Summary of the August 27, 2019 Business Meeting of the Collierville Board of Education.

Absent: Mr Vaughan, Mr Hansen. Mr Cox presiding as chair.

Large crowd in attendance, mostly in support of the FFA for Collierville.

Public Comments:

Lisa Lee, representing the Alumni Association for CHS. Exciting event coming up Nikki McCray Penson (CHS Alumn, basketball star) will host a fundraiser for the CHS Alumni Scholarships. See alumni association website for details.

Melanie Andrews, chair of CHS FFA board. Has had time ceded to her by several other attendees. Speaking to address concerns about CTE agriculture program issues, including lack of enrollment options for Freshmen and Sophomores at CHS. Students must be enrolled in agriculture class in order to be FFA member. This puts FFA at CHS at risk. Mrs Andrews lists recent FFA accomplishments at CHS, and what students with FFA have contributed in the community, and regional and national recognitions. FFA Scholarships require three-year FFA membership, which requires agricultural course enrollment for each of those three years. Cutting agriculture curriculum out of the Freshman and Sophomore options is a major blow to Collierville students. Mrs Andrews highlights the impacts of agriculture across multiple disciplines affecting all aspects of society.

Three CHS FFA Students, (first name?) Drewry, Grayson Bone and Kylee Andrews addressed the board together. They explained the values and symbols of FFH, and asked the board to realize the importance of the program.

Veronica Pendleton, an FFA alumni and FFA parent, and secretary of the FFA Alumni Association. Talked about her freshman son’s experience getting kicked out of the agriculture class during the first week of school. He was elected as junior officer of the FFA, last year, and will now have to leave the FFA since he is not enrolled in an agriculture class this year.

Dr Lilly responded to these speakers by thanking them for expressing their concerns. Acknowledges that he didn’t know a lot of the facts presented about the FFA. States that there is more a communication problem than a programming problem, and acknowledges that the school system has the responsibility for that. He also learned a lot about agriculture education and the FFA in the past week. Dr Lilly painted a picture of how post-secondary course opportunities came about in coordination with local businesses and organizations. Outlined that certain courses have to be restricted to 11th and 12th graders due to certification program requirements. Dr Lilly also clarified that the removal of students from some of the agriculture classes was done erroneously, and that students should be able to be placed back, but will need to be working with their counselors. Additionally, the 10th grade Career Success course is part of the ‘planned program of study’ for the Career Technical Education focus area, and will qualify students for FFA membership. Finally, Dr Lilly emphasized that Agriculture is a very important area of study at CHS, and will continue to have full support from the central office.

[Mr Hansen joined the meeting]

Thomas Holmes – CHS FFA member and CTE Ag student – reemphasized the importance of FFH and agriculture in Collierville and pointed out that freshmen have been unable to get reassigned to their classes.

On to regular business:

  • Approval of agenda
  • Approval of previous meeting minutes
  • Approval of financial statements for June and July

Chairman Report:

  • Apologies for late arrival – A/C work at the house
  • Addressed the Agriculture curriculum concerns. Acknowledged unintended consequences of curriculum decisions, and the absence of communication in advance. Board is committed to support Dr Lilly in correcting the issues.
  • Discussed the ‘Portrait of a Graduate’ study that is going to be commissioned to help build the long range plan. This will include community input, and Mr Hansen encourages the public to watch for announcements on how to participate.
  • Congratulations to CHS Football team on big win last Friday, and the success of the various sports teams at the start of the season.

Superintendent Report:

  • Provided more details on the Portrait of a Graduate study. Also encouraged public participation. Seeks to answer the question of what ‘we’ want for a CHS graduate. Following the study, the strategic planning process will seek action plans to reach those goals.
  • Congratulations for Reward School Designations achieved by 6 of the 8 eligible schools.
  • Dr Lilly will be absent in two weeks – board will consider options for the meeting.

Business Items:

  • Policy on meeting minutes: revision allowing for electronic distribution
  • Policy on video surveillance (new): recommended by TSBA
  • Policy on testing programs: updates for changes to state law – includes incorporating TNReady and end of course state tests as 15% of the grade for Middle and High School.
  • Policy on test data security: updates to allow some use of data internally to the schools during the embargo period
  • Policy on bus safety: updates: update to clarify the use of video surveillance on the buses in response to wording in state law
  • Policy on students of military families: new policy to reflect state law on military family student attendance based on residency changes due to military transfers
  • Approval of purchase of educational testing software: TE21 – benchmarking software. TE21 is only vendor who had a qualified response – is current vendor which has been operating successfully.

With no further business – the meeting was adjourned.