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TOP PHOTO: Interim Board of Education Chairman Johnny Byrge and Director of Schools Jennifer Fields at Tuesday’s regular monthly BOE meeting. Byrge will serve as chairman until a new one is appointed.
By Charlotte Underwood
JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – The Campbell County Board of Education held its monthly meeting Tuesday evening. Electing a chair and vice chair for the board was at the top of the agenda. Other business included the approval of updated policies and the rejection of several bids.
Board of Education member Crystal Creekmore nominated Jeffrey Miller and Josh James nominated Randy Heatherly.
Votes were split evenly for Miller and Heatherly, causing neither nomination to pass.
The BOE attorney Dail Cantrell explained since the board was in “limbo” then it would be temporarily filled by the senior board member until next month when nominations for a chair would be opened up once again.
Nominations closed for the night and as senior member of the board, Johnny Byrge acted as the chair for the meeting.
School Board members reviewed bids for the painting of the gym and locker rooms at Wynn School and the LaFollette Middle School Gym, locker rooms and concession stands.
Two bids were received for Wynn with one at $44,600 and another bid at $63,890.
A motion was made to accept the low bid, but it failed for lack of votes.
The same happened with the painting bids for LaFollette Middle School with a motion to accept the low bid of $48,000, which failed for lack of votes.
The school board also voted to reject bids received for roof replacements at LaFollette Elementary School and Caryville Elementary School. These projects will be sent out for rebid.
The board approved to accept the low bid for beverages, awarding the bid to Coca-Cola as the best bid to meet specifications.
The motion passed, but was not unanimous.
Also approved was the advertisement of bids for dining area renovations at CCHS, as well as to advertise the sale of a 2005 Chrysler Van and a 2010 Bluebird passenger bus to sell to highest bidder.
A memorandum of understanding was approved between the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office and the board of education for the state wide SRO program.
“This is in addition to the MOU we already have with the Sheriff’s department. This is something new required by the state,” said Director of Schools Jennifer Fields.
Byrge thanked Sheriff Barton for his department’s efforts in the schools.
“We get a lot of compliments, so thank you,” Byrge said.
Board members approved the 2023-2024 differentiated pay plan for a stipend to be received by 11 academic coaches that have already received their additional training.
“We set aside $30,000 that the state makes us set aside each year, and we can choose how to spend that,” Director Fields said.
A first and second reading was held on the approval of multiple policies as reccomended by the BOE Policy Committee. These included, but were not limited to policies regarding library materials, employment of retirees, school board members, board meetings, code of ethics, summer instructional programs, sick leave, attendance, home schooling and more.
A second reading was held regarding policies relating to appeals and appearances before the board, the emergency preparedness plan, the threat assessment team, security, extra curricular activities, student surveys, analysises and evaluations, physical examinations and immunizations, family medical leave, staff rights and responsibilities, zero tolerance, alternative education, and requirements for coaches.
“The staff worked very hard with Director Fields on this to update these changes for state law,” school board member Sharon Ridenour said.
Due to Fall break, the October 10th school board meeting has been changed to October 17th. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 09/13/2023-6AM)