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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Business Meeting, March 28, 2019

Mar 28

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

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

 

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Work Session, March 21, 2019

Mar 21

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

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.

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Work Session and Business Meeting – February 28, 2019

Feb 28

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

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.

_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+

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.

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Business Meeting, January 24, 2019

Jan 24

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Summary of the Collierville Schools Board of Education business meeting. Full board present, except for Mrs Chism (vacation).

Large crowd in attendance at the start of the meeting in part due to the teacher tenure reception.

Recognition of Sycamore Elementary with a performance of the school’s Chorus Lion. Mr Aitken did not seem amused by their Snow song…

Tennessee Education Association (TEA) presentation presenting their president’s award to State Representative (and School Board Member) Kevin Vaughan for his leadership in the State Legislature in the spring of 2018 in regards to the TN Ready testing issues.

No Public Comment

Approval of agenda, previous meeting’s minutes, and December 2018 financial reports.

Chairman’s update:

  • Mr Hansen asked Mr Vaughan to provide a legislative update. Mr Vaughan described the committee structures and some key members, a lot of whom are from the immediate area. Upcoming priorities will be to watch out for school voucher and school safety issues, which are expected to be prominent topics.
  • Election Day today for State Senate district 32.
  • School Board Appreciation Week – gift baskets from various schools – much appreciated.

Superintendent’s Update:

  • Reminder to the attendees that items before the board today have been discussed in the working session two weeks prior.
  • Tenure will be granted today.
  • Teachers of year per grade band announced today: Michelle Miller (BSES), Mark Beadle (WCMS), Myles Beaupre (CHS).
  • New Commissioner of Education has been appointed by the new Governor
  • Crosswind Elementary received a donation for their playground from Zach Cozart an MLB player who is a Crosswind alumn.
  • No work session on 2/14; Will be combined with business meeting of 2/28.
  • Expressing appreciation for school board members.
  • Looking at Board Retreat to be scheduled in near future – locations and dates/times will be proposed to the board.

Business Items – all unanimously approved:

  • Teacher Tenure Approval.
  • Textbook Selection Committee. Recommended selections will be before the board for approval in April.
  • Non-resident student attendance policy updates. Removes reference to count of Collierville Schools (used to say ‘eight’). This does not set limits or specific conditions for students, those are annually set by the Superintendent.
  • Closing out contract on fixed seating in CHS gym. Cost overrun of $18k due to water damage – this has been reimbursed by insurance.
  • Closing out contract on athletic and PE lockers.
  • Closing out contract on kitchen equipment, including concession stands and the culinary arts classrooms. Cost increase by approx $57k that covers three approved change orders for the athletic concession stand equipment.
  • Distributed Antenna System – needed for bidirectional radio services for first responders inside the building. Shelby County Sheriffs department also installed some equipment at their own expense.
    Note from Mr Vaughan: there is work under way to add a cell tower in the are to improve cell phone service.
    Mr Aitken also mentioned that there are cell signal boosters being added in Collierville Schools buildings, funded by a safety grant.
  • Change to the board calendar – moving the February work session to 2/28. Mr Vaughan made a big show of presenting that motion to support all romantics. This must be a skill he picked up in Nashville.

Meeting adjourned.

 

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Work Session, January 10, 2019

Jan 12

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

My summary of the Meeting chaired by Vice Chair, Kevin Vaughan.

Absent: Mr Hansen – business trip; Mr Warren – school board member training in Nashville

Review of Financial Statements – not ready due to holidays.

Teacher Tenure Recommendation.

5:30 pm reception prior to business meeting on 1/24 to honor teachers gaining tenure.

Annual text book committee installation.

Business Items:

  • Closing out contract on fixed seating in CHS gym. Cost overrun of $18k due to water damage – this has been reimbursed by insurance.
  • Closing out contract on athletic and PE lockers.
  • Closing out contract on kitchen equipment, including concession stands and the culinary arts classrooms. Cost increase by approx $57k that covers three approved change orders for the athletic concession stand equipment.
  • Distributed Antenna System – needed for bidirectional radio services for first responders in the building. Awaiting final signoff before contract can be closed out.
  • (Added agenda item) non-resident application process policy change – change needed to reflect that there are no longer 8 Collierville Schools. Language now no longer includes reference to the specific number of schools.

Note Collierville Schools is expected to publish updated non-resident policy: intent is to shut down new non-resident enrollment with an exception for siblings of current students. Children of teachers will still be admitted. Current approved non-resident students will be able to re-apply for continued enrollment until they graduate, and are expected to be admitted as long as they continue to meet the conditions. These conditions include expectations around grades, behavior, attendance.

Superintendent update:

  • Feb 14 work session on calendar coincides with out-of-town travel for Mr Aitken and Jones. Proposing to do work session on Feb 28 preceding the business meeting.
  • Fiscal review from federal funding under way next week.

(Vice) Chairman update:

  • No formal remarks.
  • Mr Vaughan has been appointed to an education subcommittee in the State Legislature.
  • No information on who will be Commissioner of Education.

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Business Meeting, Dec 13, 2018

Dec 13

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

*No working session in December. This is the first meeting hosted in the Community room at CHS. All board members present.

Special Recognition: Tara Oaks.

No Public Comments

Approval of Agenda, Previous Meeting’s minutes, November Financials.

Chairman report:

  •  Welcome to new board member Mr Warren to his first board meeting.
  • Cleveland TN schools visiting (with Dr Dyer), looking at Collierville Schools SPED
  • Merry Christmas to everyone

Superintendent update:

  • Last day for students and teachers is 12/21 (half day – dismissals at 10:30, 11:30 and 12:30); no lunches.
  • Chamber of Commerce event hosted in the community room
  • Budget process started. Will lead to April 25 board meeting approval request.
  • January 15 longevity bonuses will be paid to those teachers and staff who maxed out on steps. $750 for certified, $350 for classified.
  • Thanks to all who made the CHS community room meeting possible.
  • Thanks to everyone for a great semester, and wishing everyone a merry christmas and happy new year

Business Items:

  • Approval of Superintendent’s mid-year evaluation, which triggers the new 2 year contract
  • Board officers for 2019: chairman (Mark Hansen), vice chair (Kevin Vaughan), TLN representative (Wright Cox) – each had a single nomination and each was approved
  • Approval of final contracts to close out the construction agreements for the school conversions:
    *WCMS Gym Floor resurfacing – more broken boards than expected, also needed replacement of water damage from HVAC roof leak during construction. Consumed $2000 contingency and $6000 additional cost.
    *WCMS Wagner Contractors – $431 in contingency remaining. This was the main contractor for WCMS. Total contract was $132k
    *SFMS Nickson Contractors – almost $39,000 in contingency remaining. This was the main contractor for SFES. Total contract was $402k
    *SFES Ark Roofing – almost $39,000 in contingency remaining. Total contract was $620k

Meeting Adjourned.

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Business Meeting, Nov 29, 2018

Nov 29

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Summary of November 29 Collierville School Board Business Meeting. Full board present.

Mr Hansen broke protocol and started the meeting with special recognition of Cathy Messerly for her service on the board. The board presented her with a resolution detailing her record of contribution to the board.

Public Comments:

Sue Turner – Lives in the Collierville Reserve. Concerned homeowner and real estate professional. Mentions the neighborhoods in the reserve that lost guaranteed admission to Collierville Schools. Highlights that real estate professionals in the area do not have consistent information posted on their listings regarding what it takes to attend Collierville Schools. Points out that to date, the practice seems to have been that all residents have had their children attend Collierville Schools if they desired, and followed the application process. Points to the policy that does not guarantee continued enrollment once the child is enrolled in the school district. Asks that the board consider clarifying the policy to build in a guaranteed ongoing enrollment.

Dan Osborne – Collierville resident and parent of CHS Sophomore and Bailey Station 5th grader. Thanks the board for investing time and resources into reviewing start time changes. Asks the board to approve the start time committee’s recommendation. Highlights the need to do what is best for the students. References the concerns about the increased cost for transportation with a change in start times. Points out that the committee didn’t include any financial benefits through increased enrollment and improved attendance of enrolled students. Mr Osborne also highlights the benefits of later starting times as presented by the speakers in previous board meetings. Wraps up with the challenge to consider the positive benefits to Collierville Schools’ students.

Peggy Bardes – Collierville resident and parent of 4 Collierville students, three of which have graduated from CHS and one who is a current senior. Lists the successes of her children and states no start time changes are needed. Admits she has no scientific facts to back up any of her claims that 30 minutes will make no difference. Expresses concern with Durham’s ability to operate the additional bus routes.

Approval of Agenda, previous meeting’s minutes, and October financial statements.

Chairman’s report:

  • Collierville Education Foundation has been providing grants to teachers this past week – $80,000 in grants directly to teachers. Thanks to John Greene (present) who is the founder of the Collierville Education Foundation. Thanks to all the organizations that support the CEF and all the volunteers.
  • Reminiscing about the school board and its accomplishments in light of Cathy Messerly’s last meeting. Points out that the board has not shied away from tough topics and decisions and has been accessible to all Collierville residents with questions or concerns.

Superintendent report:

  • Thanks to Cathy Messerly for her service on the board.
  • Aldermen and new board member swearing in ceremony Dec 3 at CHS in the community room at 6pm, with reception following.
  • Starting the December meeting (Dec 13 business meeting will be only meeting in December) the board will meet in the CHS Community Room. Dec 13 meeting will be at 5:30pm. Tara Oaks will be the recognized school.
  • Mr Jones will provide the board with a calendar of all school performances and celebrations.

Business items:

  • Approval of board calendar for January-June 2019 board meetings, which will be held at 6pm at CHS in the community room.
  • Approval of board policy that sets the board meeting days, times, locations to reference the change to CHS.
  • Approval of Completion report that closes out the Schilling Farms Elementary Schools parking lot resurfacing contract.
  • Approval of change order for West Collierville Middle School construction, which will close out that contract.

School start time committee recommendation. Committee recommended unanimously recommended CHS move to 7:30 am, middle schools at 8:15 and elementary staying the same at 9 am. Mr Aitken recommends adopting the recommendation of the committee.

Mr Hansen question on cost – is there any new information on the cost estimate to add the 7 buses to make this happen? No, there is no change in the Durham estimate, those numbers are based on existing contract terms.

Mr Cox is asking when is the earliest bus pickup today. Mr Jones says it is 6 am today for the farthest routes. The earliest pickup will be scheduled for 6:45 am after the start time change due to adjusted routes. The increased cost is solely due to the shorter bus routes to ensure the buses can pick up and deliver students and turn around for the next school level routes. Mr Hansen lists the 30-45 minutes of later pickup as an advantage which would allow students to get more sleep, as well as have less students be at the bus stop in the dark.

Mr Vaughan is asking if there are any expected opportunities to further reduce the cost of the buses through better route software, but Mr Aitken doesn’t think this is likely. Mr Vaughan also asks whether there is any measurement available of what benefit to expect from the 30 minute change. Questions if Houston’s score improvements are mostly due to the out of district transfers more than later start times. States that empirical evidence observed in his own house showed that there is no problem with 7 am start times. Questions the validity of scientific recommendations. States that spending $500,000 on start time changes is a lot for something where he doesn’t see any guaranteed results. Asks if it isn’t better to just slide all start times later rather than condensing the routes. Concerned about $6.5M in OPEB liabilities. States that the change in start times is only based on feelings, not facts. States that there surely are higher priorities to spend the $500k on. Mr Aitken points to expected measurements that will be clear evidence once the change is made. Cannot quantify the softer benefits around student mental health. Points to budget numbers that have been provided to the board, and that there should be no impact on academic programs.

Mrs Messerly mentions the concerns about increased traffic when the high schoolers drive.

Mrs Chism highlights that the board is working in the best interest of the students. Talks about how the committee came to a unanimous recommendation after 6 months of hard work. Ultimately it comes down to the students and what is in their best interest, and that is later start times, shorter routes, and elementary school students home earlier. Is interested to see if there are any academic benefits, but those aren’t why they would make the change. Points out that Houston High has the honors academy bringing students in from out of the district that can be expected to have a positive contribution to

Mr Hansen highlights FedEx pilots and how they have challenges with their schedules, and that’s why FedEx looks for opportunities to give pilots more sleep. He is in favor of giving students the opportunity to get more sleep, but knows they cannot be made to take extra sleep. He also doesn’t want to make this change with the expectation that there will be academic opportunities. Mr Hansen sees the benefits especially in allowing students to not be at the bus stop this early.

Mr Vaughan wants to clarify with Mr Jones that this would be evaluated and reviewed for realized benefits if approved. Is asking the board to annually review regardless of how the vote goes tonight. Mr Hansen cautions against causation being ascribed to a later start time.

Mrs Messerly asks if the changes will guarantee no student will be in the dark at any point in the year. Mr Jones says he cannot guarantee this, but it will be most of them.

Mr Cox states that high achievers are always going to be high achievers, but trusts the committee in their recommendation.

Votes:

Cox: YES; Chism: YES; Vaughan: No; Hansen: YES, Messerly: concerned about traffic and cost, votes no.

Motion passes.

Note: this is the first time in 4 years the board has not had a unanimous vote.

Mr Vaughan: supports the board’s vote. Mrs Messerly echoes that.

Meeting adjourned.

 

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Work Session, November 15, 2018

Nov 15

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Summary of the November 15 Work Session of the Collierville School Board. Full board present.

Review of

  • October Financial Statements
  • 2019 Board Calendar – only through June
  • Policy on Board Meetings – relocating to CHS Community Room
  • SFES Parking Lot Resurfacing closeout – closes out the contract, total cost stayed within the contingency cost. Contingency was used to address some additional curb repairs and grading issues
  • Change Order and close out for West Collierville Middle Construction – closes out the contract

School Start Times Committee Final Report – presented by Mr Jeff Jones.

  • Full report expected to be published within 24 hours
  • Mr Jones called the process eye opening and a growth opportunity
  • Each community is unique, have to take into account the culture
  • Thanks to the community members – wide and diverse representation
  • Unexpected to have a unanimous recommendation for the board
  • Committee asked for in December, and established by board vote in January
  • Charter was to study the start times and possible changes
  • Several committee members present tonight. Full roster on the schools website.
  • Committee achieved expected outcomes
  • Committee spun off several subcommittees to focus on specific areas
  • Meetings started in April and ran through the end of October
  • Seven surveys conducted, polling students, parents, and school staff
  • Overview of scientific data reviewed, case studies, surveys

Conclusion 1: 7 am start time is out of the mainstream: only 4% in the US start before 7:30

Conclusion 2: 7 am start time is too early is agreed upon across the all stakeholder groups (even if not everyone wants it to change for themselves)

Conclusion 3: More sleep is better

Conclusion 4: high school should continue to start and dismiss before elementary schools

Conclusion 5: scheduling of extracurricular activities poses a significant obstacle to delayed start times, but a 30 minute delay would not cause significant disruption

Conclusion 6: financial impact of increased transportation costs is unavoidable and significant, but broad community support for reasonable cost exists

Committee considered 6 alternatives, including “no change”

14-0 vote (Jeff Jones and Wanda Chism recused themselves) in support of:

  • 7:30-2:30 CHS
  • 8:15-3:15 Middle Schools
  • 9:00-4:00 Elementary Schools

Benefits:

  1. More sleep
  2. no student will be picked up before 6:45am; current earliest pickup is 6am
  3. less driving in the dark in the morning for buses, students, parents
  4. minimal impact on after-school activities
  5. middle schoolers gain 15 minutes in the morning
  6. shorter ride times on buses in morning and afternoon
  7. elementary schoolers will have earlier ‘last drop off’ time
  8. broad support from parents, teachers, and students
  9. unanimous endorsement from school start times committee, representing a broad range of views across the community

Challenges:

  1. annual fiscal impact of $464,000 and up without obvious source of funding
  2. still not meeting medical guidelines from American Medical Association (8:30 am or later)

Mrs Chism comments – sleep and sleep patterns are compelling, but need to take the culture into account

Mr Cox: will the shorter turnaround times be reasonable with increased traffic due to others on the road? Chism: Studies used only looked at change in traffic from 7am to 8am, but not from 7am to 7:30am. Mr Jones believes the data is available in 15 minute increments, and will follow up. Also desire to confirm Carrier plant start times.

Mr Hansen: what is driving the need for 7 additional buses? Mr Jones: the buses will have fewer stops to pick up to make the shorter time, which means more buses are needed.

Mr Jones: buses in the afternoon have higher occupancy, due to parents dropping students off at school on their way to work.

Mr Cox: the zoning committee was super thorough, but the start time committee blows them out of the water in thoroughness.

Mr Jones: it is sad to hear the very negative comments on Facebook disparaging the committee.

Mr Vaughan: wants to see where the funding would come from in the budget. Presents the position that his children managed to get through the schools with the current start times, as did most of the board members’ children. “Will vote against any proposal that will cost us money,” but expresses continued dislike for having kids at bus stops at 6 am. Wants to have the board maintain proper fiscal stewardship. Also concerned about commuting traffic.

Mr Jones: any decision on start times by the board can be reversed or adjusted later on, based on impacts (positive and negative).

Mr Jones also mentions the system doesn’t know the true operating cost of the new school configurations. If we need to, we can reverse the decision in a year for financial reasons.

Mr Aitken: new governor and new commissioner of education will have new budgets and priorities. Need to keep paying Shelby County, and keep eye on OBEP requirements.

Committee recommendation will be brought before the board at the business meeting for a vote, with additional information on financial impacts on budget.

Superintendent Update:

  • Central Office has more renovations by the town, including blocking parking entry from Poplar and a new frontage on the building, and renovation of all the restrooms.
  • SPED department moving to former learning cottages at WCMS
  • Dr Kelley selected as administrator of the year
  • Thanksgiving WEEK of no school starts after Friday dismissal!

Chairman Update:

  • November business meeting 11/29 at 6:30 in town chambers
  • Collierville Education Foundation will have appreciation event at the Quonset on Dec 4
  • Dec 3 swearing in of aldermen and school board members
  • Dec business meeting will be in Community Room at the High School

Meeting adjourned.

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Business Meeting, Oct 25, 2018

Oct 30

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

This is a summary of the school board business meeting from October 25, 2018. I was out of town on business, but was able to use my wife’s notes of the meeting to write these. My apologies for the delay!

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 

Mrs Chism not feeling well, and thus absent. The NEW Schilling Farms Elementary school was honored with special recognition today. Principal Dr Cleaves talked about the journey they took to get where they are, and presented a red wagon full of gifts for those who made it possible. A sizable group of students sang for the audience.

This was followed by recognition of the National Merit Semi-finalists and the National Merit Commended Scholars.

Public Comments:

  • Commander Justin Long, Navy. Collierville resident. What differentiates great schools and average schools. As a recruiter, he has spent a lot of time with high school and college students, and has been recognized as the top recruiter in the nation. Has responsibility for nationwide recruiting decisions and a team of data analysts to determine priorities and budgets for recruiting. Introduces the Noble Index. This points to the highest potential for recruiting the highest quality recruits. Collierville is at 112. That is in the highest tier. Collierville is underperforming, and is not getting the results it used to. Presents statistics that contrast how the school should be performing, vs how it is being measured, and it falls short in key metrics, including graduation rates, college acceptance rates, and math scores. This affects how colleges view CHS. Key predictors of top performing schools: median income, student health care, hours of sleep. Schools with 8 am start time or later have a statistically significant correlation with being the top high schools in each state.
  • Dan Osborne, Collierville resident with CHS and Bailey Station students. Thanks board for studying start times. Represents a large group of parents working together for later start times. Offers assistance to board and committee. Presents board with “option 4″ which would result in later start times at a much lower cost than published estimates being used by the committee ($400-500,000).
    Wants to address the survey that was recently sent to parents, staff, and students. Points out flaws in survey that skew results in negative ways.  Urges committee and board to use resources available in town to better optimize bus routes and other cost savings opportunities. References Henry Ford’s comments on what happens if you ask the public what they want: “faster horses.”
  • Cathy Wright, Collierville resident, president of the Kyle Kiihnl foundation. Mentions Teen Safe Driving Week. Also references the number of drowsy driving crashes reported annually. Last  meeting the number brought forward was 500,000. New data published by TN Department of Transportation now says 1.2 Million. Estimate is half of those are by teens.
    Describes the essay submissions by teens for the foundation’s scholarship, which is available to students across Tennessee. The essays asked for descriptions of drowsy driving crashes they had experienced. Highlights the numerous studies pointing to 8:30 as the best start time. “the kids themselves may not even like it. I don’t care. If we can save even one kid’s life…” Later start times will be life-changing for them.
  • Grant Ayres, CHS Freshman. All top 10 schools in Collierville have a later start time than Collierville. Lists the 10 schools and their start times, including Houston High at 7:45 am (at number 10). Collierville has the best building in the state and needs to make this change.
  • Steve Milligan, Collierville resident, proud parent of students in multiple schools. FedEx pilot. Urges board to include school counselors in the start time committee in a meaningful way. Highlights that change is hard, and will meet resistance. Discussed how each district that considered change met with challenges and resistance, and each that moved ahead saw positive results across all areas.
  • Rebecca Dupuy, Collierville resident, has kids in Collierville Schools. Questions why this is meeting so much resistance. What matters is the kids. We need to do what is best for the kids.

Approval of agenda, previous month’s minutes. financial statements.

Chairman Report:

  • Thanks to Leadership Collierville for hosting the candidate forum for local candidates at CHS
  • Thanks to all the bosses – in light of bosses day last week
  • CEF fall event and 5k
  • Sycamore Elementary Immedsion day
  • CHS Girls soccer success, beating Houston for the first time in 12 years, moving through the regional and state tournament
  • Encouraging the public to participate in Early Voting or on election day
  • TN School Board Association (TSBA) convention is next week
  • Nov 14 board member and state representative Vaughan will be speaker at the Chamber of Commerce

Superintendent Report:

  • Congratulating Mrs Hayes – distinguished service award
  • Congratulating Mr Jeff Jones – Selected as school system administrator of the year for the region
  • School board convention will have Collierville present on several topics
  • one of only 5 districts in the state with 70+% pass rate in AP tests

Question by Mr Vaughan: asking for update on CHS project, budget results, etc. by Mr Simpson.

Approval of LEA Compliance report – annual self-reporting process required by the state.

Meeting adjourned.

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Business Meeting, Sept 27, 2018

Sep 29

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

With apologies for the delayed post! I was actually out of town on business, but my wife, Jennifer, braved the crowds and took detailed notes for me to use.

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 

 

These are a summary of the Sept 27 Collierville School Board business meeting.

Mrs Messerly was absent, the rest of the board was present.

Special recognition: Crosswind Elementary. Dr Crafford presented a half dozen teachers that marked 25 years at Crosswind (since 1993). On Saturday Nov 3rd, Crosswind will host a block party to celebrate its 25th birthday. Also recognition of several notable and remarkable accomplishments, including the TN Reward School designation, and various acclaimed academic teams.

Mr Jones recognized the calendar committee, whose final work product is the 2019-2020 Collierville Schools calendar.

A series of speakers during public comments. Several residents ceded their time to these speakers which allowed them to accumulate additional minutes:

Dan Osborn, resident and parent of elementary and high schooler. Compliments the board for the start time committee. Highlights documented benefits of later school start times. References Collierville policy that states the district is committed to implement the Centers for Disease Control’s Coordinated School Health approach (which includes later school start times).

Recommends adoption of “the fourth proposal” of the school start time committee. Urges use of sophisticated bus planning software and tapping corporate experts to create bus routing that will not add unreasonable cost.

Recommends school start times to be as close to recommended start time as possible. Asks for the high school psychologist to be added to the start time committee. Invites board members to meet with the parents and experts speaking in public comment tonight.

Next speaker is pediatrician who practices in Germantown, sees Collierville students, and used to have Collierville office. References 2 decades of research on teenagers’ sleep needs and biological changes that happen in puberty. Urges board to improve students’ physical and mental health, as well as public safety by adjusting school start times.

Next speaker is Cathy Wright. Former teacher. Asks board to guess number of drowsy driving accidents in a year: 500,000. Approximately half are attributed to teenage drivers. Talked about her nephew getting killed during the middle of the day while walking in the neighborhood. He was a junior at Houston High. The driver was also at Houston High. She talked of the devastation this brought to her family. Dedicated herself to raising awareness of the drowsy driving. Established a foundation for this purpose: the Kyle W Kiihnl Memorial Foundation. Was recently recognized for her work in this area. Urges Collierville to step up and be leaders in this area.

Dr Valerie Crabtree, pediatric psychologist. Presented to school start time committee. Providing a summary of that hour-long interaction. Focus on biological changes in sleep rhythms. Reality of sleep deprivation in teenagers, and the physical and mental impacts on them.

Natalie Hurd – has two kids in Collierville Schools. Talked about her own High School experiences with early school start times for her kids and herself. Points out there has not been any optimization of school start times. Urges that there are lots of benefits that can be realized by school start time optimization.

Final speaker is Dr Alison Hanauer, clinical psychologist and Collierville resident. Has many CHS students as patients. Is mother of 8th grader at CMS and 11th grader at CHS. Moved to Collierville for the schools. Is noting a concerning pattern in her teenage patients. Unhealthy habits related to very early wake times. Psychological impacts of these unhealthy habits; physical impacts of the unhealthy habits. Teenagers are stuck in a vicious cycle that is very unhealthy.

 

Moving on to board business: Approval of Agenda, previous meeting’s minutes, monthly financial statements.

Approval of business items, including the 2019-2020 calendar.

Chairman’s update

  • OPEB trust update – performing well
  • All existing elementary schools are TN Reward Schools
  • Sept 29th Congressman David Kustoff hosting information session on Service Academies

Superintendent update:

  • Congratulations to schools that are Reward Schools
  • Update on diversity/inclusion training; principals meeting reviewed doing what has worked well, and adding additional initiatives
    -Introduction of StopIT tool
    -CHS Student Congress which will have focus on student climate
    -Partnership with the Facing History and Ourselves foundation for professional development and student curriculum; January PD day will focus on this topic.
  • Congratulations to 14 national merit semi finalists – celebration soon
  • Funding of safety: $84k annual funding and $200k one-time for updates to address opportunities identified in the school safety audits at every school that were part of the application process. These will fund cameras, cell phone boosters, emergency training and equipment
  • Grand opening of Dragon Stadium at Landers Sportsplex last week
  • Leadership Collierville forum for school board, alderman and state representative candidates at CHS

Mr Hansen recognized Mr Aitken as president of TOSS (Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents) for 2017-2018 year.

Meeting Adjourned.

 

 

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