January 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting
| Regular Board | |
| Attendance Taken on 1/14/2025 at 5:08 PM | |
| Mr. Butch Campbell | Absent |
| Ms. Karen Dodd | Present |
| Ms. Barbara Long | Present |
| Ms. Amanda Moore | Present |
| Mrs. Jeanette Price | Present |
| Mr. Jimmy Richardson III | Absent |
| Mr. David Settles | Present |
| Present: 5, Absent: 2 | |
| Minutes | |
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I. CALL TO ORDER
Speaker(s):
Chair Butch Campbell
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
Rationale:
The tenured teachers' reception was held in the city hall rotunda from 5:15 p.m. until time of the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Tenured teachers and their families enjoyed Chicken Salad Chick refreshments before the board meeting.
Discussion:
Staff: Dr. Trey Duke, Sheri Arnette, Angela Fairchild, Ken Rocha, Daniel Owens, Lisa Trail, Dana Stem, Maria Johnson, several tenured teachers, Emily Spencer, Jenny Ortiz, Jamara DeBerry, Dr. Cathy Pressnell, Don Bartch
Assistant City Attorney Lauren Bush and City Liaison Bill Shacklett |
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I.A. Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
Rationale:
The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by sisters Lauren Honeyman, 5th grade and Adalyn Honeyman, 4th grade, students at Erma Siegel Elementary and Jamison DeBerry, a kindergarten student at Overall Creek Elementary.
Discussion:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by sisters Lauren Honeyman, 5th grade and Adalyn Honeyman, 4th grade, students at Erma Siegel Elementary and Jamison DeBerry, a kindergarten student at Overall Creek Elementary.
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I.B. Moment of Silence
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
Discussion:
During the moment of silence, Vice Chair Amanda Moore asked that we continue to remember our Board Chair keep him in your prayers as he had been in the hospital for a couple of days, but was back home and improving.
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II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Speaker(s):
Chair Butch Campbell
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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III. COMMUNICATIONS
Speaker(s):
Mrs. Lisa Trail
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Rationale:
School Board Appreciation Week January 26-February 1
MCS will host a district-wide job fair on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Black Fox Elementary School. The event is designed to connect candidates with upcoming teaching and support staff opportunities. Discovery School applications are due by January 31. Additional information can be found on the Discovery School website. You are invited to the Murfreesboro City Schools art show at the Frist Art Museum. The show will run January 18 through February 2. Bradley Academy will once again present the African American Cultural Night at Patterson Park on Feb 27 from 5-7 p.m. and will present Aladdin, Jr. during the week of March 12-14. Please mark your calendars to attend. Murfreesboro City Schools is excited to announce its 2025 Parent University classes, offering a variety of free workshops designed to empower parents with tools and strategies to support their children’s education and well-being. These engaging and informative sessions are open to all parents and caretakers within the MCS community. Freeing the Anxious Generation Thursday, January 23, 6:00 p.m. at Salem Elementary Thursday, Feb 27 at 6:00 p.m. Black Fox Thursday, March 6 on zoom at noon, and at 6 p.m. at the MTSU College of Education New Year, New Math Wednesday, January 28 at 4:00 p.m. via zoom Characteristics of Dyslexia Thursday, January 29 at 4:30 p.m. via zoom Helping Students Cope with BIG Emotions Tuesday, February 18 at 4:30 p.m. via zoom TCAP Parent Workshop Wednesday, March 12 at 4:30 p.m. via zoom All Parent University classes are free to attend, but registration is required. |
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III.A. The Best of MCS-Heather Lawson
Speaker(s):
Dr. Trey Duke
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
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III.B. Spotlight on Education-Cathy Pressnell- TN Supervisor of the Year
Speaker(s):
Dr. Trey Duke
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
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III.C. Jobe Hastings Audit Report
Speaker(s):
Jobe Hastings
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
Mr. Jimmy Jobe with Jobe Hastings came to present a clean audit report. He stated that the district-wide statement includes assets and bonds of 198 million dollars in total assets, 49 million dollars in liabilities,with a net of 152 million dollars.
He stated that they did an audit on the Internal control system and grant programs to make sure the system has complied with these programs and both are clean opinions with no findings. He said that his office had submitted the report to the state, and it will be published on the website. Dr. Duke thanked Mr. Jobe along with Molly, the auditor and the auditing team for their work with what tends to be a larger and larger budget each year. He also thanked Daniel Owens and the entire Finance team for their hard work. He said that the report of no findings speaks to the work they do in our district. |
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III.D. Public Comment
Speaker(s):
Chair Butch Campbell
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
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IV. CONSENT ITEMS
Speaker(s):
Chair Butch Campbell
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Agenda
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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IV.A. Approval of Surplus Property Disposal
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Attachments:
()
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V. ACTION ITEMS
Speaker(s):
Chair Butch Campbell
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
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V.A. Approval of 12-10-24 Board Minutes
Speaker(s):
Dr. Trey Duke
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
()
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V.B. Approval of Tenured Teachers
Speaker(s):
Dr. Trey Duke
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
There were several tenured teachers in attendance. They each accepted a certificate from Dr. Maria Johnson and Mrs. Sheri Arnette.
Attachments:
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V.C. Approval of MOU-Emergency Relocation Transportation Agreement for Rutherford Collegiate Prep
Speaker(s):
Dr. Trey Duke
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
()
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V.D. Approval of Contract-Motorola Contract 424
Speaker(s):
Dr. Trey Duke
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
()
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V.E. Approval of Budget Amendment and Agreement-Comcast Enterprise Dark Fiber Budget Amendment and Agreement
Speaker(s):
Dr. Trey Duke
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Attachments:
()
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V.F. Reconsideration of Library Materials Recommendation
Speaker(s):
Dr. Trey Duke
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Jeanette Price said that she really wrestled with this. She wants to make sure that the book reaches the intended audience. She said that she would prefer it be used as a resource in the library, and she feels that the librarians are skilled and experts in their craft, and they are trained to know if the materials are right for their libraries. She also felt that she was given guidance by the panel that reviewed the book and made the recommendation to remove it from the library.
David Settles said that he is so grateful for MCS being the best and that we have a process in place, and we follow that process. He said that if you empanel a committee, he feels very strongly that we listen to that committee and that we don't second guess the committee. He said that the committee reviewed the book and made a recommendation and it would be silly to third guess them. He said that they have done their due diligence. He said that we are here for the benefit of these kids and that why we have the job we have. We are about the kids. Karen Dodd said that everyone has had a hard time making a decision and she wants the community to know that the board did not take it lightly. She wanted to clarify that a vote yes would be to remove the book. Ms. Moore said yes, that is correct. Barbara Long said that after thought and prayer, she submitted the reconsideration form to review the book in question, It Feels Good To Be Yourself. She did not appreciate the way it was brought to the attention of the Board, but was glad that it was brought. It was her concern that it would cause confusion for a kindergartner that might check it out. She added that the Board is responsible for protecting children and allowing parents to do their job. Amanda Moore said that she too wrestled with this issue. She said that she always has a problem with anytime there is a push to demonize and marginalize a population and city schools is very diverse and she would never want a message coming from our schools that someone is not welcome or valued. But also, she trusts our librarians and was eager to hear their recommendation. Mrs. Moore added that she did not appreciate the way in which the knowledge of this book being in our library was brought to our attention. She considered it a show and wanted the community to understand the background of this situation.
Attachments:
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V.G. Approval of the Revenue and Expenditure Report
Speaker(s):
Mr. Daniel Owens
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Before explaining the revenue and expenditure report, he named and thanked each person in the Finance Department for their hard work during the audit season and for receiving a clean opinion and no findings.
Karen Dodd also thanked Mr. Owens and his team for no findings. She said they did a great job! Dr. Duke told the Board that Mr. Owens had just finished his one-year anniversary with MCS and was about to finish his M-Task course and would soon be a certified municipal financial officier.
Attachments:
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VI. REPORTS AND INFORMATION
Speaker(s):
Chair Butch Campbell
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
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VI.A. Enrollment (PTR) Report
Speaker(s):
Mr. Ken Rocha
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
After Mr. Rocha's enrollment report, Mr. David Settles said that he knew that Mr. Rocha was from California and asked if his family was alright with all of the fires in California right now. He also asked if there was anything that our Board can do to support the LA County schools.
Dr. Duke said that multiple schools were destroyed and he would get with Lisa Trail to find out if there is something tangible that we can do. He will also see about getting our students and schools involved. Mrs. Moore said that she also has a friend in Los Angeles that she would talk to.
Attachments:
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VI.B. Personnel Report
Speaker(s):
Dr. Maria Johnson
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Attachments:
()
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VI.C. Director's Update
Speaker(s):
Dr. Trey Duke
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
Dr. Duke said that we have had a fantastic first semester and here we are in our second semester.
He announced that the Board will host a retreat on January 25 at the central office. We will be preparing for next year at this retreat. He reminded the Board of the Job Fair at Black Fox on February 8 from 9:30-11:30. He told the Board that the TN General Assembly went back into session today. He said that he will be watching two bills very closely, vouchers and PreK funding in the TISA formula. He said that Ms. Long is our legislative liaison and she would be watching these things as well. He would encourage the board and those watching to reach out to your legislators. He will keep the Board abreast of any events. Lastly, Dr. Duke thanked Mr. Bartch, Mr. Willeford, and the maintenance team for their work with our school parking lots during the recent snow as well as the city streets department. They all did a great job. Dr. Duke said that at the end of this month we will celebrate School Board Appreciation Week. He thanked the Board for all they do for the students of Murfreesboro City Schools. He said that we will celebrate at the retreat on January 25th. |
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VII. OTHER BUSINESS
Speaker(s):
Chair Butch Campbell
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
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VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Speaker(s):
Chair Butch Campbell
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
The meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
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