The Union County Board of Education voted during its Oct. 15 meeting to send a proposal for a concession stand 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 access road to the sports field.

Director Greg Clay reported that Skilled Services is renovating 12 classrooms and the cafeteria at the old middle school. Work is progressing on ceiling tiles and replacement lighting. The lockers have been replaced with lockers from the seventh-grade hall, and the vacant space has been painted. Another company is currently performing asbestos abatement on the window caulking in preparation for installing new windows. The canopy over the entrance has also been replaced. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of December.

Two other schools will soon receive updates. Luttrell Elementary will get a new roof, and Maynardville Elementary is having its freezers repaired or replaced. Finish work is also being completed after hours at the new HMMS.

Dr. Tobi Kilgore introduced the new special programs coordinator for the Tennessee Virtual Academy (TNVA) and reported on changes since the school year began.

Enrollment has been reduced to 1,500 students. Leadership has been restructured and unified around an instructional focus. Four goals guide the effort: strengthening instruction, establishing a foundation for growth, focusing leadership on the school's direction and training learning coaches to be more effective.

As a result, leadership is working directly with instruction and becoming more effective through the use of data consultants who provide live data. A particular focus is on strategies to improve student growth during the first year of enrollment.

On a positive note, TNVA offers remarkable extracurricular opportunities, and one student has won a national art award this school year. Director Greg Clay and several board members expressed their pleasure with the reset and realignment.

Zach Waggoner, the student representative, reported that classes were going well at Union County High School. Many students were preparing for the upcoming ACT. Fall sports are ending, and winter sports have begun.

A calculus dual-enrollment course is being developed with Walters State. Waggoner commented that many seniors are managing the challenges of balancing classes, work and sports or other extracurricular activities. Algebra II students ranked eighth in the state. Ayers counselors are assisting students with college applications and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms.

Other board actions included approval of the Federal Programs Compliance Agreement, which ensures federal funds are spent in accordance with program goals and requirements. The Board approved all budget amendments and a special education contract for copiers and printers in that department.

When Chairman Jimmy Carter asked for a volunteer or nominee to serve as the legislative liaison for the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA), no one stepped forward. Carter then asked Charlie Hamilton to present the Board's resolution because Hamilton planned to attend the legislative conference.

Carter also questioned the need for roll-call votes after completing chairman training. He wondered whether the Board could limit discussion to workshops and eliminate discussion during regular meetings or instead eliminate the workshop and conduct discussions and votes during regular meetings.

Harold Cooke, who opened the meeting with prayer, was elected vice chairman at the September meeting.

Dr. Mincey reported for Ms. Murr and the Union County Education Association (UCEA) because of the death of Ms. Murr's sister, Connie Frazer. He noted that Frazer was a retired teacher who taught at Maynardville Elementary.

Ms. Murr said she hoped the air conditioning issues at the new middle school had been corrected. Charlie Hamilton asked that Ms. Wanda Byerley be remembered because of health issues.

The next meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 12, beginning with a workshop at 6 p.m. The Board of Education meets in the Union County High School library.