September 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  In attendance:  Dr. Trey Duke, Lisa Trail, Maria Johnson, Robin Newell, Natalie Hardiman, Quinena Bell, Tiffany Strevel, Daniel Owens, Don Bartch, Ken Rocha, Angela Fairchild, Felicia James and Angela Wilson. 

Assistant City Attorney Lauren Bush and City Liaison Bill Shacklett 

During the Call to Order, Amanda Moore explained to the public that she was elected Board Chair at the last meeting held at the administrative office, and Mr. Campbell was elected Vice Chair.  Ms. Moore thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve as Board Chair.  She thanked Mr. Campbell for his service for the past 11 plus years. She explained that Mr. Campbell took us through COVID-19, the loss of Dr. Linda Gilbert, as well as making this board collegial and cooperative, and she hopes to follow that same path.  

Discussion:  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Olivia Smith and Jackson Wright, both students at Cason Lane PreK and Issac Lopez, a 3rd grade student at Hobgood Elementary.

Discussion:  Ms. Felicia James presented a PowerPoint explaining all details of the TN ALL (Accelerating Literacy and Learning) Corp Program. She shared a photograph of the TNALL Corp group.  

David Settles said that he loved seeing all the faces of that team and that photo was highly reflective of Murfreesboro City Schools and was evident of the care that they have for our students. 

 

Discussion:  Dr. Duke explained that the CIP version presented at the August workshop differed slightly from the current plan. One notable change is that the Scales and Cason Lane roof projects are now expected to be completed this year rather than spread over the next two years.

Discussion:  Dr. Duke explained that this grant would expand exterior camera coverage on our campuses, provide additional communication radios, install speed bumps at schools that do not already have them, and fund the construction of a new vestibule at Mitchell Neilson Elementary. He noted that this is one-time funding for the current fiscal year.

 

Discussion:  Barbara Long asked if this is still in the umbrella of TN ALL Corp, and Dr. Duke said that this was a separate program.  He explained that TN ALL Corp is done during the school day and the 21st Century Community Learning Grant is run through ESP with certified teachers running it. He said that it is primarily for those 4th grade students who are being tutored to move on to 5th grade, but this program is also expanded to other students as well.  

Ms. Long asked if the teachers are supplemented, and Dr. Duke said yes, this grant will cover those salaries in addition to their traditional pay.     

Chair Moore asked about transportation for ESP services.  She wanted to know if transportation is normally provided for ESP or just for the students receiving this tutoring grant.  Dr. Duke said that to his knowledge, the transportation being provided through ESP is related to this program only and the grant pays for that transportation. 

Discussion: 

Daniel Owens presented the unaudited revenue and expenditure report, noting that the district is currently undergoing an audit and awaiting the final results.

Dr. Duke highlighted that although a budget deficit had been anticipated last year, only $874,000 was taken from fund balance—and that figure includes the purchase of a building. He expressed pride in this outcome.

Karen Dodd also thanked Mr. Owens and his team for their hard work.

 

Discussion:  Chair Moore reviewed the Board Committee Assignments with the Board.  

Discussion:  Ken Rocha presented the Enrollment Report for Period 1 and explained single and double AMOs (Annual Measurable Objectives) and Chronic Absentee rates.  He told the Board that we are down about 360 students from this time last year. 

 

Discussion: 

Dr. Duke reviewed the new insurance rates for this year and reminded the Board that open enrollment begins October 3.

He explained that the district is on the state insurance plan, with rates set by the state. This year, those rates increased by 5%. The district applied the increase proportionally across plans and raised the employer contribution. Last year the district covered 92% of costs, and that percentage remains the same this year.

Dr. Duke noted that the district pays at least 80% on all plans and up to 95% on some. Two of the plans remain completely free for employees. Detailed coverage information was provided in the Board packets.

He shared that Human Resources has distributed these rates to all employees and visited schools to explain the details.

Dr. Duke also announced that Delta Dental is the new dental insurance provider, offering a larger network than Blue Cross, lower employee costs, and no waiting period for certain procedures.

He concluded by emphasizing that the district remains very competitive with surrounding districts.

 

Discussion: 

Dr. Duke reminded the Board about the upcoming State of the Schools event at Redstone Federal Credit Union at 8:00 a.m., encouraging all members to attend.

He also noted that fall break is just a week and a half away and that the second reporting period will conclude on October 3.

Dr. Duke commented that the district is moving quickly and is off to a great start.

 

Discussion:  Chair Amanda Moore reminded the Board that the next Board meeting on October 14th would be held at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport at 6:00 p.m. with the Art Showcase being held in the same location prior to the Board meeting from 4:30-6:00 p.m. 

Jeanette Price thanked the Board and fellow Board members as well as Murfreesboro City Schools for their thoughts and prayers as well as emails and phone calls during the loss of her father-in-law. 

Discussion:  The meeting adjourned at 6:51 p.m.