by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“You’re not buying doors, you’re buying time,” said Director of Schools Cary Holman at the July 8 meeting of the Franklin County School Board commenting on the ultra-secure storm doors being installed in the vestibules at all county schools. Holman provided an overview of the security upgrade and other recent school renovations paid for with Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. In regular business, the board took up policy changes impacting how much TCAP scores counted in students’ grades and the consequences for students attending school “under the influence” of alcohol or drugs.

The board viewed a video demonstrating the features of the new storm doors coated with a protective film. In the video, the doors deterred bullets, cement blocks, axes and sledgehammers. In addition, the protective film completely blocks those outside the building from seeing inside while allowing those inside a full view of the outside. Other projects paid for with ESSER money included renovating gym floors, some of which have received no maintenance in over 16 years. “Going forward all schools will be on a rotating maintenance cycle so we don’t come into this issue again,” Holman said.

The board reviewed and approved 16 proposed policy changes, some with additional revision. “[The changes] are mostly verbiage due to a change in law or recommendations from the Tennessee School Board Association (TSBA),” said Board Chair Cleijo Walker. Board members raised questions about several of the recommended changes.

The amended Family Life Education policy calls for showing students an “ultrasound of at least three minutes in duration that shows the development of the brain, heart, and other vital organ in early prenatal development.” The Tennessee legislature mandated the requirement. “Some [children] might get upset over things they’re asked to watch,” board member Sandy Schultz. She asked if parents would be notified about the ultrasound viewing and if parents could request their child “opt out.” “I would imagine the school will make appropriate accommodations,” Holman said.

The amended Testing Programs policy removed the requirement that TCAP scores count in determining a student’s final grade for grades 3-8. Previously, for grades 3-5 TCAP scores counted 5 percent; for grades 6-8 TCAP scores counted 10 percent. “I don’t agree with the philosophy that when you give a kid a test it counts for nothing,” said Board Vice Chair Lance Williams. Shultz concurred. “Without accountability, some won’t try as hard.” Board members Linda Jones, Sara Leichty, and Sarah Marhevsky argued for zero percent weighting of TCAP scores in final the grades of younger students. “We should trust that teachers are assessing their student’s progress based on what’s taught in the class,” Marhevsky said. “Standardized testing is stressful enough,” said Jones. The board voted to weigh TCAP scores at 5 percent for grades 6-8 and zero percent for grades 3-5. Marhevsky voted against the change.

Marhevsky also took issue with the Code of Conduct policy citing “under the influence” as a “misbehavior” for both Level 3 and Level 5 offenses. Marhevsky pointed out the other Level 5 misbehaviors impacted others and being “under the influence” did not. She recommended “under the influence” be removed from the Level 5 misbehavior list. Level 5 misbehavior can have more severe consequences. Holman noted the Level 3 and Level 5 misbehaviors referenced being “under the influence” of different types of substances. The Level 3 description cited “under the influence of tobacco or alcohol or non-THC vape product,” while the Level 5 description cited “under the influence of any narcotic or stimulant drug, prescription drug, or any other controlled substance.” The board voted to approve the policy change, with Marhevsky voting “no.”

Holman brought another new requirement to the board’s attention: school buses must post a notice, “No unauthorized persons may enter the bus.” Sometimes parents entered buses, Holman observed. “Without that statement, the county could be prosecuted,” said Deputy Director of Finance Jennie Phillips.

Commenting on the new practice of asking teachers leaving the district to fill out Exit Surveys, Human Resources Supervisor Roger Alsup said when asked about the reason for leaving, no respondees cited salary, working conditions, or their supervisor; 8 percent cited relocation; 41 percent cited personal reasons; and 58 percent cited retirement. “I think that’s very positive. We’re getting some good feedback,” Alsup said.

Marhevsy’s legislative update called attention to several new laws impacting teachers and schools. A state issued teaching license will now certify a teacher for eight years, instead of six; school boards must adopt a policy governing ChatGPT and other Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms that enable students to use AI to complete assignments; and data from students transferring into a school after December 31 will not be included in the calculation of a school’s letter grade. Looking to the future, Marhevsky said the TSBA had put out a call for resolutions governing public education practices to present to the state legislature when it resumes meeting in October.