Summary of the Collierville School Board Business meeting.

Above average crowd in attendance. News media in attendance from 4 TV stations.

Full board in attendance.

Special Recognition:

Collierville High School. Presentation by Principal Chip Blanchard. “This is a great time to be a Dragon.” Introduces the Freshman Mentoring Program (FMP).

FMP is intended to help freshmen get acclimated at CHS. Hallie Ross passed it right along to the students for their own presentation to the board. They introduced the top 8 freshman fears:

  1. Getting Lost
  2. School Dances
  3. Peer Pressure
  4. Class Workload
  5. Appearance
  6. Upperclassmen
  7. Lunch Seating
  8. Social Status

758 freshmen…

“The building isn’t what makes a school, it is the people inside.”

Public Comments:

Stacey Spencer – Collierville High parent and pastor at New Directions. Supporting his friend pastor Linwood Dillard. Met with principal Blanchard yesterday and felt positive about meeting, but not pleased with the school official statement. Referred to last year’s hate graffiti discussions and the promises of a taskforce to address the culture. Urges attention to a proactive culture to fight racism.

Linwood Dillard – 3rd generation resident. States things could have been handled differently yesterday, but is more concerned with the larger picture of racism experienced by his children in Collierville. Calls for diversity/sensitivity training. Believes that Collierville Schools wants to be welcoming to all, and is urging the board to be proactive about this. Will be hosting a town hall and invites the board and community to participate.

Latois Glasper (spelling unsure) – did not state address or residency – here to support Pastor Dillard. Discusses all the honors his children received in their academic and athletic careers. States he is not a Collierville resident. Talks about buying a home in Collierville 18 years ago and loved the town. Loved Collierville but his kids in schools were experiencing significant hostility, and there was not an adequate response from the school system. So he moved to Olive Branch. Calls for action

Mr Dillard (father of Linwood Dillard) speaking to support his granddaughter. Pointed out his father (age 94). Recalls when he had to ride the bus past Collierville High School to attend Mt Pisgah High School. Proud to see his grandchildren in Collierville Schools. Proud of the new school and all its opportunities and calling for support of minority community in the Collierville Schools.

Response from Mr Hansen. Read statement he posted on social media yesterday: “I can assure the people of Collierville, ALL of them, that the Collierville School Board CONDEMNS racism in all of its forms and manifestations. We also condemn the use of racist language and are committed to removing such language from use in our schools. We support the administration in its efforts to find out who wrote this vile and disgusting term, and disciplining them fully in accordance with our policies. We believe that all of our students should be treated fairly, equally, and with dignity, and will continue to work to create a culture in our school system that reflects those values.” Thanked the public speakers and assured them they were always welcome here, and that he will ensure there is continued dialog and action.

Approval of Agenda, previous meeting minutes, July financial statements.

Presentation of TNReady summary by Ms Cole. “Testing was rough last year.” State is showing commitment to improving processes for this year.

Highlights to be proud of – Collierville Schools ranking in the state:

  • #2 in 3-5 ELA
  • #5 in 3-5 math
  • #4 in 5-8 science
  • #4 in 6-8 ELA
  • #10 in HS ELA
  • #9 in HS Math

Breakdown in numbers shows Collierville Schools outperforming the state in almost all ‘attention demographics’ which include students with disabilities, minorities, economically disadvantaged. The economically disadvantaged are showing to be a lower performing group in the high school.

A key indicator is the growth vs previous year, and those were all over the board, but an overall average of 3 – which is considered average growth.

Mr Hansen: given the difficulties in testing this year, how valid are these scores?

Mr Aitken: that’s hard to respond to. It will have been a factor. But we know some kids started giving up after the difficulties started. Key to remember the overall top 10 rankings across subjects and grade levels. Will really need to have a clean testing season this year, as there is not a lot of credibility when testing doesn’t work.

Mr Hansen: “The state owes our kids a reasonable and normal testing environment”

Mr Vaughan: “We can’t live in a culture of blaming external factors, and will need to ensure the students focus on achievement.”

Ms Cole outlines how the district is working on specific targeted efforts that will lead to better student achievement which should lead to better test results.

 

Chairman Update:

  • Commends principals and staff for the smooth start to the school year.
  • Compliments and thanks to getting all the schools ready, including the shifts of use.

Superintendent Update:

  • 5th day numbers on enrollment: 8851 projected, 8974 enrolled. Mostly exceeding projections in CHS enrollment.
  • Kindergarten enrollment led to a minor adjustment in staffing.
  • 781 Bailey Station
  • 821 ColliervilleES
  • CrosswindES 783
  • SFES 509
  • Sycamore 483
  • TOES 467
  • CMS 873
  • WCMS 1219
  • CHS 2763 (760 freshmen)
  • 459 out-of-district students, which is lower than previous years. Mostly concentrated at WCMS and the lower attendance elementary schools
  • Finishing out punch list items at CHS. Preparing the athletic facilities
  • Haslam listening tour asking for volunteers to attend
  • Nov 8 board meeting may have to be moved
  • Sept Work Session may need to have special called business meeting to get RISO agreement approved

Business Items:

  • Change to instructional calendar for current school year: removal of semester exams references – approved
  • Revision to attendance policy and post-secondary visit attendance; properly documented college visits and school endorsed activities are no longer excused absences, but will count as ‘present.’ This will include non-school team athletes, including gymnastics – both policies approved.

Sponsorship Agreements.

Framework agreement for sponsorships. Governed by policy passed last month. All agreements will run for 10 years, except First Tennessee which requires 1 or 2 year agreements from the corporation.

Big names/commitments made: Landers, Ortho One (including in-kind services), Principal Toyota, Max Dental Cares, First Tennessee, Hickory Tavern, David Pickler, MyTown Movers (lot of in-kind services), 901 Customs, David and Donna Nelson Family Foundation. More to come.

Board asked to approve that the district can enter into agreement with these sponsors. Approved.

Meeting Adjourned.

Please note: If you find that my updates on board business have been helpful, I request that you consider supporting my campaign to be elected to the open seat on the school board. Mrs Messerly is not seeking reelection this year. You can find more information here: https://www.facebook.com/EelcoForSchoolBoard