School Board approves personnel transfers

The Lewis County Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lewis County Board of Education board meeting room located at 206 South Court Street, Hohenwald, Tn. With the exception of Phyllis Townsend, all board members present were Chair Lindsey Himes, Glenda Atkinson, Derek Cotham, Cassie Couch, Vice-Chair Paula Dyer, Jackie Holt, Cody Mitchell, and Sallie Pollock.

The invocation was given by Mr. Mitchell. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Holt.

During public input, Sara Denton asked to talk with the board members about the qualifications of the “top ten” students at Lewis County High School.

The Board recognized Lewis County High School Top Ten Students: Mercie Ashmore, Kerrigan Reeves, Karen Braun, Ty Twist, Paige Roberson, Allee Carroll, Gabrielle Shirley, Renee Cortez, Madeline Moore and Christopher Thomas.

Upon motion by Mr. Mitchell and seconded by Ms. Couch the add-on to the consent agenda was unanimously approved.

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

• Approved minutes from the May 16, 2023, special called meeting.

• Adopted agenda.

• Approved pay-roll and miscellaneous warrants.

• Approved surplus property (See attached listings)

• Add-ons to new business: approve 2023-2024 school year consolidated application approval for IDEA/ESEA; approve resolution to transfer funds from general purpose funds to federal projects fund for fiscal year ending June 30, 2023; approve therapy services agreement for K-12 Virtual school.

REGULAR AGENDA

Director’s Report

• Accepted the letter of resignation from Michelle Keating, LCHS Math teacher, effective May 19, 2023.

• Accepted the letter of resignation from Jonathan Owen, LCHS Girls Head Basketball coach, effective May 19, 2023.

• Accepted the letter of resignation from Walter Williams, LCHS History teacher and assistant football coach effective May 19, 2023.

• Accepted the letter of resignation from Alexis Bailey, LCES teacher, effective June 6, 2023.

• Accepted the letter of retirement from Karen Kendrick, LCMS Paraprofessional, effective May 19, 2023.

• Accepted the letter of retirement from Greg Amacher, LCHS Boy’s Head Basketball coach and LCHS teacher, effective May 19, 2023.

• Accepted the letter of retirement from Cynthia Collison, LCMS Spec. Ed., effective May 19, 2023.

• Transferred Adam Clark, LCMS Principal to LCHS Principal effective June 2, 2023.

• Transferred Elizabeth Redmon 3rd grade teacher to 4th grade math teacher, effective August 2, 2023.

• Transferred Becky Newbold Schrank 3rd grade teacher to 5th grade ELA, effective August 2, 2023.

• Transferred Kristie Holt 5th grade teacher to 3rd grade ELA, effective August 2, 2023.

• Transferred Katye Forrester 7th grade ELA to 5th grade ELA, effective August 2, 2023.

• Transferred Sharlene Hensley 4th grade teacher to Assistant to RTI Supervisor, effective August 2, 2023.

• Transferred Ciara Henley, 7th & 8th grade ELA resource to 1st grade teacher, effective August 2, 23,

• Transferred Vicki Tiller, Central office receptionist to Human Resources/Payroll effective April 24, 2023.

• Transferred Emily Spitzer, LCMS bookkeeper to School Finance Director effective April 24, 2023.

• Employed Kelli Burcham as the LCMS bookkeeper.

• Transferred Shiloh Skelton, Coordinated School Health assistant to Central Office receptionist effective April 25, 2023.

• Transferred Karen Holt, LCIS Paraprofessional, to LCIS Certified Nurses Assistant effective August 2, 2023.

• Employed Stacy Smith, LCHS Assistant Principal, as the new Volunteer State Virtual Academy Principal.

• Approved Lucas Scott as the new LCHS Head Boys’ Basketball coach.

• Approved Jason Fite as the new LCHS Head Girls Basketball coach.

• Director McAbee said that he wanted to give a shout out to Mylie McKissack for her role in the summer school program.

• Transferred Melissa Burney, LCHS Librarian, to LCHS assistant principal.

• Transferred Renee Thompson, LCMS Assistant Principal, to LCMS Principal.

• Transferred Darrell Culberson, Alternative School Director, to LCMS Assistant Principal.

• Transferred Becky Stewart, LCIS teacher, to LCIS ½ time and LCES ½ time Assistant Principal.

Dr. McAbee stated that he wanted to also give a big shout out to the third-grade teachers and students for the job well done on the TCAP scores, parents, and guardians for supporting the school and support staff. He further stated that out of 142 districts in the state, we were ranked 18th. Ms. Couch wanted to thank the elementary staff for preparing these students for the 3rd grade year in school.

Director of Schools stated that the new high school was on track with the bids being opened in July.

Dr. McAbee wanted to recognize Stacy Smith for all of her hard work with the Volunteer State Virtual Academy. Ms. Smith informed the board members that the VSVA has a website now and has already enrolled 25 students.

There was no new business to discuss.

NEW BUSINESS

Upon motion by Mr. Mitchell and seconded by Mr. Cotham, item a) under new business was unanimously approved.

• Volunteer coaches for the 2023-2024 school year:

High School:

• Autumn Carroll (Volleyball)

• Jeremy Carroll (Softball)

• Marcus Moseley (Baseball)

• Bo Shelton (Football)

• Rick Stevens (Softball)

• Brody Whitlow (Baseball)

Middle School:

• Britni Arledge (Head girls’ basketball)

• Constance Carroll (Assistant volleyball)

• Delicia Hull (Assistant girls’ basketball)

• Mattie King (Head volleyball)

• Mallory McDonald (Assistant girls’ basketball)

• Kyle Tenison (Head Boys’ basketball)

Upon motion by Ms. Couch and seconded by Mrs. Pollock, item b) under new business was unanimously approved.

• Tennessee School Board Association membership dues: Approve Tennessee School Boards Association membership dues for the 2023-2024 school year, $4,480.00.

Upon motion by Ms. Couch and seconded by Mrs. Dyer, item c) under new business was unanimously approved.

• Tennessee School Board Association annual online policy maintenance agreement 07/01/2023 - 06/30/2024 in the amount of $3000.00.

Upon motion by Mrs. Atkinson and seconded by Mr. Mitchell, item d) under new business was unanimously approved.

• Approve FBLA CTSO overnight travel to Atlanta, Georgia on June 26, 2023, through July 1, 2023, for LCHS teacher Tom Jalomo and LCHS student Kevin Stovall.

Upon motion by Mrs. Dyer and seconded by Mrs. Pollock, item e) under new business was unanimously approved.

• Approve disbursement of LCHS Senior Class of 2023 unspent funds, in the amount of $1,457.75, to be given to LCHS Senior student Ty Twist.

• Discuss possible middle school soccer team.

Prior to discussion of item f) under new business, Mr. Mitchell made a motion to suspend the rules of the order of meeting and was seconded by Ms. Couch and was unanimously approved. Chair Himes asked Adam Clark to address the board members since he had a meeting with the parents of the soccer team. He stated that he thought that a lot of kids would benefit from soccer as they did not want to participate in any other sport. He further stated that it would be a co-ed sport and would be in the spring. He stated that during the meeting with the parents that they indicated that they would be starting a booster club to help offset some of the cost for the soccer team.

Mr. Clark stated that the soccer team would be using the middle school football field for their games and would use their current facilities for practice. Mr. Clark stated that the biggest expense for the soccer team would be the nets that would be needed, and they would cost approximately $10,000. Mr. Clark stated that it would be a possible 8-week season and there are other schools located close to us that we would be able to play against. Brady Brewer talked to the board members about his interest in the program and his experiences playing soccer and how much he thought that the program would be beneficial for students.

Dr. McAbee explained that the school would be willing to help with some of the expenses to help get them established. After much discussion, Chair Himes informed Mr. Brewer and the other parents in the audience that since this was just for discussion tonight and not a vote, that they needed to be able to present to the board at the July meeting the development of the booster club and plans for the soccer team development. At this point, Chair Himes brought the meeting back to order.

Upon motion by Mrs. Atkinson and seconded by Mrs. Dyer, item g) under new business was unanimously approved.

• Approve 2023-2024 school year consolidated application approval for IDEA/ESEA

Upon motion by Ms. Couch and seconded by Mrs. Pollock, item h) under new business was unanimously approved.

• Approve resolution to transfer funds from general purpose funds to federal projects fund for fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, Chair Himes asked for a roll-call vote .

Upon motion by Ms. Couch and seconded by Mr. Mitchell, item i) under new business was unanimously approved.

•Approve therapy services agreement for K-12 Virtual school.

Chair Himes announced that the next regular scheduled meeting will be July 11, 2023, and will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a workshop beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Mrs. Dyer reminded everyone to remember Ty Twist in their prayers.

Upon motion by Mr. Cotham and seconded by Mr. Mitchell, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.