A snafu occurred at the Union County School Board meeting on Thursday, September 11, 2025. Board members re-elected Chairperson Jessica Brock in a 3-2 vote with Dr. Jimmy Carter absent and Charlie Hamilton not voting. The attorney advised the Board that the vote was valid. But further research revealed a state requirement of four votes to elect the Chairperson. So the Board will again be electing a chairperson in a special called meeting on September 29. Terry Washam was elected by acclamation as Vice-Chair and will serve as chairperson until the Chair is elected.

During the workshop Ms. Murr, President of Union County Education Association voiced concern that it was becoming increasingly difficult to find appropriate discipline for students who misbehave or do not do their work. She noted that the new state law prohibited denying a portion of the forty minute recess time and standing a child in a corner during instruction was not allowed either. The new recess law is causing problems all across the state according to Director Greg Clay. So Legislative Chair Rebecca Lock asked Tennessee School Board association to write a resolution to consider adding to the TSBA Legislative Program. The result was a resolution calling for a portion of recess time to be used as a disciplinary measure when deemed necessary by school personnel. The Board approved the resolution at a scheduled called meeting to give adequate time for members to study the resolution and still meet the required TSBA deadline for submission.

The Director's evaluation was discussed regarding the method to administer the survey by employees and how to tabulate results. The TSBA administered and tabulated the results for free but now has a $2500 charge for the service. The Board discussed the possibility of doing the evaluation and tabulation by the technology supervisor or someone in the system to avoid the charge by TSBA. The result was to make a decision in a special called meeting since not all Board members had a copy of the Director's contract.

The Board also discussed the role of a student on the Board. State law requires the student be a non-voting member. Board members reflected strong, but opposing opinions regarding the student's role. Some members think that a student should be seated with the Board and have access to information, but others do not agree and think that a student should only make reports about concerns from a student point of view. The topic will be on an upcoming workshop agenda for further discussion.

Another subject of discussion was the personnel of the Disciplinary Hearing Authority Committee Mr. Clay recommended the Chairperson to be Supervisor Roxanne Patterson and also the Liaison for the Director. He also asked that the other members function as in the past with principals serving on the DHA.

Surplus items are shared with other departments in the County before placing on Deal.gov. Several items of technology are on the surplus list. Chrome books are placed on surplus after approximately five years of use if needed. A 20 year contract renewal with the Rescue Squad for use of school board property for the building was tabled. The Board approved a contract for technology as well as all budget amendments and transfers.

The Board policy revisions for instructional materials in reading and math was approved to remove language addressing diversity, equality, and inclusion on the first reading.

The next meeting will be September 29 at UCHS to discuss the evaluation of the director and to elect a Chairperson with a workshop to follow. The next regular meeting will be on Thursday, October 16, 2025, after the workshop at 6 p.m.