At the regular meeting in May, the Union County Board of Education expressed a clear message to HES Facilities Management company that custodians would remain Union County employees. Carolyn Murr, President of UC Education Association, reminded the board that the outsourcing of substitutes had caused lots of problems and outsourcing janitors could have the same issues. Two HES managers presented the benefits that the company offered.
According to the presentation, HES offers a beginning wage of $13.50 per hour as well as a 401K and insurance including health, dental, vision and life. The company is in 28 states and one of the owners lives part time in Union County. HES claimed to hire everyone but caused concern when only 24 of the 37 custodian positions were in the contract it offered. First District representative Charlie Hamilton was concerned about employees who work multiple positions and some who were near retirement.
HES claimed to be flexible, but outsourcing would freeze retirement benefits through TCRS, which was another reason that custodians and board members opposed the move. When 7th District Board Member Rebecca Lock opined that board members should represent the public and their constituent wishes, the discussion ended with no further action by the board.

There was no contract for HES; however, the board voted to expand the contract with Parent Square, the school messenger service, for $7050. But the Communities in Schools proposed expansion was denied. Two social workers currently provide support services to students and families, especially those students who have attendance concerns. The proposal would have added another social service worker to focus on Maynardville Elementary.

Attendance Supervisor Roxanne Patterson explained the program's overall success keeping children in school and helping families overcome obstacles and receive resources to help children be successful. But Lock voiced concerns about a national program that addressed social-emotional counseling, thought leadership and LGBTQ+ issues. Patterson explained that even though CIN was a national program, the program in Union County is based on a local needs assessment and was not necessarily addressing the concerns expressed by Lock.

The contract that would have provided more services to Maynardville Elementary was denied when all but Charlie Hamilton voted to disapprove the contract. Hamilton abstained due to wanting more information.

According to Finance Director Missy Brown, the April TISA showed a small increase in state funding, mostly to help with mandated salary increases. The amount for TNVA also increased which triggered an increase in the revenue from the company which oversees the virtual academy. Brown also informed the board that the budget not only contained increased revenue, but also the TNVA funds and the Fund 142 would be combined and allotments paid to TNVA. Also a portion of the food service fund balance would be used for equipment or projects in order to meet federal requirements. In addition, over $3M would be moved from the 142 fund balance to abide by the state guidelines. Finally, the FY26 budget will also include the first payment for the bond issue for the new middle school. The FY26 budget passed unanimously with no local tax increase. Director Brown also reported that the current budget was on track for expenditures. The board approved all amendments and transfers for the current budget.

The board voted to participate in the teacher bonus of the Education Freedom Act. Jessica Brock abstained due to reservations about the bonus being tied to the state voucher plan. Teachers of direct instruction will receive a one time $2000 bonus. The state will cover the cost. Director Greg Clay noted that he may not fill all of the noncertified positions. Lock requested that a survey or a workshop be held to gather options for differentiated pay for educators, especially those in non-tested areas.

The board discussed the issue of zoning. Apparently Maynardville Elementary is at capacity and overcrowded in some programs. Director Clay asked the transportation department to develop various bus routes to move some students to Big Ridge Elementary. Then he sent a letter to the parents regarding the possible moving of children to Big Ridge. But he failed to notify the board of the issue. Board members Charlie Hamilton, Terry Washam and Rebecca Lock noted that parents had called them regarding zoning students to Big Ridge. Clay stated that no final decisions had been made and the issue would be discussed at a parent meeting on May 12.

During the board meeting, two citizens made public comments. Jimmy Muncey spoke about the softball situation at HMMS. He said the parents were not at the board meeting for fear of retaliation. He related that the HMMS principal called the law on parents standing in the parking lot after they were told to leave. He said parents just wanted to know why the game was canceled when there was no rain where the game was to be played.

Tabitha Faulkner spoke of her special needs student and said the IEP was not met. She described the special needs classroom as chaotic.

Dr. Lauren Effler, Supervisor of Curriculum, recognized the Sadie Sexton and Madison Lawson along with the HOSA teachers for winning the State Forensic Competition.

Two concerns will be discussed at a later workshop or meeting. Roxanne Patterson's proposal to develop the alternate school into a non-traditional high school to offer online learning and rename the school to Patriot Academy will be revisited in June. A policy for guidelines to put a UCHS student on the board will be formulated in a future workshop.

TSBA liaison Rebecca Lock gave the legislative update. She noted the webinar on legislation would be May 14 at 11 a.m. The Law Conference is July 18. She thanked everyone who participated in the legislator breakfast. She related that the virtual students sports participation bill was carried by Representative Dennis Powers and signed by Governor Lee is now law. The Capital Projects Trust Bill was rolled to 2026. She asked the board to consider approving a resolution in support of the teacher workload bill that is being studied for 2026.

The board took action on routine obligations. The board approved policies on promotion and retention, whistleblowers and volunteers. Volunteers who chaperone overnight trips will need to pay for a background check. Field trips for NROTC were approved.

The next regular workshop and meeting will be June 12 beginning at 6 p.m.