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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Working Session, April 11, 2017

Apr 11

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Working session for April. Full board present. This would normally have been a business meeting, but due to a lot of business before the board, the April meetings were flipped. Note: next business meeting is this coming Monday April 17.

Special recognitions:

Bailey Station Elementary

Blair Mynatt – West Tennessee Counselor’s Association – Elementary level Counselor of the Year

Stephanie Rice – 4th Grade Teacher @ Crosswind Elementary School (Selected as the PreK-4 Teacher of the Year for Southwest Core Region)

Carol Richardson – ESL Teacher at Collierville Elementary School (Named the TNTESOL West Tennessee ESL Educator of the Year)

Lee Ann Kelly – DEC Teacher @ Collierville High School (Received the 2017 TNTESOL President’s Award)

Policy Revisions:

  • Extracurricular Activities – minor update on wording of eligibility to clarify students must be enrolled in Collierville Schools to participate in (non-sport) extracurricular activities. Sports participation is governed through the TSSAA.
  • Grading Systems – minor updates on wording, eliminating interim reports being sent out and updating the weight of End of Course exams, based on updates to state law. Also puts in clause to exempt state mandated test scores from student grades if not received at least 5 days before end of school year.
  • Special Course Application to add African American Literature course.

Business:

  • Custodial Contract Bid Awards – RFP process in final steps – should be ready for recommendation by Monday. Current contractor is ABM. 13 bids received. Price is bid per school, so contracts can be awarded to one or more companies.
  • Inclement weather day (1/6/17) not to be made up. Applied the stockpiled instructional time (which is good for up to 13 days).
  • February Financial Statements.
  • HVAC bids for old CHS and SFMS – funded out of Shelby County capital funding.

General Fund Budget for 17-18

Benefiting from growth and from small increase in BEP funding. Looking at some more ambitious use. Draft Budget posted online – click for link. Highlights:

  • up 7%
  • district increased enrollment expected of 300 students for total of 8,497
  • State and County funds are vast majority. Collierville’s contribution is a little over $2M
  • increase of 15 teachers, including a dedicated STEM teacher for each elementary school
  • step increase for all eligible positions, and adding a new row in the step table
  • 2% cost of living adjustment for all staff
  • 13 additional instructional support staff, including 4 full-time occupational therapists, bringing the contract services in-house
  • 2 new assistant principals: CHS and CMS; 1 new principal for new school (see school configuration plan)
  • Maintaining current teacher – student ratios: 20.4 in K-3; 24.5 in 4-6 and 25 in 7-12
  • year 4 of 12 of $507,819 payments to SCS
  • starting maintenance department – 6 staff, 3 vehicles. Previously outsourced to GCA; in-house will save $ and provide increased service levels
  • new 3-year lease for teacher laptops and iPads; new iPads for additional grade levels
  • adding and replacing/upgrading cameras in some common areas
  • Nutrition: $2.1M; Federal: $2.6M (60% IDEA, 20% Title I, etc.)

Differentiated Pay:

  • Mandated by State Board of Education
  • Scrapping performance based pay
  • Paying for Education, Experience (step increases), and Additional Roles and/or Responsibilities
  • Additional Roles and Responsibilities area is newly designed
  • Link to summary of proposal is here
  • School support teams, with eligibility requirements, an application process and defined responsibilities
  • Model is hailed as a differentiator and example for other schools to follow
  • Proposed change for 17-18 is focused largely on technology

2018-2019 School Configuration Plan:

  • Based on rezoning committee process; high degree of involvement from all stakeholders across the board
  • Must ensure continued educational use of transferred buildings
  • Capacity issues at all schools, and more growith expected
  • 2 models: 5 elementary and 3 middle schools vs 6 elementary and 2 middle schools
  • capacity models in past only counted simple classrooms. Current model requires non-standard classroom space
  • All schools above 90% capacity; CMS: 104.3; SFMS 128.9%; CHS 104.6%
  • 5-year enrollment projections show lots of growth. School staff is somewhat surprised by projections of elementary enrollment growth
  • Re-configuring CHS into new middle school will have programmatic capacity of 1250 (at least)
  • Optimal use of facilities would convert SFMS to elementary and CHS to middle school
  • 6-2 model would keep capacity pressure on middle schools, but address needs for next 5+ years
  • 5-3 model would result in underutilized middle schools (utilization in 50-60% range), and continued capacity issues (95+%) in elementary schools
  • Both models reviewed for curriculum and support services impacts; personnel impacts
  • New principal to be hired at start of 17-18 school year
  • Adding a new school (regardless of level) will cost approximately $2M
  • Adding capacity will allow for additional out-of-district enrollment, which will bring additional revenue
  • Conversion of SFMS to elementary and conversion of CHS to middle school, etc – $1M total
  • Transportation cost would not vary much between two models
  • No consideration of start time adjustments at this point in time due to prioritization of effort
  • Recommendation is to create Schilling Farms Elementary School, and move SFMS to the CHS property (with a new name TBD)
  • If approved, then rezoning of all attendance zones with formal process to be initiated
  • Note if nothing is done to address elementary school growth needs now, we will need to in just a few years at much higher cost

Chairman’s update: renewing application for Pre-K program to continue and expand.

Meeting adjourned.

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Working Session and Business Meeting, March 21, 2017

Mar 21

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Working session preceding the regular business meeting.

Board present, except for Kevin Vaughan.

Board Calendar changes… April 11 will be full schedule.

April 25 will have too many absent – reschedule for April 17 (Monday) still at 6 pm

May 9 and 23 scheduled.

CTE Text book adoption. Full process followed is linked here. Recommendation is full list adoption, which will allow for flexible purchases when needed (no purchase at this time).

Policy Updates:

  • Internet usage – no longer ‘use of computer’ but changed to ‘use of network’ and adding use of others’ accounts in definition of trespassing.
  • Staff Responsible Use – change from ‘acceptable use’
  • Student Responsible Use Pre-K-5
  • Student Responsible Use 6-12

Q: Damage to iPad devices? There have been 9. One by dog… All have been repaired under the insurance coverage at no cost.

Q: issues with content? No, filtering is working well

Q: are there new security features in the next OS version? Yes, and we’ll push that to the devices when it comes to general release.

InterLocal Agreements. All drafted for one year. Bartlett in all of them.

  • Student Management (Powerschool), ABC schools (Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville).
  • Nutrition, Bartlett and Collierville.
  • Transportation, all schools except Millington.

Why are some districts pulling out? Various reasons, mostly related to desire to be independent/distinct or financial considerations. Important to note that a lot of the legacy knowledge is with staff that is looking at retirement.

Financial Report – no surprises. Holding the line on expenditures.

Budget Amendment – increased BEP funding; this is largely allocated to the capital outlay fund for future major project use.

Allowing construction manager to act as purchasing agent for the district. Streamlines process and allows for some sales tax savings through agency status.

Resolution of opposition for school vouchers (House Bill for Shelby County pilot only). See the link for the full text, which provides a good outline of all the reasons school vouchers should not be implemented.

(Kevin Vaughan joined the meeting)

ILAs for additional services, not originating with Collierville:

  • Business Information Management Assistance – APEX system – ABC schools, hosted by Bartlett
  • Payroll Services – ABC schools, hosted by Bartlett
  • Planning Services – ABC schools, hosted by Bartlett
  • Benefits – ABC schools, hosted by Bartlett
  • Purchasing assistance – ABC schools, hosted by Bartlett
  • Career and Technical Education – All Schools except Lakeland, hosted by Arlington
  • Energy Management – ABC plus Germantown schools, hosted by Arlington

The Bartlett ILAs are raising cost by approximately $49k over the current year; the Arlington ones are at essentially the same cost.

All ILAs will be put on business meeting’s consent agenda.

— end of working session

Business meeting has full quorum.

Special recognitions today:

  • Schilling Farms Middle School (1118 students). Presentation included two videos, which will be posted on the school website shortly.
  • Collierville Schools Technology Team. Public thank you for the team responsible for the iPad roll-out and all the planning and support that this took.

Public Comment:

  • Paige Eubank – softball CHS as a student, and speaking on behalf of her sister who is on the team currently and the rest of the CHS team. Wants to challenge the apparent preference given to boys’ teams over girls’ teams: visible in facility use and scheduling.
  • Jack Eubank – speaking on behalf of the group (female athletes) – recalls speaking at this venue in summer 2015, noting Title IX issues. Board then assured ‘give us time.’ Mr Eubank provided some detail about the Title IX stipulations, and various examples of how Collierville Schools has some significant issues in its current operations. Mr Eubank makes strong points addressing detailed concerns. Suggests three immediate actions to review current state and build consensus for improvements.

Vote to create consent agenda item for ILA.

Approval of minutes, January financial statements.

Chairman’s report – nothing at this time.

Superintendent’s report:

  • Battle of the Books
  • Kindergarten Kickoff
  • Non-resident applications being processed
  • Going to Nashville to attend education legislation events, may testify on voucher bill

Hansen question: Bill on Physical Education concerns: while the time is being reduced, the schools are not going to be able to be compliant with it without cutting into education time. Impacts being assessed – will result in policy updates in April and May.

Approval of updated school board meeting calendar, CTE textbook recommendation.

Approval of policy updates from working session and purchasing agent items.

Approval of resolution to oppose school vouchers.

Approval of ILA consent agenda.

Meeting Adjourned.

 

 

 

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Working Session and Business Meeting, February 14, 2017

Feb 14

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Working session preceding the regular business meeting.

Moving audit report to working session.

December 2016 financial statements – will be reviewed and approved in the business meeting.

Mutual agreement to terminate shared services.

Purpose is to formally end the initial 3-year ILAs so new agreements can be built for those municipalities to engage in new shared services as desired. New ILAs will be set for one-year durations. Cost models: when it is 2-3 schools will split in equal parts; when 5 school systems, the cost will be prorated according to attendance.

Collierville, Bartlett and Arlington are hosting various shared services.

CTE and Energy Management will continue from Arlington.

Powerschool and APEX systems: Arlington, Bartlett and Collierville will continue together; other districts are moving to a new system called Skyward.

Nutrition: Bartlett and Collierville will continue together.

Transportation software and: all will continue except Millington for software. Durham has one year remaining on 4-year contract for transportation.

Phones and Network: districts will mostly be on their own.

Planning, Purchasing and Payroll functions will be shared by Arlington, Bartlett and Collierville.

Benefits: Arlington, Bartlett and Collierville will continue to share, the health trust still to be determined.

Vaughan: will these shifts cost more? Aitken: should be near-neutral in cost, and allow a bit more focus for the staff involved.

Shared Services were the right choice when starting all the districts, to ensure continuity and stability. Bartlett and Collierville together are big enough to sustain most of these between the two of them.

Audit report update – Mark Nicholas from Dixon Hughes Goodman. “Very good audit” and things were in great shape: no significant issues found, no adjustments. Overall audit, federal funds audit and each school’s internal fund operations. No major findings. “On low end of minor findings.” Audit does not yet cover the high school construction – not in the audited period yet.

Day on the Hill is next week in Nashville.

Meeting Adjourned – transition to business meeting.

 

Business meeting – full quorum.

Special Recognitions:

  • At Tara Oaks – Garrett Andrew Helms Professional Development Center in honor of this special student who passed away last year from cancer. All are welcome at TOE, 4:30-6pm Wednesday Feb 15 open house/dedication.
  • Crosswind Elementary spotlight. Students taking turn to state what they are involved in and why they love Crosswind, followed by a performance of the Crosswind school song.
  • Financial secretaries of each of the schools – in recognition of the work they do, and the proof of a job done well done in the audit results.

No public comments.

Approval of agenda, minutes and December financial statements.

Chairman’s report:

  • Strategic Goals review; great year for Collierville schools and recognition for academic, performing arts, and sports accomplishments.
  • New High School progress is amazing. Brick starting to appear on walls already.
  • Digital Learning rollout has exceeded expectations.

Superintendent’s Report:

  • Thanks to the tech team for smooth rollout/deployment.
  • Spring Break March 13-17, Board Meeting will be the following week (3/21).
  • High School basketball teams, both coaches recognized by district peers, both teams hosting district games.
  • District Learning Day last Friday was very successful.
  • BMA last night approved phase 1 of office renovation, which will include tear down of the annex, as well as roofing and HVAC work
  • March 2 Literacy Night at Collierville Middle
  • Non-resident transfer applications will start Friday, but will be limited to Tara Oaks only, and siblings, due to limited space.
  • Budget for next year is in progress. State Budget has teacher salary, ELL, CTE increases. Geographical $ is being lowered, but Collierville Schools should see some growth $.
  • High School site progressing well. Roofs and brick going up.
  • In the next couple of weeks there will be meeting with the phase 3 design team to determine the guaranteed price.
  • Rezoning committee meetings under way to determine future attendance zones and converting buildings (old high school). Instructed two different paths (and think of others): 5 elementary and 3 middle or 6 elementary and 2 middle schools. Recommendation to board projected by end of April to determine the model to implement, including the budget impact and starting a principal hire. The zone attendances will be proposed in the fall. Almost guaranteed to impact every school in the district with attendance zone updates.

Approval of mutual agreement to terminate shared services (see details above).

Meeting Adjourned.

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Business Meeting, January 10, 2017

Jan 10

Posted by E2Dutch in Uncategorized | Comments off

Absent: Mark Hansen and Cathy Messerly. Mr Vaughan as chair for today.

Meeting starting with Special recognitions prior to calling the meeting to order due to lack of quorum.

Collierville Middle Recognitions:

  • Junior Beta service organization – highlighting the service work, and calling up all the winners from the state level competition – presented by Mrs McLemore.
  • Mrs Powers – state winners of the Fire Safety poster competition
  • Mrs Wheeler – recognized in national article on emerging artists and winner of Gold Key in Scholastic Art competition
  • Track and Field – Cross Country runners – consistent top 10 finishers, and this year top 3 finish at state
  • Mr Carey – Girls’ soccer – inaugural soccer teams. A team undefeated season; B team full of potential for next year
  • Mrs Elrod – 7th grade STEM language arts highlights, including two speeches by students

Meeting called to order with the arrival of Mrs Chism.

No public comment.

Approvals of agenda (with added item), minutes, November 2016 financial statements.

Superintendent’s report:

  • Back to school last week, long weekend due to snow day
  • iPad rollout meetings under way this week and next
  • Budget meetings under way
  • Watching the TN General Assembly and possible surplus allocations and/or updated BEP numbers
  • Rezoning committee in progress. Late April/early May presentation expected
  • Non-resident application information to be published by end of the week; limited space available, could be restricted to teacher kids’ and current student siblings
  • Construction slowed down a little with the weather; phase 3 (athletic complex) presentation expected in March
  • 3-day weekend next week due to MLK day

Mr Vaughan comments: please pay attention to General Assembly, as it dictates a lot what the school board is able to do. Be in touch with your legislators and provide them with feedback.

Business Items:

  • Tenure List (see link) - approved
  • Board Meeting Calendar for 2017 – minor adjustments: cancel Jan 24; Work sessions prior to business meetings for February 14 and March 21 – work sessions to take place at 5pm prior to regularly scheduled business meetings – approved
  • Legislative Agenda (see link) - Day on the Hill: less testing, opposed to vouchers, increased funding for all school districts, opposed to unfunded mandates, repeal of letter grading policy, repeal of unstructured physical activity policy, opposing election of superintendents – approved
  • Text Book Committee for handful of disciplines – approved

Meeting adjourned.

 

Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Business Meeting, December 13, 2016

Dec 13

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Regular business meeting for the Collerville School Board. All board members in attendance.

Special Recognition: Tara Oaks Elementary’s Tiger Tones. Should mention that having them in the room for the Pledge of Allegiance was a special treat, also… (Most of these recognitions bring in the students after the meeting has gotten under way)

Ms. Risa Elder, 3rd Grade Teacher, Tara Oaks Elementary “Science Educator of the Year” for the State of Tennessee (lower grades)

Ms. Lauren Baker, Counselor, Collierville Elementary School “School Counselor of the Year” for the Elementary Division for the State of Tennessee

No public comments

Approval of Agenda, Minutes, October 2016 Financial Statements.

Chairman’s report:

  • Lot going on in the schools, trying to attend as many programs and open houses as possible. Very enjoyable to interact with the parents, students, and staff.

Superintendent’s report:

  • 2% longevity bonus for employees maxed out will receive half of that this month
  • Collierville Schools listed as the top educational employer in the area
  • Congratulations to reelected board members who were sworn in last week
  • State Report Card published today. Proud of achievement. Top 10 rating in state for English and Math. Expected dip in statewide achievement scores due to TN Ready challenges was visible. American History is main area of opportunity for Collierville Schools.
  • 24.6 composite ACT score for the district
  • Challenges around the future format of the report card – will lead to reduced visibility in key areas.
  • State level lots of discussion on charters, vouchers, etc.
  • Friday half day for students for Christmas break
  • January will start rezoning meetings
  • iPads will be issued in January

Business Items:

Board officer position elections: chair, vice chair and Tennessee Legislative Network

Mark Hansen nominated to continue as chairman, with support from the rest of the board. Honored to accept. Exciting work.

Kevin Vaughan nominated to continue as vice chairman. Accepts on condition Mr Hansen keeps up his attendance record.

Cathy Messerly nominated to continue as TLN representative.

Pro-Rated device fee for Middle School iPads: $25. 6th and 7th graders will carry device home. Annual fee is $50. This will cover protection through Safeware against damage, loss, and theft. 4th and 5th graders will not take device home, and will thus not be assessed a fee. Note: devices are in protective case to preserve them.

Meeting adjourned.

 

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Working Session, November 15, 2016

Nov 15

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

Collierville Schools Board Working Session. Full board present.

Digital Learning Update

Note: the (draft) resource guide for the technology rollout is online. NOTE ALSO: THIS IS NOT FINAL

Rollout planned to start early in January 2017 with iPads for grades 4-7. Summer 2018 will see rollout to the high school with MacBook laptops. Grades 6+ will be able to take devices home. Home use of devices for grades 4-5 is not currently available, but may be an option in the future.

Fees listed in the draft resource guide are not final/approved yet.

Updates to network infrastructure are under way to ensure sufficient bandwidth is available.

Devices will be controlled through the Filewave Mobile Device Management tool. Has the devices locked and controlled remotely. This will render any stolen devices completely unusable, in addition to pushing updates and content out to the devices. All internet use will be filtered and restricted while on campus, but will also have filtering when the students are off-campus. The result is a powerful digital tool that is controlled by Collierville Schools.

Major component of the technology roll-out is Digital Citizenship. All teachers are in the process of being certified in the digital citizenship model promoted by Common Sense Media. In the first couple of months of the roll-out, all users will complete 5 lessons on digital citizenship. This will have annual refreshers and continuous reinforcement.

Collierville Schools is using the Schoology Learning Management System (LMS). It is integrated with PowerSchool, including schedules and rosters. It also lets teachers create digital content and assessments, and has freely available digital content from around the world from other teachers and service providers.

Student emails have been created for all Collierville Students with an @colliervilledragons.org domain. The email is through the Office 365 service, which allows each user 1Tb of cloud storage, and provides Microsoft Office applications on up to 5 devices, such as home computers. K-5th grade students can only email within the district.

Discussion of concerns around students getting email access, especially in the lower grades.

Part of the digital learning is also significant support for the admin, staff and faculty. Professional development geared to the grade levels. Selected classroom teachers per school are designated members of the ‘Vanguard Group’ to help their schools with the technology integrations and to support their peer teachers.

Deployment schedule:

  • Grades 4-7 in January 2017
  • Grades 3-8 in Fall 2017
  • Grades 9-12 in Fall 2018
  • Grades K-2 with 2:1 ratio devices in Fall 2019

Collierville High School Update

Collierville Schools stays closely informed on construction progress through bi-weekly review updates with the architects and construction management. These meetings also preview upcoming work, and to cover decisions to be made. Currently, the project is “absolutely not behind schedule.”

Presentation showed progress in a 3-D image. This showed the weekly and even some daily progress with footings, foundations, slabs, walls, etc. Concrete work started on 8/31.

Bids for interior finishes were opened 10/27. This includes millwork, drywall, tile, vinyl and wood flooring, and paint. Qualified lowest bid selection process under way.

Design being finalized for the athletic complex.

Update on the financial angle – close monitoring of the cost against budget.

Question from Mr. Vaughan about road infrastructure around the school and the concerns around peak times. This is subject to projections and modeling and the town is working to prepare for this.

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Meeting, November 8, 2016

Nov 8

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

All board members present. Full house for the Sycamore Elementary Chorus Lions. Well received performance.

Race for the ‘Ville recognition – raised over $10,000 for the family resource center. Over 400 participants. Most participants from single school: Bailey Station.

Public Comments: none.

Agenda, minutes of 10/18 business meeting and financial statements for September all approved.

Chairman’s report:

  • Mrs Messerly, Mrs Chism, Mr Aitken and Mr Hansen attended School Board Association meeting last week. Lots happening in use of technology. Apple VP over educational technology was keynote speaker. Exciting information and exciting to exchange ideas with other school boards.
  • Election night tonight – thanks for community support for the board.

Superintendent Report:

  • Nov 15 will be rescheduled date for next working session. Will feature update on 1-1 technology, update on CHS, budget update.
  • Central Office had a tour of the grounds last week – very impressive.
  • Friday is Veteran’s Day holiday.
  • Swearing in of reelected school board members will be first Monday after election results are certified at the BMA meeting.
  • CHS won first playoff game, which was an upset. Next game will be tough…
  • Call for prayer for the nation and our town in light of the elections.

Consent Agenda:

  • Credit Recovery policy
  • Graduation Requirements policy
  • Graduation Activities policy
  • Family Life Curriculum
  • Rezoning Process start authorization (see policy for process)

Meeting adjourned.

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Meeting, October 18, 2016

Oct 18

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

Full board in attendance.

Special recognition of Collierville High – SGA. Highlighting the recent fundraiser effort – a week-long cooperation with Houston High raising funds for St Jude. Raised over $21,000 between the two schools.

No public comments.

Approval of agenda, minutes and financial report.

Chairman’s report:

  • Lot of work being accomplished in the High School construction zone.
  • School Board Association convention coming up Nov 1
  • School board election coming up – all three candidates (Hansen, Cox, Vaughan) unopposed.

Superintendent’s report:

  • Thanks to staff and faculties for successful first quarter. Report cards coming out next week.
  • Race for the ‘Ville was successful.
  • Graduation rates published – showing some additional improvements, which is a point of pride.
  • High School test scores are due at any time – but no 3-8th grade scores will be available, which impacts various assessments.
  • Working Session for next week will take place.
  • School construction is getting regular oversight; phase 3 (athletics) details are about to be set.

Mr Vaughan comments about recent social media happenings.

LEA Compliance report approval.

Next year calendar is similar to current year. All municipal schools are looking to be on the same calendar again. Last day before Christmas is a Wednesday, and the first day back is a Thursday. This is due to where Christmas falls. Unofficial 2017-2018 Instructional Calendar – linked here. Calendar approved unanimously.

Final item: 2017 school board calendar.

Meeting adjourned.

 

 

 

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board Meeting, August 9, 2016

Aug 9

Posted by E2Dutch in School Board Meeting Notes | Comments off

First business meeting for 2016-2017 school year. Full board in attendance.

Special recognitions:

  • Collierville library and librarians
  • Central Church – hosts of annual teacher appreciation banquet and other schools events; hosts of CS central office during summer renovations at the office; host of Collierville Education Foundation car show, etc.
  • Principals at the 8 schools – appreciation for the work over the summer and throughout the year

No public comments.

June financial statements – approved.

Chairman’s report:

  • New school year under way. Good performance and great direction with great leadership
  • Focus on strategic objectives and what we want to school system to become
  • Thanks for community support at all levels

Superintendent report:

  • Updates on High School construction – some new renderings of interiors, as well as fly-thru videos. Should get posted on schools website soon.
  • Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen just approved the necessary road improvements (for $6.8M)
  • Mr Hansen: great job blending modern styling with historic attributes in the design. Lots of open spaces and natural light.
  • Site work under way, confirmed the ground is stable underneath
  • Another note of appreciation for all the work by the staff
  • Central Office approved for occupancy last Friday
  • Portables were installed at CHS and are in use – traffic patterns being adjusted
  • Lots of logistics for first day
  • Buses in decent shape, being adjusted for actual needs

Business Items:

  • Change order for portables – sprinkler requirements >> approved
  • High School fees schedule amendment - addition of chorus >> approved

Meeting Adjourned

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Citizen’s Report: Collierville School Board work session April 26, 2016

Apr 26

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

Quorum: Vaughan, Cox, Chism. Messerly will arrive late due to her daughter’s Collierville High Lacrosse game.

Sparse attendance from the public.

Moved budget discussion to end of agenda to allow Mrs Messerly to join.

March financial statements discussion. Forecast for end of the year is looking positive. Nutrition is operating right at break-even and may end just in the black. This is still from initial start up cost.

Recommendation for Inclement Weather Day – one snow day: recommendation will be to not make up the school day.

Whistleblower protection policy – was previously included. Updated based on auditor recommendation.

Non-resident student attendance policy – update to strike out-of-state attendees. Also removed some redundant language to limit time frame to open enrollment window only, and streamlined the overall language.

Policy on Transfers within the district – streamlined the language and removed redundancies.

Note: coming year new transfers have been severely restricted. Only siblings being considered. Only open schools for transfers this coming year were Bailey Station, Sycamore and Tara Oaks, and have been limited to high priority candidates only in order to ensure optimal attendance. Letters on acceptance/rejection of transfer requests going out this week. Have to remember that the attendance zone has to be honored first. Note: this applies to NEW applications only. Existing students should be able to stay.

(Mrs Messerly joined the meeting)

Policy on medications – streamlining language; now requiring doctor signature.

Update on 5-year capital improvement plan. Shows completed projects from last 2 years, and updated needs for next few years. Includes the CHS build and lots of smaller items. There may be some Shelby County Commission funding (allocation based on student attendance).

Crosswind Elementary Asphalt Resurfacing – will be paid from remainder of funds allocated by county last year (most went to roof at CHS).

Budget presentation notes and highlights:

  • Document subject to some change
  • Received BEP allocation estimate on 4/22 – numbers still shifting some
  • This budget is for year THREE of Collierville Schools
  • Original request was to have three years to get to sustainability
  • This budget invests heavily in technology
  • Governor’s budget improvements are commendable, but should be noted that the funding was aimed at equalizing salaries across the state, and thus Collierville Schools does not see increased funding from this. Collierville Schools’ teacher pay is top 5 in the state. Collierville Schools’ benefits are higher than state averages.
  • Collierville Schools salaries and benefits are competitive against the state and across the county.
  • BEP funding this year reduces the Cost Differential Funding. This was intended to adjust funding where cost of operations is higher in urban areas. That factor was funded at 50% in the past, and was cut to 25% this year, which is costing Collierville Schools in the range of $1M for the coming school year.
  • Collierville is also maintaining higher levels of payments for teacher degrees, etc. The state no longer includes that.
  • Growth in enrollment lags behind funding increases for enrollment.
  • This budget will keep teacher – student ratios low
  • Discussions with town on some additional items to be funded.
  • This budget has small improvements in support of extras at the schools: magazine subscriptions, classroom instruments, etc.
  • General fund: 71,471,852.
  • Projected enrollment: 8,190 (significant growth from first year estimate of 7,500). 125 students increase over last year (conservative estimate)
  • 6 additional classroom positions in regular ed, 4 additions in special education
  • Step increases, 3rd personal day at step 18 and over. 2% bonus for those in step 18/above. Note: step increase equals $500,000 for the year. This is an average of 2% salary increase.
  • 2 additional ESL (state lowered ESL student/teacher ratio) and 2 additional APEX teachers
  • Also adding non-teacher personnel across the system
  • Note: State student/teacher ratio 1:30 in grades 7-12. Collierville is at 1:25. Municipal schools are striving to have this consistent.
  • Alternative Education moving back in-house at CHS.
  • Technology: $1.1M for infrastructure; $1.55M for regular instruction equipment. Must keep in mind the support cost for additional technology.
  • Regular capital outlay items: portables at CHS (“learning cottages”). There will be 6 pods (2 classrooms in one building, including a restroom). The current ones will be removed, and these will be placed in that area.

Special revenue budgets: IDEA, Nutrition, Grants, etc. Stable over previous year.

Budget revision resolution for next meeting to allocate the county capital funding ‘left over’ from roofing allocation to the Crosswind parking lot.

Superintendent Update:

  • TNReady Assessment to start next week. Materials supposed to be received by 4/27, but it is doubtful the materials not yet received will be there (tomorrow).
  • May 2 week is teacher appreciation week. Teachers cannot be appreciated enough – but we’ll do something
  • Ground Breaking 10 am
  • May 5 Hawaiian themed trivia night from Collierville Education Foundation. Mr A has 16 seats up for grabs.
  • Central Office will vacate to Central Church, some will be at Sycamore, some will be at CHS/CES. This will be so the old school building can be prepared for tear down.

Vice chair report: Everyone is under busy schedules, lots of moving parts. TNReady disruptions pushed down by the state are shameful and a challenge to keep adjusting to on a week-to-week basis. Teachers and parents are frustrated and tired. This is going to have an unknown impact on the test results. Need to watch Nashville and send only qualified representatives.

Meeting adjourned.

 

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