The Wayne County School Board met in regular session on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. in the Central Office Board Room. Board members in attendance included Andy Yarbrough, Sherman Martin, Charity Horton, Debbie Brown, and Camryn Eaton. Superintendent Marlon Davis was present as well. Board member Dwight Bumphus was absent.
Chairman Andy Yarbrough called the meeting to order and invited those in attendance to participate in a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
The first items on the agenda included adoption of the consent items, minutes of the February meeting, and the February ledger of accounts. Sherman Martin made a motion to approve. The motion was seconded by Debbie Brown and was passed unanimously.
The first item under new business was Policy Review: Section 4 – Instructional Program – 4.100-4.405. Superintendent Davis had no recommended changes to the policy.
One overnight trip was presented to the board for approval: Wayne County Technology Center – FBLA Convention, Chattanooga, TN, April 3-6, 2022. Charity Horton made a motion to approve, and Debbie Brown seconded. The trip was unanimously approved.
Non-faculty coaches were next on the agenda for approval. Superintendent Davis presented the following for approval: Spencer Hammond, WCHS Boys’ Soccer; Shawon Fisher, WCHW Boys’ Soccer; Jason Crews, WCHS Softball; Brian Miller, WCHS Baseball, and JK Staggs, WCHS Baseball. Superintendent Davis stated that Spencer Hammond and Shawon Fisher had satisfactory background checks, and the remaining had background checks pending. Camryn Eaton made a motion to first approve Hammond and Fisher. Sherman Martin seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Sherman Martin then made a motion to approve the remaining non-faculty coaches pending satisfactory background checks. Camryn Eaton seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Surplus property was next under new business. Superintendent Davis presented a list of computers and peripherals from WMS to be declared as surplus. Sherman Martin made a motion to approve, and Camryn Eaton seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Next on the agenda was the Legislative Funding Bill. Superintendent Davis updated the board on the latest funding bill proposed by the governor and compared the district’s current funding to the proposed amount.
Next under new business was each high school’s prom. Superintendent Davis said that the high schools are requesting to hold their proms off-campus at the following locations: FHS – Clifton City Park, April 8; CHS – Pleasant View Farms, Iron City, TN, April 22; WCHS – Pleasant View Farms, Iron City, TN, April 29. Charity Horton made a motion to approve the requests, and Camryn Eaton seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Budget amendments were next. Superintendent Davis presented line-item budget amendments related to General Purpose Special Education and Coordinated School Health. Sherman Martin made a motion to approve the amendments as presented. Charity Horton second, and the budget amendments were approved unanimously on roll call vote.
Bids were next on the agenda. Superintendent Davis presented the bids that were received for mowing school campuses, with A&N Lawn Care submitting the low bid for all campuses. Sherman Martin made a motion to accept the low bid. Charity Horton seconded, and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote.
Bids for HVAC in the CMS and WMS gyms were next. Superintendent Davis said that no bids were received for this.
Transportation Supervisor Tracy Love next addressed the board regarding the purchase of a new school bus. He requested purchasing one 66-passenger bus off the Sourcewell bid platform. The bus would be purchased from Cumberland International for $98,425.29. Sherman Martin made a motion to purchase the bus, and Camryn Eaton seconded. The motion passed unanimously on roll call vote.
Superintendent Davis next informed the board that USDA had notified the district that the waiver providing free meals to all students would expire June 30, 2022. All students not receiving free or reduced meals will have to pay full price during the 2022-23 school year. Camryn Eaton inquired about other districts continuing to provide free meals, and the superintendent said he would get more information.
Next under new business, Superintendent Davis announced that the district had been identified as a Reading 360 district. This designation was due to the participation in Early Reading training last summer and utilizing TDOE resources to ensure students develop strong phonics-based reading skills.
Athletic recognition was next, with Superintendent Davis recognizing the following sports teams: CMS Girls’ Basketball, James C. Haile State Champions; WMS Girls’ Basketball, James C. Haile State Runner-Up; WMS Boys’ Basketball, James C. Haile State Champions; WCHS Girls’ Basketball, TSSAA State Tournament Class A Runner-Up; and WCHS Cheerleaders, TSSAA Class A Spirit Award winners. Superintendent Davis expressed appreciation for the athletes, coaches, cheerleaders, and parents for their efforts.
The superintendent next recognized Greg Eaton for his past service on the board. Eaton recently moved out of his district and resigned from his seat on the board.
A concerned parent addressed the board next regarding the vacancy of the nursing position at Frank Hughes School along with nursing pay in general, and discussed a recent incident concerning her child. No action was taken by the board.
With no further business to come before the board, Sherman Martin made a motion to adjourn. Camryn Eaton seconded, and the meeting was adjourned.
