Board of Education extends Director's contract

The Lewis County Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 6:02 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.

During the workshop, which preceded the regular scheduled meeting, a presentation was given by Randy Young with the TCAT of Hohenwald on the dual-enrollment class Building Construction Technology.

Also in attendance at the workshop was Stacy Smith, principal of the Volunteer State Virtual Academy. She introduced people that she has been working with in establishing the virtual academy. Those attending along with Ms. Smith were Amber Calvert-Director of Academics for Tennessee schools; Amanda Winn-Academic Administrator for Special Programs; Anne Antuna-Assistant Operations manager; Heidi Sullivan-Tennessee Operations Manager; and Julie Overholt-STRIDE Vice-President.

The invocation was given by Hayden Bass. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mrs. Dyer.

CONSENT AGENDA

Upon motion by Mrs. Atkinson and seconded by Mrs. Pollock to approve the add-on to the consent agenda was unanimously approved.

Upon motion by Mrs. Dyer and seconded by Mr. Mitchell the consent agenda was unanimously approved.

Approved previous minutes from June 13, 2023, board meeting.

Adopted agenda.

Approved payroll and miscellaneous warrants.

Add-on to new business. Budget Amendments.

REGULAR AGENDA

Director’s Report

Transferred Brooke Fletcher, LCMS 6th grade ELA teacher, to 7th grade ELA effective August 2, 2023.

Transferred Vicki Halfacre, LCES Kindergarten teacher, to 8th grade ELA effective August 2, 2023.

Transferred Crystal Shook, Paraprofessional, to Intermediate School Special Ed. Teacher effective August 2, 2023.

Transferred Tracy Tenison, LCMS Librarian, to LCHS librarian, effective August 2, 2023.

Employed Kelby Feichtinger as 6th grade ELA teacher effective August 2, 2023.

Employed Damien Clayton as Middle School Career Coach and Head Football and Head Baseball coach effective August 2, 2023.

Employed Cindy Bailey as High School Special Ed. Teacher effective August 2, 2023.

Employed Rachel Hackett as Elementary School Kindergarten teacher effective August 2, 2023.

Employed Keston Bean as Middle School Agricultural Instructor effective August 2, 2023.

Employed Lindsay Dawson-Poirier as Elementary School 1st grade teacher effective August 2, 2023.

Employed Chasity Owen as High School Health Science Instructor effective August 2, 2023.

Employed Alison Stanley as High School Family & Consumer Science teacher effective August 2, 2023.

Employed Alex Carroll as Middle School Art teacher effective August 2, 2023.

Employed Mickey Bailey as Paraprofessional for the LCHS Special Ed. Class and full-time bus driver effective August 2, 2023.

Transferred Cortni Isbell, LCMS Paraprofessional, to LCES Paraprofessional, effective August 2, 2023.

Employed Jessica Anthony as Middle School Paraprofessional, effective August 2, 2023.

Employed Emma McCoy as Elementary School Paraprofessional, effective August 2, 2023.

Employed Ragan Totton as Middle School Paraprofessional effective August 2, 2023.

Employed Karley Seiber as Elementary School RN. Nurse, effective August 2, 2023.

Employed Heather Staggs as Intermediate School LPN Nurse, effective August 2, 2023.

Employed Ericka Himes as High School LPN Nurse, effective August 2, 2023.

Transferred Karen Holt, CNA, from intermediate school to Middle School CNA, to assistant Wanda Holloway, CNA effective August 2, 2023.

Accepted the resignation of Kassi Holloway, 6th grade ELA teacher, effective June 23, 2023.

Dr. McAbee gave an update on the new high school. He stated that there is an agreement between the architect, USDA, the county mayor’s office, and the director of school’s office that July 24, 2023, will be the date for bids to go out. Bids will be opened on August 24, 2023. The fire marshall is good with everything. After that as soon as the loan paperwork is completed, then we can proceed with the high school.

Director McAbee stated that he would like to recognize Deb Willis and the cafeteria staff for all their hard work during the summer feeding program. He stated that between May 22, 2023, through June 30, 2023, there was 39,467 meals were distributed to the kids in Lewis County.

Dr. McAbee stated that the 3rd grade testing was some of the best test scores for Lewis County.

Director McAbee stated that he asked his principals to let him know if there were some shout outs that needed to be given to our staff. He stated that he would like to give Robert Johnson “Rambo” a big shout out for keeping the grass looking so good. Also, another big shout out to the maintenance crew for all their hard work.

Dr. McAbee stated that as of now, it looks as though Lewis County will only be receiving $65,000 from the school safety grant.

Mrs. Pollock asked Sheryl Sharp, bus transportation supervisor, about the status of the bus drivers and routes. Mrs. Sharp stated that as of now all bus routes will be covered for the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. Mrs. Atkinson inquired about the substitute teachers. Mrs. Sharp stated that there was going to be a substitute teacher orientation on July 19, 2023, and she would know at that time how the substitute teachers’ number would be. Dr. McAbee added that he would like to remind the board what they done by providing insurance for the bus drivers was a significant help in maintaining our bus drivers and increasing the pay for the substitute teachers.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

-There was no unfinished business to discuss.

Prior to the vote on item a) under new business, board members expressed the wonderful job that Dr. McAbee did for his first year at Lewis County Schools. Chair Himes stated that her main topic was that Dr. McAbee did not receive that 6% raise that all other school staff received. She stated that he did state that time was more important to him. Upon motion by Mr. Mitchell and seconded by Mrs. Dyer, item a) under new business was unanimously approved to extend Dr. Tracy McAbee’s contract for another year.

Approve extension of Director of Schools, Dr. Tracy McAbee, contract.

Ms. Couch asked the board did they want to look at vacation and personal days for Dr. McAbee.

Dr. McAbee stated that there are vacation days in the contract and that there are no personal days for him, and he would be appreciative for a couple of personal days. Mr. Mitchell stated that he would like to make another motion that in addition to the extension of the one year contract that Dr. McAbee be given personal days. After a brief discussion amongst the board members, they all agreed that 4 personal days would be added to his contract. The motion by Mr. Mitchell was seconded by Mrs. Pollock and was approved unanimously. Chair Himes requested a roll call vote. All members voted yes.

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

Approve the director of schools’ participation in the annual Superintendent Study Council Conference for September 10, 11, 12 and 13, 2023. The meeting will be in Gatlinburg, Tennessee at the Park Vista Hotel.

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

Approve Memorandum of Understanding for SRO officers.

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

Employment and assignment of certified personnel and support staff for the 2023-2024 school year

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

Approve Tennessee School Systems for Equity fees in the amount of $2,291.00.

There was no vote required for item f) under new business.

Bullying Compliance Report.

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

Volunteer Coach-Allyson Crowell (Volleyball)

Mr. Mitchell asked to suspend the rules prior to the vote on item h) under new business and was seconded by Ms. Couch. Chair Himes asked Mickey Carroll to explain to the board the progress of the soccer team booster club. Mr. Carroll stated that there has not been a soccer team booster club established yet. He stated that he and Braden Brewer were working on the booster club being established and once established he said that the next thing to discuss is fundraising. He stated that they would probably create a flyer to go out to local businesses to start the fund-raising process. He further stated that the biggest expense that the team would need would be the goals for the soccer field and equipment. Chair Himes informed Mr. Carroll that the board had already indicated that they would help with the cost of the goals. Ms. Couch said that maybe after the board receives the total of the cost of everything to get them started that the board could help with more of the cost. Chair Himes asked Jason Fite to address the board about the legalities of establishing the soccer team in the school system. Mr. Fite explained that all the administration would need is the approval from the board for soccer to be a school sponsored sport. Mr. Fite further stated that the application would be submitted to the TSSAA and there would be a $250 fee for that. There would be a fee for the coaches’ courses in the amount of $165 per coach. Mr. Fite stated that for an approximate start-up cost, including goals and equipment, or officials and travel. He stated that they previously had estimated around $5000 to $7000 for the first year. Mr. Mitchell made a motion and was seconded by Mrs. Pollock to add a Middle School Soccer team as a school sponsored sport was unanimously approved.

• Approve Middle School Soccer Team

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

• Approve school handbooks.

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

• Approve amended board policy 1.404.

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

• Add-on-Budget Amendments

Chair Himes asked Angela Leigh to give an update on Wanda Holloway, LCMS Nurses aide, from her recent surgery. Ms. Leigh explained that Mrs. Holloway is doing very well and that she will have to have chemotherapy later.

Mrs. Dyer reminded everyone to keep the family of Brenda Helentjaris in your prayers. Brenda was a former board member and a long-time employee of Lewis County Head Start and is the mother of Amy Banks, Lewis County School System speech pathologist.

Mr. Dyer reminded everyone to keep Mark King, LCMS In-School suspension, in your prayers after his recent heart issues.

Ms. Leigh asked Chair Himes about possibly moving the regular scheduled meeting in September as it will be in conflict with Dr. McAbee’s meeting in Gatlinburg. After discussion amongst board members, it was decided to move the regular September board meeting to September 19, 2023.

Chair Himes announced that the next regular scheduled meeting will be August 8, 2023, and will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a workshop beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Mrs. Atkinson reminded board members that they will be invited to the Opening Ceremonies breakfast on Friday, July 28, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. in the High School commons area.

Mrs. Leigh reminded everyone that the surplus auction will be this Saturday, July 15, 2023, and will begin at 10:00 a.m.

Mrs. Dyer reminded everyone to keep Melvis Staggs in your prayers as she recently had a stroke. She was a long-time employee in the central office for the school system.

Upon motion by Mrs. Atkinson and seconded by Mr. Mitchell, the meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m.