January 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM - Smith County Board of Education Agenda
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I. Call to Order
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
Discussion:
The Smith County Board of Education met at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the Smith County Board of Education. Mr. McDonald provided the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
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II. Welcome
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
Discussion:
Mr. Tommy Manning, Chairman of the Board, welcomed all visitors and called the January 20, 2026, meeting of the board to order.
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III. Consent Items
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Agenda
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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III.A. Board Minutes: Minutes of the Board - December 9, 2025 (Regular Meeting)
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Discussion:
Request to approve the regular meeting minutes of the Board - Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
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III.B. Request to Conduct Mini Bids for Network Equipment and Services
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Discussion:
The Smith County Schools Technology Department requests permission to conduct mini-bids for E-Rate Category 1 (internet access) and Category 2 (network equipment managed services) products using agreements procured by the Tennessee Education Broadband
Consortium (TEBC). Purchases made as a result of these mini-bids would be funded using federal E-Rate funds during the 26-27 school year. Currently, our school district has an 80% discount rate through the E-Rate program, meaning any purchases made will be 80% funded through the federal government, with the Smith County Board of Education being responsible for the remaining 20%. Category 1 services primarily relate to our internet service provider: eligible components and services for E-Rate Category 2 funding include Wi-Fi access points, network equipment such as routers, switches, and cabling, maintenance of internal broadband services, etc. Responses will be presented to the Board for approval before any agreements are made for either internet services or equipment purchases. |
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III.C. Smith County Middle School Request
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Discussion:
Smith County Middle School requests permission for the following:
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III.D. Smith County High School Requests
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Discussion:
Smith County High School requests permission for the following:
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III.E. Gordonsville High School Requests
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Discussion:
Gordonsville High School requests permission for the following:
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III.F. Permission to Apply for TDOE Early Literacy Tutoring Grant
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Discussion:
This letter is to request permission to apply for the Tennessee Department of Education’s Early Literacy Tutoring Grant for FY 2025-26. The Early Literacy Grant, in the amount of $22,500 will be used to fund salary and benefits for staff already in place that work with and support K-2 students in tutoring sessions as aligned by the TN ALL Corp tutoring model supported by the TDOE. The grant application is due on January 23, 2026, to be fully accessible in the current FY 2025-26.
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III.G. Permission to Participate in the 5-Year CLSD Literacy Materials Implementation Support Grant
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
Discussion:
This letter is to request permission to participate in the 5-year Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Literacy Materials Implementation Support Grant, focusing on adolescent literacy support in Grades 5-12. The preferred vendor we will be working with is TNTP, Inc.
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IV. Superintendent Actions
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Discussion:
The Superintendent took the following actions:
1. Staff Placement
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V. New Business
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
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V.A. Director of Schools Search
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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V.B. Bid Approval for Gasoline
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Request to approve the bid of $2.2154 per gallon for 1,200 gallons of regular 87 unleaded gasoline without ethanol from Rogers Petroleum for delivery on December 9, 2025.
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V.C. Policy Amendments
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
As part of your policy subscription, the TSBA Policy Department monitors statutory and regulatory changes to ensure that our model policies comply with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Due to changes made by the State Board of Education and guidance from the Comptroller, TSBA has updated the model policies outlined in this memo. Below are the recommended revisions.
Policy 1.901 - Charter School Applications The State Board of Education approved a change to the regulation on charter school applications at its November meeting. While this updated regulation does not go into effect until it is promulgated, likely next year, we wanted to send out this information so that Boards are aware of it before any charter applications are received. This change adds a requirement that Boards provide charter sponsors with state and federal per pupil funding estimates, and it also includes a timeline for reporting board actions on applications. We have updated our model policy to highlight those responsibilities. Policy 2.804 - Expenses and Reimbursements We received some questions on guidance from the Comptroller's Office regarding whether districts can reimburse individuals for purchases that include sales tax. The guidance indicates that the reimbursement may be made if the Board has a policy authorizing this practice. This is the first of two readings for these policy updates. See attached model and current policies |
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V.D. Bid Approval for Mechanical Work at the Former Save-A-Lot Building
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
After review of the bids submitted for mechanical work at the former Save-A-Lot building, we request the school board’s approval of the bid of $269,000 submitted by Bransford Electrical and Mechanical Services, Inc.
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V.E. Bid Approval for Sprinkler System at the Former Save-A-Lot Building
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
After review of the bids submitted for sprinkler system work at the former Save-A-Lot building, we request the school board’s approval of the bid of $40,800 submitted by SCC Sprinklers, Inc.
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V.F. Bid Approval for Doors and Windows at the Former Save-A-Lot Building
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
After review of the bids submitted for doors and windows at the former Save-A-Lot building, we request the school board’s approval of the bid of $120,522 submitted by Stockton Building.
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V.G. Bid Approval for Restroom Partitions at the Former Save-A-Lot Building
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
After review of the bids submitted for restroom partitions at the former Save-A-Lot building, we request the school board’s approval of the bid of $35,910 submitted by Stockton Building.
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V.H. Bid Approval for Casework at the Former Save-A-Lot Building
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
After review of the bids submitted for casework at the former Save-A-Lot building, we request the school board’s approval of the bid of $28,750 submitted by Stockton Building.
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V.I. Bid Approval for Finish Package at the Former Save-A-Lot Building
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
After review of the bids submitted for the finish work package at the former Save-A-Lot building, we request the school board’s approval of the bid of $149,811 submitted by Stockton Building.
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V.J. Bid Approval for Exterior Utilities at the Former Save-A-Lot Building
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
After review of the bids submitted for exterior utilities at the former Save-A-Lot building, we request the school board’s approval of the bid of $39,100 submitted by Stockton Building.
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V.K. Bid Approval for Rebid for Structural Steel at the Former Save-A-Lot Building
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
After review of the bids submitted for structural steel at the former Save-A-Lot building, we request the school board’s approval of the bid of $197,652 submitted by Stockton Building.
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V.L. Bid Approval for Framing at the Former Save-A-Lot Building
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
After review of the bids submitted for framing at the former Save-A-Lot building, we request the school board’s approval of the bid of $70,000 submitted by Greg Holbrook.
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V.M. Bid Approval for Electrical at the Former Save-A-Lot Building
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
After review of the bids submitted for electrical work at the former Save-A-Lot building, we request the school board’s approval of the bid of $119,000 submitted by Groce Electric.
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V.N. Bid Approval for Diesel Fuel
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Request to accept the low bid of $2.618 per gallon for 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel from TriStar for delivery on January 15, 2026.
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VI. Discussion
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
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VII. Annual Policy Review
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Discussion:
Please review the following policies for the Smith County Board of Education to remain compliant in policy review. If you find any inconsistencies or if something needs to be discussed regarding a policy listed below, please bring it to the attention of Mr. Tommy Manning, Chairman of the Board, during the meeting.
Policy 2.100, Fiscal Management Goals Policy 2.201, Line Item Transfer Authority Policy 2.300, State and Federal Aid Eligibility Determination Policy 2.400, Revenues Policy 2.401, Gifts and Bequests Policy 2.402, Investment Earnings Policy 2.404, School Support Organizations Policy 2.500, Deposit of Funds Policy 2.600, Bonded Employees Policy 2.700, Accounting System Policy 2.701, Financial Reports and Records Policy 2.702, Inventories Policy 2.704, Fixed Assets Policy 2.800, Expenditure of Funds Policy 2.802, Payroll Procedures Policy 2.803, Salary Deductions Policy 2.804, Expenses and Reimbursements Policy 2.805, Purchasing Policy 2.806, Bids and Quotations Policy 2.807, Requisitions Policy 2.808, Purchase Orders and Contracts Policy 2.809, Vendor Relations Policy 2.810, Payment Procedures Policy 2.900, Student Activity Funds Management Policy 5.100, Personnel Goals Policy 5.106, Application and Employment Policy 5.1101, Differentiated Pay Plan Policy 5.1151, Telework During Emergencies Policy 5.117, Teacher Tenure Policy 5.118, Background Investigations Policy 5.200, Separation Practices for Tenure Teachers Policy 5.201, Separation Practices for Non- Tenure Teachers Policy 5.203, Recommendations and File Transfers Policy 5.301, Emergency and Legal Leave Policy 5.305, Family and Medical Leave Policy 5.3051, FFCRA Leave Policy 5.3052, COVID-19 LEAVE
Time:
(January)
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VIII. Executive Session
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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IX. School Nutrition Department Updates
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
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X. Adjourn
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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Reminders:
February Board Meeting - Tuesday, February 17, 2026 @ SCBOE
Annual Board Retreat - Tuesday, March 17, 2026 @ SCBOE
March Board Meeting - Tuesday, March 17, 2026 @ SCBOE