Board of Education updated on new high school; recognize LCMS Top Ten

The Lewis County Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 6:03 p.m. at the Lewis County Middle School Auditorium located on Park Avenue South. All members were present, Chair Glenda Atkinson, Vice-Chair Johnny Clayton, Derek Cotham, Cassie Couch, Paula Dyer, Blake Farr, Lindsey Himes, Jackie Holt, and Phyllis Townsend.

The invocation was given by Mr. Farr. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mrs. Himes.

The board recognized the following teachers of the year being selected for their accomplishments:

• Misty Fite - Elementary School

• Samantha Johnson Webb- Intermediate School

• Tara Tiller-Middle School

• Dr. Tabitha Coble- High School

Deborah Walker was recognized for being selected as the Tennessee District Pilot Club Special Education Teacher of the Year.

The board recognized the following students for their accomplishments:

Lewis County Middle School Top Ten: 1. Jaxon Fite, 2. Calvin Wise, 3. Jeremiah Wiebe, 4. Brayden Whitlow, 5. Isabella Dicus, 6. Braxton Clark, 7. DeeDee Hodges, 8. Brycen McDonald, 9. Addison Morgan, 10. Rylee Whitehead.

Upon motion by Mr. Clayton and seconded by Mrs. Himes, the add-on to new business was approved:

Upon motion by Mr. Clayton and seconded by Mr. Farr, the Consent Agenda was approved:

Approved minutes of the April 13, 2021 board meeting.

Adopted agenda.

Surplus property approved.

Advancement of Licensure (Add-on) to new business.

In the Director's report:

Accepted the resignation of Mandie Bass, LCIS Paraprofessional, effective May 3, 2021.

Accepted the resignation of Elizabeth Redmon, LCMS Paraprofessional, effective May 21, 2021.

The Voluntary Pre-K was awarded 4 classrooms for the 2021-2022 school year.

The US Department of Agriculture has announced that it is extending Universal Free Lunch program through the 2021-2022 school year.

The LCHS graduation will be May 21, 2021 and will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Bobby W. Sharp Stadium. Board members will gather at the Field House at 6:30 p.m.

Director Pace asked Sasha Powers to give the latest Covid report. Mrs. Powers informed board members that there were zero positive cases in Lewis County Schools. She stated that the schools are transferring back to some of their normal activities. She further stated that the elementary school has let their students go on a staggered schedule back to the cafeteria for lunches; intermediate school had a field day; middle school has transitioned back to their normal lunch schedule; and the high school has given their students more of a selection of seating. Mrs. Powers informed board members that she was able to apply for another grant that is Covid related that has to do with Covid testing here at the schools. She stated that this grant would allow to add another nurse to the school system but the Covid testing would have to be done on the campuses. She stated that the grant would be structured by the school as to who would be tested. The testing could be done on just staff or staff and students. Mrs. Powers is gathering more information and will inform the board of the progress of this grant. Director Pace informed members that the minimum this grant would pay would be $150 per student and he further stated that there would not be a mandate for testing. Mrs. Dyer asked if this position would be for an RN or LPN. Mrs. Powers stated that they have not gotten that far in the process yet. She reminded everyone that this would be a one-year position since the grant only goes through 2022.

Mr. Pace asked Mr. Trull to give an update on the building of the new high school. Mr. Trull stated that he recently met with representatives of Hewlett Spencer and that they visited the high school for two hours to see the everyday goings and comings of the high school students. He stated that there had been some differences of agreement on the number of classrooms that would be required between him and the Hewlett Spencer group. He stated that there are currently 32 classrooms for 36 teachers. Mr. Trull stated that when building the new high school, we wanted to make sure that there were enough classrooms for each teacher. He further stated that the school system has to offer classes for students that the state requires. Mr. Trull stated that he really did like the last set of blueprints that Hewlett Spencer had presented to him. Mr. Pace reminded board members that we are not building a high school for the number of students that we currently have, but for future growth.

Mr. Pace informed board members that they would be voting under new business for a contract for professional services with Stephen Ward & Associates. He further stated that there has been so much trouble in the past to get people to bid on the jobs that the schools have bid out. The intermediate school window replacement was just one of the examples he gave for the need of professional services contract.

Prior to the approve of item (a) under new business, Chair Atkinson asked Kevin Turner, representative of the Stephen Ward & Associates, Inc., to explain the professional contract that the board would be voting on between the Lewis County Board of Education and Stephen Ward & Associates. Mr. Turner informed board members that Stephen Ward & Associates, Inc. has been in business since 1987 and that he has been with the company for 23 years. He stated that the company started out as a roofing consultant company and replaced roofs for schools practically all over the country. The main office is based in Huntsville, Alabama.

He stated that over the years the company has migrated to become moisture intrusion specialists. He further stated that they have licensed architects that are licensed in Tennessee and Alabama that oversee the work. He stated that the professional contract that has been presented to Mr. Pace and the school lawyer, Jack Heath, will cover a broad base should there be services needed. Mr. Pace explained that he had given the contract to Mr. Heath and that he still has not received it back from him. Mr. Turner stated that the contract establishes that should the Lewis County Board of Education have a project, such as the window replacement, they would put their team together and do an investigation and have a set of drawings and specifications and would make sure that the project is in code compliances. He stated that they would seek out qualified bidders who are qualified to complete the project. Once bids are received, they will be presented to the board for approval. He assured the board that once the project begins that there will be someone to oversee the project. Mr. Turner stated that they would charge 8% of the construction value. Mr. Pace informed the board members that when he presented the contract to Mr. Heath, he stated the contract looked good and that he would change the names in the contract to indicate the contract would be between Lewis County Board of Education and Stephen Ward & Associates.

Upon motion by Mr. Farr and seconded by Ms. Couch, the following was approved:

A) Approve contract between Stephen Ward & Associates, Inc., and Lewis County Board of Education for the replacement of the LCIS windows and for future projects that require building consultants.

Upon motion by Mrs. Townsend and seconded by Mr. Cotham, items (b), (c) and (d) were combined for voter approval.

Upon motion by Ms. Couch and Mr. Farr, the following new business was approved.

B) Authorize the Executive Committee to make such expenditures for the 2021-2022 fiscal year as in their opinions may be necessary to further the educational programs. These expenditures shall include, but not be limited to, learning and instructional materials, other expenses for instruction, plant operation costs, supplies for maintenance and operation, expenses for school lunch program, travel expenses, capital outlay transportation expenses, and fixed charges. It is agreed and understood that such expenditures shall be reported at subsequent meetings of the Lewis County Board of Education throughout the 2021-2022 school year.

C) Authorize the Director of Schools to prepare, sign, submit, implement programs, projects, and budgets under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) Part B P.L. 108-446 as amended; Preschool P.L. 99-457-§619 as amended; Tennessee Code Annotated §49-10-302; Workforce Investment Act (WIA; Carl D. Perkins-4Vocational Act P.L. 98-524; LEAPs and other federal, state, and federal legislation for the 2021-2022 school year. Furthermore, the Director of Schools shall be authorized to submit any future amendments, addendums, correspondence, etc., pertaining thereto on behalf of the Lewis County Board of Education. Also, authorize the Director of School to prepare, sign, submit, and implement programs and projects under the ESSA/Elementary Secondary Education Act, (ESEA), P.L. 107-110; Consolidated Application Plan and future. A line-item budget will be presented to board members for approval. In addition, authorize the Director of Schools to have authority to establish the amounts of funds that will be committed or assigned for specific purposes at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

D) Approve submission to the Department of Education of the Career Technical and Title Plans and/or Reports.

Upon motion by Mr. Clayton, and seconded by Mr. Cotham, the following new business was approved:

E) (Add-on) Advancement of licensure from Practitioner to Professional were: Holly Elizabeth Adkins, Reagan MacKenzie Clayton, William Jacob Collier, Ashley Michele Corbin, Robyn Marie Durham, Charter Webb Helton, Mary Beth Howard, Michelle Nicole Keating, Haley Layne Mitchell, Jonathan Cody Owen, Samuel Whitman Shelton, Melissa Dianne Sparks, Carson Larae Tanner, Lauren Shelby Tanner

Chair Atkinson reminded everyone to keep Joyce Page in their prayers for her upcoming surgery.

Chair Atkinson announced that the next regular scheduled meeting will be June 8, 2021.

Upon motion by Mr. Farr and seconded by Ms. Couch, the meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m.