The Union County Board of Education approved criteria for a student representative to the Board at its meeting on Thursday, November 20, 2025. The BOE approved a proposal by Principal Lance Lay that was very similar to criteria recommended by Charlie Hamilton, First District Board Member. The number of representative was not decided. Director Greg Clay encouraged as much as possible with seven being the most allowed by the state law. He also noted that he has nominees that he can bring to the Board meeting in December. The student will report concerns to the Board at a specified time on the agenda but will not be seated with the Board members. Board members will be able to ask the student questions and obtain information. By law the student cannot vote on motions.

In addition, the board approved the Mediation Settlement with Lewis Group Architects concerning the omission of the baseball and softball fields from the bid process. Mr. Hamilton objected to the amount and stated that it was not enough compensation for the negligence of Lewis Group. The others voted in favor of the settlement.

The Board also inserted Director Greg Clay back into the appeal process of the Student Disciplinary Authority. In a previous meeting due to an oversight, the director was omitted from the process. The action allows for any SDA action to be appealed to the Director before possibly being reviewed by the BOE.

The 2026-2027 calendar was set by Board action. Students and employees will have the entire week of Thanksgiving off. The two additional days are possible due to the changing of an inservice day and the date of Memorial Day.

The Teacher Incentive Plan and the Coaches Supplement increase were removed from the agenda pending more information on finances and the FY27 Budget. Board Member Rebecca Lock submitted plan with teachers meeting two of four teacher controlled criteria that she believed could effect a positive student outcome including longevity pay, test scores, difficult positions like special education, and high performance evaluation. Mr. Clay recommended the Board consider a bonus for CDC teachers in December. Some costs associated with the various criteria are longevity $155,000 at $35 per year for 20 years plus experience. Teachers of exceptional high student achievement at $1000 each equals $20,000, CDC bonus cost is $10,000 at $1000 each, high performance of 4.5 to 5 at $600 each is $13,000, insurance cost for the entire 5% increase is 206,000, attendance bonus at $100 per saved sick day up to 5 would have to be capped at $50,000 for the total sick leave bonus pay out. The coaches increase was for the band director supplement and the cheerleading supplements for UCHS. These costs would be in the range of $11,000 or more. The budget for coaching supplements is currently $200,000.
Board members requested a list of coaches, the supplement amount, and off season time sheets to review for further discussion in December or the Board Retreat.

Chairman Terry Washam recommended the formation of a growth committee composed of all board members, the director, and the clerk to formulate a plan to address the increase in housing construction in Union County that most likely will increase student enrollment. He suggested workshops of a maximum of one hour each to discuss and develop the plan for growth. The dates of workshops would be discussed at the retreat. Some Board members commented that this planning was a good beginning, but took no action.

Mr. Clay reported that the internal audit report was good with some minor comments that have already been discussed with principals and bookkeepers. He also reported that TEC, a badge control system with an emergency button will make a presentation in December. The system could be piloted at UCHS for a cost $11,000. Also Performance Services has reviewed the 8th grade wing of HMMS and all of the main level and will report suggested changes at the December meeting.

The Board renewed contracts with Image Solutions and the TSBA Online Agreement. Image Solutions provides printers for the school system. TSBA updates the school policies.

The next meeting of the BOE will be on Thursday, December 18, in the UCHS Library with the workshop at 6:00 and the meeting to follow 7:00.