Hickman County TN

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

School Board · Special Meeting · Nov 19, 2025

Wed, Nov 19, 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 special meeting focused on urgent facilities spending and the transition to an interim director of schools. The board approved a $326,068 reroofing contract for a school building after only two valid bids were opened and a much higher competing bid was explained as based on an unrequested roof-slope change. The board also approved Matrix Mechanical for Hickman Middle sewer repairs at about $42,677 before tax, with an added 10% contingency because the work is inside the school and unknown conditions may appear once concrete is opened.

The other major issue was superintendent transition planning. The board appointed Dr. Belinda Anderson as interim director through May 31, 2026, after discussion over whether the interim should serve only until a permanent hire is made or through most of the school year. The board also approved qualifications for the next director, discussed whether to run the search itself or use outside help such as TSBA, referenced the prior Qualls / TSBA process, and directed that a written timeline and process be brought back for later action. An attempted motion to freeze certain hiring and transfers was stopped as outside the special-meeting agenda.

Call to Order

Opening items 14:28

  • Meeting opened as a special-called voting session.
  • Moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance followed.

New Business / Agenda Items

Reroofing bid approval 15:23

  • 15:33 Three bidders responded, but only two bids could be opened because one bidder failed to include required documentation on the outside of the submission.
  • 15:56 The two opened bids were from Porter Roofing and Genesis Roofing.
  • 16:03 Bid comparison discussed as a large gap: $326,068 from Porter Roofing versus about $648,000 from Genesis Roofing.
  • 16:09 The architect contacted both firms after opening; Genesis Roofing said it had priced the job assuming the roof slope had to be changed, which was not required by the bid documents. That explanation was offered as the reason for the much higher price.
  • 16:49 Administration recommended awarding the project to Porter Roofing for $326,068.
  • 16:56 Porter was described as the original roofer for the school; the affected section was said to be both the biggest problem area and the largest roof section.
  • 17:03 The roof has reportedly leaked for a couple of years, and board discussion emphasized uncertainty whether the cause was workmanship or materials.
  • 17:20 Members asked about warranty; a new warranty was expected, likely around 20 years, though the exact term was not confirmed.
  • 17:34 Funding source discussion: no capital money had been set aside specifically for this reroofing, but funds budgeted for doors and windows at East Elementary were said to be available because that project is not expected to be feasible this year due to architectural timing.
  • 18:11 The plan was to use a portion of those available capital funds now for the roof while still continuing design work and potentially budgeting East Elementary doors/windows in a later year.
  • 19:24 Additional urgency came from recent gym floor repairs already needed because of leaking; cost was recalled as less than $5,000 and definitely under $10,000, avoiding the need for three quotes.
  • 20:34 Motion made and seconded to approve the Porter Roofing bid for $326,068.
  • 20:44 Roll-call vote: approved unanimously, 7–0.

Hickman Middle sewer repair quotes 20:54

  • 21:01 No formal bids were received for the Hickman Middle sewer repair project.
  • 21:08 Because no bidders responded, the finance office required staff to seek three quotes; only two were obtained in time.
  • 21:16 Ivy Mechanical had intended to bid but missed the Tuesday submission because the person handling bids became sick; its pricing was therefore treated as a quote rather than a formal bid.
  • 21:40 The second quote came from Matrix Mechanical, a company the system already uses for HVAC work; staff said they had not realized the firm also handled plumbing-type work until maintenance discussions after the bid was issued.
  • 22:16 Matrix Mechanical quoted $42,677 after removing sales tax; the written figure shown was about $45,000 because tax had been included even though the school system is tax exempt.
  • 22:31 Ivy Mechanical quoted $60,982.
  • 22:58 Staff asked the board to authorize somewhat more than the quote amount, suggesting another 10% because the repair is an emergency and hidden conditions may appear once concrete is cut.
  • 23:23 Board members agreed with the need for contingency, noting the risk of opening the slab and finding additional problems despite prior scanning of the line path.
  • 23:43 Estimated duration was discussed as roughly three weeks, but no exact start date was available.
  • 23:57 Operational concern: the work is inside the school building. Staff said the principal was willing to tolerate the disruption and that the loudest work, especially concrete cutting, would be pushed to weekends or after hours where possible.
  • 24:27 Access and disruption were described as relatively limited because the work area is near the end of a hallway with its own exit and only about two classrooms significantly affected.
  • 25:15 Motion made to approve the Matrix Mechanical estimate with an additional 10% contingency over the estimate.
  • 25:37 Roll-call vote: approved unanimously, 7–0.

Interim director of schools letter of interest 25:58

  • 25:58 The board took up a letter of interest for the interim director position that had been submitted by Dr. Belinda Anderson.
  • 26:06 The appointment was described as taking effect January 1.
  • 26:15 Discussion indicated concern about continuity if the outgoing official could not continue; a knee replacement and mobility issues were mentioned in explaining current circumstances.
  • 26:49 Initial motion proposed appointing Dr. Belinda Anderson as interim director for the rest of the school year.
  • 27:10 Board discussion centered on term length:
    • some members argued applications for the permanent director close December 31, so interviews could begin in January or February;
    • others argued the schools needed the least disruption possible and that many candidates would not leave current jobs midyear;
    • several members said the permanent hire could be selected during spring but begin in summer, such as June 1 or July 1.
  • 31:21 The motion was read back as appointing Dr. Belinda Anderson through the end of the 2025–26 school year.
  • 31:40 Members then raised the timing pressure of making a permanent hire before election-related deadlines, and the interim end date was shortened.
  • 31:54 The motion was amended so the interim appointment would end May 31, 2026 instead of the school-year end.
  • 32:13 Final motion: appoint Dr. Belinda Anderson as interim director through May 31, 2026.
  • 32:40 Roll-call vote: approved unanimously, 7–0.

Attempted hiring/transfer freeze ruled out of order 32:58

  • 33:03 A member raised prior board practice of freezing hiring, firing, and transferring of principals, assistant principals, and central office staff until a new permanent director is hired.
  • 33:19 A motion was started to direct the current and incoming interim administration not to make those personnel moves until a new director begins.
  • 34:00 The chair stopped the item after noting this was a special-called meeting and action could not be taken on matters not listed on the agenda.
  • 34:07 The matter was left for a future agenda; no vote was taken.

Qualifications for the next director 34:29

  • 34:29 The board reviewed proposed qualifications for the next director of schools.
  • 34:38 Members said the qualifications had been discussed at a conference and referenced guidance from an attorney working with Tennessee school systems.
  • 35:01 The qualifications were described as generally similar to what the board had used before.
  • 35:26 Motion made to approve the qualifications as presented.
  • 35:26 Voice vote: approved without recorded opposition.

Process for conducting the new director search 35:40

  • 35:40 The board discussed how to conduct the search for the permanent director.
  • 35:52 Members referenced the previous search process using TSBA and “Mr. Qualls’ group,” with some saying that outside facilitation had been useful, especially for public appearances and question-and-answer sessions.
  • 36:02 One view was to wait until the end of December to see how many applications are received before deciding whether outside assistance is needed.
  • 36:23 The chair said if only one or two people apply, the board may proceed differently than if 10 or 15 apply.
  • 37:24 Discussion contrasted doing the search internally versus paying for outside support. Members said TSBA did not provide all the same services as the prior process unless a more expensive package was purchased.
  • 37:42 A prior search cost was recalled at about $7,800 for a search package.
  • 37:49 Some members criticized a past TSBA process, saying the board did not receive all materials it expected and did not see the full range of applicant information.
  • 38:09 Others argued the board can review applications and conduct its own reference checking without outsourcing.
  • 39:26 A suggestion was made that members who had been through the last search bring back a written timeline and step-by-step process at the December 8 meeting.
  • 40:59 Board discussion referenced board policy allowing a selection by simple majority of four votes.
  • 41:24 The county attorney was described as a possible resource for moderation or process help if needed.
  • 41:58 Members also recalled prior use of about six questions for interviews, reviewed in advance by counsel or the facilitator, to keep the process consistent.
  • 42:38 Motion made for board members, specifically including Tim Hobbs and Doug Lane, to bring a written timeline and process for the director search to the December 8 meeting.
  • 44:28 Roll-call vote: approved unanimously, 7–0.
  • 44:49 Because the agenda also called for determining the search process, the board then tried to clarify when final determination would occur.
  • 45:16 Members concluded they likely would not be ready to determine the full timeline in December because applications would still be arriving.
  • 45:46 A motion to set that determination for December was withdrawn.
  • 46:02 New motion made to determine the timeline after January, once the board knows how many applicants it has.
  • 46:12 Voice vote: approved without opposition.

Adjournment 46:29

  • 46:29 Meeting adjourned at about 7:02 after motion and second.

Key figures and statistics

Figure Type Context / topic Timestamp
3 Count Reroofing bidders received 15:33
2 Count Reroofing bids that could be opened 15:33
$326,068 Contract amount Recommended and approved reroofing award to Porter Roofing 16:03
$648,000 Bid amount Higher reroofing bid from Genesis Roofing 16:03
20 years Warranty term Expected new roof warranty, not confirmed exactly 17:20
Less than $5,000 Repair cost Prior gym floor repair tied to roof leaks, approximate recollection 19:42
$10,000 Purchasing threshold Floor repair was said to be under this amount, so three quotes were not required 19:45
7–0 Vote Approval of Porter Roofing reroofing contract 20:44
0 Bid count Formal bids received for Hickman Middle sewer repair 21:01
3 Count Quotes finance said staff should try to obtain after no bids were received 21:08
2 Count Quotes actually obtained for sewer repair 21:08
$42,677 Quote amount Matrix Mechanical sewer repair quote excluding tax 22:16
$60,982 Quote amount Ivy Mechanical sewer repair quote 22:31
10% Contingency Added cushion requested over sewer-repair estimate for unknown conditions 22:58
$46,000 Budget estimate Example rounded authorization level discussed with contingency 23:14
$48,000 Budget estimate Example rounded authorization level discussed with contingency 23:14
3 weeks Project duration Estimated total time for sewer repair project 23:43
2 Classroom count Approximate number of classrooms expected to be disrupted by sewer repair 24:27
7–0 Vote Approval of Matrix Mechanical quote plus 10% 25:37
January 1 Effective date Start date discussed for interim director appointment 26:06
December 31 Deadline Application closing date discussed for permanent director search 27:13
January / February / March Timeframe Possible interview/selection window discussed for permanent director search 28:10
July 1 Possible start date Suggested start date for permanent director after spring hiring 30:43
May 31, 2026 End date Final approved end date for Dr. Anderson’s interim term 31:54
7–0 Vote Approval of Dr. Belinda Anderson as interim director 32:40
$7,800 Search cost Approximate prior outside search/facilitation expense discussed 37:42
1 or 2 Applicant count Example of small applicant pool that might affect search process 36:23
10 or 15 Applicant count Example of larger applicant pool that might affect search process 36:23
4 Vote threshold Simple majority referenced for selecting a director under board policy 40:59
6 Question count Prior interview structure discussed for director search 41:58
December 8 Meeting date Date set for bringing back written search timeline/process draft 42:38
7–0 Vote Approval directing members to bring a written timeline and process 44:28
7:02 Time Approximate adjournment time announced 46:29

External vendors, brands, and software

Name Type Context / topic Timestamp
Porter Roofing Company Approved reroofing contract for school building 15:56
Genesis Roofing Company Higher reroofing bid; said it priced in a roof-slope change not requested 15:56
Ivy Mechanical Company Sewer repair quote after no formal bids were received 21:16
Matrix Mechanical Company Approved sewer repair quote with 10% contingency; also does district HVAC work 21:40
TSBA Company Possible outside assistance for director search; prior search process discussed 35:52
Mr. Qualls Individual Prior outside facilitator for director search and public Q&A process 35:52

Personnel changes

Name Role / office Change Context / topic Timestamp
Dr. Belinda Anderson Interim Director of Schools Appointed Letter of interest approved; effective January 1 and ending May 31, 2026; approved 7–0 32:13

Laws and policies

Citation / name Level Type Context / topic Timestamp
special-called meeting agenda rule School Rule Proposed freeze on hiring/firing/transfers was halted because action outside the special-meeting agenda was not allowed 34:00
board policy allowing selection by simple majority School Policy Members said the permanent director can be chosen by a simple majority of four votes 40:59