August 25, 2026 at 5:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting/Work Session

Discussion:  In attendance:  Dr. Trey Duke, Ron McDaries, Ken Rocha, Cathy Pressnell, April Zavisa, Chris George, Caitlin Bullard, Cherie Richardson, Trent Cheeves, Micky Brooks, Maria Johnson, Don Bartch, Ken Rocha, Sheri Arnette, Daniel Owens, 

Assistant City Attorney Lauren Bush and City Liaison Bill Shacklett 

Discussion:  There was no public comment.

Discussion:  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Dr. Caitlin Bullard, Principal at Discovery School, and Ms. Robin Newell, Principal at Cason Lane PreK and Mitchell Neilson PreK and PreK Administrator

Discussion:  Dr. Chris George presented a PowerPoint highlighting the initial district assessment data received to date. He noted that some assessment results remain under embargo and are expected to be released on December 18, 2026. Dr. George shared information regarding demographic shifts within the district over time, as well as grade-level proficiency data. He also reviewed school and grade-level highlights, providing the Board with an overview of the district's current performance trends and areas of success.


 

Discussion: 

Dr. Cathy Pressnell provided an overview and demonstration of CourseMojo, one of the district’s newly implemented artificial intelligence instructional tools. During the presentation, Board Chair Amanda Moore inquired about pilot classroom results. Dr. Duke explained that benchmark data is being analyzed and that student performance data from pilot participants is being reviewed. He further noted that the district has entered into a research agreement with CourseMojo, and the company will provide ongoing reports regarding program outcomes.

Board members discussed teacher perceptions of the program and asked whether educators felt intimidated by the new technology. Dr. Pressnell acknowledged that implementing new initiatives can present challenges but shared that feedback from teachers has been positive. Dr. Duke added that he has received enthusiastic responses from teachers, including invitations to visit classrooms and observe student engagement with the tool.

Board Member Barbara Long asked whether CourseMojo mirrors the format of TCAP assessments. Dr. Pressnell explained that the program’s multiple-choice and writing components closely align with the structure of TCAP. Board Member Jeanette Price inquired whether parents would have an option to exclude their child from participation. Dr. Duke stated that the district has not encountered such requests but would review individual concerns and work with families to determine appropriate alternatives if needed. Ms. Long suggested that the program could be featured in a future Parent University session to allow parents an opportunity to learn more about the tool and experience it firsthand.

Dr. Pressnell reported that district wide training has been provided to staff and noted that additional training sessions led by CourseMojo representatives are planned.

Instructional Technology Coordinators Trent Cheeves and Micky Brooks, together with Science and Social Studies Coordinator Cherie Richardson, then demonstrated MagicSchool, another artificial intelligence tool being implemented within the district. The presenters explained that the initial focus for the 2026-27 school year is fourth- and fifth-grade science instruction, with Quarter 1 serving as the starting point for implementation. They described the process of uploading instructional resources into the platform, which then provides feedback and support for instructional planning. The presenters noted that teachers maintain significant flexibility and control over how the tool is utilized in their classrooms. Dr. Duke added that the program is limited to the district-provided content loaded into the system, including state standards, instructional explanations, and lesson plans.

Ms. Long asked how long a lesson generated through the platform would typically last. Mr. Cheeves explained that the system serves as an instructional resource and planning tool, while teachers determine lesson pacing and scheduling. Ms. Long also inquired whether the district would monitor teacher usage of the program. Mr. Cheeves stated that usage tracking would begin the following day. He further reported that MagicSchool was piloted with a small group of educators during the previous school year and that the positive results from the pilot supported moving forward with district wide implementation.

 

Discussion: 

Dr. Maria Johnson presented the Human Resources Annual Report, which included findings from employee exit surveys and an overview of new hires for the 2026-27 school year. Her presentation highlighted new hires by school and department, new hire demographic information, certified staff separations at the conclusion of the previous school year, and data collected through exit interviews.

Board Vice Chair Butch Campbell requested additional information regarding the grade levels taught by teachers who left the district during the previous school year. Dr. Duke stated that he would provide that information to the Board as part of his weekly update on Friday.

Board Member David Settles commended Dr. Johnson for her efforts in recruiting and retaining high-quality educators. Dr. Johnson thanked Mr. Settles and emphasized that the district’s success in recruitment and retention is the result of a collaborative effort among the Human Resources Department, school administrators, and teachers.

Dr. Duke also shared that doctoral students from Middle Tennessee State University recently completed a research study examining why teachers choose to remain in Murfreesboro City Schools. He explained that the study included in-depth interviews with more than fifty teachers and noted that he was encouraged by the findings. Dr. Duke expressed interest in having the research team present the results to the Board at its first meeting in September.

 

Discussion: 

Mr. Ken Rocha presented the district’s initial enrollment report for the 2026-27 school year. Mr. Rocha and Dr. Duke provided a collaborative overview of enrollment trends, noting a continued decline in student enrollment since the 2021-22 school year. They explained that this trend is not unique to Murfreesboro City Schools but reflects broader enrollment declines occurring in public school systems across the nation.

Dr. Duke noted that the district’s current enrollment is the lowest he has experienced during his tenure as Superintendent. He shared national data illustrating the decline in public school enrollment since 2012 and discussed how these trends are reflected locally. Dr. Duke reported that the district’s greatest enrollment decreases are occurring in several of its established inner-city schools, where population growth has been more limited compared to other areas of the community.

Board members engaged in discussion regarding possible factors contributing to the decline in enrollment. Topics of discussion included increased enrollment in homeschool and private school settings, as well as smaller kindergarten cohorts entering the school system in recent years.

Discussion: 

Mr. Don Bartch, Assistant Superintendent of Operations, presented a preview of the district’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and reviewed proposed projects with the Board. He noted that the CIP will be presented for Board consideration as an action item at the September 8, 2026, meeting.

Mr. Bartch shared samples of flooring materials being considered for installation in several schools as part of the district’s efforts to replace carpeting and renovate aging floor surfaces, including hallway flooring at Mitchell-Neilson School. He explained that he is working with contractors and plans to install flooring mockups in the new vestibule and in a classroom at Mitchell-Neilson for evaluation. Mr. Bartch indicated that potential flooring replacement projects would initially focus on some of the district’s older facilities, including Hobgood Elementary, Mitchell-Neilson School, Bradley Academy, Reeves-Rogers Elementary, and Discovery School. He noted that the project would be subject to the competitive bidding process.

Mr. Bartch also reviewed proposed capital projects that include renovations of several playgrounds through 2031, replacement of the roof at Scales Elementary School, and upgrades to HVAC systems at the Central Office and Reeves-Rogers Elementary School.

Mr. Bartch reported that the proposed timeline for construction of a new school has been moved to 2031. He explained that the adjustment reflects current enrollment trends and allows the district additional time to evaluate future growth patterns. Dr. Duke added that a new school has remained a component of the Capital Improvement Plan for several years and that, rather than continuing to move the project forward annually, the district elected to establish a projected timeline of 2031.

Mr. Bartch also recognized the district’s Technology Department for its successful transition to a new internet service provider earlier that day, noting that the change had been completed without interruption to district operations.

Mr. Bartch explained that he wanted to present the Capital Improvement Plan to the Board prior to its submission to the City in order to provide Board members an opportunity to review the proposed projects and ask questions. He distributed copies of the CIP and encouraged Board members to contact him with any questions or feedback following their review.

Discussion:  Mr. Ron McDaries, School Safety Coordinator, presented an overview of the district’s updated safety program and security procedures. He informed the Board of new safety and security enhancements implemented for the 2026-27 school year, including the installation of additional security equipment and cameras, as well as the purchase of new radio communication devices. Mr. McDaries also reviewed the district’s Standard Response Protocol and discussed the procedures and practices in place to support the safety and security of students, staff, and visitors throughout the district.

Discussion:  Dr. Duke reviewed the Five-Year Strategic Plan and the District Organizational Chart, both of which were included in the Board’s meeting materials. He provided a brief overview of the documents and invited Board members to contact him with any questions or requests for additional information as they review the materials.

Discussion:  Dr. Duke informed the Board that the next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held on September 8, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Office. He explained that the earlier start time would allow Mayor Shane McFarland and Vice Mayor Bill Shacklett to administer the oath of office to the recently elected Board members. Dr. Duke noted that Board members are welcome to invite family members to attend the ceremony and added that a backdrop would be available to accommodate commemorative photographs.

Discussion:  Board Member Karen Dodd revisited a previous discussion regarding the possibility of implementing advertising on district buses. After further consideration, Ms. Dodd stated that she no longer wished to pursue the proposal. She noted that support for the concept was not unanimous among Board members and expressed concern that a significant portion of any revenue generated would be retained by the advertising company rather than the district. Accordingly, Ms. Dodd withdrew her earlier recommendation for the district to explore bus advertising.
 

Discussion:  The meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.