Summary of the March 28, 2019 Collierville Schools Business Meeting.

Mr Vaughan absent for his daughter’s wedding. Rest of the board present.

Special Recognition: Bailey Station. They presented on how they are using technology at BSES.

No Public Comments.

Approval of Agenda, previous business meetings’ minutes, February financial statements.

Chairman’s report:

• Lot of attention focused on Nashville – Education-impacting legislation under way, with the Educational Savings Accounts as a major negative initiative. This will go before the governmental committee next, and will go to the full house for a vote

Superintendent’s report:

• Elementary Schools Young Chef competition under way in CHS Culinary Arts Kitchen. One for each elementary school; winner will progress to regional competition
• Draco Playhouse rehearsing Mary Poppins musical – performances next week
• Next work session April 11 – will include proposed budget review for next year
• Saturday April 6 – Race for the Ville – proceeds for family resource center – Cox Park
• Welcome to CJ Coleman – boy scout (and CHS student) from Troop 56 attending to earn a merit badge

Business Items:

Approval of Consent Agenda

• Textbook adoption proposal
• Special Course Application
• Construction contract closeouts:
  - Townsend Door and Hardware (tack boards and white boards)
  - Toadvine Enterprises (basketball backboards)
  - Central Technologies (security cameras and monitors)
  - Daktronics (interior scoreboards)
• Bid Selection Approvals:
  - High School Lawn Service
  - High School weed control
  - Crosswind Elementary HVAC
• Resolution regarding proposed legislation on educational savings accounts: disapproval of this initiative
  Brief discussion around the proposed legislation and the disappointing votes from some local representatives like Tom Leatherwood

Meeting adjourned

Tags: Citizen's Report, Collierville Schools, legislative update

Summary of March 21 Collierville Schools Board Work Session. Full board present.

Review of February financial statement. Revenues and expenditures tracking as expected. Mr Hansen made comments about the district’s capital needs. Mr Aitken talked about the meeting with County Mayor Harris and the Shelby County education committee. Major needs include roofing at WCMS and HVAC at Collierville Elementary.

Review of textbook adoption proposal. Proposal to approve all state recommended books as accepted for Collierville Schools use. There is no purchase imminent, but this will allow the district to make the purchase when needed. Online component of text books was a key consideration, and that is commonly available now.

Special Course Application – annual renewal for Facing History and Ourselves course. Collierville Schools will be expanding the use of this curriculum.

Closing out CHS construction contracts:

• Townsend Door (Tack Boards and White Boards). Small increase in cost due to configuration of art rooms.
• Toadvine Enterprises (Basketball Equipment: goals). No deviation from bid/contract.
• Central Technologies (cameras and monitors).
• Daktronics (indoor score boards).

Review of Lawn Services bid for CHS. Note: athletic fields are still considered under construction and will be groomed by the contractor until approximately June. This bid is for mowing/mulching/weeding weekly from April through October and a separate bid was done (but allowed to bundle) for weed control/spraying. Agriscapes had lowest bid for mowing services, is local, and had great references. Also note: all other Collierville Schools properties are serviced by the town.

Review of Weed Control Services bid for CHS. Lowest bidder (Landscape Services Group) had only bundled package available, so the bid went to Herbisystems.

Review of HVAC Equipment bid at Crosswind. Two bids received for 56 units.

Superintendent Update:

• Michelle Miller at Bailey Station is the regional winner for teacher of the year – 9 regions – and is up for state teacher of the year honors
• Student Success Course introduction. This is in response to the Partners In Education feedback about career readiness. The district is going to do some additional communication about the merits of this course. It also includes study hall time, ACT prep, character skills, time for targeted/personal intervention, tutoring, mentoring, etc. The second year of the course will further expand on these skills and be good preparation for the career dual enrollment programs. Mr Vaughan added commentary that based on what he hears in Nashville a course/curriculum like this, to help workforce development, is likely to be mandated within the next two years. He commends Mr Aitken on his vision. This highlights the leading role that Collierville may play in the state in diverse education.

Chairman’s report:

• Comments about the growth of Agribusiness in the Memphis area – as a national hub for this discipline. Collierville Schools is already including this in its curriculum at the high school.
• State Legislation updates (Mr Vaughan) – Charter School bill updates, which in current version essentially maintains the status quo. Other bill about “Educational Savings Accounts” – seems to have no attraction outside Nashville, but will need to have public input to ensure it doesn’t get outside the full committee, which will take up the bill this Wednesday 7/27. This is a pet topic for the governor.
• Mr Hansen wants to provide a resolution draft that will not be voted on until after that committee meeting, in order to voice opposition to the ESA bill. Mr Vaughan will have to distance himself from this resolution due to his commitment to not take a position on bills until they are actually up for a vote. Mr Cox: Our obligation is to protect public education. Mr Hansen: the proposed voucher system will have no accountability on the spend and will pose a risk.

Meeting adjourned.

Tags: Citizen's Report, Collierville Schools, legislative update