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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Business Meeting, November 28, 2017

Nov 28

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Summary of the Board Business Meeting of November 28, 2017.

Full board in attendance.

Approval of agenda, previous minutes, financial reports.

First public comment: Thanks for soliciting and being responsive to the feedback from the rezoning meetings.

Second public comment: Along the same lines.

Board will allow latecomers to speak if desired due to tree lighting in town square.

Chairman comments:

  • Referring to the news about the charges against the former CMS band director.
  • Thanks to the staff and rezoning committee that put in a lot of time and effort.

Superintendent comments:

  • Asking for prayers: Ms Rike’s 4-month old grandchild passing away tragically; coach Mike O’Neal undergoing cancer treatment
  • Former band director Wilson’s been cleared of cancer
  • Staff has been working on next steps for rezoning
  • Jan 16-Feb 16 window for open enrollment for attendance
  • Busy weeks ahead with the holiday season

Elementary School rezoning:

  • Need to have a long-term zoning plan to avoid having to return to the drawing board so soon
  • Less transportation need will reduce cost and lower the carbon footprint
  • Two zoning proposals up for consideration (click link)
  • First proposal lowers attendance in each school
  • Second proposal incorporates feedback from meetings; leaves 4 of the zones essentially the same as current; uses non-resident enrollment to level out attendance zones
  • Superintendent recommends approval of alternate zoning
  • Most population growth in town will be in southern part of town – proposal 2 leaves the most room for growth
  • Question from Mr Vaughan: in proposal 2, will any resident student receive a less equitable educational opportunity? Mr Jones: Collierville Schools is committed to guaranteeing an equitable educational opportunity for all students. Mr Aitken: SFMS will be retrofitted to an elementary school including a playground, removal of the portable classrooms and beautification.

Middle School rezoning:

  • Three zoning proposals up for consideration - the first two, and the alternate with ‘green zones’
  • Third proposal increases focus on proximity to zoned middle school
  • Third proposal also creates accommodation for students already enrolled in middle school to allow them to choose to remain at their current school, including transportation to their school of choice
  • Superintendent recommends the third proposal (with the green zones)

Around December 4, all affected students in the green zones will have their parents asked what their intent is, with a deadline of Dec 12, to help the planning effort for the open enrollment and the attendance for next school year.

Naming of the new elementary school: Proposed to name it Schilling Farms Elementary. Unanimous approval.

Scheduling 5pm work session for December 12 which will allow votes on proposals

In January work sessions will move to the schools offices on Thursdays, and business meetings at town hall also on Thursdays – view the full board calendar for details.

Board business – approval of changes to:

  • Transportation management policy
  • Tenure procedure

Meeting adjourned.

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Work Session, November 13, 2017

Nov 14

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Summary of the November 13 School Board Work Session.

Full board present.

Special Recognition – Tara Oaks Elementary. Veteran’s Day video. Full video available on Tara Oaks website.

Review Items (to be voted on at business meeting 11/28):

  • October Financial Statements
  • Tenure Policy – minor changes based on TSBA recommendations
  • Student Transportation Management – updating the wording of the policy to better align with procedures. State law updates include phone number and formal process to report complaints. School buses will be topic of interest at the next legislative session.

Discussion of rezoning proposals:

  • Public Meetings held in Sept, Oct, Nov
  • Questions received still being worked through to put responses online
  • Some updates based on public meeting inputs
  • Acknowledgement of public present – ask to trust the process
  • 100s of feedback items received by comment card and email from first two public meetings
  • Updated proposal presented in public meeting 11/9
  • Rezoning is a long-term impact
  • >>must have equitable educational opportunity regardless of location
  • >>overcrowded schools had to be relieved
  • >>prepare for future growth
  • >>maximize efficient use of transportation services
  • Proposal 1 provided at least 500 students in each elementary zone
  • Note: home values are not part of the consideration for zoning changes
  • Proposal 2 looked more at location and at student transfers
  • Proposal 2 addressed essentially all concerns raised for proposal 1 for the elementary schools
  • Concern about uneven distribution between larger and smaller elementary schools
  • Proposal 2 middle school sees two elementary schools with split attendance zones: Sycamore and Tara Oaks
  • New proposal – adjustment to proposal 2 for middle schools
  • New proposed middle school zones with highlights linked here - higher resolution to be posted on schools site tomorrow
  • Zoning is essentially a hybrid between first two proposals, and creates somewhat of a diagonal line SW to NE for zoning
  • “Green Zone” existing students can stay at their current middle school WITH transportation, but their transferring siblings would not get transportation past the 2019-20 school year. View the green zones and highlights of that concept here.
  • Adjustments to zones will likely not lead to higher transportation cost for the district
  • Transfers and non-residents will fill out the remainder of CMS for a total enrollment around the current number (high 900 range)
  • School attendance in each school will be managed through closing for new transfers in some schools
  • There will NOT be another public meeting to present this proposal
  • Public comments will be invited in 2 weeks at the scheduled business meeting, with recommendation for vote that evening between the two elementary proposals and the three (or more) middle proposals
  • Planning work for the new zones will start the following day
  • Employees, siblings, residents, then open for external attendance

New Elementary School name: Schilling Farms Elementary School (has to be formally done) – will be voted in 2 weeks.

For new middle school, names will be sollicited.

Superintendent update:

  • End of course assessment errors from state led to significant adjustment to lowest scoring area – English 10 had 200+ corrections. Now over 60% on track/mastered.
  • Title I grant to be submitted tomorrow
  • Planning work for new school zones to start soon
  • After Thanksgiving there will be a naming effort with social media input for the new middle school name
  • CHS build on schedule
  • December board meeting will have work session prior to business meeting on 12/12, including updated resident policy
  • Coach O’Neal caringbridge site good for updates as he is at MD Anderson for treatment
  • Lots to be thankful for in this season

Chairman Update:

  • Lots of competitions and athletics successes across all disciplines
  • Calling out high school for historic high score in competition
  • Theater, robotics, speech and debate, etc
  • Great parental and teacher support

Meeting adjourned.

 

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Business Meeting, October 24, 2017

Oct 24

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Meeting summary of Collierville School Board business meeting.

Mrs Messerly absent.

Special Recognitions:

Crosswind Elementary.

Ashley Duke, winner of the Race for the ‘Ville T-shirt design contest.

Public Comments – Mary Ann Chaudri (apologies for spelling if incorrect). Attended board meeting last month to ask about non-Christian religious holidays and how their observance would be reported as absences. Collected approximately 230 signatures in petition since last month. Is asking board to make this a priority.

Agenda, Sept 26 minutes, September financial statements all approved.

Chairman’s Report:

  • Busy time, including the Collierville Education Foundation Fall Fest, lots of athletic achievements.
  • State recognition as Exemplary District based on test scores

Superintendent’s Report:

  • Bailey Station recognized as Reward Performance school by TN Department of Education
  • Next rezoning meeting Nov 9 @ CMS. Updated FAQs and new maps will be published on school website
  • ACT scores coming out this week: 5 more perfect 36 in addition to existing 5 already identified.
  • CHS and Houston combined to raise $24k+ for Make a Wish
  • TSBA Conference in Nashville next week
  • Thoughts and prayers to Coach O’Neil, starting cancer treatments in Houston

2017 LEA Compliance Report – approved.

Meeting adjourned at 6:45pm.

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Work Session, September 12, 2017

Sep 12

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Work Session – Board in full attendance, Mr Aitken absent – attending TOSS meeting (new president of TOSS)

Review of financial statement for July – the one month with minimal expenses and no revenues.

Policy Reviews:

  • Alternative School Programs – in-house service for grades 6-12. Special Education and 504 services for alternative school participants will be addressed as needed, in compliance with all applicable laws. Currently 12 students in alternative school, which is the max, with a waiting list. The alternative school is a privilege offered to the district, not a right.
  • Voluntary Pre-K attendance policy. Added based on TSBA recommendation. Currently 20 students enrolled (max class side), and waiting list of 16 students.

Staff Report on High School Assessment Results – End of Course

  • New assessments, at higher standard
  • Algebra: 11th in state
  • Geometry: 6th in state
  • Algebra II: 6th in state
  • English I: 3rd in state
  • English II: 21st in state
  • English III: 3rd in state
  • Biology I: 6th in state (older existing standard)
  • Chemistry: 7th in state (older existing standard)
  • US History/Geography: 7th in state
  • Most of these also show significant improvement which is hard to achieve in a high-achieving district.
  • All 5 elementary schools get 5 on School-wide composites for growth
  • CMS – 1 (low growth, but no detailed numbers available yet)
  • SFMS – 4
  • CMS and SFMS both get 5 on Algebra I EOC
  • District wide scored 5 for growth. Not expecting that there are a lot of districts with a score of 5 in the state)

2018-2019 Calendar (proposed, pending board approval) click for document

  • new high school, new elementary school, moving middle school
  • allow maximum prep time over the summer
  • end school year by memorial day
  • unique calendar required approval of Commissioner of Education – approved with no further requirements
  • other municipalities have teachers returning July 30 – Collierville will return August 1
  • couldn’t make 2 week delay happen
  • using stockpile minutes to end up with 175 day school year, 200 days for teachers (including professional development, inservice, admin days)
  • teachers will get 8 paid days of prep before school starts
  • fall break still aligned with other municipal schools, partly with teacher kids in those districts in mind, partly to ensure alignment with ACT weeks for the state
  • parent/teacher conferences moving to day time: September 14
  • whole week off for Thanksgiving week – Monday and Tuesday will be PD for teachers
  • Christmas break starts 12/21, which is two days later than other schools
  • After Christmas break, Students don’t return till 1/7 (a Monday), but teachers go back for 1/3 and 4
  • Spring break is aligned with municipalities as well
  • Day after Easter is another PD day – no students
  • Last day of school is a Friday, May 24, which is a day later than the other municipalities
  • This calendar will create some expectations for future years… which are already being anticipated
  • Link to comparison to other municipal districts and the district’s highlights of the calendar

Board Meeting Calendar for 2018 – adjustment to meeting on Thursdays, to accommodate State Representative and School Board Member Vaughan’s legislative schedule. This also moves some meetings to the central office. It is possible the meetings will move to the new High School once it is open.

Budget adjustments to account for a CTE grant.

Closing out contracts for HVAC work at SFMS and CMS: purchase of equipment and installation. Each contract included bid plus contingent amounts. Use of contingency funds was low, which is favorable for the district.

Superintendent Update:

  • Mr Jones standing in
  • Rezoning: public meeting dates: Thu 9/28, Thu 10/5. 6:30pm CHS auditorium. Proposed maps to be published in advance to these meetings.
  • Upcoming events: Parent teacher conferences this Thursday, District Learning Day on the 15th; Collierville Education Foundation will host car show 10/16, and will have test drive fundraiser. 10/21 Go Jim Go visit to all schools.
  • Hurricane Relief Efforts had great participation, which will be well used

Chairman’s update:

  • Car show will allow local organization volunteer hours
  • Open House at CHS last month had full board in attendance
  • Mr Hansen attended Crosswind PTA meeting that same week – rejuvenated organization
  • Great to see improvement scores, testament to the teachers and the curriculum department.

Meeting Adjourned

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Business Meeting, August 22, 2017

Aug 22

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Summary of the Collierville School Board regular business meeting.

Full board present, some staff in attendance.

No public comments.

Approvals: agenda, minutes from July 25 meeting, June financial statements.

Chairman’s Report:

  • Mrs Messerly and Mr Hansen visited the Germantown Board meeting for an evaluation for the TSBA. More reports with more information in those meetings, which tend to last longer.
  • CHS PTA meeting is tomorrow night (8/23), Mr A will have some remarks.
  • Mr Hansen will try to attend more PTA meetings to show support to the parents that help support the schools
  • Visited new CHS site and it is coming along really well… paint on walls, ceiling tiles in place, and cabinets being installed. Going to be a ‘spectacular building.’
  • Athletic facility work about to start.

Superintendent Report:

  • Enrollment update: total of 8610 projected, 8626 current enrollment number. CHS close to 2600. 734 in 9th grade class. 578 in senior class. SFMS 1123. CMS 977. Sycamore 879 (largest elem), Collierville elem is second largest.
  • Rezoning meetings under way. Dates for two public meetings in Sept will be decided next week.
  • Solar Eclipse comment: ‘Over’ or ‘wow’ unfortunate rain timing for most of the schools.
  • 3500 did NOT attend school on eclipse day
  • Mr A recommends closing school for the next eclipse (April 2024)
  • Board calendar updates effective 2018 will be presented in September – coordinating with town

Business items:

Procedures for staffing assignments – no changes since last meeting – approved.

Update to policy on bids and quotations – no changes since last meeting – approved. Moves bid requirement to $25k from current $10k level.

Update to policy on hepatitis B – no changes since last meeting – approved.

Meeting adjourned.

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Working Session, August 8, 2017

Aug 8

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Collierville School Board Working Session – full board in attendance.

Special recognition for Emma Capitanelli, CHS 2017. Sixth place performance in the National Speech and Debate Tournament. Will be attending Alabama this coming fall.

Review of June 2017 Financial Reports – closes out the fiscal year.

Review of School Assignment/Transfer Administrative Rules. As a procedure, it will help guide the flow between schools, especially relevant with the new elementary school opening next year, including voluntary and involuntary transfers. Mechanism will capture needs as well as interest in transferring. Currently very low numbers for faculty transfers year over year. Goal for new school is to have a good mix of experience from within Collierville Schools.

Revision of policy on bids and quotations – shifting threshold from 10,000 to 25,000 where it requires competitive bids.

Revision of policy on Hepatitis B. Minor changes to ensure the policy covers ‘blood borne pathogens’ rather than just HBV.

2018 Board Calendar – adjustment to spring schedule to accommodate Mr Vaughan’s legislative session commitments, 2nd Thursdays will see working sessions in central office conference room, and 4th Thursdays will be in Town Hall. Dates, locations and times to be confirmed, this will be effective in January 2018.

Superintendent’s update:

  • Dr Cleaves, principal of Schilling Farms Elementary
  • Tyler Salyer, principal of Collierville Elementary
  • 98.5% of projected enrollment after one day
  • CHS – 2536, expected right at 2600
  • 8500 total enrollment day 1, which is just below estimate of 8600; additional 100-200 expected by day 20 counts
  • 2 new Kindergarden positions at Sycamore
  • 3rd grade teacher at Collierville Elementary
  • additional enrollment counts on day 3
  • some minor bus issues; some shared residence issues
  • all buses back at the bus lot by 5pm today
  • iPads rolled out to additional grades without issue
  • Chamber of Commerce luncheon 8/9 honoring Collierville Schools
  • Rezoning meeting coming up
  • Mr Vaughan swearing in ceremony next week
  • Solar Eclipse glasses for all students have been purchased, and all schools will incorporate this into their day. Working on a process to allow excused absences for folks looking to go out of town to the total eclipse area
  • Additional Title I fund spending plans under way

Chairman’s report:

  • Chair has been asked to perform an evaluation of the Germantown School Board meeting on 8/21
  • CHS PTSO asked to get update on new high school at the meeting Thursday
  • Superintendent and board members are available to present at PTA meetings district wide
  • Words of appreciation for the teachers and administrators and central office as a reaction to the teacher appreciation luncheon attended last week.

Meeting adjourned.

 

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Business Meeting, July 25, 2017

Jul 25

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Board all present. Mr Aitken absent, Mr Jeff Jones sitting in.

No public comments.

Approval of agenda, previous minutes, May financial statement.

Chairman’s report:

  • Ramping up for new school year. New educator sessions this week.
  • Exciting school year ahead as the new high school and the middle school changes are approaching final phases.

Superindendent’s report by the Chief of Staff:

  • Mr A on vacation this week.
  • Central Office summer is over. 65 New educators welcomed to Collierville Schools. All five board members thanked for attending the first day event.
  • Thursday will see inservice for all school-based administrators.
  • 2 new principals in attendance: Dr Cleaves (new elementary school) and Mr Salyer (Collierville Elementary (interim)).
  • Monday 7/31 is return for teachers, 8/1 is Orientation Day.
  • August 3 traditional Collierville Education Foundation teacher luncheon.
  • August 7 will be school day one for anticipated 8600 students.
  • Central Office renovation phase is wrapping up, next phase will start in January.
  • New HR Benefit: Care Here clinic partnering with Kroger Little Clinics for after hours.
  • Rezoning/reconfiguration update: process started as prescribed by policy. Committee has been appointed. September public meeting(s) will be scheduled, and recommendation expected to the board in October.

Business Items:

Policy Approvals:

  • Approval of ’17-’18 Federal Grants amendment ($2.6M in unexpected Title I funding).
  • Grading Policy – changes based on legislation, as well as adding some language around minimum number of graded items in each 9-week period for the elementary and middle school grades, and a simplification of the conduct grades.
  • Emergency Preparedness Drills – armed intruder drill and other emergency drill requirements – as mandated by state law.
  • Credit Recovery Classes and how they will affect the adjusted grade. Again limited by state law.

Amendment to Education Capital Projects Funds: Reflects the actual amounts received from Shelby County. Funding assigned to FFE and engineering/legal services for new High School.

Meeting Adjourned.

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Business Meeting, May 23, 2017

May 23

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Collierville School Board Business meeting. Absent: Kevin Vaughan and Wanda Chism.

Special Recognitions:

  • Special Education for Collierville Schools. Good reminder of what all a public school system offers to its students in addition to basic/mainstream education. 167 total staff.
  • System retirees

No Public Comment

Approval of minutes, March financial statements.

Chairman’s Report:

  • End of the year is here – CHS graduation 515 seniors
  • Busy summer with capital projects
  • High School construction at full speed

Superintendent’s Report:

  • Friday is last day of school, but summer projects will start following Memorial Day, painting, concrete work, A/C work, etc.
  • New custodial services company starting June 1.
  • Auditorium going up at CHS, roofing going into cafeteria, drywall and insulation going into classrooms, athletic site pricing under way
  • TN Ready testing update – no results returned at this time, therefore no inclusion in student final grades. Individual scores and assessments will be provided when they are made available. State-wide it appears barely any school systems have received their results, even if testing was taken online.
  • Next year’s test should be online, which may help with the turnaround time.
  • Next school year will be very busy: rezoning for elementary and middle schools, high school construction, expansion of digital learning initiative
  • Best wishes to the retirees
  • Student meals will go up 25 cents next year
  • Central Office will be on summer schedule: 7-5 Monday through Thursday, closed on Friday

Business Items:

  • Amending 2016-2017 CIP budget approved; $1.3M in county capital to be received within the next month will lead to additional updates
  • Amending 2016-2017 discretionary (grant) budget
  • Board Meeting Calendar
  • Policies on food service management and student wellness
  • HVAC bid awards for current high school and Schilling Farms middle school
  • Update on 5-year capital improvement plan (CIP)
  • Superintendent evaluation tool
  • All items approved by the board – details for all of these can be found in the summary of the previous meeting

Meeting Adjourned

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Working Session, May 9, 2017

May 9

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Board Working Session – full board in attendance.

Special recognitions for CHS Valedictorian (Priyal Pathak) and Salutatorian (Caitlin O’Connor).

Introduction of the next STEM Cohort for both middle schools.

Budgets:

  • Capital Improvement Plan funding – $1.7M from Shelby County. Detailed budget amendments due in June.
  • Discretionary Grants (non-federal): School Health, Teacher Leader Council, America’s Farmers Grow, Race for the Ville, Safe Schools, Voluntary Pre-K – $224,000 total

March 2017 Financial Report

Board Calendar Updates – flipping working session and business meetings for the remainder of the calendar. No date changes at this point.

Policy updates – based on recommendations of TSBA:

  • Food Service Management – regulatory-based changes
  • Student Wellness – sections around physical activity updated based on updated guidance. Removal of ‘unstructured play’ wording, adjustments based on legislation and federal requirements. CHS does not have the physical facilities to currently be in full compliance.

Bid reviews:

  • CHS Installation of previously purchased HVAC equipment (22 units). Low bidder coming in at half the cost of other two – healthy skepticism applied, but all details are included – lowest bidder recommended for business meeting.
  • SFMS Installation of previously purchased HVAC equipment (69 units).

5-year Capital Improvement Plan update (annual activity)

Superintendent Evaluation – updated model based on consortium of TN organizations

Board Retreat – looking at some time in June to work on strategic plans, etc. Will include discussion of start times, grading scales, non-resident tuition.

Superintendent Update:

  • Congrats to Mr Vaughan on his primary election win
  • TNReady – Dr Ducey’s first go-around. No speculation when raw scores are expected
  • Teacher appreciation week(s)
  • Budget going to Collierville BMA May 22
  • Prom 5/13 at Columns

Chairman Update:

  • Board member educational requirements – several board members have activities planned
  • Collierville Education Foundation team trivia event last week was great event
  • Recollection of some specific teachers of Mr Hansen’s past in honor of teacher recognition week

Meeting Adjourned

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Business Meeting, April 17, 2017

Apr 17

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

April 17 Business Meeting. Rare Monday meeting due to scheduling conflicts. Full board present.

Note: most discussion of key agenda items is documented in the summary of the working session of April 11 – linked here.

Agenda, March 21 minutes, February financial statements approvals.

Chairman’s Report:

  • Testing starting soon
  • Lots of activity at the new high school site – thanks to Mr Simpson for stewartship. Roof is up in most areas, wallboard going up, windows are going in. This is about one year from ground breaking.

Superintendent’s Report:

  • New benefit plans have come out – appear to be well received; Benefits information session next Tuesday
  • Mr. A will attend superintendent conference at Fall Creek Falls, and have a TN Board of Education meeting in Nashville
  • Central Office renovations under way – rain didn’t help today
  • CHS final major section will have slab poured this week, weather permitting
  • Varsity Gym trusses expected to be placed this week
  • Be sure to check out the aerial photos Chuck LaJeunesse posts monthly – including on the Collierville Schools facebook group
  • Rotary Luncheon to honor student scholarship awards tomorrow

Policy approvals:

  • Extracurricular Activity
  • Grading System, includes clause not to include state test results in grading if not received at least 5 instructional days prior to the end of the school year; Mrs Chism will vote in favor of the (required) policy, and will work with superintendent over next couple of months to ensure “the K-5 grading system is uniform across grade levels”
  • African American Literature special course application

Approval of inclement weather day without need to make up at the end of the year

Bid awards:

  • HVAC at (old) Collierville High
  • HVAC at Schilling Farms Middle
  • Custodial Services Contract – to be awarded to SKB. Not lowest bidder, but scored better on rubric, references, local presence and logistics. Expectation is that this will be an improved experience.

2017-18 General Fund and Special Revenue Fund budgets

  • BEP Estimate came in just a little lower by end of last week than in original submitted budget. Some adjustments needed to be made.
  • Additional teacher for enrollment growth and CHS, but removing incremental study hall and additional assistant principal positions for this year.
  • $150,000 overall reduction from last week’s proposed budget
  • Expecting a slight increase in BEP estimates in May and June
  • Budget will have to go to Collierville BMA for approval
  • No changes in Special Revenue Fund budget from last week

2017-2018 Differentiated Pay Plan – No changes from last week’s presentation, funding is in approved budget

2018-2019 School Configuration Plan

  • Recommendation is to have 6 elementary schools and two middle schools
  • Feedback from community and media mostly centered on clarifying details
  • Note: new 100+ home development going in behind Bailey Station Elementary
  • Hardest part will be the rezoning activities
  • 800 student increase in enrollment from 3 years ago
  • more younger students projected than previously anticipated
  • Approved

Meeting adjourned

 

 

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