School Board · Meeting · Feb 9, 2026

Disclaimer:
This outline was created using AI based on an automatically generated transcript. The transcript and this outline is likely to contain errors, inaccuracies, or omissions. Always refer to the original audio recording if you need to verify any details or for official purposes.

Call to Order / Opening

• Meeting held Monday, February 9, 2026.
• No one signed up for public comment.
• Moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Agenda

• Two add-ons noted for the agenda: an action item on building/construction at East Hickman High School (listed as 11H), and 11I for director discussion and voting.
• Agenda approved as written (motion, second, voice vote).

Approval of Minutes

• Minutes for the January 12 regular meeting approved (motion, second, voice vote).
• Minutes for the January 22 special-called session approved (motion, second, voice vote).

Special Recognitions

Hickman County High School girls cross country

• Team placed fourth at sectionals and advanced to state; described as the first HCHS girls cross country team at the state meet; finished tenth as a team.
• TSSAA recognition letter read emphasizing respect, integrity, and sportsmanship.

February employee of the month

• Felicity Powell, school nurse at County Middle School, nominated with description of duties (medication, care, leadership, food drive after local explosion, head softball coach correction from football).

Consent Agenda

• Motion to approve consent agenda item number nine; second; voice vote in favor.

School / Program Updates (Information)

East Hickman Intermediate

• Priorities: chronic absenteeism (goal referenced as 15.2%; current rate stated as 10.1%) and academics/student ownership of data.
• Strategies: data chats after benchmarks, incentive “fly days,” strategic use of time before school and end of day, outreach for tier-three chronic absenteeism, focus on power standards ahead of TCAP in RTI time, emphasis on math and ELA.

Centerville Intermediate School (CIS)

• Chronic absenteeism figures discussed (including comparison to goals/AMO targets); instructional focus on differentiation via PLCs.
• Use of 2:45–3:15 window for targeted groups; emphasis on fifth-grade science for accountability testing; use of morning time where possible.

Student Trips and Competitions (Action)

All items below were presented and approved via motion/second and voice vote unless noted.

East Hickman High School FFA — state convention

• Gatlinburg; dates stated March 22–25, 2026; Courtyard by Marriott; itinerary includes convention sessions and evening activities; four students attending.

East Hickman High School FBLA — state competition

• Overnight Chattanooga, April 6–9, 2026; seven students; transportation by school vans; funding from EHS FBLA account except food/extras.

Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) — state competition

• Student Kinley Bragg to compete in public speaking at state (February 25–27); Murfreesboro DoubleTree; chaperone described as parent who is a county employee; funding through JAG.

Hickman County High School welding — state competition

• Chattanooga, March 15–17 (three nights); one student (another student not present due to work).

Hickman County High School construction / SkillsUSA — state competition

• Chattanooga, March 15–17 with awards March 18; student Jackson Mayberry; approximate costs discussed (~$2,000 hotel, ~$500 food); chaperone context and pride in student effort.

Junior/Senior Prom (Action)

• Student representative requested off-campus prom again; April 18, 7:00–11:00; Crossroads Cowboy Church pavilion/space at no charge; security plan including five county SROs and venue security; theme described as a night under the lanterns; community sponsors and ticket affordability discussed.
• Motion to approve prom plan; second; voice vote in favor (no opposition stated).

Technology — Chromebook Purchase Bid (Action)

• Staff recommended CNB Computers, HP units at $221 each ($10 more than the lowest bid, but preferred for repair/service); up to 550 units, maximum about $121,500 (purchase described as “up to,” not mandatory to buy all).
• Roll-call vote: all members recorded in favor.

Student Information System — Synergy Recommendation (Action)

• Skyward described as outdated; committee visited vendors in Chattanooga, evaluated finalists PowerSchool and Synergy; Synergy recommended for functionality, Tennessee compliance, counseling/scheduling, discipline, parent app, and integration with existing tools (Navigate 360, Raptor, Clever, Titan, Stellar mentioned with add-on costs).
• Costs (as stated in the meeting; verify in board packet / recording):
  • Five-year total for implementing Synergy given as about $124,964.
  • An initial slice of the projection (from signing around February 28 through June 30) was given as $22,428 (speaker corrected a prior slip on dates).
  • A recurring annual amount in the projection was spoken as “25,6354” in the transcript—likely ~$25,354 or ~$25,635 with a transcription/digit error; described as continuing through fiscal year 29–30 in the same projection.
  • Current Skyward spending described as roughly $22,000–$23,000 (annual ballpark); staying on Skyward with its new rollout was said to end up closer to about $30,000 once implemented.
  • Clever, Titan, and Stellar described as available with add-on fees (similar idea to current Skyward add-ons).
• Possible March budget amendment to fund the current-year piece; target go-live July 1 with summer training.
• Board member question about student hall pass / location features; presenter affirmed similar capabilities and benefits vs. current system.
• Roll-call vote to approve Synergy: all members recorded in favor.

Disciplinary Hearing Authorities — 2025–2026 (Action)

• Revised list read for schools/programs (names and sites as stated in transcript, including special programs chair).
• Motion to approve item 11E; second; voice vote in favor.

Budget Amendments 25–28 (Action)

• 25: Additional revenue — public school security grant (timing: approved roughly October/November) for radio system upgrades; SPED high-cost reimbursement dollars; internal moves for contracted SPED-related services (no dollar totals read aloud; details described as sensitive).
• 26: Adjustments for radio upgrades tied to security grant; ISM move of $7,000 from equipment toward instructional/other supplies.
• 27–28: Federal grants — HQIM literacy network (including $1,500 professional development) and Carl Perkins amendment moving $300 between professional-development coding areas.
• Note: part of amendment 25 may require County Commission before full implementation.
• Roll-call vote: all listed members voted yes; amendments passed.

Policies

First reading

• 1.901 — Charter school applications: additions regarding sharing per-pupil funding estimates with sponsors and a timeline for board action reporting.
• 2.804 — Expenses and reimbursements (optional policy): board attorney advised not to allow reimbursement approach involving sales tax (tracking burden); recommendation to omit that allowance.
• Motions to approve first reading for 1.901 and 2.804; seconds; voice votes in favor.

Second reading

• 1.404 — Appeals/appearances before the board: change so action requires a majority of the full board membership, not merely members present.
• Motion to approve; second; voice vote in favor.

Review cycle

• 1.503 through 1.82 marked for review; TSBA reported no updates at this time.

Construction — East Hickman High School Change Order (Action)

• Change order to add conduit and spare conduit after technology/maintenance review; rationale described as future-proofing so the building does not need to be dug up later. Speaker said they would not have requested the change if it had been about $10,000; actual cost described as small compared to doing the work later.
• Roll-call vote: all members recorded in favor.

Director of Schools — Discussion and Vote (Agenda Item 11I)

• Chair invited board comments on finalists (names as discussed: Dr. Anderson, Marcy Tidwell, Mr. Stone, Dr. Nelson).
• One member summarized outreach volumes (staff/community counts as stated in transcript) and themes of support for candidates.
• Multiple members spoke to difficulty of the decision, role of the board vs. polls or public pressure, interviews and information not available to the public, and 1992 law making the director the board’s single employee.
• Procedure: motion to proceed with vote; second; roll call by name for preferred candidate.
• Votes as transcribed immediately before the tally:
  • Dr. Anderson: Miss Baker, Mr. Lane, Miss Mays/Mazize (three).
  • Marcy Tidwell: Dr. C, Miss Taylor, Miss Herren, Mr. Hobbs (four).
• The spoken tally in the transcript (“Dr. Anderson four, Marcy Tidwell three”) does not match those individual votes. Closing audio also renders the chosen director’s name as “RC Timber,” which does not match any named finalist and is almost certainly a transcription error.
• Official outcome should be verified from the recording or adopted minutes.

Announcements

• Next regular board meeting: March 2.
• Legislative update (fragmentary): bills mentioned include possible election of superintendent and an SRO-related bill; details incomplete in transcript.
• Basketball: East game noted; one high school game at middle school due to floor damage at the high school.
• Saturday work session / retreat in March — date to be set.
• Chair requested a volunteer to help draft contract for the new director (process similar to prior year).

Adjournment

• Motion to adjourn; second; voice vote in favor.