September 14, 2023 at 6:30 PM - GCSSD Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Mr. Eddie Watkins led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Discussion:  Mr. Tom Lannom called the meeting to order.

Discussion:  Mr. Eddie Pruett informed the board of a new item on the consent agenda, Funding Applications. Approval from the board is now required for the grant applications. 

Discussion:  New employees were honored with a reception. New employees present were introduced during the board meeting. 

Discussion:  Mrs. Evelyn Addo asked if the school district offered alternative options for students who are at risk of dropping out of school.  
Mr. Eddie Pruett provided two routes that students who may be at risk of dropping out of school. One is a faster-paced online curriculum that students can complete on their own time in the subjects of Math, English, and Economics. Move on When Ready is another option for students to graduate early.  
Another question was asked about the Inclusion Department and what that means today. Mr. Eddie Pruett stated that a student is not excluded from other students in Special Education. They are taught within a regular classroom with additional support.

Discussion:  Mr. Tom Lannom swore in Dr. Richard Addo as the new GCSSD Board of Trustee. 

Discussion:  Mr. John Campbell nominated Mr. Tom Lannom as Board Chairman, with a second by Mr. Eddie Watkins. Motion Passed
Mr. Tom Lannom nominated Mr. Eddie Watkins as Vice-Chairman, with a second by Mr. John Campbell. Motion Passed
Mr. Tom Lannom nominated Ms. Treva Maitland as TLN Representative, with a second by John Campbell. Motion Passed

Discussion:  Mr. Rory Hinson presented the SGCHS Bleacher Bids. 

1. GT Grandstands for $364,100
2. Bleachers and Seats for $329,708.29

Discussion:  Mr. Derek Norman presented the Special Needs School Bids.

1. Central States for $123,792

Discussion:  Mr. Derek Norman presented the School Bus Bids.

1. Central States for $137,012 with the air option.

Discussion:  Mr. Rory Hinson presented the Innovative School Models Year 2-4 Budget. ISM adds STEM and CTE courses for middle school students to help them explore career options.

Discussion:  Mr. Eddie Pruett presented the ESSER 3.0 Safe Return to In-Person Instruction which outlines a safe reopening plan for our schools. Mr. Pruett stated there were no changes to this plan. 

Discussion:  Mr. Eddie Pruett presented the ESSER 3.0 Public Plan for Remaining Funds, outlining how the remaining funds will be dispersed. 

Discussion:  Mr. Rory Hinson presented the ESSER 2.0 Funding Application for 2023-2024 SY. 

Discussion:  Mr. Tom Lannom informed the board of a request to change the election cycle due to the high cost. The board members present discussed the election dates but decided to table the motion.

Discussion:  Mr. Tom Lannom briefly spoke on the Advisory Referendum Resolution and then passed it over to Attorney Michael Hill. Mr. Hill explained the process for requesting the Legislature to allow an advisory referendum. Mr. Hill advised adding a "yes or no" section to the two voting questions in the resolution. A question was raised by Mr. Eddie Watkins if the two questions would confuse the voters. After some discussion, board members proposed combining the two questions into one. Mr. Eddie Pruett will revise the current resolution to reflect these changes for the board to review.

Discussion:  Mr. Eddie Pruett presented the State Report Card. GCSSD was ranked as a Level 5 school district for the 2022-2023 school year. The schools ranked as Level 5 are Dyer School, Gibson County High School, South Gibson County High School, South Gibson County Elementary School, and Spring Hill School. Three schools ranked as Level 3 are Kenton Elementary School, South Gibson County Middle School, and Yorkville School. Rutherford School ranked as Level 2.

• ELA
  • Grades 3-8, GCSSD ranked 14 out of 145
  • English I, GCSSD ranked 7 out of 132
  • English II, GCSSD ranked 15 out of 130
• Math
  • Grades 3-8, GCSSD ranked 8 out of 145
  • Algebra I, GCSSD ranked number 1
  • Geometry, GCSSD ranked 20 out of 127
  • Algebra II, GCSSD ranked 7 out of 124
• Science
  • Grades 3-8, GCSSD ranked 13 out of 145
  • Biology, GCSSD ranked 7 out of 131
• Social Studies
  • Grades 3-8, GCSSD ranked 12 out of 143
  • U.S. History, GCSSD ranked 10 out of 102

Discussion:  Mr. Eddie Pruett thanked the board for completing the evaluation and for the feedback. His overall average of 4.48 is above the average from last year. Mr. Pruett added that his focus this year is staff and personnel relationships, along with business and finance.

Discussion:  Mr. Eddie Pruett presented the Policy Revisions.
Policy # 1.901 Charter School Applications, Policy # 1.902 Charter School Agreements, Policy # 1.903 Charter School Oversight, Policy # 1.904 Charter School Intervention, Policy # 1.905 Charter School Renewal, Policy # 1.906 Charter School Revocation. TSBA recommended updating these policies. Currently, GCSSD does not have any Charter Schools.
Policy # 4.700 Testing Programs allows a high school student during the first two weeks of the school year to request a course credit by exam for up to four eligible courses. 

Discussion:  Mr. Eddie Pruett informed the board of the upcoming conferences.