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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Work Session, October 8, 2019

Oct 8

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Summary of the October 8, 2019 work session of the Collierville Schools Board of Education.

Full board in attendance.

Review of 2019 LEA Compliance Report – annual requirement to perform self-assessment. Currently missing the ‘In God We Trust’ signs that the TN Legislature mandated to be placed in all schools in 2018. Related question by Mrs Chism – do we have American Flags in every classroom at the high school? Mr Jeff Jones indicates there are not at this time. Mr Vaughan can arrange to have those donated, but the district will still need to provide the hardware for the flags.

Review of fee schedule for use of school facilities. Updated list to reflect additional facilities and amenities available, and improved pricing schedule to have 2 tiers: program partners plus non-profits and private persons/organizations. A facility use calculator was used to determine fees. Mr Vaughan suggested these rates be adjusted upwards. Note: personnel cost would be charged in addition to the hourly fees charged. Most use is for school organizations (at no charge) and non-profits. Mr Vaughan is concerned with the potential of these low rates attracting too much traffic, which will create additional overhead for a non-core activity. Preference will be for youth and education related events, rather than commercial use.

January-June 2020 board meeting calendar. Dr Lilly wants to make the work sessions more informal, and hosted in the Central Office conference room, perhaps in the afternoon rather than the evening. Also looking to have them be separated from the business meetings by only a week.

Review of monthly financial reports for September – due to short turnaround (it is only the 8th day of October today), these are not yet ready for review, but will be at the time of the business meeting.

Review of Studio/Broadcast equipment RFP. Grant funds are available in partnership with UT Martin. Tight timelines. Professional equipment will include remote studio, broadcast capabilities inside the classrooms, studio set, lighting, etc. Cost will be in excess of $350,000.

Superintendent Update:

  • Strategic Plan development update. Additional vendor has been identified, and a selection committee was made up of key central office personnel. Based on full review it was determined Battelle for Kids has better focus and processes to develop the plan vs the alternate vendor who’s more focused on the accountability after the plan is developed.
  • Saturday evening 10/5 was Tournament of Champions hosted at CHS – great event.
  • Fall break next week – offices will be closed Thursday and Friday

Chairman’s Update:

  • TSBA Board Chairman workshop last week. Opportunity exists to promote public education across the state to help improve the negative view of public education that exists in formal and informal areas of state leadership. Need to consider ourselves ambassadors of public education, not just of our own district. Mr Hansen would like to have a component of this included in the new strategic plan.
  • Mr Hansen also attended the Collierville BMA work session where the process to select an appointment to replace Mr Vaughan was discussed and determined. Some of the BMA expressed possibly focusing on a candidate who would NOT be interested in running for reelection at the end of the term. Mr Hansen believes he was able to dissuade them from that idea. Mayor Joyner has pledged to keep the School Board in the loop on candidates for the position, and to solicit feedback.

Meeting adjourned.

 

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Work Session, September 17, 2019

Sep 17

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Summary of the September 17 Collierville Schools Board of Education. All board members present.

Presentation by Dr Nicholson from Battelle for Kids. This (non-profit) organization is under consideration to be engaged to help Collierville Schools develop its next strategic plan. Their approach:

  • visioning – including building a custom ‘portrait of a graduate’
  • current state analysis
  • plan that connects the two
  • connect the community stakeholders with the plan

Community involvement starts with participation in the visioning. State requirements focus on numeracy and literacy, while the focus on developing the right mindset is more predictive of future success.

Depending on the agreed upon engagement, Battelle for Kids can provide assistance with every aspect in the development of the plan, including community engagement. The Portrait of a Graduate takes approximately 4 months, followed by two months of data analysis of the current state, two months to develop the new plan, and another month or two for socialization. While no specific financial details were discussed for these services, the cost to Collierville Schools should be ‘less than six figures.’ The exact RFP bid process for this type of service will be subject to state law, as are all purchases for the district.

Battelle for Kids is an organization founded in 2001 under the umbrella of the Battelle Memorial Institute, which is a sizeable ($6B revenue) non-profit organization which supports science and innovation going back to the 1920s, and is a significant federal government contractor. See Wikipedia Entry.

 

Family Life Curriculum Presentation (proposed curriculum change)

  • Change to state standards in 2018
  • Addition of the requirement to address human trafficking in 2019
  • Current teacher input was sought and incorporated in the proposed curriculum
  • Current program focuses on a single week in the spring; when evaluating the detailed standards for elementary school, there is a significant amount of coverage already included in the curriculum taught year round
  • Middle School will remain with the one-week focus. Curriculum called Puberty: The Wonder Years (includes abstinence-based content) will be added to 6th grade; delivery will be done by selected educators, who will get targeted professional development for this curriculum and support from health, counseling and admin staff
  • Feedback heard: parent communication needs to be more robust; parents will be invited to review curriculum content at the school office if desired, but in-school options will be explored

Review of Financial Report – Dr Lilly walked the board through some of the financial statement highlights for August, including providing some context

Review of Policy #4.603, Promotion and Retention – reflects changes due to state law, including parental notification
Review of Policy #4.605, Graduation Requirements - reflects changes due to state law: must PASS civics exam (old regulation only required taking the exam); also updating policy to be less prescriptive in procedures, which should be in the handbook
Review of Policy #4.700, Testing Programs – additional change since last month – omitted item added to conform with state law
Review of Policy #6.300, Code of Behavior and Discipline – and Review of Policy #6.313, Code of Conduct and Discipline Procedures – proposal to rescind 6.300 as the details exist in 6.313; combined into one policy, and reflects changes to reduce exclusionary discipline in order to seek better results through other levels of discipline; partially influenced by state review of discipline from earlier in the year

Review of 2020-2021 School Calendar – viewable here

  • Note: calendar will not be final until approved by the Commissioner of Education
  • Calendar Committee with wide district representation, including peer-selected teachers for each school
  • State law has specific constraints on the makeup of the school calendar
  • 8 paid days for professional development prior to the start of the school year on Aug 10
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences will be spread along a 3-week window to allow school-by-school scheduling, in order to create separation between
  • Nov 3, 2020 is a presidential election day, which now requires students to be out of school due to the use of two schools as polling locations; teachers will have professional development that day
  • Full week at Thanksgiving returns
  • Two weeks for Christmas break
  • Wednesday May 26 is last day of school
  • 2021-2022 calendar will be considered in the spring (March/April)

Superintendent Update:

  • Thanks to calendar committee
  • Kudos to Town BMA and management and police department for ongoing commitment to have School Resource Officers in every school, even during the challenge of the police department’s officer staffing challenges
  • Agri-STEM expos at both middle schools this Friday (9/20)
  • Saturday 9/21 Drive for Education Classic Car Show at Central Church organized by Collierville Education Foundation, including donations by Landers Ford to CEF for every test drive scheduled
  • CHS Alumni Association scholarship fund event Sunday 9/22

Chairman’s update:

  • Department of Education Strategic Plan presentation on Whole Child and Educators – need to ensure CS plan is aligned
  • Congressman Kustoff hosts a meeting for students interested in the Service Academies at the TN Welcome Center in Arlington – Saturday 9/28

Meeting adjourned

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Business Meeting, August 27, 2019

Aug 27

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

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.

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Work Session, August 13, 2019

Aug 13

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Summary of the August 13 Collierville School Board work session.

This is Dr Lilly’s first board meeting since assuming the Superintendent role on July 1. Full board is present.

Review of June and July Financial Statements.

Dr Lilly walked through some details of revenues and expenditures, highlighting some items of interest.

Policy Updates:

  • meeting minutes policy (to allow for electronic distribution vs physical mailing)
  • new video surveillance policy; limited access available in open records requests. Will need subpoena for public distribution. Only 10 days of data will be routinely retained
  • testing programs policy – replaces old policy with updated TSBA model policy. This addresses some of the legislative changes and brings the policy back into compliance with state law
  • policy around test and data security – change to align with legislative updates to allow internal sharing of data with select personnel during the embargo period
  • policy around bus safety and conduct – another legislative driven update focused on video surveillance captured on board buses; contractual obligations make Durham responsible for video data, and Collierville Schools is limited in what it can compel the vendor to produce, which will limit the applicability of the state law on the topic; Mrs Chism asked if bus video requests are common, and Mr Dougherty confirmed that it is
  • policy around students of military families – new model policy from TSBA, accommodates residency requirements for new military families moving into the district

RFP of Educational Software – assessment tool based on standards – used in previous year, RFP needed due to expense level

Superintendent’s Update

  • Yesterday was first day of school. Thanks to board members who visited schools. Very successful first day.
  • Collierville Elementary was a last minute push
  • Enrollment number was 8768 on first day vs 8786 last year on day one. This is an approximate 300 student lag below projections. Suspected to be mostly due to freezing transfers. This will result to some teacher moves, which is something that is always avoided if possible.
  • Due to start new strategic plan cycle this year. Proposal made available to the board to use a consultant who will develop ‘portrait of a graduate’ which collects and documents aspirational goals from all community stakeholders and serves to inform the strategic planning process. Consultant could be funded out of existing grant funds; Mr Hansen spoke in favor of this initiative
  • Proposed review of landscaping work… Trees around CHS will be reviewed for removal vs preservation, tree planting efforts, etc. This is partially in response to Mr Vaughan’s request to consider significant landscaping improvements to highlight our high school

Chairman’s Update

  • Schools looked great on the first day of school. Encouragement to all the school administration as the core of our schools.
  • Gave the floor to Mrs Willis, who represents the Collierville Education Association. Echoed the great state the schools are in. Acknowledged the excitement of new school year, but wanted to advocate for the teachers who are facing last minute staff cuts and reassignments. Also wanted to point out that apparent $7000 central office pay raises over the summer would have equaled double digit increases compared to the 2% increases the teachers got for cost of living. Mrs Willis urged the board and administration to keep students in mind in relation to teacher changes and reassignments, class sizes, etc.

Meeting adjourned.

 

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Business Meeting, June 27, 2019

Jun 27

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Summary of June 27 Collierville School Board business meeting.

All of the board is present.

Public Comment.

Donna Nelson, mother of 3 CHS students. Two are band members. Representing the band parents. Expressing concern and shock at sudden departure of band director. Band is a key group at CHS – largest student group. Describes the effort and dedication the band students have, throughout the summer and the school year. The band has seen a huge improvement in the past two years, and an increase from 150 to 220 students. Urges the board to support the band and its leadership, due to the major contributions the band program brings.

Mr Hansen responded with a pledge of support and expression of pride for the CHS band.

Approval of agenda (including an additional board resolution, and removing of the video surveillance policy for this month)

Approval of previous meetings’ minutes, including two special called meetings.

Approval of May financial statements.

Chairman Update:

  • Tomorrow marks TSBA school law seminar in Jackson, TN, which Mr Hansen and Mrs Chism will attend.
  • OPEB Trust meeting earlier today; funds managed by Morgan Stanley, who have overseen significant investment success for the trust.

Superintendent’s last Update:

  • Welcoming Dr Lilly to the meeting, who has been at work already.
  • July board meetings will be cancelled due to summer vacations, and lack of agenda items to come before the board.

Business Items:

  • School Board Meeting policy: changing meetings to Tuesdays for remainder of the calendar year – Approved.
  • Insurance Management – shift in insurance post employment for those hired after 7/1/19 to reduce OPEB liabilities in the future – Approved.
  • Approval of changes to Grading System: Return of Semester Exams. Introduces an improved exemption process:
    A student having a ninety (90) or higher average for the two (2) terms in a specific course may be exempted from the semester exam, if the student desires. When a student is exempted from the exam, the semester average will be the average of the two (2) term grades. ANY UNEXCUSED ABSENCE OR MORE THAN FIVE (5) EXCUSED ABSENCES PER SEMESTER IN THE COURSE WILL DISQUALIFY THE STUDENT FROM ALL EXEMPTIONS. EXEMPTIONS APPLY ONLY TO TEACHER-MADE SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS. Religious holidays and excused postsecondary travel days will not count against the exemption status of the student. Twelfth (12th) grade students are eligible for exam exemption during both semesters. All other students in high school courses who meet the above requirements may be exempted for only the second semester exam
  • Updates to five 2018-2019 budgets to reflect year-end adjustments. In the nutrition budget, which should be self-funded, the overall budget is reduced to reflect lower expenses and lower revenues, reflecting a reasonable balance. All Approved.
  • 2019-2020 Capital Improvement Project funds and Discretionary funds (grant income) budgets. Both Approved. Board will expect funding from the county of CIP based on attendance share in the county, which will be applied to the prioritized projects in the capital improvement plan.
  • 2019-2020 General Funds Budget adjustment. No major shifts in funds. Approved.
  • Approval for annual IDEA/ESEA budget – federal funding
  • Approval of athletic field maintenance contract with LADD’s
  • Approval of athletic field spraying contract with Herbi-Systems
  • Approval of five-year capital improvement plan. Mr Vaughan is asking the board to consider addressing a plan for the CHS perimeter (undeveloped land), since it is not currently appealing, and the growth of the wilderness will only increase cost to address this in the future. This explains Mr Vaughan’s impending ‘no’ vote on the capital improvement plan. This is a significant cost, but has not been scoped or estimated. Mrs Chism agrees with the concern, but emphasizes that building-related ‘student and staff related’ improvements to facilities should have a priority (note: this marks only the second time there is a split vote in Collierville board history, and in both cases, it was Mr Vaughan in the dissent).
  • Approval of change order to WCMS Roofing Work. This reflects the reduction in overall project cost (by $500k) that was estimated in the initial bid award vote discussion.
  • Approval of (final) evaluation of Superintendent.
  • (Agenda addition) Approval of board resolution honoring Mr Aitken at his last board meeting. Resolution provided a full history of Mr A’s rich history and contributions to education in all of Shelby County and especially Collierville Schools. Expresses thanks to Mr A’s family for their sacrifice and support.

Note: Community reception to honor and celebrate Mr Aitken in his retirement on Sunday June 29 at 2pm in the CHS Cafeteria. Open to the public.

Meeting Adjourned.

 

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Citizen’s Report: Special Called Meeting of Collierville School Board – May 30, 2019

May 30

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes, Uncategorized | Comments off

All board members in attendance. Full house with a lot of principals and school personnel in attendance, as well as various local media outlets.

Resolution to appoint Dr Gary Lilly to superintendent of Collierville Schools.

Technically, this is subject to a formal negotiation and subsequent agreement on contract terms.

Mr Hansen’s comments:

Search firm brought five extremely qualified candidates to the board. Each was fully qualified and could have been selected.

“Eventually we coalesced together and Gary Lilly’s name rose to the top”

Bristol is a municipal system like Collierville, and has been very successful. Dr Lilly was in the superintendent role for 10 years there.

Bristol has successfully implemented a lot of the same types of initiatives and programs that Collierville has, or is working on.

Dr Lilly is highly respected in the educational and school board community in the state.

 

Mrs Chism’s comments:
As a retired educator, she felt very aligned with Dr Lilly. Dr Lilly and his family will fit in very well with Collierville.

Mr Cox:
Dr Lilly’s experience is a great fit for Collierville.

Mr Warren:
Dr Lilly will be following a great legacy and should be a good fit. Also reiterated several of Mr Hansen’s points.

Mr Vaughan:
We had great quality in all five candidates. Dr Lilly did really well in the interviews, and Mr Vaughan is thrilled with Dr Lilly. Also called out the blessing that Jeff Jones has been for this district and his excellent leadership.

Mr Hansen introduced Dr Lilly’s family: wife, son and daughter.

Approved.

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Business Meeting, May 23, 2019

May 23

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Summary of the May 23 Collierville School Board Business Meeting. Mr Hansen absent.

This meeting followed the dedication of the John S Aitken Community Room and the Mike Simpson Wrestling Room.

Special recognition: Crosswind Elementary presentation on the Perennial Math Team, which was introduced in 2017-2018. This is a math competition, which focuses on application of math. In the first year, the team did very well regionally, and qualified some students for nationals. This year, the team performed even better, and had students come in first and seventeenth place nationally, and then the team came in first place nationally.

Special recognition: Department of Exceptional Children.

  • Gifted (formerly APEX)
  • Introduction of class of 2019 special education graduates – and their teachers
  • Introduction of all special education teachers in attendance
  • Recognition of Mr Simpson for his help in ensuring CHS’ special education facilities are top notch, and his help with the Dragon Games
  • Recognition of Mr Aitken for his help as the Voice of the Dragon Games – a role he will need to maintain in coming years “no matter where he is”
  • Special video presentation highlighting DEC staff, students, and activities

No public comments.

Approval of agenda, previous meeting minutes (with correction), April financial statements.

Vice Chairman’s Report:

  • Look back on the last five years of our school system: the right people in the right places. Looking ahead at finding new leadership. Five highly qualified candidates from three states have been interviewed, and one has been identified as the candidate of choice. Final decision and announcement will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.

Superintendent’s Report:

  • Thanks to the DEC team
  • Tomorrow is the last day of the school year
  • Extended School Year starts next week
  • June meetings will see budget amendments to reflect funding updates and shifting plans
  • Announcing Roger Jones as new CHS Principal
  • Announcing Anita Swindle as new CMS Principal

Business Items:

  • Approval of bid award for painting at Sycamore Elementary
  • Approval of bid award at West Collierville Middle School. Bid came in significantly higher than anticipated. Lowest bidder approached and worked to eliminate possible parts of the proposed work to reduce cost by approximately $500,000. Request to the board to approve the $1.5M bid, and in June, a change order will be proposed to reduce the work and lower the cost.
  • July-December 2019 Board Calendar: moving to Tuesday Nights
  • Elementary, Middle and High School Fee Schedule – approved
  • Superintendent Evaluation Instrument – approved

New business item: Nutrition Interlocal Agreement. Shared Services with Bartlett – Collierville leads this effort. Agreement will be limited to 6 months, meaning Bartlett will bring their services in-house in January 2020.

Meeting Adjourned

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Work Session, May 9, 2019

May 9

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Summary of May 9, 2019 school board work session. All board members present.

Special Recognition: Retiring teachers, staff, and administrators. Including Mr Aitken. A reception was held prior to the board meeting.

Review of April Financial Statements. Brief discussion of news article about Shelby county funding delays. Due to requirement with the county that Shelby County Schools spend their allocated funding in order to release municipality funds. Overall trending as expected.

Sycamore Elementary painting contract to be awarded to R.A. Sharp Construction for $ 150,000. Interior and exterior painting of entire building. Every school to be painted within approximately 8-9 years.

West Collierville Middle School Roofing bids review – not yet finalized. Should be in front of the board in 2 weeks.

July 2019-December 2019 Board Meeting Calendar. Options under consideration are second and third Tuesday and Thursday dates. Thursday is only a need in the spring due to Mr Vaughan’s work with the legislature. Sounds like there is a preference for Tuesdays.

Review of the 2019-2020 maximum School Fees for elementary, middle, and high school levels. Device fee which is required in each level: $50 for the first, $25 subsequent devices, and capped at $100 per family. Other fees are requested fees to cover cost of required school activities, and required fees for optional extracurricular activities.
Note: for school support organizations (booster clubs) for optional activities, there is a required school fee which is managed by the school, and an optional fee requested through cooperative fundraising, which is managed by the school support organization. Mr Vaughan is requesting copies of the support organizations’ budgets to be fully informed. Mrs Hays mentions there is a randomized review of school support organizations to ensure appropriateness of revenues and expenditures.

Review of Superintendent Evaluation Instrument – Mr Aitken’s final evaluation by the board. Significantly simplified compared to previous years.

Superintendent Update:

  • Budget for next school year
  • Graduation is in one week (Thu 5/16)
  • Presentation by DEC specialists about the state noted disproportionality in discipline report. This seemed to show disproportionate discipline for certain races/disabilities. Appeal process was limited to raw data review. No issues with data – report considered accurate. When reviewing further details of the report:
    35% of students with disabilities are African American. Small portion of that has majority of supensions. Counts are based on incidents, not individuals, so the high number of repeat incidents is skewing the numbers. However, further review of the detailed data has shown some possible opportunities for improvement, especially since these students were in regular education settings, and there may be some additional support for their teachers and administrators, as well as some focus on behavior modification.

Chairman’s Update:

  • Appreciating teachers this week (and all weeks) for being the core of the success of our district in every school
  • Looking forward to graduation ceremonies

Meeting Adjourned

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Business Meeting, April 25, 2019

Apr 25

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Summary of the April 25, 2019 Collierville School Board business meeting.

Roger Jones, Principal of THE Collierville Middle School presented – recognition for:

  • Band students making it to All West Honor Blue band
  • Pom team – national champions and world champions
  • Math Counts winner: 5th place in the state
  • Jr Beta Awards – state level high performance including qualification for nationals
  • Contest winners in language arts and visual arts
  • Step team – first year team won several awards, and has qualified for nationals

No public comments

Approvals of agenda, previous meeting’s minutes and March financial statements.

Chairman’s report:

  •  Passing the floor to Mr Vaughan to talk about the legislative session and the charter school and educational savings accounts (voucher) legislation. The changes in the charter school regulation were minimal, moving the state appeals process to a stand-alone board, rather than the state board of education. The voucher bill basically sets up a system where schools that are heavily over-regulated and struggling to achieve their goals has students move out to a largely unregulated private school environment.
  • Mr Vaughan described the pressure legislators were put under to vote along with the bill. The state education budget is over 6 billion dollars, which attracts a lot of people who want to have a piece of that pie. Additionally, there is a lot of desperation about the failing schools in the inner cities, with no viable solutions on the horizon.
  • The Senate bill that was passed earlier today is widely different than the bill passed by the House.
  • Mr Vaughan argues that there is some examination necessary of how much the legislature is involved in the classroom.
  • Ultimately, the program was sufficiently stripped down to limit the potential negative impact and will allow the opportunity to examine if this has any merit at all in practice, which might actually help some students, which would be a positive outcome.
  • Need to make sure Collierville Schools continues to strive to be the best. Additionally, it is important to help Shelby County Schools be better to help prevent further erosion of local public schools.
  • Mr Hansen is doubtful that this will have any positive results, and is afraid that the claim will be that it wasn’t big enough yet – leading to growth and expansion of the program despite its lack of results. Conversely, it is possible that any positive-appearing result will lead to expansion of the program.
  • Susan Willis from the CEA asked whether the legislature has the awareness that the problem is poverty, not the schools.

Superintendent’s report:

  • Thanks for Mr Vaughan for represneting Collierville well
  • Teacher of the Year banquet this coming Tuesday
  • Dragon Games this Friday – Collierville Schools version of Special Olympics
  • TNReady is wrapping up tomorrow – has run very well, 180 degree difference from last year.
  • CHS Principal position is posted through mid-next week.
  • Some staffing changes under way with the removal of most shared services. Making good use of the ‘learning cottages’ at WCMS.

Business Items:

  • 2019-2020 General Funds Budget. Mostly as presented at the work session two weeks ago. Zero-based budget. Some discussion around the uncertainty of funding each year, and the expectation of a budget amendment in June/July. Approved. Will go before the Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
  • 2019-2020 Special Funds Budget. Includes all grants and federal funding, as well as nutrition. Approved.
  • 2019-2020 Apple Lease – Apple leases run in staggered terms to reflect phased roll-outs. Approved. This will need to be approved by the town of Collierville, since the school districts cannot own a lease like this, which is considered debt.

Crosswind and Collierville Elementary HVAC improvements – approved

Memorandum Of Understanding between Collierville Schools and Tennessee Department of Children’s Services – coordination agreement that outlines responsibilities in regards to support of children in the district.

Approval of Resolution to Name Collierville High School Community Room – John S. Aitken Community Room – in recognition of his service to Collierville Schools, dating back to his years as a teacher. The full resolution can be read here.

Approval of Resolution to Name Collierville High School Wrestling Room – Mike Simpson Wrestling Room – in recognition of his work to build the high school; Mr Simpson has a long history in wrestling back to his high school days, and has supported wrestling over the decades. The full resolution can be read here.

Approval of 2019-2020 Differentiated Pay Plan – outlining additional funding for teachers who perform specific roles in support of the school district, academic areas, and other teachers.

Meeting Adjourned.

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Work Session, April 11, 2019

Apr 11

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Summary of the April 11, 2019 Work Session of the Collierville School Board.

Absent: Mr Vaughan, Mr Hansen and Mrs Chism. No quorum needed since there are no votes for decisions.

Special Recognition for West Collierville Middle: presentation on the visual arts and 6th grade chorus performance.

Special presentation by Chef Ulysse Charles – Future Chef competition. Received 165 recipes in the competition (45 from Bailey Station Elementary). Selected one chef from each elementary school and BSE’s Makayla Young won for Collierville, and learned in the meeting that she won the regional competition. Her recipe will be featured in the CHS cafeteria in the near future, and she will be competing at the next level.

Special presentation by the Collierville Schools Vanguard Team. This is a team of teachers who lead the use of technology in the schools. Teachers rotate through the program, as member in the first year, and as coach the second year.

Review of 2019-2020 proposed budget. In the introduction of the budget, Mr Aitken expressed his displeasure with the developments in Nashville related to school vouchers. It is insulting how public education is being described by paid corporate lobbyists. Budget Highlights:

  • Each school principal has been involved in the overall budget request process.
  • Challenges around increased employer contribution for retirement, health insurance costs, transportation services contract increase due to growing enrollment and start time changes, the CHS grounds upkeep, staffing levels above BEP funding levels, ongoing dedication to the digital initiative: equipment and all the support it requires, discontinuation of most shared services among the municipal schools and uncertainty of the Governor’s budget.
  • General Funds Budget estimate: 89,650,792. BEP (state funding): 45,972,923. County (property taxes): 38,700,162. Collierville: 2,571,884 (equal to 0.5% of property tax revenues, but funded through sales tax).
  • 9214 student enrollment expected, 242 increase over 2018-2019. Funding level lags enrollment.
  • Teacher-student ratios; Collierville Schools staying below state mandated ratios for planning.
  • State BEP funding levels are at 70% of a minimal pay scale per allocated teacher and staff member. Collierville Schools employs significantly more staff than the state allows for to support school administration, teachers and student health.
  • Collierville Schools employs 481 regular education teachers @ average of 53,574. BEP funds 362@33k. This is a funding shortfall of $almost $14M. This does not include the cost (approx $11M) for benefits, substitute expenses, supplements/stipends, teacher assistants, etc.
  • Long list of additional costs in general fund that are not covered in the BEP funding formula.
  • $525000 annual SCS payment – year 6 of 12.
  • New positions for Payroll Specialist, a Business Information Analyst, benefits specialist, which replaces the shared services previously used for those functions
  • Bringing substitutes back in-house next school year.
  • $2.2M in utilities, including MLGW, Collierville water/sewer/waste.
  • Transportation is the only area that will maintain substantial shared services. $3.5M for Durham ($2.8M in original 2018-2019 budget).
  • Some increased technology staff.
  • Apple lease will be $2.7M next year.
  • Step raises (~2%) for teachers
  • 2% Cost of Living Adjustment increase for most staffing (at cost of $747,774). Note: while state will claim ’4% increase for teachers’ that is calculated at the same $33,000 per teacher rate the state uses.
  • Once BEP funding is determined and finalized at the end of the legislative session we will know if there are any opportunities for funding of other items.

Special funds: Nutrition $2.8M; Federal: $4.7M.

Also important to note: Town of Collierville pays for grounds maintenance at all schools except CHS, School Resource Officers, and other items above the tax-based funding.

Business Items:

  • March Financial Statement – no questions
  • Apple Lease – placeholder for updated leases to reflect the equipment refreshes and ongoing equipment leases – details available in 2 weeks at the business meeting
  • Crosswind Elementary HVAC equipment installation (equipment was approved last month) $83k
  • Collierville Elementary HVAC equipment replacement will have bids at next business meeting (bids being opened in one week). Replacing the Boiler/Chiller central unit and using rooftop units as new equipment. This will be a major overhaul, including demolition, roof work, duct work, etc. Projected to take all summer.
  • Memorandum of Understanding between Collierville Schools and Shelby County Department of Children’s Services. Agreement is replacing similar agreement at each municipal school around detecting and reporting child abuse, etc

Superintendent Update:

  • TNReady Testing starts Monday 4/15
  • This will be new at CHS (network dependent)
  • Collierville Schools and its personnel and equipment are prepared
  • Legislative issues around vouchers and charter schools. Mr A recommends the public to do their own homework to investigate and listen to the testimony about public education. Feels public education is under the gun and will see erosion of funding going to private sector, which is not subject to most of the standards and regulations that very tightly control public schools. Nashville is where funding is determined, and where any additional $ will have to come from.
  • Remember how far Collierville Schools has come. And how blessed this district and its students and staff are.

No chairman update today.

Meeting adjourned.

 

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