December 10, 2018 at 5:30 PM - Jackson-Madison County School Work Session

Discussion: 

The South Elementary Choir shared Christmas songs with the Board Members at the Work Session.  The South Elementary Choir is under the direction of Sheila Houston.

There were no one to speak for Public Comments at the Work Session.

Discussion:  Mike Nichols read the Budget Amendments to the Board Members.  

Discussion:  Mike Nichols presented the Modified Summary Financial Statement to the Board Members and stated it is to early for the Sales Tax information.

Discussion:  Holly Kellar mentioned to the Board that the Financial Statement was attached in eMeeting.  That there were three payrolls that occurred in November.  Mrs. Kellar stated that if the Board has any budget request to email her by December 21, 2018.  

Discussion:  The Board Members did not have any discussion concerns for the December Agenda.

Discussion: 

Dale Thomas spoke with the Board Members concerning the process with the Disciplinary Hearing Authority information.  Mr. Thomas stated that this information only deals with the school placement of the student.  Mr. Thomas mentioned to the Board, this is a zero tolerance appeal.  The School Board has the options to affirm a finding for zero tolerance offense with a hearing or without a hearing.  If the Board decides to not have a hearing the Board has based that decision on the record information presented.  Because it is a zero tolerance offense the Board has no authority to lessen the punishment or discipline that has been assigned by the Disciplinary Hearing Authority.  Mr. Thomas mentioned that the Superintendent is the only one with that authority for a zero tolerance offense.  If the Board feels that this is not a zero tolerance offense, make a finding that it is not a zero tolerance offense and could do lessen the punishment due to lack of information without a hearing.

Mr. Thomas asked the Board to decide if they would want to have a hearing or to not have a hearing. The next step is, if the Board feels that there is enough information presented, they do not need a hearing.  If the Board feels that there needs to be more information, then a hearing will be set for the Board to hear from the Parent and Administrators.  The Board, parent and Administrators will have a separate meeting and you will be asked to uphold the finding, overturn the finding or with a hearing the Board, may want to increase the discipline for the student.  But again, the Superintendent has the authority to change the decision with the zero tolerance.  

On Thursday, December 13, 2018 the Board will make a decision to have a hearing or to not have a hearing.  If the Board votes to not have a hearing, the Board will decided to uphold the finding made by the Discipline Hearing Authority and the Superintendent.  If the Board votes to have a hearing, a motion will be made and the hearing will be set for the Board to meet with the parent and Administrators. 

Discussion:  Winston Truett spoke to the Board concerning the Jackson-Madison County Consolidated School System Internal School Funds Financial Statements June 30, 2018.  Mr.  Truett stated that 6 out of 23 schools had findings with the audit.  Jim Campbell asked are there findings that continue to happen in the schools.  Mr. Truett stated, yes there are common findings that are continuing to happen in the schools but with the past year findings, the findings have been corrected.  Janice Hampton was concerned about a school having several findings.  Ms. Hampton asked, is this common to have several findings in one school.  Mr. Truett mentioned it is not common but not unusual in findings.  James Johnson asked the difference between the the Management Letter findings compared to the audit.  Mr. Truett stated that the internal Finance Department has already put things in place to help the Bookkeepers to not have the findings.

Discussion: 

Jim Campbell spoke concerning the District's  Insurance premium supplement for retirees.  Mr. Campbell stated that the Insurance Committee discussed the premiums and will further discuss the premiums for a better option.  Mr. Campbell stated, that  a recommendation will be made to the School Board at the Board Meeting for a vote.  

This motion will be brought to the School Board from the Insurance Committee on Thursday, December 13, 2018.  Wayne Arnold made a motion to recommend for the full Board's approval to change the District's Insurance premium supplement for eligible retirees from the flat amounts approved by the Board in June of 2018 to amounts that would allow the retirees to pay the same rate as active employees.  

Discussion: 

James Johnson, Chairman of the Budget Committee stated that the committee was supporting the recommendation from the Insurance Committee for the District's Insurance premiums.  

James Johnson and the Budget Committee will meet in January to further the discussion concerning the insurance premiums and the Board Budget.

Discussion: 

Janice Hampton, Chair of the Policy Committee spoke on the recommendations concerning the revisions for several policies.  Ms. Hampton is also recommending that the revisions would be approved by the Board on the first reading and the second reading would be waved.  

The School Board will vote on the revisions of policies Thursday, December 13, 2018.

Discussion: 

Morris Merriweather, Chairman of Long Range Planning Committee stated that the following information was mentioned to Eric Jones and that Mr. Jones will bring the information needed to the Committee.  the following information for; late bell for high school, expansion for a Montessori Program and location, provision for Workforce,  release of over crowding at Liberty, Pope and Thelma Barker.  Doris Black would like information concerning a north elementary school and Mr. Merriweather would like to know how the Long Range Planning Committee could assist with the design of new schools.  

Morris Merriweather stated that he would like to Board's input in setting goals and guidelines concerning the Long Range Planning Committee.  

At the Thursday, December 13, 2018 Board Meeting, the School Board will vote on a name for the new Lincoln School.  At this time, Morris Merriweather recommends the name to be J. Emmett Ballard and Janice Hampton suggested, the name to stay as Lincoln.

Discussion: 

Kevin Alexander, Chairman of Superintendent Evaluation Committee stated, that the work for the revision of the evaluation will continue in January.  The Committee was able to decrease the number of questions on the evaluation but would encourage all Board Members to contribute in preparing a Superintendent Evaluation.

Kevin Alexander mentioned that the revisions as of today are on eMeeting for review.

Discussion: 

Jared Myracle, stated that Central Office personnel would like for the Board to approve the 2019-2020 and the 2020-2021 Jackson-Madison County School System Calendars.  Shannon Stewart asked about the In service day being on the 2020 election day.  Rachel Scott mentioned that with moving only one day anywhere in the calendar would cause a problem.  Mrs. Scott mentioned, that on election days having an In service Day would be better since the students are not in the building.  

The School Board will vote on the Jackson-Madison County School System Calendars Thursday, December 13, 2018.

Discussion:  Jared Myracle presented a power point to the School Board concerning the Launch-Career Readiness Program Overview.  The following was covered in the power point; JMCSS Priorities, Fundamental Literacy Expectations for All Students, Options and Opportunities with now and further training.  The Outdated System, In reality, there are many on and off ramps for continuing education and work experience during and after high school - School, Service, Employment and Continuing Education.  More of the following information; High School At-A-Glance, Options and Opportunities with Career Clusters, Creating Career Pathways, LAUNCH Career Readiness Initiative-How do you arrive at your Career Pathway?  A new K-12 Approach with elementary Awareness, middle Exploration and high school attainment, Career Pathways, What does this look like in high school?  Getting a Head Start, EPSOs for the Career Pathways with tracks, Offering Expanded EPSOs, Goals, What have we already done?, Connecting with Industry and the Timeline.

Discussion: 

Janice Hampton spoke concerning the Board Members not being able to attend the conferences due to the lack of funds provided in the budget.  Ms. Hampton made a suggestion that the Budget Committee review the Board's Budget.  James Johnson, Chairman of the Budget Committee and Kevin Alexander, Chairman of the Board stated that the Budget Committee would review the past year expenses of the Board.

Discussion: 

The School Board reviewed the Jackson-Madison County School System Mission and Vision Statement in November.  The Board recommended that Eric Jones revise the statements and bring a revision to the December meeting.  

The current Mission Statement; To prepare tomorrow's leaders by providing a safe, caring learning environment, working in cooperation with families and the community and providing appropriate curriculum and effective instruction.  

The current Vision Statement; That all graduates will be effective problem solvers and have acquired the knowledge and skills to be life-long learners and productive citizens.

Eric Jones will recommend for Board's approval Thursday, December 13, 2018 the following for the Jackson-Madison County School System Mission Statement and Vision Statement.

Mission; To prepare tomorrow's leaders for options and opportunities by providing a safe, caring learning environment, working in cooperation with families and the community, and providing appropriate curriculum and effective instruction.  

Vision; All graduates will acquire the knowledge and skills to pursue options and opportunities and become productive citizens.

Discussion:  Kevin Alexander mentioned that the meetings in January and February for the School Board would need to be rescheduled.  The School Board agreed to change the Monday, January 7, 2019 Work Session to be a combined Work Session and Board Meeting on Thursday, January 10, 2019.  The Thursday, February 14, 2019 Board meeting will be a combined Work Session and Board Meeting on Monday, February 11, 2019.   

Discussion: 

Doris Black presented to the Board information concerning the Tennessee Volunteer Challenge Academy.  Ms. Black would like for further discussion concerning the students that have discipline.  Eric Jones recommends that Corey Currie would have some imput concerning this program.  

A. J. Massey mentioned a  Family Resource Center Grant to the Board.  This program would be able to provide a washer and dryer for schools, back pack donations and clothing.  This program would bring in more students and parents that are needing assistance from the system.  Ray Washington mentioned that there have been some schools that have been provided washers and dryers along with clothing.  Rhonda Heard mentioned that this year, she has been working with parents and students that have been referred from School Counselors for the need of clothing. Ms. Heard mentioned that there are schools that have been provided a washer and dryer this year to assist in washing of clothing and several coats have been donated by the community for the JMCSS students.

Discussion:  Eric Jones stated, every year the LEA Compliance Report would need to be signed by the Superintendent and the School Board Chair. 

Discussion: 

Janice Hampton asked for an update concerning the Education Foundation Committee.  Eric Jones stated, that the Committee met on October 18, 2018 and he will notify the board of the next meeting.  Shannon Stewart stated that the City nominated Shawn Daly to the Education Foundation Committee.  

Eric Jones mentioned that the following; the Teacher Retention Committee had a productive meeting, LOOP tour with parents and students that have been chosen for the LOOP Program and other companies are contacting JMCSS to be added, Safety for schools with radios, cameras being purchased and helping with lobby designs in the buildings.

Discussion:  The meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm