Board of Education Moves Forward With School Plans; Members of 2024 MCHS Football Team Recognized

Members of the 2024 MCHS Football Team were recognized with a resolution for their first ever program state championship at the January Macon County Board meeting.

By Mark Darnell

The Macon County Board of Education held their monthly meeting on Tuesday January 14th at Macon County High School.

Chairman Dale Hix called the meeting to order at 5 pm and Daniel Cook led a prayer and Lionel Borders led the pledge.

A motion was made by Borders and seconded by Tim Case to approve the board agenda. Director Shawn Carter noted that one item had been added about the school calendar. Motion was approved.

In the consent agenda, members received the minutes from the Dec 12 meeting. There was one leave request, two trip requests, and three fundraiser requests to approve. A motion was made by Borders and seconded by Michael Cothron to approve the consent agenda. Motion passed.

There were no new positions to authorize, no appearance requests, and no one signed up for public comment.

In old business:

A motion was made by Borders and seconded by Case to table approving the Directors evaluation to the February meeting. All reviews had not gotten back in so more time would be needed. Motion passed.

Brian Templeton from Upland Design came before the Board to ask for approval to proceed with the construction document phase of the new school. He also introduced Zach Baldwin with American Contractors.

American Contractors has developed a design development budget for the new school and has a tentative estimate of $51,554,002 for the project. They explained that preliminary construction could begin in July of 2025 with a 22 month construction period. Director Carter informed the Board that they had been approved for a loan of $51,699,000 and that the sales tax account at the county had accrued a balance of approximately $7,000,000 (This money would have to be spent first and would also have to be used for furnishings or other expenses involved with outfitting the school).

A motion was made by Case and seconded by Wayne Marsh to allow Upland and American Contractors to proceed with the construction document phase of the project. Motion passed 5-0 on a roll call vote.

Director Carter informed the board that a meeting took place before this Board meeting with Ms. Tess Cothron and other school counselors to discuss standardized Erin’s Law curriculum. Erin’s Law is a new requirement for all TN School Systems that involves educating all school age children about inappropriate touching.

A motion was made by Borders and seconded by Cothron to allow this group to continue to develop a standardized county wide curriculum which will then be posted for all parents to see. Motion was approved.

In new business:

A motion as made by Case and seconded by Marsh to recognize the staff, faculty, coaches and football team members of the 2024 MCHS Tiger State Championship team. Director Carter also read the resolution recognizing this accomplishment. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Marsh and seconded by Case to approve a revision of Policy 4.603 Promotion/Retention and Policy 5.118 Background Check Investigations. Both of these changes were mainly procedural and were requested by the TSBA. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Case and seconded by Borders to approve a new copier lease for Macon County Junior High which had run out. Motion passed.

Director Carter then stated that the school system would have five snow days left to use for the remainder of the year. He wanted the approval to recoup three days (Parent/Teacher Day, President’s Day, and Good Friday) to use as snow days. With weather forecasted he needed this approval before the Board would meet again. Motion was made by Cothron and seconded by Borders for this to be done if needed. Motion passed.

The next work session is scheduled for Jan 27th at 6 pm and the February meeting will be on Feb 3rd at 5pm. Both meetings will be at the Central Office.

A motion was made by Borders and seconded by Marsh to adjourn. Motion passed.