May 5, 2025 at 4:00 PM - Bradley County Board of Education Regular Meeting

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

Discussion:  Pledge to the Flag was led by Board Member Amanda Lee.

Discussion: 

Representative Dan Howell provided an update on recent education legislation from the 114th General Assembly. He highlighted several key bills, including the expansion of the Future Teachers program (HB504), merit-based pay options for LEAs (HB759), a requirement for school boards to restrict student cell phone use in classrooms (HB932), and planning efforts in case the U.S. Department of Education is abolished (HB958). He also discussed legislation regarding teacher protections (HB1270), DEI hiring restrictions (HB923), and significant financial investments in education, including teacher bonuses, raises, and infrastructure funding. Representative Howell commended the work of Dr. Cash and praised Bradley County Schools for strong leadership and outcomes.

Mitchell Simpson, parent of four students and President of Wright Brothers Construction, spoke in support of Dr. Cash during the director evaluation agenda item. He praised the impact of the PIE Center on workforce development, noting his company employs 32 graduates from the program. He also highlighted a long-standing anti-drug partnership (ATS) with the district, which has led to a 35% reduction in youth drug citations. Mr. Simpson emphasized Dr. Cash’s visible and authentic support for students and credited her leadership for successful community initiatives.

Mike Griffin, President of the Chamber of Commerce, offered remarks congratulating Dr. Cash on another successful year. He spoke to her active and consistent leadership in community partnerships, including through Rotary, the Chamber, and the PIE Center. Mr. Griffin expressed deep appreciation for her service and emphasized her value to the community and the difficulty of imagining her eventual replacement.

Discussion: 

The Board reviewed the executive summary of the Director of Schools evaluation. Each board member received a copy, which included all scores and comments. The evaluation used a scale of 1 to 3, with 1 being "Below Expectations," 2 "Meets Standards and Requirements," and 3 "Exceeds Standards and Requirements."

Evaluation Results:

• Overall Score: 2.97 out of 3.0 - Exceeds Expectations

• Category Scores:

  • Communication: 2.9

  • Community Relations: 3.0

  • Curriculum: 3.0

  • School Community Involvement: 3.0

  • Leadership: 3.0

  • Organizational Management: 3.0

  • Personnel Management: 3.0

  • Facility Management: 3.0

  • Finance & Budgeting: 3.0

  • School Improvement: 3.0

  • Staff Development: 3.0

  • Director/Board Relations: 2.9

  • Supervision & Evaluation: 2.9

  • Integrity, Fairness, and Ethics: 3.0

Board Member Comments:

• Dr. Cash fosters a supportive and productive environment through strong communication skills.

• She is a motivational leader who works effectively with the board and staff.

• She demonstrates strategic vision in planning for future district needs, including building projects and finance.

• She sets high expectations for staff accountability and holds herself to the same standard.

• Board members consistently praised her leadership, communication, and vision, with one member stating she is "the best director in the state."

Following the presentation of the summary, a motion was made to approve the Director's evaluation.

Discussion: 

The Board reviewed the proposed changes to the contract of employment between Dr. Linda Cash and the Bradley County Board of Education. The revised contract extends Dr. Cash’s term by one year, with the new contract running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029, in compliance with the four-year maximum allowed by state law.

The extension and updates to the contract were based on demonstrated progress toward key performance goals, including:

• Graduation Rate: 97.7%

• Ready Graduate Rate: 58.7%

• Third Grade Literacy: 13% above state average

• TCAP Scores: Above state average

• Starting Teacher Salaries: Exceed 2027 state goal by $7,000

The PIE Innovation Center was also recognized as a national model, offering a unique, comprehensive workforce readiness program under one roof—an achievement attributed to Dr. Cash’s leadership.

Dr. Cash also outlined future-ready goals, including:

• Development of an Esports Center

• Expansion of BizTown

• Achieving STEM/STEAM designations for all county schools

• Strategic planning for community growth, land acquisition, and new school development

Contract Modifications Include:

• Updates to Section 4 - Compensation to include performance pay

• Revisions related to business-related expenses

• Clarification of language regarding insurance benefits

A motion was then made to approve the proposed changes to the contract.

Discussion:  Dr. Linda Cash presented the Director’s Report, which included a reminder of Teacher Appreciation Week. The Board expressed gratitude to all Bradley County teachers for their dedication and impact on students, and a formal appreciation letter was read aloud by Ms. Lee. Each principal received a check from the Board to help fund appreciation activities, and schools were encouraged to recognize staff throughout the week.

Discussion: 

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) Recognitions:

Ms. Arlette Robinson and CTE instructors presented SkillsUSA, HOSA, and DECA winners:

• SkillsUSA:

  • 67 students from Walker Valley High School participated; 28 events entered, with 10 medal wins (1 Gold, 4 Silver, 5 Bronze).

  • Bradley Central increased participation from 18 to 53 students, earning 5 medals (2 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze).

  • The PIE Center had 3 student competitors—all placed.

  • Notable achievement: Two-time state champions in Marine Service Technology from Bradley Central.

• HOSA:

  • 38 students from Bradley Central attended the state conference; 3 events won, including first place in Sports Medicine.

  • Three students advanced to Nationals in various events including Nursing Assisting and Medical Spelling.

  • Lake Forest Middle School’s first-time participants earned three state-level awards in Health Science.

• DECA:

  • 18 students from Bradley Central competed at state level. Students from both Bradley and Walker Valley received high honors.

  • Notable recognition: Bradley Central student Dylan [last name not provided] wrote a 50-page proposal over winter break to earn international DECA certification and earned a top exam score at the international competition.

CTE Student of the Year:

• This year, the district will honor two CTE Students of the Year due to a tie—both with ACT scores over 30. Winners will be announced at upcoming school ceremonies.

The Board celebrated the achievements of all students and commended CTE staff for their leadership and commitment.

Discussion: 

Janitorial Paper and Soap Supplies

Ellen Smith presented the bid recommendation for janitorial paper and soap supplies for Lake Forest Middle School and Bradley Central High School, which are not covered under the district's full custodial contract. The recommended vendor is Kelsan, Inc., who was one of five bidders.

• Pricing for toilet paper and paper towels remains unchanged from the previous year.

• Hand soap costs decreased by $4.83 per case, representing a cost savings for the district.

A motion was made and seconded to approve Kelsan, Inc. as the vendor for janitorial paper and soap supplies.

Discussion: 

Ellen Smith presented the bid recommendation for copy paper for the upcoming school year. Five bids were received, and the recommendation is to award the contract to JanWorks.

• Selected Bid: JanWorks at $34.78 per case

• Savings: Over $5 per case compared to the current year

• Noted improvement: Copy paper pricing is beginning to normalize following elevated COVID-related costs.

A motion was made and seconded to approve JanWorks as the vendor for copy paper.

Discussion: 

Kyle Page presented the recommendation for the resurfacing of the Prospect Elementary community walking trail, a grant-funded project. The bid was advertised publicly, and two bids were received: one from Caldwell and one from Cane Industries.

• Recommended Vendor: Cane Industries

• Bid Amount: $52,458

• Scope: Full refurbishment of the walking trail located behind Prospect Elementary

A motion was made and seconded to approve Cane Industries for the walking trail resurfacing project.

Discussion: 

Kyle Page presented the bid results for the replacement of the Bradley Central High School Baseball Field House. Four qualified bids were received, all of which exceeded the project budget, primarily due to steel cost escalation and the limited economy of scale for a smaller project.

• The administration recommended awarding the contract to Pro Builders Unlimited, contingent upon a successful Value Engineering process to reduce costs and bring the project within budget.

• Budget Target: $550,000

• The lowest bid received was $698,000, which included a $50,000 contingency.

• Board members discussed the urgency of the facility need and expressed confidence that the project could be reduced in scope or restructured to meet budget requirements.

 

Discussion: 

Scott Webb presented the recommendation to approve RJ Young as the new vendor for the district-wide copier contract, effective July 1, 2025. All existing individual school copier contracts will expire on June 30, 2025, and the new agreement will consolidate services under one umbrella across the district.

• Vendor: RJ Young (based in Nashville; national provider)

• Benefits:

  • District-wide cost savings and consistency

  • Relieves schools of the financial and logistical responsibility for copier expenses

  • Estimated long-term savings of approximately $250,000 over five years

  • Enables future device cost reductions and improvements through changes like mobility print

• Copy Monitoring: Though the contract includes unlimited printing, usage will be monitored, and school principals will have tools to track and manage copy volumes.

• Goal: Reduce total copies district-wide by at least 10% from the previous year’s estimated 15 million copies

Board members expressed support for the plan, citing its long-term savings and positive feedback from school principals.

Discussion: 

Ellen Smith and Johnny Mull presented the recommendation to approve a full-service janitorial contract with Pritchard Industries, following committee review and legal approval.

• Contract Type: Full-service janitorial (not hybrid), with an option to re-evaluate at the 2-year mark and transition to a hybrid model if performance is not satisfactory.

• Key Features:

  • Reduction of Pay Clause: New clause allows the district to deduct payment for services not rendered (e.g., closures or staffing absences).

  • Staff Vetting: Principals may provide input on current staff as part of the rehiring process; Prichard will provide a list of employees assigned to each building.

  • Background Checks: All staff will undergo compliant background screening with verification provided to the district.

  • Staffing Improvements: All positions will be full-time with a starting wage of $16 per hour, aimed at improving consistency and retention.

  • Building Access & Transparency: Schools will be notified of who is working in their building at night.

  • Performance Reporting: Principals will have access to a formal reporting system to monitor and evaluate janitorial services.

Dr. Cash and board members expressed optimism regarding improvements in service quality, the benefits of transitioning to full-time staffing, and the importance of consistent communication and accountability through reporting.

Discussion: 

Tabitha Payne presented Memorandums of Understanding for Well Child for the 2025-2026 school year, shared for information only.

Well Child MOU

• Purpose: Provide in-school access to annual physicals, sports physicals, and vision services.

• Key Feature: Vision services include an on-site optometry clinic where students can select glasses frames.

• Cost: No cost to families or the district.

  • Insurance will be billed if available, but no copays or additional charges will be passed to families.

• Participation: Fully opt-in with parental consent required.

Discussion: 

Tabitha Payne presented a Memorandums of Understanding for Health Hero for the 2025-2026 school year, shared for information only.

Health Hero MOU

• Purpose: Expand access to school-compliant vaccinations.

• Cost: No cost to Bradley County Schools or families.

  • Insurance will be billed if applicable, with no out-of-pocket costs for parents.

• Participation: Also fully opt-in with parental consent.

Discussion: 

Dana Yost requested approval of the FY26 Consolidated Application for federal funding under IDEA and ESEA. The application consolidates planning and budgeting efforts across these two federal programs for the 2025-2026 school year.

• ESEA budget was completed by Ms. Yost, and the IDEA budget by Dr. Hayes.

• The consolidated process streamlines submissions to the state.

Discussion: 

Ellen Smith presented a budget amendment for Fund 177 to reflect county commission support and funding for the Hopewell Elementary project.

• The amendment adjusts revenue to match expected expenditures through June 30, 2025.

• The County has already reimbursed two payments, with additional reimbursements expected before fiscal year-end.

 

Discussion: 

Cheryl Allen presented recommended changes to coaching supplements for both middle and high schools for FY26. The updates were the result of a thorough review in collaboration with school principals and aimed to increase equity across roles.

• Updates include revised stipends for various coaching positions, with a breakdown of:

  • Current FY25 amounts

  • Recommended FY26 amounts

  • Total per sport/season

• Flexibility is included to request modifications for assistant coaching positions when needed.

• Plans are underway to develop formal job descriptions for each coaching role in the coming year.

Discussion: 

Ellen Smith requested approval of the FY25-26 Capital Outlay recommendations, as presented and discussed during the April 24 work session. The projects were reviewed and recommended by the Capital Outlay Committee.

• The request reflects planned facility and infrastructure improvements for the upcoming fiscal year.

Discussion: 

Ellen Smith presented the FY26 budgets for three funds, all of which remained unchanged from the versions discussed during the April 24 work session:

1. Fund 141 - General Purpose School (GPS) Budget

2. Fund 145 - Special Revenue (PIE Center) Budget

3. Fund 177 - Capital Projects Budget

All three budgets were recommended for approval as presented.

Discussion:  Emily Brown requested Board approval for Fund 143, the School Nutrition (Central Cafeteria) Budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Discussion:  There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.




                                                                      
Vicki Beaty, Chairman



                                                                      
Dr. Linda Cash, Director of Schools