Skilled Services addressed the Union County Board of Education at its meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Skilled Services is a commercial and industrial contractor located in Knoxville that specializes in facility improvements and structural repairs to keep buildings functional, modern, and safe. The company provides a comprehensive consultation. Next in-house architects design the concept and then construction for renovation or a new build occurs. Director Greg Clay requested that Skilled Services evaluate the status of the current HMMS for future use. First Skilled Services proposed painting the entire school including outside and inside. Next all lighting would be upgraded to LED. All windows would be replaced. Ceilings would be repaired and totally replaced in some areas. The cost would be $4.5M. Painting the auditorium including energy upgrades would be an additional $2.5M. Director Clay noted that the 5th grade could move to the 8th grade hall now, Dr. Jimmy Carter requested and other board members agreed that a capital improvement plan for all schools shpould be discussed at the upcoming Board retreat and possibly a special workshop.

Dennis Powers, Tennessee Representative for the 36th District, addressed the Board during the workshop and updated recent legislation and future plans that will impact Union County. He said that most likely the virtual school, TNVA, would be given an extension of three years to show enough growth to be a Level 2. Powers said that public education funding for the state had doubled from
$3.6 B to $7.5B under the current administration. State funds also constructed the TCAT and Walters State in Union County and the next step is to make it free to attend. The state is also working to align curriculum to industry standards to have work ready graduates. Representative Powers and Dr. Lauren Effler, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, awarded several commendations that are covered in other articles in Historic Union County. Kailei Beeler, was recognized as the Student Representative.

Rebecca Lock shared information on several key pieces of legislation. HB 2310 would prohibit using digital devices during instructional time. HB 2365 maintains the public schools will not lose money if the enrollment decreases due to the Education Freedom Scholarship Program which uses public tax money to pay for students to enroll in private and parochial schools. HB 2040 would close all Level 1 virtual schools. including TNVA for lack of achieving growth goals. Ms. Lock also distributed a handout with some thirty-one bills that could impact education in Union County.

The Board voted to give a 90 day notice of the Non-Renewal Letter that notifies K-12, who provides employees and instructional materials for the Tennessee Virtual Academy, that the Board wishes to enter into negotiations regarding possible changes to the contract. Board members also requested quarterly reports on achievemnt growth and activities be given to the Board at least quarterly,

The Board declared an old storage trailer used to hold scrap metal at UCHS for the Agriculture Program surplus, torn down, and removed from the back parking lot.

Director Clay reported the status of capital projects. The compressor at BRES has been replaced. Concrete work on the building for CTE is nearly finished and construction of the greenhouse will begin by the end of March. At the new middle school, the long hallway known as the boulevard is being enclosed. Propane tanks and flooring are being installed. The windows in the gym are being positioned for natural translucent lighting. The furniture bids have been awarded and should begin arriving within the next two months.

Board member Charles Hamilton who serves on the Union County Library Board requested that the school system cooperate and help promote and fund the summer reading program at the public libraries. He also distributed a Library Blue Book of resources available at libraries in Luttrell, Maynardville, and the Sharps Chapel Book Station.

The Board approved on second reading TSBA recommended board policy revisions for 1.901 Charter School Applications, 2.804 Expenses and Reimbursements and 3.600 Insurance Management.

Teachers who had met Level 4 or 5 for two consecutive years and maintained at least a Level 3 were awarded tenure.

The Board will hold its annual retreat at the Jubilee Center in Powell on March 30 with strategic planning in the morning session and TSBA sponsored training in the afternoon timeframe. Breakfast and lunch are catered by the venue.

The Board approved all budget amendments and transfers mostly to begin the movement of monies in order to utilize funding more efficiently as the school year winds down. Approximately two thirds of the expenditures have been disbursed and the budget operation is on track.

The next workshop and regular meeting will be on Thursday, April 16, 2026, beginning with the workshop at 6:00 at UCHS.