Washington County Schools public meetings in 2023

Regular Board Meeting

The Wilson County Board of Education approved a budget amendment, new special education staff positions, and several policy changes. The board also voted to join a public nuisance lawsuit and approved consent items including school contracts and field trip agreements.

• Budget Amendment 2024-04 approved
• New Severe Behavior Specialist and EA positions approved
• Policy 4.403 rejected and later approved
• Board joins Public Nuisance Lawsuit
• Consent agenda approved including school contracts and field trips

The Board approved Budget Amendment 2024-04 and the creation of three special education positions. Members also voted to join a public nuisance lawsuit and approved several school policies and the SOAR MOU. The Board rejected motions to remove two books from libraries, opting instead to accept the Book Committee's recommendations.

• Approved joining Public Nuisance Lawsuit (7-0)
• Approved Budget Amendment 2024-04 (7-0)
• Approved new SPED Severe Behavior Specialist position (7-0)
• Approved two new SPED Severe Behavior EA positions (7-0)
• Approved SOAR MOU (7-0)
• Approved Policy 4.605 on second reading (7-0)
• Accepted Book Committee recommendation for 'Water for Elephants' (4-3)
• Accepted Book Committee recommendation for 'Lovely Bones' (4-3)

Policy Committee Meeting

The Wilson County Schools Policy Committee met on November 13, 2023, to review and vote on various board policies. The committee recommended 17 policies for Board approval, including changes to meeting notification and emergency operations. One policy regarding instructional material selection failed to pass.

• Policy 1.404: Appeals to Board changed to 24 hours
• Policy 3.202: Emergency Operations Plan approved
• Policy 4.403: Instructional material selection rejected
• Policy 5.307: Physical Assault Leave approved
• Policy 5.3051: Paid Parent Leave approved

The Policy Committee reviewed and recommended 17 different policies for Board approval, including updates to security, employment, and student activities. One motion to not recommend the policy on instructional and library materials failed, and the policy was instead recommended for approval.

• Recommended Board approval for 1.102 Board Member Legal Status (Unanimous)
• Recommended Board approval for 1.106 Code of Ethics (Unanimous)
• Recommended Board approval for 1.400 School Board Meetings (Unanimous)
• Recommended Board approval for 1.402 Notification of Meetings (Unanimous)
• Recommended Board approval for 1.404 Appeals to and Appearances Before the Board with changes to 24 hours and first and final (Unanimous)
• Recommended Board approval for 3.202 Emergency Operations Plan (Unanimous)
• Recommended Board approval for 3.205 Security (Unanimous)
• Recommended Board approval for 4.403 Selection of Instructional and Library Materials (9-2)

Regular Board Meeting

The Wilson County Board of Education approved a consent agenda including contracts, donations, and student trips. They approved a bid for school buses, sanctioned boys and girls lacrosse for the 2024-25 school year, and approved the 2024-25 Program of Studies. The board also voted to accept the Book Review Committee's recommendations to retain the books 'Yolo' and 'What Girls are Made Of' in high school libraries, rejecting motions to remove them.

• Approved Bid 2024-03 for school buses
• Sanctioned boys and girls lacrosse at Wilson Central High School for 2024-25
• Approved four new Exceptional Education Educational Assistant positions
• Accepted final tenure list for 2023
• Book Review Committee: Board accepted recommendation to keep 'Yolo' and 'What Girls are Made Of' in libraries; motions to remove both failed

The Board approved several administrative recommendations, including a bid for school buses and the addition of boys and girls lacrosse for the 2024-25 school year. The Board also voted to accept committee recommendations regarding two challenged books. Staffing approvals included four new Exceptional Education EA positions and a Zoning and Routing Field Technician.

• Approved Bid 2024-03 for School Buses (7-0)
• Approved Boys and Girls Lacrosse as sanctioned sports for 24-25 (7-0)
• Approved Program of Studies 24-25 (7-0)
• Approved LEA Compliance Report (7-0)
• Approved Transportation Position - Zoning and Routing Field Technician (7-0)
• Approved 4 new Exceptional Education EA Positions (7-0)
• Approved Final Tenure List (7-0)
• Accepted Book Review Committee recommendations for 'Yolo' and 'What Girls are Made Of' (4-2-1)

Regular Board Meeting

The Wilson County School Board approved a budget amendment, a new lacrosse program at GHHS, and the remaining ESSER funds. The board also approved contracts for the Bonnie Holman Career and Technical Education program and WHS software.

• Approve Budget Amendment 2024-03
• Approve New Program (Lacrosse) at GHHS
• Approve ESSER3.0 Public Plan
• Approve contract from ATC - Bonnie Holman
• Approve WHS contract

The Board approved a new lacrosse program at GHHS, a Dell contract renewal, and budget amendments. Several motions to remove books from libraries were denied, though one book was added to a mature reading list.

• Approved new lacrosse program at GHHS (7-0)
• Approved Dell contract renewal (7-0)
• Approved budget amendment (7-0)
• Approved graduation requirements (7-0)
• Denied removal of book 'Identical' from libraries (3-4)
• Approved placing book 'Breathless' on mature reading list (4-2-1)
• Denied removal of book 'Breathless' from libraries (3-4)
• Decided to take no action on social media lawsuit (6-0-1)

Regular Board Meeting

The Wilson County School Board elected Jamie Farough as Board Chair and Carrie Pfeiffer as Vice Chair, and appointed members to TLN, FRN, Ethics Committee, and Sick Leave Trustees. The board approved several recommendations including a new backup generator bid (Bid 2024-02), a budget amendment, and a director evaluation tool. The board debated and voted on removing two books—'Kingdom of Ash' and 'House of Earth and Blood'—from school libraries; motions to remove failed, and the board approved committee recommendations to retain the books.

• Elected Jamie Farough as Board Chair and Carrie Pfeiffer as Vice Chair
• Approved bid for new backup generator (Bid 2024-02)
• Approved budget amendment (2024-02)
• Motions to remove 'Kingdom of Ash' and 'House of Earth and Blood' from libraries failed; committee recommendations to retain approved
• Approved property searches for capital projects and deferred BrainPop contract to October meeting

The Board elected Jamie Farough as Chair and Carrie Pfeiffer as Vice Chair. The Board approved the purchase of a new backup generator and accepted recommendations from the book committee regarding two titles. Several board appointments and administrative contracts were also approved.

• Elected Jamie Farough as Board Chair (7-0)
• Elected Carrie Pfeiffer as Vice Chair (7-0)
• Approved Bid 2024-02 for new backup generator (7-0)
• Approved budget amendment and procedure for contracts (7-0)
• Approved committee recommendation for book 'Kingdom of Ash' (4-2-1)
• Approved committee recommendation for book 'House of Earth and Blood' (4-2-1)
• Approved BrainPop contract (4-3)
• Authorized Mr. Luttrell to conduct property searches for capital projects (7-0)

Regular Board Meeting

The Wilson County Schools Board approved a low bid for a new elementary school and designated its name as LaGuardo Elementary Captains. The board also voted on budget amendments, school policies, and facility repairs.

• Approved low bid for New Elementary School (Bid 2024-01), pending County Commission funding
• Named the new elementary school LaGuardo Elementary Captains
• Approved Budget Amendment #2024-01
• Approved tennis court improvements at Watertown High School and basketball court repairs at WCHS
• Approved the Book Committee recommendation for 'Empire of Storms'

The Board approved the low bid for a new elementary school and named the institution LaGuardo Elementary Captains. Other actions included approving a budget amendment, updating several school policies, and removing a graphic novel from school libraries.

• Approved low bid for new elementary school pending County Commission funding (7-0)
• Named new elementary school LaGuardo Elementary Captains (7-0)
• Approved Budget Amendment #2024-01 (7-0)
• Removed The Handmaid's Tale graphic novel from school libraries (5-2)
• Approved Book Committee recommendation for Empire of Storms (4-2-1)
• Approved Policy 4.302 on first and final reading (7-0)
• Approved Policy 1.404 as amended on first and final reading (6-1)
• Approved driver rate changes for field trips (7-0)

Regular Board Meeting

The Wilson County Board of Education met on July 10, 2023, and approved a consent agenda including contracts, donations, and student trips. They also approved multiple policy revisions on second reading, adopted certified, substitute, support staff, and transportation handbooks, and authorized foreign exchange students for 2023-2024. Public speakers addressed the board on various topics, and a motion was made on a book review recommendation.

• Approved consent agenda with district and school contracts, donations, and student trips
• Approved foreign exchange students for 2023-2024
• Approved policy revisions on second reading (policies 6.200, 6.202, 6.207, 6.300, 6.308, 6.309, 6.317, 6.4031, 6.4081, 6.409, 6.415, 6.502, 1.106, 3.206, 3.218, 3.404, 4.204, 5.600, 5.801, 4.403) and first/final reading (1.403, 4.206, 6.503)
• Adopted certified, substitute, support staff, and transportation handbooks
• Approved meeting date changes for October 2023 and February 2024

The Board approved several staff and student handbooks, various policy updates, and the 2023-2024 foreign exchange student list. The Board also voted on book reviews, resulting in the removal of 'Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic' from libraries.

• Approved 2023-2024 Foreign Exchange Students (7-0)
• Approved Policy 6.200 on second reading (7-0)
• Approved Policies 6.202, 6.207, 6.300, 6.308, 6.309, 6.317, 6.4031, 6.4081, 6.409, 6.415, 6.502 on second reading (7-0)
• Approved retirement of Policy 6.712 on second reading (7-0)
• Approved Policies 1.106, 3.206, 3.218, 3.404, 4.204, 5.600, 5.801 on second reading (7-0)
• Approved Policy 4.403 on second reading (7-0)
• Approved Policies 1.403, 4.206, and 6.503 on first and final reading (7-0)
• Approved Certified, Substitute, Support Staff, and Transportation Handbooks and Student Handbook Addendums (7-0)

Regular Board Meeting

The Wilson County School Board approved a consent agenda including donations, contracts, student trips, and a budget amendment (2023-14). They adopted 12 policies on second reading, retired two policies, and approved a foreign exchange student program. A Vanderbilt MOU was deferred. The board also recognized athletic teams, heard citizen statements, and held an executive session on pending litigation.

• Approved Budget Amendment 2023-14
• Approved 12 policies on second reading (4.2031, 4.206, 4.208, 4.301, 4.302, 4.400, 4.406, 4.600, 4.602, 4.603, 4.606, 4.700)
• Approved King and City Church agreement for 2023-2024
• Deferred Vanderbilt MOU to a later date
• Approved consent agenda including donations, contracts, student trips, and technology renewal

The Board approved a rezoning plan for Rutland Elementary, Gladeville Elementary, and Southside School with several specific street and grade-level amendments. Two books by Elana K. Arnold were voted to be removed from school libraries. The Board also approved several school facility bids and policy updates.

• Approved rezoning for Rutland Elementary, Gladeville Elementary, and Southside School with specific amendments (4-3)
• Approved removal of book 'Damsel' by Elana K. Arnold from school library (4-2)
• Approved removal of book 'Infandous' by Elana K. Arnold from school library (4-2)
• Approved Bid 2023-08 for MJMS Renovations
• Approved Bid 2023-15 for Utility Project MJMS and West Elem.
• Approved Vanderbilt MOU
• Approved Sheriff's Office MOU for SROs
• Approved Budget Amendment 2023-14

Policy Committee Meeting

The Policy Committee reviewed and voted to send various updated policies to the board for final approval. These updates cover topics ranging from student conduct and attendance to facility use and staff responsibilities.

• Policy Section 6 Review: Attendance, Homeschools, Withdrawals, Code of Conduct, Bus Conduct, Zero Tolerance Offenses, Student Disciplinary Hearing Authority, Pediculosis, Safe Relocation of Students, Child Abuse and Neglect, Prevention and Treatment of Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Foreign Exchange Students, and Student Transportation in Private Vehicles
• Policy 6.712: Recommended for retirement
• Miscellaneous Policy Changes: Ethics, Service Animals in District Facilities, Private Vehicles, Summer Programs, and Staff Rights and Responsibilities

The Policy Committee reviewed and voted to send numerous updated policies to the board for final approval, including student conduct, health, and personnel rules. One policy regarding student transportation in private vehicles was recommended for retirement. The attendance policy will be returned to the committee for modifications.

• Recommended for board approval: Homeschools (6.202), Withdrawals (6.207), Code of Conduct (6.300), and Bus Conduct (6.308)
• Recommended for board approval: Zero Tolerance Offenses (6.309) and Student Disciplinary Hearing Authority (6.317)
• Recommended for board approval: Pediculosis (6.4031), Safe Relocation of Students (6.4081), and Child Abuse and Neglect (6.409)
• Recommended for board approval: Prevention and Treatment of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (6.415) and Foreign Exchange Students (6.502) with amendment
• Recommended for retirement: Student Transportation in Private Vehicles (6.712)
• Recommended for board approval: Ethics (1.106), Service Animals in District Facilities (3.218), and Private Vehicles (3.404)
• Recommended for board approval: Summer Programs (4.204), Staff Rights and Responsibilities (5.600), and Director of Schools Recruitment and Selection (5.801)
• Deferred vote on Selection of Instructional Materials (4.403)

Special Called Meeting

The Wilson County School Board held a special called meeting to consider and approve the 2023-2024 budget. The board approved the budget excluding the Needs Assessment, then separately approved the Needs Assessment list which includes a 5% pay raise for staff as presented by the Director of Schools. Both motions passed unanimously.

• Approval of 2023-2024 budget for Wilson County Schools
• Approval of Needs Assessment list including a 5% pay raise for staff
• Unanimous votes on both budget-related motions

The board approved the 2023-2024 budget as presented, excluding the Needs Assessment. In a separate action, the board approved the Needs Assessment list, which includes a 5% pay raise.

• Approved 2023-2024 Budget excluding Needs Assessment (7-0)
• Approved Needs Assessment list including a 5% pay raise (7-0)

Regular Board Meeting

The Wilson County Schools Board held a regular meeting and approved a consent agenda, several RFPs (drink vending, fleet fueling, tennis court improvements), a student accident insurance program, budget amendment 2023-12, first reading of multiple policies, a resolution to transfer funds to federal projects, and the 2023-2024 fee schedule and student handbook. Also approved a foreign exchange student, GHHS athletic shed project, and a month-by-month extension for Waters Edge Church.

• Approval of Budget Amendment 2023-12
• Approved RFP 2023-13 Tennis Court Improvements
• Approved RFP 2023-12 Drink Vending
• Approved RFP 2023-14 Fleet Fueling Management Services
• Approved 2023-2024 Fee Schedule and Student Handbook

The Board approved the 2023-2024 Student Handbook, fee schedules, and multiple RFPs for vending, fueling, and tennis courts. It also approved budget amendments and several health and insurance agreements. The Board voted to accept book committee recommendations for 'The Kite Runner' and 'The Carnival at Bray'.

• Approved 2023-2024 Student Handbook (7-0)
• Approved RFP 2023-13 for Tennis Courts (7-0)
• Approved RFP 2023-12 for Drink Vending (7-0)
• Approved RFP 2023-14 for Fleet Fueling Management Services (7-0)
• Approved GHHS Athletic Shed Project (7-0)
• Approved Budget Amendments 2023-12 and 2023-13 (7-0)
• Accepted book committee recommendation for 'The Kite Runner' (4-2-1)
• Accepted book committee recommendation for 'The Carnival at Bray' (4-2-1)

Policy Committee Meeting

The Wilson County Schools Policy Committee reviewed and voted to recommend 17 policy changes to the full Board for approval. Items include updates to early graduation, homebound instruction, adult programs, interscholastic athletics severe weather procedures, field trip chaperone language, grading system clarifications, valedictorian/salutatorian qualifications, and retirement of the random drug testing policy. All motions passed unanimously.

• 4.2031 Early Graduation aligned with state board policy
• 4.2001 New policy for cocurricular and extracurricular activities
• 4.208 Adult programs requiring written parental permission for 17-year-old applicants
• 4.301 Interscholastic Athletics adding severe weather procedures
• 4.303 Random Drug Testing policy recommended for retirement

The committee reviewed and recommended several policy changes to the Board, including updates to grading, graduation, and testing. One policy regarding random drug testing was recommended for retirement, and two others were tabled for future meetings.

• Recommended approval of early graduation changes (4.2031) (Unanimous)
• Recommended renaming policy 4.206 to 'Homebound Instruction' (Unanimous)
• Recommended requiring written parental permission for 17-year-old adult high school applicants (4.208) (Unanimous)
• Recommended adding severe weather procedures for interscholastic athletics (4.301) (Unanimous)
• Recommended updates to field trip chaperone packet language (4.302) (Unanimous)
• Recommended retirement of random drug testing policy (4.303) (Unanimous)
• Recommended updates to grading system (4.600) and GPA qualifications for honors (4.602) (Unanimous)
• Tabled policy 4.2001 (Cocurricular and Extracurricular Activities) until May 11, 2023

Special Called Meeting

The Wilson County Schools board held a special called meeting to address an ethics complaint against board member Joseph Padilla. The board voted to dismiss the complaint without censure. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

• Dismissal of ethics complaint against Joseph Padilla
• Board vote to adjourn the meeting

Regular Board Meeting

The Wilson County Board of Education approved several budget amendments, a pest control bid, and new policies during its April 3, 2023, meeting. The board also approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the GELF.

• Approve Budget Amendment 2023-10
• Approve Budget Amendment 2023-11
• Approve Bid 2023-11 Pest Control
• Approve Meritain Health Standard Plan
• Approve GELF MOU

The Board approved several health insurance plans through Meritain and two budget amendments. Other actions included approving the Middle School Program of Studies and various Memorandums of Understanding. Policy 5.801 was tabled for review.

• Tabled Policy 5.801 for review (7-0)
• Approved Meritain Amendment Agreement, Standard Plan, and Preferred Plan (7-0)
• Approved Budget Amendments 2023-10 and 2023-11 (7-0)
• Approved Middle School Program of Studies (7-0)
• Approved Bid 2023-11 for Pest Control (7-0)
• Approved MOUs for Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, GELF, and ExEd - Morgan McCall (7-0)
• Approved Annual Agenda for Board Meetings and Work Sessions (7-0)
• Approved foreign exchange student and contract submissions (7-0)

Regular Board Meeting

The Wilson County Board of Education met to review several administrative recommendations. Actions included approving multiple school policies, contract extensions for custodial and waste management services, and a math textbook adoption.

• Hiring of a constitutional attorney expert for $1,000
• Approval of ABM Contract extension for outsourced custodial services
• Approval of Waste Management contract extension
• Approval of the Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Approval of Budget Amendment 2023-09

The Board approved the floor plan for the new North Central Elementary and authorized the design team to proceed with construction documents. Members also approved several school policy updates, a budget amendment, and contract extensions for custodial and waste management services.

• Approved floor plan for new North Central Elementary (7-0)
• Approved $1,000 expenditure for constitutional attorney expert (7-0)
• Approved extension of ABM Outsourced Custodial Services contract (6-1)
• Approved extension of Waste Management contract (7-0)
• Approved math textbook adoption (7-0)
• Approved Memorandum of Understanding for EpiPen and Narcan (7-0)
• Approved Hazard Mitigation Plan (7-0)
• Approved budget amendment (7-0)

Regular Board Meeting

The Wilson County Schools Board adopted its meeting agenda and then approved the consent agenda, which bundled numerous contracts, donations, and routine reports. The board also approved several policy adoptions, contract extensions, and two budget amendments for 2023. Additional items included approval of a networking bid and the extension of the district’s mowing contract.

• Approve Consent Agenda – includes contracts, donations and reports
• Approve Bid 2023-10 Category 2 Internal Network Connections
• Approve Extension of Mowing Contract
• Approve Budget Amendment 2023-07
• Approve Budget Amendment 2023-08

The Board approved several policy updates, two budget amendments, and a transfer resolution. They also voted to name the MJHS softball field after Mike Gwaltney and approved a contract with Progeny.

• Approved naming the MJHS softball field after Mike Gwaltney (7-0)
• Approved moving forward with Progeny (7-0)
• Approved Bid 2023-10 Category 2 Internal Connections (7-0)
• Approved extension of mowing contract (7-0)
• Approved Policies 1.405, 1.600, 5.205 and 1.8011 on first and final reading (7-0)
• Approved Budget Amendments 2023-07 and 2023-08 (7-0)
• Approved Security Benefit Board Resolution (7-0)
• Approved request for legal expert to speak to board regarding TCA 39-17-901 (7-0)

Special Called Meeting

The board is holding a special called meeting to discuss and take action regarding the Director's Evaluation Tool.

• Director's Evaluation Tool (Action and Discussion)

The board met for a special called meeting to discuss the Director's Evaluation Tool. No substantive decisions or votes were recorded regarding the tool; the only formal action taken was to adjourn the meeting.

• Adjourned meeting (7-0)

Regular Board Meeting

The Wilson County Schools Board of Education approved a budget amendment, a policy update, and a plan to move portable classrooms. The board also voted to place 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' on a mature reading list after rejecting a motion to remove it from libraries.

• Approved Budget Amendment 2023-06
• Approved moving school portables
• Approved Policy 4.600
• Approved demolition of bleachers at WMS
• Postponed vote on Progyny contract

The Board approved a budget amendment, a bleacher demolition bid at WMS, and the moving of portables. Members also established a new structure for the ethics committee and postponed a vote on the Progyny contract. The Board approved the book committee's amended recommendation for 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' and placed the title on a mature reading list.

• Approved amended book committee recommendation for 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' (5-1-1)
• Placed 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' on mature reading list (4-2-1)
• Rejected motion to remove 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' from libraries (2-5)
• Postponed Progyny contract vote until budget time (6-1)
• Approved ethics committee structure with screening committee (6-1)
• Approved Bid 2023-09 for bleacher demolition at WMS (7-0)
• Approved moving of portables (7-0)
• Approved budget amendment (7-0)