerns about the legislation.

Nancy Casson presented the letter, highlighting concerns and recommendations:

Key Considerations and Recommendations  

1. Protect Access for Low-Income Students

Voucher slots designated for low-income families should remain exclusively available to those in need. Reallocating these slots to higher-income families would risk undermining equitable access and fail to prioritize underserved communities.  

2. Set Clear Eligibility Criteria

To ensure fairness, only students from low-income families who are new to private education should qualify for vouchers. This policy would prevent public funds from subsidizing families already capable of affording private schooling.  

3. Prioritize Public School Transfers

Before accessing private school vouchers, students should have the opportunity to transfer to high-performing public schools. This approach strengthens public education and expands access to quality learning environments without diverting critical resources.  

4. Limit Program Expansion

Any expansion of the voucher program should be deferred until existing slots are fully utilized and the needs of public schools—including infrastructure, staffing, and academic support—are adequately addressed. Public schools must remain a central pillar of educational equity.  

5. Enforce Uniform Accountability Standards

Schools receiving public funds, including private institutions, must be held to the same standards as public schools. This includes financial transparency, student performance reporting, and compliance with state and federal regulations.  

6. Evaluate Outcomes and Funding Impact 

A thorough, independent evaluation of the current voucher program should be conducted over a three-year period to assess its impact on student outcomes. Additionally, a comprehensive analysis of the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) model should be completed to determine its effectiveness in addressing local funding needs.  

The letter urged lawmakers to consider these recommendations to ensure fairness, transparency, and the preservation of public education.

Board Action:
The board voted to approve the letter, which will be signed by each board member and sent to the relevant legislators. A motion to approve the letter was made by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Bryson, and thirded by Ms. Casson. The motion passed. Dr. Cash requested, if there are no objections from the board, to extend the sending of the letter to the education chairs for both the House and the Senate, so that they understand our request and, most importantly, our support for public schools.

Discussion: 

Peter Ludman, Architect, addressed the board regarding the contract for the Park View Elementary School building design and construction. Dr. Cash pointed out an error on page 15, where it stated "14 days," but it should read "24 months." Dr. Cash asked for clarification on what would be the board's responsibility if the timeline exceeded the anticipated 24 months.

Peter explained that the clause regarding 24 months is standard in their contracts. The construction is expected to take about 12 months, with 6 months for design, totaling 18 months. If the timeline exceeds 24 months, it would be due to delays beyond their control, such as contractor defaults, and the contract includes provisions for additional compensation in such cases. The clause allows for up to 6 months beyond the expected timeline.

After addressing the question, Peter confirmed they were ready to begin the project.

Action: A motion was made to approve the Park View Elementary School building design and construction contract.

Discussion:  Terry McElhaney requested the transfer of Route Nine from Mr. Joe Lewis to David Guthrie, a current driver for Bradley County Schools. Mr. Guthrie has been vetted and is considered a strong candidate to take over the route. The transfer is proposed to be effective January 1, 2025.

Discussion: 




                                                                      
Vicki Beaty, Chairman



                                                                      
Dr. Linda Cash, Director of Schools