Summary of the February 2019 combined work session and business meeting (skipping Valentine’s Day for the work session). Full board present. Started the work session with recognition of Collierville Elementary. First grade choir performed songs from the Black History Month program. Tennessee Educational Technology Association president presenting the Consortium of School Networking award recognizing Collierville Schools. Award for the team that has the greatest impact on education. State-wide recognition. Recognition by Apple of Collierville Elementary as an Apple Distinguished School – only 500 globally across 35 countries. Tennessee Educational Technology Association recognizing West Collierville Middle’s Sara Hodge as Technology Teacher of the Year. Collierville Education Association Presentation to discuss teacher compensation:

  • “Teacher salaries have stagnated where they make 20% less than comparably educated professionals, and in Tennessee, that is 27%”
  • CEA surveyed teachers and presented results to the board.
  • 50% reported that the teacher income is primary household income
  • 82% of survey respondents are paying out of their own pocket for materials for their classroom beyond the tax deductible annual amount ($250)
  • Step increase for some teachers was less than the increase in medical insurance fees
  • 50% of teachers do not live in Collierville, the majority of those responded that they cannot afford to live in Collierville
  • Collierville’s cost of living index compared to the whole US (which is at 100) is 126. Tennessee as a whole is 97
  • Teacher salaries in Tennessee rank 39th
  • Teachers with 18+ years of experience are stuck with no salary increases, despite ongoing inflation every year

Presentation of Collierville Schools Audit Report. Presented by the audit firm Dixon Hughes Goodman

  • Audit report available on School Website
  • Clean opinion of the regular financial reports
  • No findings on the special grants audit
  • Added OPEB estimated liabilities to restate beginning balances
  • Audit of internal school funds, each school gets its own opinion
  • Three schools (Middle and High) have a modified opinion due to booster funds issues in past years being intermingled with student activity funds, which could not be corrected in the financial reports until this current fiscal year
  • School-level findings: not depositing collected funds within required 3 days at times; purchase orders not always fully approved prior to expenditures; purchases in excess of $500 did not always have bids, in some cases sole-source supplier documentation was not provided; corrective action plans are in the report

Business before the board: Annual approval of the members of the Disciplinary Hearing Authority Committee of Mr. Herchel Burton as Chairman, Mr. Andy Field, Dr. Nancy Kelley and Mr. Jeff Jones. Only two members are required to hear appeals of any discipline exceeding 11 days. Review of January 2019 Monthly financial statements. Discussion about the revenues and expenditures being in line. Budget Amendments:

  • Capital Projects Fund budget adjustments, increased by $4M, which includes $1.7M in capital funds from the county
  • Nutrition budget adjustments without changing the overall balances
  • Discretionary Grants budget – accommodating receipt of additional grants
  • Federal Funds Budget – to incorporate the unexpected Title I funding
  • General Funds budget increasing by $700,000 due to increased BEP funding, which also alleviated the need to use reserve funds. Other adjustments to recognize several donations and expected expenditures for some capital improvements

Final agenda item: West Collierville HVAC units. 5 rooftop units covering the cafeteria and kitchen areas. 20-25 year old units which will likely not work when temperatures warm up. Best bid from AHA Mechanical Contractors – just over $150k, plus 15k contingency. Good references. Work would be performed over spring break. Superintendent Update:

  • CHS Gym is hosting regional finals for men’s basketball
  • County Mayor is setting up bimonthly meetings with school superintendents
  • Collierville Schools will participate in the ESSA (Federal Every Student Succeeds Act) pilot
  • CEF Trivia night
  • Spring break coming up
  • Announced he will be retiring June 30 2019 to prioritize family

Chairman Update:

  • Chairman Hansen recognizing the monumental contributions the Superintendent brought to the establishment of Collierville Schools
  • CHS Hosted the 8th grade open house this week
  • New Football Coach has been hired (CHS Alum)
  • Board attended Day on the Hill in Nashville
  • Chairman Hansen met with Dr Nancy Kelley about school security and was pleased with the details and the conversation. Will be providing a summary to the board in a few months

Work Session Adjourned.

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Business meeting called to order – all of the board still present.

Approval of Agenda with amendments; including motion for consent agenda for business items IX B through G. Approval of Consent Agenda. Approval of Minutes, Approval of January Financial Reports.

No further reports from Superintendent or Chairman.

Approval of Disciplinary Hearing Authority Committee.

New Item: Request for Proposals for recruiting firm for Superintendent Search. Time is of the essence to ensure the best candidates can make themselves available and following appropriate process.

Meeting Adjourned.