August 14, 2017 at 6:30 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion: 

Others present were: Dr. David Snowden, Dr. Catherine Stephens, Jesse Horne, Chip Sternenberg, Amanda Parks, Gina Looney, Beth Farrar, Dr. Kay Boan, Celby Glass, Mary Decker, and Dr. Roberta Hill, other members of leadership, principals, teachers, parents, FSSDEA and community members.

 

The Board of Education met in Executive Session before the regularly scheduled meeting. Mr. Chuck Cagle, legal counsel, declared there was no business deliberated and no decision rendered, only information about pending litigation given to the Board, during the Executive Session.

Discussion: 

Principal Dr. Cheryl Robey welcomed those in attendance. Pack 188 members Adam and Ryan St. Amant and Troop 137 members Jonas and Colin Rendleman, under the direction of Den Leader Melanie St. Amant, posted the Colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Discussion: 

Good News Awards (on file) - Highlighted were: FSSD Student Artist of the Month, FES 4^th grader Harrison Gentry; JES art teacher Cassie Stephens and JES preschool teacher Laura Pewitt for their publications; Kathy Banks representing FiftyForward Martin Center and the FLIP volunteer program; FMS STEM teacher Patty Littlejohn who was selected to represent the FSSD as a participant in the 6-8 grade Science Alternate Assessment Standards Setting Committee with the TDOE; MAC Supervisor Amanda Parks, whose department is the recipient of a 3-year LEAPs grant totaling $397,197.

Discussion: 

No one chose to address the Board.

Discussion:  FSSD Property Concept Plan in Partnership with City of Franklin – Mary Vavra, a Senior Urban Planner and Landscape Architect representing Barge, Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon, Inc. (BWSC), presented draft concept plans for developing the current green space, athletic fields and parking areas of FMS, PGS, FIS and JES. In development of these plans, BWSC worked with the City of Franklin administration, the Parks & Recreation Department and FSSD administrators provided great input and collaboration in this process.  In July, BWSC took the concepts to the COF Capital Investment Committee and were received very well. After the presentation, comments were requested from the Board; there will be a future time as well for public, teacher and student input. Included in the plans are walking trails, sidewalks, parking upgrades, lit multi-purpose fields, softball and baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, restrooms and storage buildings. Present were Mary Vavra, Paula Harris, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of BWSC, Lisa Clayton, Director of the COF Parks Department, Erick Stuckey, City Administrator for Franklin government, and Paige Cruse, COF Parks & Recreation Superintendent. 

Discussion: 

Nutrition Department Report on Summer Feeding – Mrs. Robbin Cross, Nutrition Department Supervisor, presented a recap of the Summer Feeding program. The Nutrition Department served the community for forty days, for a total of 21, 562 breakfast meals and 28,378 lunch meals.  This was an increase of over 3,500 breakfasts and 2,500 lunches. Mrs. Cross thanked Lee Kirkpatrick and the Annex crew, Robert Blair for donation of signage, and her staff for their hard work in preparation and delivery. 

Discussion: 

Teaching and Learning Spotlight - “A Literacy-Focused Summer”- Dr. Stephens presented the monthly spotlight. A complete Teaching & Learning report was also provided prior to the meeting updating current department events (all on file). Highlighted in the report was the multi-dimensional Family Literacy Camp at the COA for rising K-2^nd graders and their families, which in part “helped our EL families learn some conversational English, become aware of community resources for their children” and demonstrated lessons they could model at home. Dr. Stephens also thanked those responsible for each of the successful summer camps throughout the district. 

Discussion:  Construction Report – Information on current construction was provided prior to the meeting for the Board (on file).  Mr. Sternenberg was on hand to answer questions from the Board

Discussion:  This policy revision was tabled until the next meeting. 

Discussion: 

·         Recap of the first day of school: Compliments go to our leadership team, especially our school administration for the positive start to the new school year. Also recognition was given to the Maintenance & Landscaping Department for the well-manicured campuses as student headed back to school. Dr. Snowden also noted to the Board that our Transportation Department was on time today for the 3:30 dismissals, thanks to the planning by Mr. Horne and Mrs. McKee after changes to the PGS arrival/ dismissal times.

·         The “Opening Celebration” – On August 3rd, all personnel gathered together for our official Opening of Schools.  It is always great to see all of the employees together kicking off a new school year!  Our speaker, world-class ironman Shay Eskew, delivered an empowering keynote address; the professional learning opportunities the rest of the day also went very well.  Many of our professional learning sessions were presented by FSSD personnel – we are utilizing the talent we have in our district to share with others. We are appreciative to Mary Decker for securing and organizing all these learning opportunities.  We very much appreciate the attendance of  Board members for the morning program.

·         BANTIP – The new teacher induction program was very successful as thirty-eight (38) new teachers were officially welcomed to the FSSD.  Mr. Stillings visited on the first morning to begin BANTIP.  Many other FSSD team members assisted Dr. Hill during the three days of orientation.  The new teachers also experienced a school bus tour of the FSSD during one of the days.  The group is very impressive and we look forward to working and supporting them as they transition to our family.

·         State of the Schools Address hosted by the Williamson Chamber – We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the annual State of the Schools Chamber luncheon on Tuesday, August 15^th.  We have many of those in our Teaching & Learning Department and principals attending that day as well.  Also, we will have some FSSD students participating - students from Poplar Grove Middle will be singing the National Anthem and we will have other students talking about our 1 to 1 technology initiative.

·         “The Great American Solar Eclipse” – This event will occur on August 21^st and, thanks to Mary Decker, our Curriculum Coordinator, we are well underway in developing a viewing opportunity for our students and personnel to experience this once in a lifetime event and learning experience.  We have received and distributed eclipse-safe viewing glasses for students and employees, purchased through the Adventure Science Center. We are also reviewing and determining safety precautions with our teachers and staff.  In addition, parents will have to provide written consent in order for their children to participate in the viewing. 

·          TSBA Fall District Meeting – This meeting will be held on September 28^th this year, in the Houston County School District.  At this time all Board members that are able to attend have been registered.  

·         2017-18 Conference update: The Board has been sent information on the state and national conferences and are currently being registered as we are notified that they will attend. Dr. Snowden thanked the Board for their representation at these conferences and the investment of time that they put in to leadership development.  

Discussion: 

Chair Stillings recognized Mrs. Paula Harris of BWSC, who is also Executive Director of Leadership Franklin, and also Mrs. Bell for being part of the 17-18 Leadership Franklin class.

Discussion: 

Chair Stillings adjourned the meeting at 7:44 p.m.