October 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  In attendance:  Dr. Trey Duke, Sheri Arnette, Ken Rocha, Daniel Owens, Lisa Trail, Don Bartch, Maria Johnson, Chris George, April Zavisa, Liz Rueby, Jeremy Lewis, Ron McDaries, 

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. Jeremy Lewis, Principal at Bradley Academy, and Dr. Liz Rueby, Principal at Reeves Rogers Elementary. 

Discussion: 

Board Member Barbara Long asked whether the policy was state-directed. Lauren Bush clarified that it was not a state-mandated policy but closely mirrored the state policy and had been developed in collaboration with the state.

Ms. Bush explained that parental leave applies to employees who have been employed for at least one year. The policy under discussion specifically addresses employees who have been employed for less than one year.

Dr. Duke clarified that the district is not required to implement this policy but recommends providing this option to employees with less than one year of service as an alternative to resignation.

Board Chair Amanda Moore asked how frequently this situation arises. Ms. Bush responded that it occurs approximately once per year.

 

Discussion: 

Dr. Duke explained that each year, school districts are required to submit an annual accountability report to the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE). The report outlines student achievement goals, how those goals are supported through the district’s budget, and how expenditures from the prior year supported progress toward those goals. He noted that the report is required by the TDOE and is tied to the district’s TISA funding. He confirmed that the district has completed this process annually.

Dr. Duke stated that the report was made available for public comment and received feedback from more than 200 parents. This year, following discussions with other directors of schools, the district incorporated the report into the District Improvement Plan.

Dr. Duke noted that the report requires Board approval, although many of the goals will be familiar to Board members.

Dr. Chris George and Ms. Sheri Arnette presented the 2026-2027 TISA Accountability Report to the Board and answered questions. Dr. George reviewed the November 1 submission deadline, and Ms. Arnette discussed the next steps. She also explained that the TISA Accountability Report aligns with the district’s Strategic Plan and carries through to individual school plans, ensuring coherence across all levels of planning.

Board Member Barbara Long praised the Course Mojo program, which she had recently reviewed at Overall Creek Elementary School. She noted that the program aligns with the district’s goals and was particularly impressed with how it guides students through their thought processes.

Discussion: 

Board Member Jeanette Price asked whether the district would be able to support both schools in the event of an emergency and whether a priority system would be in place.

It was clarified that the district’s students and schools would take priority in the allocation of buses and transportation services. In the event that both the district and MTCS required assistance, the district’s needs would be addressed first.

The Board discussed that the agreement would primarily provide emergency transportation in situations requiring a quick evacuation from campus, such as a gas leak. It was confirmed that the district has sufficient buses to assist both of the neighboring school’s campuses simultaneously, if needed and available.

It was further clarified that the district would not be obligated to provide transportation if resources were unavailable or district needs took priority. The district would retain the ability to decline assistance without liability under those circumstances.

Discussion: 

Dr. Duke stated that this is the third year the General Assembly has allocated additional funding for school safety and security. He noted that the district continues to advocate with the General Assembly for increased funding to support school security.

Board Chair Amanda Moore asked whether the item before the Board was to acknowledge the funding allocation or to review the specific plans for how the funds would be spent. It was clarified that the allocation reflects the amount of funding awarded to the district. Dr. Duke explained that the district had submitted a plan to the state outlining the intended use of the funds and offered to share that plan with the Board via email. He noted that much of the funding would support the continuation of existing safety and security measures.

Dr. Duke added that any additional questions requiring further discussion could be addressed during executive session.

Discussion: 

Dr. Duke introduced an initial discussion regarding potential minimal rezoning for the 2027-2028 school year as part of the district’s ongoing efforts to maximize facility capacity and use existing space more efficiently. He emphasized that this was an opportunity for the Board to begin considering options and that no formal action or vote was requested at this time.

Dr. Duke presented a PowerPoint outlining current enrollment trends and facility capacity. He reported that five schools—Black Fox, Bradley, Discovery, Erma Siegel, and Scales—were currently at capacity. Salem Elementary School, at approximately 89% capacity, was also being closely monitored due to continued residential growth in its attendance zone. He noted significant enrollment growth at Salem, Black Fox, and Erma Siegel.

Although the district has experienced a recent overall decline in enrollment, Dr. Duke explained that kindergarten and sixth-grade enrollment have been significant factors in these trends. He also discussed the changing public education landscape, including charter schools, homeschooling, and school vouchers, as well as the impact of the new Rutherford County Schools elementary school on enrollment at Overall Creek Elementary.

Dr. Duke reviewed the district’s current sixth-grade configurations, noting that Cason Lane Academy is the only school on the west side of Murfreesboro currently serving sixth-grade students. He explained that the district is particularly focused on preparing for the 2027-2028 school year and ensuring that available classroom space is used efficiently.

Proposed Minimal Rezoning and Facility Adjustments

Dr. Duke outlined the following preliminary concepts for consideration:

• Mitchell-Neilson and Northfield: Rezone a small portion of the current Mitchell-Neilson attendance zone to Northfield. This adjustment would reduce enrollment at Mitchell-Neilson, allow its kindergarten through fifth-grade students to be consolidated on the elementary campus, and potentially allow Mitchell-Neilson Primary to become a Pre-K-only facility that would also house the Little Sprouts program.

• Northfield capacity: Expand Northfield’s attendance zone to better utilize available building capacity in an area where limited residential growth is anticipated.

• Black Fox Elementary: Relocate two Pre-K classrooms from Black Fox to Mitchell-Neilson Primary, potentially opening two classrooms at Black Fox to accommodate kindergarten through sixth-grade students. Dr. Duke noted that Black Fox is currently at approximately 98% capacity and is projected to experience additional growth.

• John Pittard Elementary: Relocate four Pre-K classrooms from John Pittard to Mitchell-Neilson Primary, potentially opening four classrooms at John Pittard to accommodate kindergarten through sixth-grade students. John Pittard is currently at approximately 90% capacity.

Dr. Duke clarified that students affected by the proposed Northfield rezoning would not be expected to walk across Northfield Boulevard; transportation would be provided by bus. He also emphasized that consolidating Mitchell-Neilson’s kindergarten through fifth-grade students in one building would allow the district to use its facilities more efficiently.

Next Steps and Proposed Timeline

Dr. Duke explained that staff would use current enrollment models to determine the actual number of students who would be affected by the proposed rezoning. Staff would also develop recommendations regarding grandfathering provisions and attendance-zone waivers for families who wish to remain at their current school.

Preliminary maps have been provided to the Board, and more detailed enrollment data and updated projections would be presented in November. The anticipated next steps include:

• Present a draft proposal and additional enrollment data to the Board at its November meeting.

• Conduct a community engagement meeting at Northfield and provide formal communication to affected families.

• Bring a formal recommendation to the Board for consideration and a vote on December 8, prior to the opening of the attendance-zone waiver process in mid-January.

Board Chair Amanda Moore asked when families with 3-year-old children who would be affected by the proposed changes would be notified. Dr. Duke responded that notification would occur in November, when formal communication is distributed to all impacted families.

Dr. Duke reiterated that he was not seeking formal Board approval at this stage but wanted to determine whether there were any objections to staff proceeding with more detailed enrollment projections and planning. Board members expressed support for continuing to explore the proposal, and Dr. Duke indicated that additional information would be brought back to the Board for further consideration.

Long-Range Facility Planning

Board Vice Chair Butch Campbell asked whether the district had a long-range plan for constructing an additional school building. Dr. Duke explained that the district’s five-year Strategic Plan includes additional classroom space by 2031. He noted that the district is not experiencing the same level of overcrowding it faced three years ago and that two additional charter schools are expected to open the following year, with a possible expansion of another charter school.

Dr. Duke emphasized the importance of demonstrating that the district is maximizing its existing facilities before pursuing additional construction. The district has retained additional classroom space in its Strategic Plan but moved the anticipated timeline out by one year because an immediate need has not been identified. He added that an additional wing could be constructed at Cason Lane Academy if necessary.

Dr. Duke concluded by reiterating that the proposed rezoning remains preliminary and that staff will return with more detailed enrollment data, updated maps, and opportunities for family engagement.

Dr. Duke also stated that he would email the Board an update on the needs assessment that he was unable to cover during the meeting.

Discussion:  The meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.