Hickman County TN

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

School Board · Meeting · Dec 9, 2024

Mon, Dec 9, 2024

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

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

The board approved a same-day agenda amendment to expand the “hard to staff” portion of the differentiated pay plan after the district’s new band director resigned, saying the district needed flexibility to offer salary supplements for hard-to-fill certified positions midyear without increasing the existing budget. Other formal actions included approving multiple student trips, four budget amendments affecting general and grant funds, a revised internal school funds audit contract, and updates to the school discipline hearing authority committee.

Discussion also covered a possible therapy-dog program, electioneering language in board policy for schools used as polling places, planning for a work session on vouchers / “education freedom” legislation and long-range strategy, district accountability gains, a new VoIP phone system expected to reduce phone costs, a football coach search with 28 applicants, and a $6,000 annual savings from using sheriff’s department drug-detection dogs instead of a private provider.

Public Comments 14:53

  • 14:53 No speakers had signed up for public comment, so the board moved on without public remarks.

Opening items and recognitions 15:29

Opening prayer and pledge 15:29

  • The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Welcome to new board member 15:48

  • 15:48 A new board member, Pippa Taylor, was welcomed to the board for a four-year term.

Agenda amendment and approval 16:03

  • 16:03 The director asked to amend the agenda to add item 10F, approval of an amendment to the hard-to-staff portion of the differentiated pay plan, citing an issue that had arisen that day.
  • 16:44 Motion, second, and voice vote approved adding the item.
  • 17:07 The board then approved the amended agenda for the December 9, 2024 meeting.

Approval of prior minutes 17:36

  • 17:43 Motion and vote approved the regular minutes for November 4, 2024.

Appreciation award for departing board member 18:01

  • 18:13 The board recognized Ron G. for 8.25 years of service, praising his advocacy for teachers, fiscal conservatism, and students.

Employee of the Month recognition 19:26

  • 19:26 Shannon Nolan and Carrie Crafton of East Hickman Middle School were recognized as Employees of the Month.
  • 21:09 District leadership highlighted their support for novice math teachers and willingness to step in directly to help with math instruction.

New Business / Agenda Items 21:59

American Legion veterans projects proposal 21:59

  • 22:08 A representative of the American Legion presented two proposed collaborative projects for students:
    • an annual veterans memorial tribute project; and
    • an online mapping / identification project for veterans’ gravesite markers in Hickman County.
  • 23:49 The speaker estimated about 500 deceased veterans in Hickman County and suggested student-made wooden memorial pieces, possibly using eastern red cedar or tulip poplar, tied to a website where finds could be reported.
  • 25:40 Discussion focused on possible cross-curricular involvement from art and carpentry / shop classes and whether the project could become an annual activity around Veterans Day or Memorial Day.
  • 26:36 The director said he would consult principals and district staff on grade levels and implementation and report back; the board indicated support for exploring the idea.
  • 27:40 The presenter also asked about the possibility of starting an American Legion baseball team in the county; no board action was taken.

Consent agenda 28:04

  • 28:04 The board approved the consent agenda.
  • 28:21 The chair noted the agenda included warrant / check documentation and emphasized members could pull any item if needed; no item was removed.

Student trip requests 29:19

East Hickman High School senior trip 29:26

  • 29:26 The director presented, on behalf of school staff at a basketball game, a request for the East Hickman High School senior class to travel by bus to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana on May 15.
  • 30:08 The trip required board approval because it exceeded 12 hours though it was not overnight.
  • 29:59–30:34 Details given:
    • approximately 3 hours each way from Lyles to Santa Claus, Indiana;
    • 48 students signed up;
    • departure at 6:00 a.m. and return around 8:00–9:00 p.m.;
    • student cost about $150, including meals;
    • students had fundraised.
  • 30:40 Motion and vote approved the trip.

FCCLA travel requests 31:03

  • 31:03 The district presented four FCCLA trips:
    • Sullivan University on February 6–7 for a culinary-related visit;
    • a cooking contest at the Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville;
    • a junior chef competition in Antioch, including an overnight stay;
    • the FCCLA state competition in Chattanooga on April 2–4.
  • 31:25 About 6 students were said to be going on the Sullivan University trip.
  • 32:00 Motion and vote approved the FCCLA trips as presented.

Budget amendments 32:09

Budget Amendment 17 — General Fund donation tracking 32:18

  • 32:18 Amendment 17 moved $5,000 within General Fund 141, from one line item to a subcoded line item marked “SS.”
  • 32:39 The finance explanation was that the move was not adding spending but allowing expenditures tied to outside donations to be tracked correctly once actual receipts and uses became clearer.

Budget Amendment 18 — Innovative School Model grant 33:02

  • 33:02 Amendment 18 adjusted the Innovative School Model grant budget after a revision to the grant submission.
  • 33:18 The district said the current-year grant amount remaining to be spent was about $1.7 million over the next 2 years, after spending a little over $1.2 million last year.
  • 33:43 The original grant total was $3 million:
    • $1 million for each high school;
    • $500,000 for each middle school.
  • 34:09 Middle school funds had been used for new career exploration curriculum and modules tied to career and technical education; district leaders said the program had been successful.

Budget Amendment 19 — CTE Perkins grant increase 35:11

  • 35:11 Amendment 19 budgeted about $2,100 in additional Perkins grant funds for CTE.
  • 35:19 The total Perkins grant was described as about $74,000.

Budget Amendment 20 — ATSI grant correction 35:28

  • 35:28 Amendment 20 corrected a budgeting mistake involving the ATSI grant, described as an additional targeted school improvement grant for East Hickman Middle School.
  • 35:49 The district said a placeholder budget had been entered in June and the actual amended budget was later submitted in September or October, accidentally duplicating amounts; this amendment reversed the duplication.

Vote on budget amendments 36:25

  • 36:25 Motion approved Amendments 17, 18, 19, and 20.
  • 36:42 Roll-call vote passed unanimously among members present.

Policies 37:19

First reading — Policy 5.116 staff positions 37:26

  • 37:26 Policy 5.116 was brought forward for first reading after TSBA advised that part of the current language was no longer aligned with law.
  • 37:43 The district said lines 17–21 on page two should be deleted.
  • 37:58 The practical effect discussed was in reduction-in-force situations: the old policy kept a teacher on a list for 2 years, while current law requires the teacher to remain until accepting or declining employment.
  • 38:35 Motion and vote approved first reading of Policy 5.116.

Second reading — Policy 1.200 method of election of officers 38:55

  • 38:55 Policy 1.200 came up for second reading.
  • 39:03 Added language clarified that if there is a runoff election for a district seat, board officers will be elected at the first meeting after the election is certified.
  • 39:22 Motion and vote approved the policy on second reading.

Review item — Policy 1.806 electioneering / polling-place language 39:50

  • 39:57 A recommended wording change on page two, line seven, would delete language referring to people “running for public office” and change “poll” to “campaign workers.”
  • 40:44 A board member asked to table further action and send the language to the election commission and local Democratic and Republican parties for input because they have an interest in how election-day activity is handled on school property.
  • 41:00–41:29 Discussion noted state law concerns about election-day activity when schools are open and that TSBA did not see a problem with the proposed change, but members still wanted outside stakeholder feedback.
  • 42:07 District administration explained that East Hickman High School is the only school facility used for elections; it does not host the November presidential general election when school is in session, but it does host early voting.
  • 42:50 The district described a recent issue with campaign signs on campus during early voting that was resolved after parties adjusted placement based on a setback / distance interpretation from the highway.
  • 43:29 The director said the district wants to remain a good election host while keeping schools as apolitical as possible.
  • 41:51 Motion to table carried without objection.

Policy review bundle 44:02

  • 44:02 The remainder of policies 5.111 through 5.119 stayed in the review area.
  • 44:19 Motion and vote approved the review grouping as presented.

Internal school funds audit contract 44:35

  • 44:43 The board considered the internal school funds audit contract with Matlock & Clemons for the current school year’s books to be audited the following fall.
  • 45:06 The finance office explained that the previous auditor had disengaged in August after a merger, because internal school fund audits were not a regular part of that firm’s work.
  • 45:32 Matlock & Clemons had been recommended by the State of Tennessee and the prior auditor, and the district had already contracted with them to audit the prior year’s books.
  • 45:48 Administration said the firm was currently doing a good job and recommended continuing the relationship at least through the next audit cycle, with evaluation afterward.
  • 46:12 Motion approved the contract for 2024–2025.
  • 46:19 Roll-call vote passed unanimously among members present.

School discipline hearing authority committee revisions 46:29

  • 46:41 The board reviewed a revised School Discipline Hearing Authority Committee list due to staffing changes.
  • 46:55 The revisions added Dr. Ashley Tody for special programs and Kristen Dunn for East Hickman Middle School.
  • 47:13 The district explained that a new principal, Ms. Willis, would now be the person recommending punishment and therefore should not serve on the hearing committee.
  • 47:21 Administration also said it is helpful to have the special programs / special education perspective represented because students in special education may face legal limits such as a 45-day cap in many alternative-school situations.
  • 47:47 Motion and vote approved the revised committee.

Differentiated pay plan amendment — hard-to-staff positions 48:30

  • 48:30 This added agenda item was taken up after same-day amendment of the agenda.
  • 48:47 The director reported that the district’s new band director had resigned that day, despite doing “a fabulous job,” with the resignation tied to family job circumstances and salary realities.
  • 49:35 Administration said the district had spent “dozens of hours” during the summer trying to find a band director and wanted flexibility under the already approved differentiated pay plan to supplement pay for other hard-to-staff certified positions if a candidate can be found.
  • 49:49 The director summarized the pay plan structure:
    • hard-to-staff positions;
    • teacher mentor supplements;
    • effectiveness supplements for Level 4 and Level 5 teachers.
  • 50:13 The district said this year’s effectiveness supplements were about $640 for Level 4 teachers and $1,200 for Level 5 teachers.
  • 51:13 Administration said about $84,000 had already been budgeted for this purpose and, at midyear, spending was below the 50% mark, so the amendment did not require more money—only more flexibility in how the existing hard-to-staff category could be applied.
  • 51:37 Motion and vote approved the highlighted changes to the differentiated pay plan for 2024–2025.

Discussion — proposed therapy dog policy / guidelines 52:17

  • 52:26 Board members who attended the TSBA conference reported on a session by Franklin Special School District about school therapy dogs.
  • 52:49 They said Franklin has 8 schools and 8 dogs and began with one dog before expanding.
  • 53:15 An elementary principal there said families sign consent forms at registration:
    • about 400 students at one school;
    • only 10 initially did not sign up in the first year;
    • after follow-up, all but 2 participated.
  • 53:46 The middle school example had 520 students and 10 not participating, with nonparticipation tied mainly to allergies rather than philosophical objection.
  • 54:19 The dogs at the conference were described as extremely well trained, calm, nonaggressive, and effective in interacting with students and adults.
  • 54:48 Presenters also stressed that not every dog is a good fit and said one dog had recently been reassigned because it was unsuccessful in the school role.
  • 55:14 The dogs were said to be used in classrooms, one-on-one calming situations, reading practice, and as morning greeters.
  • 55:53 Franklin’s model has the district own the dogs and cover all costs, including food, vet bills, crates, and vests; each dog also has a primary and backup handler.
  • 56:43 Board discussion contrasted that with Hickman County’s draft, which appears to place most costs on the handler / owner rather than the district.
  • 56:50 Members noted at least one local teacher is already taking part in an AKC training path and might be interested if the district adopts a framework.
  • 57:05 The reported training period was about 1.5 years for a dog, plus training for the handler.
  • 57:30 One member said Franklin does not appear to have a detailed written board policy; instead, the program is managed administratively under the director and coordinated school health.
  • 58:23–59:12 Reported benefits included calming dysregulated students and improving willingness to read aloud.
  • 59:29 District administration said the board attorney, who represents roughly 16–18 districts, knew of districts with dogs but no one with a formal policy, reinforcing that administrative guidelines may be more common than board policy.
  • 1:00:02 Members also referenced a Bristol, Tennessee high school with a therapy-dog program and grant support.
  • 1:01:26 Discussion turned to timing: if training takes 1.5 years, members said the district may want to accelerate policy / guideline development instead of waiting until May.
  • 1:01:42 Liability, insurance, and cost questions were raised, especially whether the district would pay for dog training, handler training, both, or neither.
  • 1:02:11 The director said he would contact Franklin’s director, Dr. Snowden, to learn where dogs were trained, what an AKC-approved training facility requires, and what the cost was; he believed there were about 3 such facilities in the relevant region.
  • 1:02:48 Members discussed possible cost-sharing concepts:
    • district pays for dog and handler training because training quality is paramount;
    • handler / owner assumes other ongoing costs;
    • an agreement would be needed if district money is invested in training.
  • 1:04:36 One board member objected to the draft’s 5-year reapplication / review cycle and argued for 2 years because a dog’s health, age, and demeanor can change significantly.
  • 1:05:28 The board asked administration to expedite the work and return with revised guidance.
  • 1:06:17 Initial implementation ideas included starting with one school in each cluster, but administration cautioned that Hickman County Middle School had pushed longest for the idea and should likely be among the first sites if the program proceeds.

Announcements and board discussion 1:07:41

January meeting and possible work session 1:07:41

  • 1:07:41 The next regular board meeting was announced for January 13, 2025.
  • 1:07:48 Members were asked to begin considering dates for a separate work session.

Voucher / “education freedom” legislation and contingency planning 1:08:04

  • 1:08:13 Board leadership said the governor’s proposed voucher / “education freedom” measure appeared more likely to pass after the recent election and that the board should realistically prepare.
  • 1:08:54 Members wanted a work session to discuss contingency plans if vouchers pass and to think about how the district can become stronger and more competitive.
  • 1:09:08 The district said roughly 600 students who live in Hickman County receive education through private schools or homeschool providers rather than county schools.
  • 1:09:33 Members said legislative details matter, including reported limits on newly started schools and possible 3-year approval requirements.
  • 1:10:23 There was interest in inviting State Representative Jody Barrett to a future work session so the board could share concerns and ideas before legislation advances.

Strategic planning 1:11:31

  • 1:11:31 Members said a work session should also revisit the district strategic plan.
  • 1:11:47 Administration said the current 5-year plan was written in 2021 and is tweaked annually, suggesting a fuller review may now be appropriate.

Member comments 1:12:33

  • 1:12:41 A board member endorsed the therapy-dog idea.
  • 1:13:32 A new member briefly commented on getting up to speed with the district.

Department / Official Reports 1:13:55

Director of Schools report 1:13:55

  • 1:13:55 The director shared district accountability results from TISA / state accountability measures.
  • 1:14:21 He said the district had moved from “in need of improvement” to “advancing,” based on categories including student achievement, student growth, attendance, postsecondary readiness, graduation rate / ready graduate indicators, and English learner performance.
  • 1:15:27 The district ranked 47th out of 146 school districts, placing it in the 32nd percentile.
  • 1:15:44 The director credited students, parents, teachers, and administrators and emphasized that teaching and learning are the central work of the district.
  • 1:16:02 He said school letter grades would be available to share on December 18.
  • 1:16:43 In response to a question about what drove improvement, he cited a combination of factors, especially better attendance, better student behavior, and stronger focus on instructional time and state standards.
  • 1:17:33 He gave an example of staffing effects on performance: Hickman County High School had benefited from experienced instruction in a tested history area, but losing veteran teacher Barry Jones creates a challenge as a beginning teacher takes over, underscoring the importance of retaining expertise.
  • 1:18:52 The district’s stated goal is to be above the Tennessee average, and administration described the accountability jump as a 29-point improvement.
  • 1:19:24 The district has now installed a new phone system using voice over internet protocol, with each school retaining a landline for outages and a landline fax line.
  • 1:19:51 Administration said the new system should produce a substantially lower phone bill.
  • 1:20:21 The district is in the middle of a football coach search.
  • 1:20:21–1:20:52 Administration said there were 28 applicants and named a selection committee that includes school administrators and athletics staff; members said they hoped to fill the job quickly so the new coach could begin relationship-building and a productive spring offseason.
  • 1:21:10 The district said one applicant works for the Minnesota Vikings, illustrating the breadth of the pool.
  • 1:21:44 The director tied athletics to school goals, saying sports participation supports attendance, academics, and behavior.
  • 1:21:53 The district attorney recently conducted a Title IX update session for all building-level administrators, at the request of district leadership.
  • 1:22:09 The training focused on recognizing harassment, preventing it, and properly investigating and responding when it occurs.
  • 1:22:24 The attorney reportedly said Hickman County administrators were in the upper quartile of groups he had trained in terms of question quality and participation.

Additional administration note — law enforcement dogs and savings 1:22:57

  • 1:22:57 Administration added that the district had changed its school search / detection-dog arrangement.
  • 1:23:03 Rather than paying a private company, the district now partners with the sheriff’s department for trained dogs.
  • 1:23:19 Administration said the change saved $6,000 annually and that the sheriff’s department dogs had been more effective than the previous private provider’s dogs.
  • 1:23:44 The district said contraband had in fact been found through the collaboration.

Adjournment 1:23:59

  • 1:23:59 Motion, second, and vote adjourned the meeting.

Key figures and statistics

Figure Type Context / topic Timestamp
8.25 years Service length Ron G. recognized for board service 18:13
500 Estimated count Deceased veterans in Hickman County discussed in American Legion project proposal 23:49
May 15 Date East Hickman High School senior trip date 29:51
3 hours Travel time Approximate one-way travel time to Holiday World 29:59
48 Student count Students signed up for the senior trip 30:08
12 hours Time threshold Board approval required for trips longer than this 30:08
6:00 a.m. Departure time Senior trip departure 30:24
8:00–9:00 p.m. Return time Expected senior trip return 30:24
$150 Student cost Senior trip cost including meals 30:34
6 Student count Approximate students attending the Sullivan University FCCLA trip 31:25
February 6–7 Date FCCLA Sullivan University trip 31:17
April 2–4 Date FCCLA state competition in Chattanooga 31:40
4 Count Number of budget amendments presented 32:09
17 Amendment number Budget Amendment 17 32:18
$5,000 Budget transfer General Fund donation-tracking adjustment 32:28
18 Amendment number Budget Amendment 18 33:02
$1.7 million Grant amount Remaining Innovative School Model grant funds to be spent over two years 33:18
2 years Time period Planned spending period for remaining Innovative School Model grant funds 33:26
$3 million Grant amount Original Innovative School Model grant total 33:43
$1 million Grant allocation Original grant share for each high school 33:43
$500,000 Grant allocation Original grant share for each middle school 33:52
$1.2 million Grant spending Roughly spent from the Innovative School Model grant last year 34:00
19 Amendment number Budget Amendment 19 35:11
$2,100 Grant increase Additional Perkins grant funds budgeted 35:11
$74,000 Grant amount Approximate total CTE Perkins grant 35:19
20 Amendment number Budget Amendment 20 35:28
45 days Time limit Special education alternative-school limit discussed for discipline committee context 47:30
$640 Pay supplement Approximate Level 4 teacher differentiated-pay amount 50:13
$1,200 Pay supplement Approximate Level 5 teacher differentiated-pay amount 50:13
$84,000 Budget amount Budgeted for hard-to-staff differentiated-pay purpose 51:13
50% Spending benchmark Midyear spending was said to be below this level 51:20
2024–2025 Fiscal / school year Differentiated pay plan amendment applies to this year 51:37
8 School count Franklin Special School District schools in therapy-dog example 52:49
8 Dog count Therapy dogs in Franklin Special School District example 52:49
400 Student count Elementary enrollment in therapy-dog example 53:15
10 Student count Initial nonparticipation count in therapy-dog example 53:29
2 Student count Remaining elementary nonparticipants after parent follow-up 53:38
520 Student count Middle school enrollment in therapy-dog example 53:46
10 Student count Middle school nonparticipants in therapy-dog example 53:54
1.5 years Training period Reported therapy-dog training timeline 57:05
16–18 District count Approximate number of districts represented by board attorney in discussion 59:29
3 Facility count Approximate number of AKC-approved training facilities mentioned 1:02:26
5 years Review period Draft therapy-dog reapplication period some members opposed 1:04:36
2 years Proposed review period Shorter therapy-dog recertification interval urged by a member 1:04:44
January 13, 2025 Meeting date Next regular board meeting 1:07:41
600 Student count Approximate number of county-resident students educated outside district schools 1:09:08
3 years Time requirement Reported approval threshold discussed in voucher / private-school context 1:09:52
5-year plan Planning term Current district strategic plan term 1:11:47
2021 Year Current strategic plan was written 1:11:56
47th Rank District accountability ranking among Tennessee districts 1:15:27
146 District count Total districts in the accountability ranking comparison 1:15:27
32nd percentile Percentile District accountability standing 1:15:27
December 18 Date Expected release of letter grades 1:16:02
29-point Improvement Accountability jump described by administration 1:18:59
28 Applicant count Football coach search applicant pool 1:20:21
$6,000 Annual savings Savings from switching to sheriff’s department dogs from private provider 1:23:19

External vendors, brands, and software

Name Type Context / topic Timestamp
American Legion Company Presented student veterans tribute and gravesite-mapping project proposals 22:08
Holiday World Brand Destination for East Hickman High School senior trip 29:51
FCCLA Brand Student organization travel requests for culinary and state competitions 31:03
Sullivan University Company FCCLA culinary-related trip destination 31:17
Space & Rocket Center Brand Cooking contest destination in Huntsville 31:25
TSBA Company Policy review advice and therapy-dog conference session 37:26
Matlock & Clemons Company Internal school funds audit contract 44:51
AKC Brand Therapy-dog training path and approved training facilities discussed 56:50
Minnesota Vikings Brand Employer of one football coach applicant 1:21:10

Personnel changes

Name Role / office Change Context / topic Timestamp
Ron G. School Board member Departed office / recognized Recognized for 8.25 years of service as a former member; appreciation item, not a vote 18:13
Dr. Ashley Tody Special Programs Appointed Added to School Discipline Hearing Authority Committee due to staffing changes; approved 46:55
Kristen Dunn East Hickman Middle School representative Appointed Added to School Discipline Hearing Authority Committee due to staffing changes; approved 47:04
Ms. Willis Principal Transferred / status changed Identified as the new principal who would recommend punishment and therefore not serve on the discipline committee; referenced in committee revision discussion 47:13
Band director name not stated Hickman County High School / Hickman County Middle School band director Resigned New band director resigned the day of the meeting; cited family job circumstances; prompted pay-plan amendment discussion 48:47

Laws and policies

Citation / name Level Type Context / topic Timestamp
Differentiated pay plan School Policy Hard-to-staff amendment approved to expand flexibility for certified positions without adding budget 16:25
Policy 5.116 School Policy Staff positions policy revised on first reading because part was no longer aligned with current law 37:26
Reduction in force reemployment list requirement State Law Discussed as the legal reason older two-year language in Policy 5.116 needed removal 37:58
Policy 1.200 School Policy Method of election of officers; second reading added runoff-certification timing language 38:55
Policy 1.806 School Policy Electioneering / campaign-worker language at schools used as polling places; action tabled for stakeholder review 39:57
State law on election-day activity at schools State Law Cited in discussion of signage and campaigning limits when schools are open 41:00
School Discipline Hearing Authority Committee School Policy Committee membership revised because of staffing changes 46:41
Title IX Federal Law Administrator training on harassment recognition, prevention, investigation, and response 1:22:00