In the meeting, on October 15, 2026, the Union County Board of Education voted to send the proposal for a concession stand to be erected at the new middle school sports field out for bid. Skilled Services developed the plan. The concession stand will be located beside the bleachers near the sidewalk and the access road to the sports field.

In addition Director Greg Clay reported that Skilled Services is renovating 12 classrooms and the cafeteria at the old middle school. Work is progressing on the ceiling tiles and replacement lighting. The lockers have been replaced by the lockers from the seventh grade hall and the vacant space painted. Currently another company is doing asbestos abatement on the window caulking as preparation to install new windows. The canopy over the entrance has been replaced. This project is scheduled to be completed by the end of December.

Two other schools will soon experience updates. Luttrell Elementary will soon have a new roof. Maynardville Elementary is getting their freezers repaired or replaced. Also finish work is being done after hours at the new HMMS.

Dr. Tobi Kilgore introduced the new special programs coordinator for the Tennessee Virtual Academy and reported on changes that have occurred since the school year began. Enrollment has been reduced to 1500. The leadership has been restructured and unified around an instructional focus. Four goals are to strengthen instruction, establish foundation of growth, focused leadership on school direction, and training learning coaches to be more effective. As a result leadership is working directly with instruction, becoming more effective by use data consultants for live data, and particularly working on strategies to improve a student’s growth during the first year of enrollment. On a positive note, TNVA has remarkable extra curricular opportunities and has had one student win a national art award this school year. Director Greg Clay and several board members voiced their pleasure with the reset and realignment.

Zach Waggoner, the student representative, reported that classes were going well at UCHS. Many students were prepping for the upcoming ACT. Fall sports are ending and winter sports have started. A calculus dual enrollment course is is being developed with Walters State. He commented that many seniors are managing the difficulties of classes, work, and sports or other extracurricular activities. Algebra II have scored 8th in the state. The Ayers counselors are assisting students with college applications and FAFSA forms.

Other Board action included approval of the Federal Programs Compliance Agreement that ensures that federal money is being spent to achieve the goals and requirements of the program. The Board passed all budget amendments. Approval was given for a special education contract some copiers and printers in that department.

When Chairman Jimmy Carter asked for a volunteer or nominee to be the legislative liaison for TSBA, no one stepped forward. So Chairman Carter asked Charlie Hamilton to present the board’s resolution since he was planning to attend the legislative conference. Dr. Carter also questioned the need for roll call votes after taking the chairman training. He also wondered if the board could just do discussion in the workshop and not have discussion in the meeting or if the Board should remove the workshop and just have the meeting with discussion and voting during the meeting.

Harold Cooke, who opened with prayer, was elected the vice-chairmen at the September meeting. Dr. Mincey reported for Ms. Murr and the UCEA due to the death of Ms. Murr’s sister Connie Frazer. He noted that Ms. Frazer was a retired teacher who taught at Maynardville Elelmentary. Ms. Murr said that she hoped the air conditioning issues had been corrected at the new middle school. Charlie Hamilton asked that Ms. Wanda Byerley be remembered due to health issues.

The next meeting will be Thursday, November 12, beginning with the workshop at 6:00. The BOE meets in the UCHS Library.