Hickman County TN

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7

School Board · Meeting · Nov 3, 2025

Mon, Nov 3, 2025

Hickman County Board of Education meetings, including regular sessions and special called meetings.

Watch the recording on YouTube

Join the Substack

This outline was generated by an LLM from a transcript and may contain errors or inaccuracies. Prefer the original recording when available.

The board’s most consequential business was handling the superintendent transition after Director of Schools Mr. Mullins submitted his resignation effective December 31. The board accepted letters of interest for the interim director role, scheduled a special called meeting for November 19 at 6:30, set a November 12 deadline for letters, and then voted to allow an interim director to also be considered for the permanent director post under Policy 5.801. Discussion focused on whether the interim search should be internal only, whether opening it wider would hurt continuity during budget season, and whether the board needed to resolve the policy question before soliciting interest.

Other substantive items included a grant opportunity for up to three propane buses with a 50% reimbursement structure and a separate $10,000 seat-belt grant, though the board tabled that item for more planning. The board also approved two budget amendments tied to grant alignment, approved split supplements for 2025–26, heard a facilities update on the East Hickman gym roof, CTE building work, a sewer-line break at Hickman County Middle School, and high school classroom renovations, and approved a senior trip to St. Louis. Special recognitions covered student athletes and an employee honor.

Approval of Agenda and Minutes 13:10

  • 14:09 The agenda was amended to add an action item to accept Director of Schools Mr. Mullins’s resignation letter.
  • 14:39 Agenda as amended approved without recorded opposition.
  • 14:56 Regular meeting minutes from October 20 approved without recorded opposition.

Special Recognitions 15:15

Student athletes and coaches 15:15

  • Recognized Bruin Dodson, a sixth grader, for qualifying for the Class 2A state cross-country championship; remarks emphasized the rarity of that accomplishment at his age and his representation of the school and county.
  • 18:07 Recognized Dane Gilbert for his TSSAA golf state finish: a two-day score of 70–75, finishing 3rd out of 62 players; noted this was his second straight top-five finish and earned all-state honors.
  • 19:39 Recognized East Hickman Middle School girls cross-country team for winning the state championship; the remarks listed individual placements and times, including a first-place overall finish.
  • Coaches and support staff were also thanked briefly for their role in the teams’ success.

Employee recognition 22:49

  • 23:06 Twilight Tucker was recognized as employee of the month / board recognition honoree, praised for handling a district role affecting attendance, academics, and funding and for taking on the work in 2023.

New Business / Agenda Items 24:30

Director of Schools transition process 24:30

  • 24:42 Board counsel outlined the immediate issue created by the director’s notice of resignation: the board must have a director in place by state law once the resignation takes effect on December 31.
  • 25:23 Counsel said the board’s first decisions were procedural: how to solicit interest for the interim role and whether an interim candidate should be eligible for the full-time directorship.
  • 26:06 Counsel warned that if the board left its policy untouched, a strong internal candidate might decline to serve as interim in order to preserve eligibility for the permanent job; the result could be a weaker interim leader during an important budget season.
  • 26:38 Budget timing was cited as a major reason for urgency: by January and February, the board needs to be discussing priorities and spending with its director, making continuity important.
  • 27:43 Counsel also described the counterargument: if an interim can seek the permanent role, some may worry interim decisions could be made to please the board rather than provide a neutral assessment.
  • 28:46 Counsel recommended that anyone interested submit a short letter of interest to the board chair and specify whether they wanted only the interim role or also wanted consideration for the full-time position; he noted those letters would be public records.
  • 30:13 Counsel suggested formal board action to advertise for the interim role and receive letters of interest.

Interim director letters of interest 31:57

  • 32:30 A motion was made to accept letters of interest for the interim director position, initially discussed with some preference for internal candidates because of continuity and familiarity with the budget process.
  • 32:43 Debate centered on whether to limit the pool to internal candidates:
    • Some argued an internal interim would better handle the upcoming budget and maintain stability.
    • Others argued the board should not restrict itself up front in case no internal candidate applied or the best option came from outside.
  • 34:31 The motion was refined to set a deadline tied to a special called meeting date.
  • 35:48 The board selected Wednesday, November 19 at 6:30 for the special called meeting on the interim director.
  • 36:13 The motion was amended so letters of interest would be due November 12, seven days before the meeting.
  • 39:28 Roll-call vote approved the motion 6–1.
  • 39:39 The dissenting vote was explained on the record as opposition to opening the process beyond internal candidates.

Interim eligibility for permanent director under Policy 5.801 40:08

  • 40:08 Counsel reminded the board that the policy issue needed to be addressed specifically before the interim was chosen.
  • 40:37 The discussion identified Policy 5.801 as the governing rule on whether an interim director appointed during a search may become a candidate for the permanent post unless the board expressly permits it.
  • 41:14 A motion was made, and seconded, to allow an interim director to apply for and be considered for the permanent director position.
  • 41:45 Counsel clarified that the board was not amending the policy text; rather, it was exercising the policy’s built-in option to expressly permit an interim candidate’s inclusion in the selection process.
  • 42:32 Supporters said acting now gave needed clarity to applicants who might otherwise hesitate to seek the interim role for fear of sacrificing eligibility for the permanent job.
  • 43:06 Roll-call vote approved the motion 6–1.
  • 43:48 Counsel emphasized that his role was to lay out options, not steer the board, but noted that choosing the director and then funding that leadership through the budget are among the board’s most important duties.

Consent agenda 44:49

  • 44:49 Consent agenda approved without recorded opposition.

Senior trip request: Hickman County High School 44:57

  • 45:21 Student officers presented a request to approve the senior trip to St. Louis for May 10–12.
  • 45:45 Estimated student cost was $220 to $250 each, with fundraising underway to offset hotel and other costs.
  • 46:01 Proposed activities included Six Flags, the zoo, and the Gateway Arch; the group expected to stay in the Union Station / downtown area.
  • 46:41 Sponsors and chaperones named included Kristen Carter and Becky Cude, with Ben Bentley and Matthew Dodson mentioned as possible additional chaperones depending on attendance.
  • 47:32 Expected bus capacity was about 45 students, with the possibility of arranging additional transportation if more signed up.
  • 47:48 Trip request approved without recorded opposition.

LEA compliance report 48:03

  • 48:11 The annual LEA compliance report was presented; school leaders and supervisors had reviewed their compliance areas and reported no deficiencies.
  • 48:33 Report approved without recorded opposition.

Propane bus grant opportunity 48:48

  • 49:03 The board was informed the district had been approved for a grant related to up to three propane buses.
  • 49:18 The district has 24 months to use the award, but must begin within 12 months or lose flexibility; this was described as the last round of this Volkswagen-related grant funding.
  • 49:36 Funding terms were explained as a 50% reimbursement model: the district would pay the full purchase price up front and then be reimbursed for half.
  • 49:47 A separate seat-belt grant could reduce costs by another $10,000 per bus.
  • 50:00 A recently delivered bus from the prior year reportedly cost about $149,000-plus, giving the board a rough benchmark for current bus pricing.
  • 50:30 The district’s local share for all three buses was described at about $223,483.50.
  • 50:44 Board members explored whether purchases could be staggered over more than one budget cycle rather than buying all three at once.
  • 52:12 The transportation need was explained: the district will lose three buses at the end of the current year, none the following year absent catastrophic loss, and about six more in 2029.
  • 52:42 It was noted that moving ahead would likely require going before the county commission because the buses were not already budgeted.
  • 53:57 The board tabled the item until the next meeting for more definite planning on timing, quantity, and budget approach.

Budget amendments 54:16

  • 54:23 Budget Amendment 19 addressed the CTEARS / grant line with a reduction of $1,710.35 and moved funds into an instructional equipment line so the budget would match the state-approved ePlan.
  • 54:44 Budget Amendment 20 involved the Title IV program and shifted funds from in-service to equipment purchases, again to align with the approved ePlan.
  • 55:17 Motion to approve Amendments 19 and 20.
  • 55:24 Roll-call vote approved both amendments unanimously.

Split supplements for 2025–26 55:40

  • 55:44 Administration requested approval for supplement payments that would be split among multiple people for school year 2025–26; three such split arrangements were included in the packet.
  • 56:06 The board asked whether there were questions about the split structure; discussion indicated this was not adding money but dividing already authorized supplement amounts differently.
  • 56:30 Roll-call vote approved the split supplements unanimously.

Policy review 56:46

  • 56:53 Policies 1.100 to 1.201 were presented for review.
  • 57:13 Board approved the policy review item without recorded opposition.

Director resignation 57:32

  • 58:22 Motion made to accept the Director of Schools resignation letter.
  • 58:39 Vote carried, with one no vote recorded.
  • 58:44 The resignation acceptance was complete, confirming the need for the interim-selection timeline already discussed.

Department / Official Reports 58:53

Facilities and construction update 58:53

  • 58:53 Administration reported meeting with roofers regarding the East Hickman High School gym roof; bid opening was expected on the 13th of the month.
  • 59:11 On the CTE building, the district planned to meet the winning bidder on Friday to review staging and site logistics with the principal.
  • 59:26 A sewer line had broken at Hickman County Middle School; bid documents were being prepared, with notice to run in the paper and the packet to be posted online on Thursday.
  • 59:44 The sewer repair was described as a significant project because it runs beneath the school, though the affected stretch was estimated at about 50 feet and not as extensive as an earlier East Elementary sewer project.
  • 59:56 The plan was to perform the work while school remained in session and complete it as quickly as possible despite the disruption.
  • 1:00:09 At the high school, cabinets were being installed as part of classroom renovations.
  • 1:00:17 The target for finishing that classroom work was before Thanksgiving, or only slightly into December if delayed.

Announcements 1:00:33

  • 1:00:33 Next regular board meeting scheduled for December 8.
  • 1:00:47 Special called meeting for director-related business confirmed.
  • 1:00:54 Time for the special called meeting confirmed as 6:30.

Closing Comments and Adjournment 1:01:05

  • 1:01:28 A board member stated that because the board had voted to record meetings, that requirement should include work sessions as meetings under the law.
  • 1:02:00 Motion to adjourn approved.

Key figures and statistics

Figure Type Context / topic Timestamp
December 31 Date Effective date of director’s resignation discussed during transition planning 24:58
January Time period When budget-priority conversations with the director should begin 27:08
February Time period Latest point cited for budget discussions with the director 27:08
7 days Deadline Suggested lead time for letters of interest before the special meeting 32:13
November 19 Date Special called meeting to address interim director selection 35:48
6:30 Time Time set for the special called meeting 35:48
November 12 Date Deadline for letters of interest for interim director 36:13
6–1 Vote Approval of motion to accept letters of interest for interim director 39:28
5.801 Policy number Policy governing whether interim director may seek permanent post 40:37
6–1 Vote Approval allowing interim director to be considered for permanent director 43:06
May 10–12 Dates Senior trip dates to St. Louis 45:45
$220 to $250 Cost Estimated per-student cost for senior trip 45:45
45 Capacity Approximate student capacity on the charter bus 47:32
3 Vehicle count Number of propane buses potentially covered by grant 49:18
24 months Time period Total grant-use period for propane buses 49:18
12 months Time period Window to start use of propane bus grant 49:18
50% Reimbursement rate Grant share for propane bus purchases 49:36
$10,000 Grant amount Separate seat-belt grant reduction per bus 49:47
$149,000 Cost Approximate cost of a recently delivered bus from prior year 50:00
$223,483.50 Local share District share cited if proceeding with all three propane buses 50:30
3 buses Vehicle count Number of buses the district expects to lose at end of current year 52:12
2029 Year Year when about six buses are projected to age out 52:25
6 buses Vehicle count Approximate number of buses projected to age out in 2029 52:25
$1,710.35 Reduction Decrease in grant amount handled in Budget Amendment 19 54:23
19 Amendment number Budget Amendment 19 54:23
20 Amendment number Budget Amendment 20 54:44
2025–26 Fiscal / school year Split supplements approval year 55:40
3 Count Number of supplement splits included in packet 55:44
1.100 to 1.201 Policy range Policies reviewed by the board 56:53
1 no vote Vote Opposition recorded on resignation acceptance 58:39
13th Date Expected opening date for gym-roof bids 59:03
Friday Date reference Planned meeting with winning CTE bidder 59:11
Thursday Date reference Planned online release of sewer-line bid packet 59:35
50 feet Length Approximate stretch of middle-school sewer line needing work 59:44
Thanksgiving Time target Target completion window for high school renovation work 1:00:17
December Time target Possible slight overrun period for classroom renovation completion 1:00:17
December 8 Date Next regular board meeting 1:00:33
2023 Year Year Twilight Tucker took on the district role highlighted in recognition 23:06
2A Classification Cross-country classification for Bruin Dodson’s state qualification 16:08
70–75 Score Dane Gilbert’s two-day state golf score 18:40
3rd Placement Dane Gilbert’s finish at state golf 18:48
62 Competitor count Number of players in the state golf field 18:48
129 Time Evan Tipple’s winning time as read in recognition remarks 20:26
1258 Time Tony Meyer’s time as read in recognition remarks 20:34
1311 Time Another top-10 team time as read in recognition remarks 20:40
1444 Time Kim’s time as read in recognition remarks 20:40
1457 Time Halen McDonald’s time as read in recognition remarks 20:50
1614 Time Oakley Gordon’s time as read in recognition remarks 20:55
1759 Time Madison Zimmerman’s time as read in recognition remarks 21:04
106 Placement Madison Zimmerman’s state-meet placement 21:04

External vendors, brands, and software

Name Type Context / topic Timestamp
Turf Grass magazine Brand Publication mentioned in recognition of Dane Gilbert’s golf-course project at home 18:34
Six Flags Brand Planned destination on Hickman County High School senior trip to St. Louis 46:01
Gateway Arch Brand Planned senior-trip destination in St. Louis 46:08
ePlan Software State-approved budget platform used to align Budget Amendments 19 and 20 54:44

Personnel changes

Name Role / office Change Context / topic Timestamp
Mr. Mullins Director of Schools Resigned Resignation accepted by board; effective December 31; motion carried with one no vote 58:22

Laws and policies

Citation / name Level Type Context / topic Timestamp
Policy 5.801 School Policy Governs whether an interim director appointed during a search may become a candidate for the permanent director position unless the board expressly permits it 40:37
public record State Law Counsel advised that letters of interest submitted for the interim director position would be public records 30:22
meetings under the law State Law Closing comment asserted that work sessions are meetings under the law and should therefore be recorded if the board’s recording vote applies to meetings generally 1:01:28

Files

This document is the agenda for a work session of the Hickman County Board of Education scheduled for November 3, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Room 203 of the Central Office Complex. The agenda outlines the structure of the meeting, which includes a call to order, a discussion regarding the Interim Director of Schools, and an adjournment. It is noted that no votes will be taken during this session. This excerpt provides a brief overview of the meeting's purpose and topics to be discussed.