Board policy revisions caused some discussion at the Union County Board of Education meeting on June 18. At issue was Board Policy 2.805 Purchasing. The policy revision was not on the agenda. However, Rebecca Lock from Plainview offered a revision to the purchasing policy along with other policy revisions for discussion.
Lock had been researching the mission and procedures of the Boys and Girls Club of Tennessee since that agency may soon provide after school services at one or more Union County schools. In her research, she found that many of the national Boys and Girls Cub educational curriculum objectives conflicted with Tennessee laws on curriculum as well as policies and procedures.
She contacted the director of the Tennessee Boys and Girls Club and discovered that the Tennessee Valley Club is separate from the national club and is indeed following the law. But to be proactive, Lock offered a policy amendment that would prohibit promoting or purchasing services that violate state law. Dr. Jimmy Carter, representing Big Ridge, took issue with the revision partly because he believed it was unnecessary and addressed a problem that did not exist.
Carter also said that the revision possibly should be discussed and put on the August agenda. The result was that the revision was added to the agenda. The vote on first reading was four votes in favor and three votes against with Hamilton, Lock, Buck and Washam voting for the revision and Collins and Carter along with Cooke's abstention accounting for opposition to the revision. The other policy revisions passed on second reading with revisions recommended by TSBA and a few alignments to circumstances unique to Union County.

Rebecca Lock, the TSBA Legislative Liaison, reported on the new education laws that will affect public schools. She noted that a PreK task force will study the effects of PreK education to determine if it should be expanded and have additional funding. She commented that the voucher program was expanded but was not made universal, although the universal voucher bill(s) is expected in the next session in January of 2027. The legislature also reduced the number of paid sick leave days earned by teachers in a school year to eight starting July 1, 2026. The two personal days were unchanged. Lock pointed out that portions of some 90 education laws were affected by this legislature. Many other new laws can be accessed at tn.gov.

Director of Schools Greg Clay reported the new middle school should be ready by July 13. Carolyn Murr, UCEA President, had commented that it appeared there was still a lot to finish. Clay said the schedule was tight, but the classrooms and the cafeteria are should be ready. However, he did note the boulevard was somewhat concerning and the gymnasium would not be ready when school opens in August. He said that a problem with drainage of water on the back parking lot was being fixed.

Other routine items were approved All contracts, with one dependent on the attorney's review, were approved. All budget amendments and transfers were accepted with most changes addressing moving funds to finish services and programs for the current budget.

The UCBOE will have a meeting on July 16 at the library of the current HMMS to discuss the opening of the new middle school and tour the present one to assess renovations for future use.