Terry Washam opened the October UC Board of Education workshop and meeting with the comment that he would follow Roberts Rules of Order and anyone who spoke without recognition from the chairman would be ruled out of order. Then he led the board in recognizing two leaders for their service.

Carolyn Murr, representing the UC Education Association, voiced concern over the increase in employee insurance. Union County’s state plans for teachers is scheduled to increase by an average of five percent. Murr requested that any incentive pay or other available revenues be used to offset some or all of the increase. Schools Director Greg Clay answered that the system would need an additional $200,000 to absorb the entire increase. Murr also related how a substitute for her class had not followed the instructions in her subfolder and had left her desk and room in disarray. She asked that the company that hires substitute teachers or the system require training on how to follow instructions and close the day. After Murr's presentation, Washam and Clay awarded her a plaque to recognize her 57 years of service as an educator at Maynardville Elementary. Washam commented that we need to appreciate and “value our teachers and all of our employees.”
Dr. Lauren Effler, Supervisor of Curriculum, related how Murr had stayed after school so an elementary age Lauren could make and launch a rocket even though she attended a different school than where Murr taught.

Washam also presented Jessica Buck a plaque for her service as Chairperson of the UC Board of Education during the last school year. During the meeting, Buck received four votes to become the current vice chairperson. He also introduced Chris McCarty as the new attorney for the UC Board of Education. He related that special education funds were expected to remain in place even if the federal government shuts down.

Rebecca Lock, TSBA Legislative Liaison, reported that four delegates to the Legislative Conference could be voting delegates. But any board member can attend. Union County has two resolutions regarding upcoming legislation and encouraged support for these bills. During the meeting, Lock, Cooke, Washam, and Carter were approved to be the voting delegates. Lock was also approved to serve another year as the liaison.

The Rescue Squad’s 10-year lease was discussed and approved along with the e-rate contract. The budget amendments and transfers were also approved.

Clay reported on capital projects and the new middle school update. All of the maintenance projects are complete except the HVAC upgrade at Luttrell Elementary. The 6th grade roof is in place at the new middle school. Other roofs will be complete by December. Offers have been made to landowners so the road connection to SR 33 and the new middle school can be widened and improved. But some have declined the offer. Lock asked for a privacy fence or a buffer between the trailer park and the view from the art room. Clay said that he would check the budget for landscaping to determine what might be available.

Washam reported that the director’s evaluation is in process through the IT Department. Each employee is assigned a token to track any deletions. The survey itself and all answers are anonymous. The survey will end on October 31.

Discussion again ensued on a student board member. Two opposing views were expressed with Lock representing the request that a student make reports on concerns or issues during the workshop but not be seated during the meeting as a board member. The other view was expressed in a memo of criteria written by Hamilton. He proposed that a student would be seated at the meeting as a non-voting member, would speak at a designated time, but would answer questions or provide additional information only at the request of other board members. Washam stated that the student could only be placed on the board in August according to state law. He further asked that the matter appear on a future agenda and that it be resolved for the upcoming school year. A student and Jacob Streufert, the sponsor of JNROTC, spoke in support of a student being placed on the board. Both maintained that only the best of leaders should be eligible and that it would provide an invaluable leadership opportunity.

Increases in cheerleaders, baseball, softball and band were discussed. Clay submitted a change to make sure head coaches for football and basketball were the highest supplements.

The Discipline Hearing Authority was discussed with Clay submitting a list of names for consideration. During the meeting, the board voted to act under an emergency situation due to the timeline and only require one reading. Then the board voted to approve the change to the board policy to comply with the state. Lastly, the board approved Clay’s recommended list with alternates as necessary. Buck opposed the final motion to approve the list.

Possible changes to the order of the school board meeting were discussed. Hamilton suggested only having a workshop to discuss the budget or any other special subject. He asked that discussion of agenda items be during the meeting in the order on the agenda. He also requested that public comments be at the beginning of the meeting or closer to the agenda item of concern. Others chimed in regarding trying a change and then return to the current format if needed. Several commented on where to place public comments but no motion to change the format was expressed.

The teacher incentive plan was again discussed. Longevity, non-use of sick leave, teacher evaluation scores, community service or leadership were all discussed. But most of the conversation turned to how to put more money into the insurance plan. Some of the pros and cons to switching to private insurance from the state plan was discussed. But there was no motion for any action during the meeting.

With some 300 new houses built in Union County recently, Washam suggested a workshop in the near future to plan for growth in student enrollment. No date was set but Washam said that he would look at some future dates.

All field trips and the minutes were approved in the consent agenda. All other board policy changes were approved. The TISA Accountability Report was approved for submission to the state.

The next Board of Education meeting will be in the UCHS Library on Thursday, November 20, with the workshop at 6 p.m. and the meeting to follow.