[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6395789,"mediaKeyId","2098254-c7bba70add8a47c245c1115a79a6d26d","parentId",2098254,"title","Board approves consent agenda items: nurse, change orders and several school facility requests; denies transfer student admission under policy","audioSeconds",188,"startMs",1048000,"endMs",1236000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2098254-c7bba70add8a47c245c1115a79a6d26d&start=1048&end=1236","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2098254-c7bba70add8a47c245c1115a79a6d26d/thumbnail_1048000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6395789/Tennessee/Board-approves-consent-agenda-items-nurse-change-orders-and-several-school-facility-requests-denies-transfer-student-admission-under-policy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395789-4288dfc5719a7c7d0cf51930ea71cdbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771067063&Signature=WP6ksWo9IxwZOgySRNZpFbkzgjJqmdiboHaWLuxA6xSnweZfO2XSTY8t9kDu8H~vOJoINN0ff4AbOE7xXsmhtyu6hD1FPFXynA3v~vteGz7estHmY~1FLLGpdL5~W8KhH4YsE5xfICpTW6b4ECyPI4dTANE3iIgvYRh1nd3L34HssryytwnJ0XArVKziNab-AGtSbwmG44psonuY5tmfAlCTD4Nmi4CcDQaTnmh6jJfXqKvWDvQ-IPossFkKYte-rN7sKWKAVlNqF0UxjWoNUvIpm84MLzAFvxM0~n8mtE48i2-zqyuRBhbvelukxzK4fCu2L~L-S-4gT2-CKyGj7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rutherford County Schools","date","2025-01-09T22:35:11Z","article","The Rutherford County School Board approved routine and project items on the consent agenda, including a new school nurse position, construction change orders and several school improvement projects funded by non‑district donors. The board also voted to deny admission to a transfer student who had been expelled from another district.

Key actions

- Nursing staff: The health services department requested one additional school nurse to cover increasing medical procedures at Oakland High School. The board approved the new position.
- Poplar Hill Elementary grading change order No. 2: Engineering and construction presented change order No. 2 for demo plus construction in the amount of $35,850 to complete the grading package for bid number 3711; the board approved the change order.
- Eagleville soccer field work request: The principal requested donated grading work for a soccer field; donated equipment, labor and fuel cost (estimated $2,000) were discussed, and the board approved the request. The school will fund future irrigation (estimated $30,000) and a 2‑inch tap meter as part of later work. The project requires TDEC approvals per staff note and is at no cost to the district.
- La Verne High School nutrition painting project: The school nutrition department requested a $45,200 painting project to upgrade the serving line appearance, funded from fund balance; the board approved.
- Daniel McKee exterior and interior mural paint request: Experience Community Church offered to clean and paint the exterior and to fund interior murals at no cost to the district ($19,300); the board approved the proposal and thanked the church for the donation.
- Charter review committee: The board approved the 2025 Charter Review Committee schedule and noted two charter letters of intent with application deadlines.
- Transfer student admission under discipline: The director of schools recommended denying admission for a transfer student expelled for repeated harassment of staff; the board voted to deny the transfer under district policy 6.318 and state rules that permit denial for students who were expelled or suspended from another system.

Why it matters

The nurse hire responds to a specific medical‑services need at a large high school; several facility projects were approved with little or no cost to the district because of outside donations; the transfer denial followed policy and a staff recommendation.

Ending

Staff will proceed to implement the approved personnel and construction items and follow required procedures for the Eagleville project (TDEC approval and later irrigation funding). The board thanked community donors for funded projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting - January 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","On the consent agenda the board approved one additional school nurse position, several construction change orders and facilities projects funded by outside donors, and denied admission to a transfer student under district discipline policy.","taxTitle","Rutherford County, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",13507,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6395793,"Finance staff briefs board on $538 million operating budget, growth pressures and potential gaps",248,6426000,6674000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2098254-c7bba70add8a47c245c1115a79a6d26d&start=6426&end=6674","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2098254-c7bba70add8a47c245c1115a79a6d26d/thumbnail_6426000.jpg","/articles/6395793/Tennessee/Finance-staff-briefs-board-on-538-million-operating-budget-growth-pressures-and-potential-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395793-31db67701335a23f8f68e556e55a4c6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771067063&Signature=bX4phHLR4z8U75EJVIJwsryF3naUnTSVkra7SdEZjIcGB7R9cT4fYw0KhIGHotmKc58ncNhI2BPLxe~xPFrECs-PhADSigVCSEh-1GEMw8AKdW1WerP8yF9LkooZi-A4u-W5w0VvH2CPNrdtsXElY1QnjdD7n~YNnLu~9Otg3~GyHBIpfe2Cp8vMp60SH1xHW9DUfq3h2JlbiVPtjgvIN5zcuio82r3XxK4~Y0KVSmp22ycyLCcBtjTnDfXfIMlRq-IAVajdXSEtzr7~7fVBGIBzeN8DDR6eFNLfHXKImc7BdmCIQ1dJf9JSd6TEYMyzlw50kIhusit~hgLks7JW4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District finance staff briefed the Rutherford County School Board on the current operating budget and preliminary projections for 2025–26, outlining revenue sources, projected expenses and several notable cost pressures.

Key figures and points

- Total 2024–25 operating budget: $538,000,000 (staff noted a large fund balance carried from prior years).
- Fund balance: staff reported a healthy fund balance “over $100,000,000,” while noting prior-year allocations for capital projects.
- Salary and benefits: roughly 74.5% of operating expenditures; a proposed 2.5% salary increase would cost about $7.5 million annually.
- Poplar Hill Elementary completion: staff estimated Poplar Hill site work at roughly $2 million–$2.5 million, depending on cafeteria/custodial needs.
- Transportation: projected additional cost estimated between $3 million and $10 million (a baseline estimate of roughly $3 million accounted for a 5% rate increase and additional liability insurance).
- Potential debt and capital: middle‑school debt expected near $80 million; a new high school could require $150–$200 million.
- Enrollment and revenue: staff reported about 500 new students added since August; enrollment growth drives roughly $4 million in revenue but coding changes could reduce that by about $3 million.

Why it matters

The presentation showed a narrow window between projected recurring expenses and predictable revenue. Staff said the district may need to rebalance some capital allocations (177 funds) back into operating (1.41) to cover recurring needs without significantly eroding the fund balance.

What the board asked staff to do

Board members requested additional detail on projected student growth, the timeline for Poplar Hill expenditures and whether science textbooks and other pending purchases could be expedited before July to avoid late deliveries.

Ending

Staff said they will continue refining projections and return to the board with more detail on debt plans for middle‑ and high‑school projects and the feasibility of earlier textbook purchases.","Finance staff reviewed the district’s $538 million budget, projected revenue changes and potential shortfalls tied to enrollment growth, transportation costs and planned capital projects including a new high school.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6395798,"Board asks state to fund fast‑growth school support, endorses broader public‑comment principles",194,1368000,1562000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2098254-c7bba70add8a47c245c1115a79a6d26d&start=1368&end=1562","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2098254-c7bba70add8a47c245c1115a79a6d26d/thumbnail_1368000.jpg","/articles/6395798/Tennessee/Board-asks-state-to-fund-fastgrowth-school-support-endorses-broader-publiccomment-principles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395798-ab099a7b876d0eb0264a8267b854b3a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771067063&Signature=njiMOi7RmBefDza55bgPb4Cntdp4LxOdRNltb1LVq2BHm9LHaYwsysAKPhkuGWhhpFpw4GkpJZzna4PiqGyZFbsLr1UgtZuymN5K06CVZUTHZ-GYPCbQRzpSrqldpmgFcMA1s3543dbFNiLM5OHUyAwp3b6eVW3UeaLy18TvdMZMPo1YMc3RBpqdXiNvrMgiTlsuarMKw5XQKND4dKIgE5l6mbZ3UoMeF4s7fKh2xTPm9xvNpuKuywTN6fT3H0CTv2srwuLToIkXuVdeQeN5zpxaNnquKZAtFp69i3a0OHOkE0gUQc5ptKpsVwxgthX4oasoWp2O6-lVwCRluP-WyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rutherford County School Board approved two resolutions related to state policy: one asking the Tennessee General Assembly to appropriate $50 million for fast‑growth stipends and infrastructure under the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) funding components for fiscal year 2025–26, and a second expressing support for House Bill 0022, which would broaden statutory public‑comment protections for governing bodies.

TISA funding resolution

Board member Mister Tidwell described the TISA resolution as an effort to seek full funding for the fast‑growth stipend and infrastructure components. The resolution asks the General Assembly to appropriate $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2025–26 “to ensure that all eligible school districts receive the full value of their calculated stipends and their percentage of the fast‑growth infrastructure.” Tidwell said he had discussed the proposal with contacts in the governor’s office and thought there was receptivity. The resolution was moved and seconded and passed on a voice vote.

House Bill 0022 and public comment

The second resolution expresses the board’s support for House Bill 0022, a proposed state statute to amend TCA 8‑44‑112 to require governing bodies to reserve public‑comment periods for matters germane to the agenda and for matters germane to the governing body’s jurisdiction regardless of agenda placement. Board members discussed whether the proposed statute would apply to the state legislature itself. Legal counsel and board members noted that the general assembly is not expressly listed in the statute’s definition of “governing body,” and case law and legislative rules complicate whether the legislature would be bound.

Board member Miss Maxwell asked that state lawmakers be included explicitly; other members said the scope of the general assembly differs and that additional language would be required in the bill to make that clear. The motion on the resolution as drafted was called, seconded and passed on a voice vote.

Why it matters

The TISA resolution is a direct budget request to state lawmakers that, if heeded, would increase funding available to fast‑growth districts. The public‑comment resolution takes a position on a pending state bill that could change how local bodies across Tennessee structure comment periods and which matters are allowed for public comment.

Ending

Both resolutions passed; the board recorded its formal positions and requested legislative action on the TISA appropriation.","The board passed a resolution requesting full funding for fast‑growth components of TISA and adopted a separate resolution expressing support for House Bill 0022’s principles on public comment, after debate over whether the state legislature falls under the bill’s definition of governing bodies.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6395803,"Rutherford County School Board reviews challenged library books, votes to remove some and require parental opt‑in for others",3537,2386000,5923000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2098254-c7bba70add8a47c245c1115a79a6d26d&start=2386&end=5923","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2098254-c7bba70add8a47c245c1115a79a6d26d/thumbnail_2386000.jpg","/articles/6395803/Tennessee/Rutherford-County-School-Board-reviews-challenged-library-books-votes-to-remove-some-and-require-parental-optin-for-others","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6395803-a735d77b48a2e0be05a0442d40500f38/orig.mp4?Expires=1771067063&Signature=nl3Gdc~iOcTFOVK4tME9nJPod-hagMZlQt-6BFSuwa~JPuwSHkYIbZElCOaIsNxKHZY-pBOJUWDN7pYPiBUo9b4nBXMontxPGxIA~CUwOnZs1mI~HFWhWZQwedVYvXI4a8bQqAWzChGSYdQrjOPryG1WI6qras9JqH7G71HcEsagPeLMEsBa4gW-7tAKOMq6F9RMpw01RQeeGvmCiH~T1E6mG0CaV3xzCyCnn8Zerm~Y35XpKGI~6NWiVVs4F8~Lk~xkSvl8KwPbqYHo3x0mTKDtugWUTOFiNGaiJhloK60tVegXFvct5J-zwfDH6eqb57q3gs1dcCTc5UZbj4ifdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rutherford County School Board on Wednesday carried out a line‑by‑line review and roll‑call votes on library titles challenged by the public and staff, removing some books from school shelves and keeping others in circulation with grade limits or a parental opt‑in process.

Board members began the agenda item after public comment from parents, librarians and community members who expressed sharply differing views. Lindsey Schultz, a parent and business owner, told the board that book removals strip “perspectives, ... identities” from students; Daphne Gamble, a member of the public, cited the Miller obscenity test and warned that Tennessee’s Age‑Appropriate Materials Act could be vulnerable to legal challenge. Elizabeth Shepherd, a public‑school librarian and parent, asked the board to back library media specialists and their recommendations.

The board said it would vote on each title individually with a roll call. The media‑specialist reviews and excerpted challenge content were considered by board members as they debated whether books meet state legal standards for removal or must remain available to appropriate grade bands.

Votes at a glance

- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe — recommended for grades 8 and up by media specialists; motion to retain failed (board did not retain the title).
- Heroin (challenge excerpt and title on agenda) — media specialists recommended retention for high school; board approved retention for high school only with a parental opt‑in arrangement (parents must opt in for student access).
- I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter — media specialists recommended retention at high school only; board voted not to retain (title removed).
- Shiver — recommended for grades 8 and up; the board limited retention to high school only and retained the title.
- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before — recommended for middle and high; board retained the title for high school only with parental consent requirements adopted by amendment.
- Looking for Alaska — media review did not find it meets the statutory obscenity threshold, but after discussion the board voted to remove the title.
- Concrete Rose — board voted to remove the title.
- Monday’s Not Coming — after debate the board adopted a retention plan limited to 11th–12th grade with a parental opt‑in requirement.
- Vampire Academy — motions to remove and to retain were considered; the board did not approve retention (the motion to retain failed).
- Eleanor & Park — board voted to remove the title.

Why it matters

Board members repeatedly framed the decision as a legal and policy question: whether challenged passages meet Tennessee’s definitions for material that must be removed and whether the titles align with the district’s educational mission. Several board members said they respected librarians’ expertise but also felt the board had an obligation to weigh community standards and minors’ access to certain content.

What board members and staff said

Doctor Chastain (library administration) explained that selection criteria and state rules include recreational reading, diverse viewpoints and materials “appropriate for the age and maturity levels of the students who may access the materials.” Legal counsel Jeff Reed answered questions about statutory definitions and how the law defines “governing body” for other agenda items.

Board members split on several titles. Member Vaught argued for retaining titles and relying on parents to limit their children’s access at home; member Darby and others emphasized that the board is legally responsible for what is available in school buildings. Multiple board members asked staff whether software and catalog settings could support parental opt‑in or other controls; staff said they are investigating options with Skyward and Follett/Destiny but could not promise immediate automated notifications for every checkout.

Next steps and process notes

- The board applied parental opt‑in arrangements for specific retained titles and limited other retained titles to high school grade bands as a compromise in several cases.
- Staff said they will continue exploring technical ways to allow parental opt‑in or parental notification (Skyward and Destiny integrations were under investigation).
- Board members and public speakers asked that the rationale and excerpts used in each review be retained in meeting records; the board followed an individual roll‑call procedure for each title.

Ending

Board members said the library review process will continue as additional challenges are filed and as the policy committee considers clarifications that were discussed during the meeting. Several public speakers thanked the board and librarians for the work behind the reviews.","The Rutherford County School Board heard public comment and conducted individual roll‑call votes on a set of challenged library titles. Several books were removed from school shelves; others were retained with limits or with a parental opt‑in requirement for older students.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves consent agenda items: nurse, change orders and several school facility requests; denies transfer student admission under policy

Finance staff briefs board on $538 million operating budget, growth pressures and potential gaps

Board asks state to fund fast‑growth school support, endorses broader public‑comment principles

Rutherford County School Board reviews challenged library books, votes to remove some and require parental opt‑in for others