Lewis County Herald - Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898

The Lewis County Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at 6:04 p.m. at the Lewis County Board of Education board meeting room located at 206 South Court Street. With the exception of Phyllis Townsend, all board members were present, Chair Lindsey Himes, Glenda Atkinson, Derek Cotham, Cassie Couch, Paula Dyer, Jackie Holt, Cody Mitchell, and Sallie Pollock. Prior to the regular scheduled meeting there was a workshop held at 5:30 p.m.

The invocation was given by Cody Mitchell. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Glenda Atkinson.

Upon motion by Mrs. Atkinson and seconded by Mr. Holt, the consent agenda was unanimously approved.

Previous minutes from the September 13, 2022 board meeting.

Adopted agenda

Approved 1st quarter warrants

Upon motion by Mr. Mitchell and seconded by Mrs. Dyer, the add-ons to new business were unanimously approved.

Directors Report

Employed Deborah Walker as LCMS computer science teacher effective September 19, 2022.

Accepted the resignation of Jessica Anthony, LCMS Paraprofessional, effective September 28, 2022.

Employed James Laubach as Student Information System Data and Technology Assistant effective October 10, 2022.

Dr. McAbee explained to board members that Tony Cotham is checking on all bathrooms to see which ones have short doors, shower curtains as doors or no doors as this needs to be addressed.

Director McAbee explained to board members the Grow Your Own program. He stated that if a paraprofessional has an associate degree, it would take 2 years to complete and receive their Bachelor’s Degree. Otherwise, it would take 3 years to complete. He further stated that he met with about 15 paraprofessionals on Wednesday, October 12th to discuss this program which they can participate in with UT Southern. This program is paid for through a grant from Work Force Development and they instituted the 3-year maximum length stipulation. Mr. Mitchell asked if this could help the school system recruit more paraprofessionals. Dr. McAbee said it could. All classes will be online. UT Southern would periodically send someone to check in with the participants but otherwise everything is online. Tuition and book costs are covered.

Dr. McAbee stated that the first nine weeks have gone off without a hitch. He stated that there was great participation in the parent/teacher conferences. He asked Sasha Powers to tell the board members about the “Hidden in Plain Sight” that she received in partnership with our local Health Department. This allowed parents to see if they could find hiding spots in a teenager’s room for vapes, drugs, alcohol, etc. 66 parents went through the area and were amazed at what they saw. No students were allowed in.

Mr. Mitchell asked about the progress of the completion of the Intermediate School roof. Dr. McAbee stated that the front façade had been completed and all materials were on the roof, but no work had been started at this time. He stated that Mr. Trull is in contact with Porter Roofing and has been playing phone tag with them trying to get an update. Dr. McAbee added he had not paid them anything since the work was not complete.

Mrs. Dyer asked where we stood with the security pads. Dr. McAbee said he had talked with Justin Hildenbrandt and Edutech was waiting on a few backordered parts. Then a team would come and pull wires at all four schools. Pads would be added after that.

Mrs. Dyer asked where we stood with putting handrails on the front steps of the two-story building. Dr. McAbee stated he and Tony Cotham had a plan for the installation but when the Fire Marshall came, he stated what they had planned would not work according to code. They are reassessing the issue.

Mrs. Pollock and Mrs. Dyer shared in the Board workshop that they had visited Fayetteville Middle School to observe the Audio-enhancement technology and were impressed with all of the capabilities it provides a school.

Upon motion by Mrs. Atkinson and seconded by Ms. Couch, it was unanimously approved and board policy 6.204 was brought back to the table.

Upon motion by Mrs. Pollock and seconded by Mrs. Atkinson, board policy 6.204 concernng attendance of non-resident students, was unanimously approved.

The policy reads: Students residing outside the boundaries of the school district may attend schools within the school district under the following conditions:

1. They shall be approved by the Director of Schools.

2. Non-resident students shall not be admitted without an official request from the guardian for a hardship or admittance under an unusual circumstance.

3. An attendance committee will hear and rule on all hardship requests. The committee will be comprised of the Director of Schools, the grade level principal, and the attendance supervisor.

4. They may pay a tuition fee established annually by the Board. Annual tuition may not exceed per student, per annum, an amount equal to the amount of local funds actually used for school purposes by the school district per student during the preceding school year minus any funds received from the student’s resident district. Tuition for out-of-state students shall be charged at the same rate as the average cost per student (state and local funds) in the district attended.

5. Non-resident students shall make application at least two weeks prior to the first day of school. The Director of Schools/designee shall provide non-resident students notice of eligibility for re-enrollment by the end of the school year.

6. Requests from students from adjoining states to attend school shall be considered on a case-by-case basis.

7. Students who become residents of the school district shall be refunded any unused portion of the tuition on a pro-rata basis.

8. When payment is not made on all or any part of the required tuition for a previous year, the student(s) shall be excluded from future attendance until all prior and current tuition is paid.

9. If an employee of this school district has a residence outside the school district, his/her children may be allowed to attend, provided that there is available room and teaching capacity and other determinations made by the Board according to applicable law.

Upon motion by Mrs. Atkinson and seconded by Mr. Mitchell, items under new business were unanimously approved.

a) Discussion of alignment of all schools handbooks.

b) Discussion of participation in the South Central Human Resource Agency Foster Grandparent program.

c) Approve volunteer coaches:

• Delicia Hull-Middle School Basketball

• Mallory McDonald-Middle School Basketball

• Daniel Hull-Middle School Basketball

• Braxton Best-High School Basketball

Chair Himes informed board members that they should have received an email from Emily Warren through TSBA about selecting a Legislative Representative for the board. Chair Himes explained that this person would be the person who TSBA would be contacting for legislative updates. She stated that this is not required but is recommended. Cody Michell volunteered for the position. Cassie Couch stated that she was interested also, but they could work together if needed. All board members agreed for Mr. Michell to be the Legislative Representative for Lewis County. Chair Himes asked Angie Leigh to report this action to TSBA. Ms. Leigh told board members that she would take care of this.

Ms. Couch asked Mr. Mitchell how the City of Hohenwald Council meeting went regarding the city’s portion of the sales tax. Mr. Mitchell stated that the council members were in full support of giving the school the city’s portion of the sales tax. He further stated that there is paperwork that needs to be completed before they can vote on it.

Ms. Couch told Dr. McAbee that she liked the third grade article that had been published in the Lewis County Herald.

Chair Himes announced that the next meeting will be Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. She further stated that there will be a workshop at 5:30 p.m. prior to the regular scheduled board meeting.

Upon motion by Mrs. Atkinson and seconded by Mr. Cotham, the meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.