Deanna Mitchell

The Bledsoe County Schools 5-Year Strategic Plan outlines a comprehensive framework focused on five key pillars: elevating the educational program for all students, improving community and parental engagement, recruiting and retaining excellent employees, providing inspiring and supportive facilities, and fostering a climate of well-being for all. Key objectives include enhancing reading proficiency, school performance, graduation rates, and college/career readiness by 2027, alongside increasing parental satisfaction, employee retention, and leadership development. The plan also targets comprehensive facility management by 2028 and improved school safety by 2024, aiming to create a holistic environment for student and staff success.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included the approval of the agenda with an addition regarding Policy 6.4081. The board approved monthly financial reports for October 2025 and considered several budget amendments, including changes related to Trustee Commissions, Employee Daycare for Medical Insurance, and adjustments concerning the school psychologist position funding, which prompted a discussion on gifted education coverage. Directors provided updates highlighting that Bledsoe County High School and Cecil B. Rigsby Elementary are Rewards Schools, detailing various student activities such as mock interviews, STEM projects, competitions, and food drives across different schools. The board also approved a contract for in-person Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) services with specified insurance and hold harmless requirements. Approval was granted for four additional para-professional positions for behavioral support across multiple elementary schools. Bids for surplus buses were reviewed, resulting in the approval of bids for non-operational buses and the rejection of bids for operational buses. Policies were reviewed and updated, specifically deleting the Emergency Procedure section from Policy 1.600 and removing the Released Time Course section from Policy 6.200. Approval was granted for tenure requests for several individuals and a reinstatement for two previously tenured teachers, with a follow-up requested on the timing of tenure granting. An informational update and subsequent approval were given for the Valley Elementary Elite Team 4th and 5th Grade Basketball League. An update on the TSBA Delegate Assembly was provided, with a recommendation made for pre-discussion of delegate items next year. Under new business, Policy 6.4081 regarding the Safe Relocation of Students was updated concerning when employees may relocate a student for safety reasons.

Key discussions and actions included the approval of the agenda and previous meeting minutes. The Finance Director presented monthly financial and quarterly reports for June 2025, reviewed year-end fund balances, and sought approval for new Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance rates, where the board opted to maintain current percentage contributions despite an average premium increase. Approval was also sought and granted for the Federal Consolidated Funding Application. Updates were provided on school visits, staffing levels, and the donation of books promoting kindness. Approvals were granted for the Teen Mental Health Program contract for Bledsoe County High School and the Centerstone MOU. The board approved accepting the Public School Districts Opioid Recovery Trust Grant, which funds two full-time social workers for three years. Approvals were made for the list of non-faculty coaches and the picture contract for Mary V. Wheeler Elementary, which included an increase in commission rate. The board updated Policy# 6.204 regarding Non-Resident Students and established the application criteria for the new Student Board Member Policy.

The primary discussion focused on the negotiation of the Director of Schools Contract. The Board attorney reviewed terms of the previous contract. The Board recommended several terms for the new contract, including a four-year length, a base compensation of $120,000.00, $3,000.00 for in-county travel, full coverage for medical, dental, vision, long term disability, accident, group term life, and cancer insurance for the Director, spouse, and eligible children, cell phone plan coverage, 15 vacation days with a 5-day carryover limit, reimbursement for out-of-county travel expenses, payment of organization memberships, and a requirement for the Director to present a formal plan of long-term goals to the Board within 60 days. The Board directed the attorney to draft the contract for further review.

The regular meeting addressed several administrative and operational items. Key discussions included the approval of the agenda (with item #12 tabled), review and approval of monthly and quarterly financial reports for September 2025, and approval of budget amendments related to FRCX Donations and spending down a fund balance. The Board approved the TISA Accountability Report and the annual 2025 Local Education Agency Compliance Report. Operational discussions involved planning to use 3 acres of property behind Pikeville Elementary for an outdoor classroom and advertising bids for a 3-year lease on the remainder. Updates were provided on the completion of the financial audit (with no findings), current staff vacancies, and the distribution of longevity, career ladder, and bonus payments. Bids for new cafeteria tables were reviewed, resulting in the approval of the bid from School and Office Supply. Approval was also granted to purchase a Toyota Sienna van using SWC contract pricing. Policy updates included changing the Credit Recovery grade percentage from 60% to 70% and revising a Safe Relocation of Students policy line.