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Across the Board – September 21, 2015

Published September 22, 2015

District Four School Board Member Anne McGraw was sworn in by County Mayor Rogers Anderson at the beginning of the September 21, 2015, Williamson County Board of Education meeting. McGraw was appointed by the Williamson County Commission to replace Paul Bartholomew who resigned from the position.

Gary Anderson was elected Board Chairman for the next year. The Board voted to table voting on selecting a Vice-Chairman.

Students, schools and staff members were also honored during the Board meeting. Five students were celebrated for earning a perfect ACT school. They include Margaret Overton, Brentwood; Hill Duggan, Centennial; Rhett Britton, Franklin; Amy Ouyang and Sarah Rosenthal, Ravenwood.

Franklin High’s Lauren Hall was recognized for receiving the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement. Her JROTC instructor is Greg Hoover.

Kylie Betchley and Becca Zaves from Ravenwood were selected as Tennessee All State Cheerleaders. Their coach is Cady Conley.

Five students were honored for their selection to the U. S. Army All American Marching Band including Franklin’s David Curtis, Anaea Dossey and Michael Hall. Their band directors are David Aydelott, Jacob Camps and Michael Holland. Samuel Vines and Taylor Winkler represent Ravenwood. Their band directors are Mark Kinzer and Brant Poindexter.

The 2014-15 Reward Schools were honored during the meeting. Clovercroft Elementary and Ravenwood High were recognized for Performance and Progress. Schools honored for Performance include College Grove Elementary, Fairview Elementary, Grassland Elementary, Hunters Bend Elementary, Kenrose Elementary, Longview Elementary, Oak View Elementary, Pearre Creek Elementary, Scales Elementary, Trinity Elementary, Walnut Grove Elementary, Winstead Elementary, Brentwood Middle, Grassland Middle, Woodland Middle, Brentwood High, Franklin High, Page High and Summit High.

Dr. Mike Looney was celebrated for being named the 2016 Superintendent of the Year by the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents.

In addition, the Board was treated to a musical performance by Walnut Grove fourth and fifth grade students in honor of Constitution Day. The students were directed by Kathy Wimberly and Teresa West.

In the Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Looney assured the Board that the district was working with contractors to improve cleanliness conditions at schools.

In the Board Chairman’s Report, Gary Anderson thanked former Chairman PJ Mezera and the district staff for hosting the Board retreat last week. He also announced Let’s Talk School meetings for October 6 at Ravenwood High and October 8 at Summit High. The meetings run from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

In New Business, the Board:

  • Approved four policies on first reading including Student Schedules, Non-Tenure and Tenure, Drug-Free Workplace and Student Records.
    Adopted Board Goals.
  • Adopted Superintendent Goals.
  • Heard from Dr. Looney that no major rezoning would be needed for the 2016-17 school year but that the staff would bring some minor rezoning suggestions to the October meeting.
  • Approved four General Purpose budget amendments including one for $47,296 for extended contract work; one for $15,878 for Chromebooks for Ladders to Hope; one for $75,000 for an after school tutoring grant at Centennial High; and one for $44,896 for tutors and related expenses from a United Way grant.
  • Approved an Extended School Program budget amended for $38,689 to increase the number of full time site leaders for the SACC program.
  • Approved an Educational Capital Project amendment for $50,000 for an architect to create a master plan study for the Franklin High and Brentwood High campuses.
  • Approved a bus driver retention bonus of $500 for existing drivers hired prior to the implementation of the signing and retention bonus plan approved in August.
  • Approved the Calendar Committee membership.
  • Approved the Title I Focus Schools Grant for Fairview Middle School.

In other business, the Board:

  • Approved recommended field trip fee requests.
  • Approved the 2015-16 management personnel for collaborative conferencing.

Due to Fall Break, the next regular meeting of the Williamson County Board of Education is scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2015, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Administrative Complex.

Board packet information can be found on the school district’s website old.wcs.edu. Select About WCS; select Board Meeting Schedule; select the meeting date; and then select Agendas. Supporting documents are linked from the agenda.