In the June meeting the Union County Board of Education extended Director Greg Clay’s contract to June 30, 2028.
Clay received high marks from teachers, administrators and school board members during the evaluation process.
Students also made improvements on state tests with Big Ridge Elementary being a Reward School during the 2023-2024 school year. Several capital improvements have occurred, and the budget was an efficient use of tax money and required no increase in taxes for FY25. The TCAT contract is complete and ready to be bid. The new middle school plans are complete and the bids will be opened on June 25. The CTE addition is continuing. The contract extension will contain salary, benefits and incentives for achieving more progress annually.
Carolyn Murr, UCEA President, cautioned that the reorganization of personnel to meet budget constraints was difficult, but that she personally had lived through these changes in the past. However, she noted that the enemy of public education seems to reside with the governor and the legislators in Nashville with the refunding of money to wealthy businesses and not giving money to public education.
Murr stated that Governor Lee could have given $1M to each school district and still had money to spare. During the Legislation Report, Rebecca Lock, Plainview board member, suggested that the board may want to consider a resolution to support public funds for only public education. Chairperson Marty Gibbs and Director Clay agreed.
Lock and Director Clay plan to work with the attorney to develop an appropriate resolution. The voucher issue will most likely be again offered by Governor Lee next legislative session according to Lock.
Mary Ann Stackhouse attended her last meeting as the attorney for the Union County Board of Education. Multiple board members thanked her for the outstanding job she has done for the last 12 years.
Stackhouse has negotiated numerous contracts, extended advice on policy and regulations, and handled litigation. She has also provided perspective compared to actions in other education decisions.
She was particularly suited to being the UCBOE lawyer due to her extensive background in education and government law. Among her many honors are Outstanding Adjunct Teacher Award from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2001, the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for service and scholarship, and named to The Best Lawyers in America, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Caitlin Burchette will be the new board attorney. Both are associates of Lewis Thomason in Knoxville.
The board approved on second reading Policies 6.402 Physical Examinations and Immunizations, 6.314 Corporal Punishment and 6.300 Code of Conduct. Board members will have until the July meeting to read some 200 pages of changes in the law by the Tennessee Legislature that affect at least 20 school policies. The board approved the athletic trainer contract with KOC.
Finance Director Missy Brown noted that many of the budget amendments and transfers were due to cleaning up the budget for the end of the year financial report. Some money is to be moved due to fund balances exceeding the limit set by the board's finance policy.
Title funds decreased, salaries increased and changes in personnel also accounted for several of the budget changes. Several questions arose on the purpose of various titles within the Consolidated Application for Federal Funds. Since Ronnie Mincey, Federal Programs Supervisor, was on vacation, the application was postponed to the special called meeting on June 27 when acceptance of the new middle school bid will also be considered. Lenny Holt recorded the board action on behalf of Mincey.
The board recognized Food Services Supervisor Mary Effler for her diligence in acquiring a summer food grant. The grant serves fresh and frozen meat, vegetables and dairy products to children. Some 800 families are being served every Friday in June at a pickup line at Union County High School.