[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6108806,"mediaKeyId","2766803-1c34582b08c0060e3d2f70528f92f59d","parentId",2766803,"title","Board of Education presents five‑year plan updates, performance bonus and bus contract schedule","audioSeconds",408,"startMs",1790000,"endMs",2198000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766803-1c34582b08c0060e3d2f70528f92f59d&start=1790&end=2198","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766803-1c34582b08c0060e3d2f70528f92f59d/thumbnail_1790000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6108806/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Board-of-Education-presents-fiveyear-plan-updates-performance-bonus-and-bus-contract-schedule","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108806-102dc5c4c588bd9e00c7989a95d26e77/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108883&Signature=dd4F7aPdNTuzct-TYFj8k9T6xEJyKS~SB7El0Ja-cM9BtZ2X~pZmQZ3eGgisbvLJJweWMDNRwg3KBgeTd4wOts1a5OxiQIMlFEwK9jgSIQQimHZY4xcZumexlHeiy6gLQMVqYz3~2E56etiDj37o0d6xUxSw-eJOcUbZi-a4TY97HzKibqJO4hEbPHFs4bBLHj9qn92INYgIyiT60NidXpF6T-C1Xdh8d~i1YpAFqxIpqydJsNa5dH7eG93MLLOOwEtfkPHsBi~cf7gBq~gkeyirrS~sXsd~1ER8foSZwspYCO-aGcqwWnziTDvnCNiUHH0G6CHEMt5XE~1qYY8JCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rutherford County, TN","date","2025-03-25T23:58:59Z","article","Officials from Rutherford County Schools briefed the Health & Education Committee on March 25 about an updated five‑year plan, the district’s receipt of a Tennessee performance bonus, and ongoing bus contractor negotiations.

Dr. Sullivan said the updated five‑year plan favors smaller community schools and projects several new high‑school additions (north and south ends of the county) while prioritizing renovations at older schools including McFadden, Smyrna West and Daniel McKee. He described an approach that aims to avoid very large single campuses and to spread new capacity across the county.

The district also announced a state performance bonus for high‑performing districts. The presenter listed multiple districts receiving awards and said Rutherford County and Williamson County received $4,000,000 each for having the highest number of \"A\" schools in eligible districts; other districts received $500,000 to $1,000,000 depending on size and performance.

On bus contract negotiations, the presenter said the system plans a final vote April 24. He said his proposal included a pay increase range and a $4,000 payment to cover insurance; attorneys for the bus contractors and for the county and school system were negotiating liability coverage, and both sides’ counsel are communicating.

Committee members asked about timing to accommodate budget hearings; the school board moved a meeting to April 9 so the district could present to the county budget office April 10. The committee heard the update and did not take additional committee action on these items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Health & Education Committee - March 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Rutherford County Schools previewed a revised five‑year capital plan emphasizing smaller, community‑scale schools, announced a state performance bonus that yielded significant one‑time funds, and gave an update on bus contract negotiations with a tentative April 24 vote.","taxTitle","Rutherford County, Tennessee","taxId",4625,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6108811,"School system seeks committee approval to buy metal detectors for all schools; committee approves pending Board of Education vote",412,1374000,1786000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766803-1c34582b08c0060e3d2f70528f92f59d&start=1374&end=1786","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766803-1c34582b08c0060e3d2f70528f92f59d/thumbnail_1374000.jpg","/articles/6108811/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/School-system-seeks-committee-approval-to-buy-metal-detectors-for-all-schools-committee-approves-pending-Board-of-Education-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108811-62a98536f503c2f95b4d41d2321a3258/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108883&Signature=WDyTWQS~dJjeRxcB3VHMfs~95415Yn8lPJ0hx3JwLn-01hge~MacagpiDPlBIu9ITfld5W2qvifYhHQCMY5nrctq-yqa48a72RVmII~2EduNrKv0Yma7MXlzH8RuvXf7dD6jZFyKjcZ1RlXxxpKFNed2GKf4Ui3Yes~XsxctNCng~6wdcYsllifU5VhQ5ZBUIPO5NX7K89ZMcKs2lgL1uB7WSzLmtRhez9hK4gUs~alwbnrOv9atBn27IKiWAceNVDG4DO7-6kX3kUn35C~iURCTdYQcYbcE-MK5OfThwxT4ZW4380t2iXbaMemKEvqsHP25tHK8Jm0bWR-9HRD-eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rutherford County Schools presented a proposal on March 25 to purchase weapons‑detection devices (metal detectors) for all county K–12 schools and asked the Health & Education Committee to forward the request to the budget process pending the Board of Education’s approval.

The school director framed the step as reluctant but necessary: \"As an educator, that is something, honestly, I never thought that I would ever want in our schools… However, we're to the point that as a director, I want to make sure that our kids are safe, and it is deterrent,\" Dr. Sullivan said. He said the recommendation is to staff the detectors with the same staff members each day and pay a small stipend rather than hire additional personnel.

Funding sources under consideration include additional state revenue (a performance bonus) and fund balance; the presenter estimated a one‑time cost between $2 million and $2.5 million depending on the number purchased and including training. Committee members voted to approve the funding request to go to budget contingent on school board approval. Roll‑call votes recorded: Commissioner Davidson — Yes; Commissioner Oliver — Aye; Commissioner Wilson — Yes; Commissioner Boyd — Yes; Commissioner McMurray — Yes; Commissioner Gooch — Yes; Chairman Dodd — Yes.

The presenter said the system had discussed the proposal with the sheriff’s office and planned to use existing morning drop‑off rotations for detector staffing. He added the detectors proposed are the same system used in the courthouse. The committee’s approval was conditional: the purchase will proceed to budget only if the Board of Education first approves the school board action.","Rutherford County Schools proposed purchasing weapons detection metal detectors for all K–12 schools, estimated one‑time cost between $2 million and $2.5 million including training; the committee approved forwarding the purchase to budget pending school board approval.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6108816,"Committee approves $1.635 million transfer from Fund 177 to complete school HVAC and LED projects",158,1206000,1364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766803-1c34582b08c0060e3d2f70528f92f59d&start=1206&end=1364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766803-1c34582b08c0060e3d2f70528f92f59d/thumbnail_1206000.jpg","/articles/6108816/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Committee-approves-1635-million-transfer-from-Fund-177-to-complete-school-HVAC-and-LED-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108816-a94ff0d072f4f4d878a09d2dc1712d77/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108883&Signature=ACQYNu0~erdiAxrC95hQlTdbIIBxSjYkd0kTgJNkF3KFORmPIHO61r-Iwb~FY9zx4DCft5OH9OCxEkz5EeHU9XKRlROSXH408hrGjiO5Bsj3eVwUjTVbT3MtWahMRxnOgViPoxD7cS-HJH8sIfI6YA5Cu29ClfD06Q4gH7nzCmk-g8uSESYT~yvoWx9Fm~c9z-4ba1lBg2ILXH6-RusbP2NIV6kOYk3V9C7VOK3jc5MVNinvM1eSpilC0hOvruHG0eV45npLDVhgtwykYcTAOoEjALCqyqD85yHAGxQik71-X6RaJO7nabxcJx4E1Xjhqk8teMAyZLOZI1e9CM3QCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee approved a budget amendment on March 25 moving $1,635,468 from Fund 177 fund balance (account 34685 committed for capital projects) to account 9130335 (maintenance and repair for service buildings). The transfer covers an $84,442 increase to a high school LED lighting project and a $1,551,026 increase to Phase 1 of the Smyrna Elementary HVAC project.

A presenter explained the timing rationale: funding the HVAC work now allows the project to be completed this summer rather than waiting for property‑tax revenue next year. \"By moving this out of fund balance, we can finish it this summer,\" the presenter said, adding that completing outdoor athletic facility LED work now allows next year to address indoor facilities.

The motion to approve the amendment passed by roll call. Votes recorded: Commissioner Oliver — Aye; Commissioner Davidson — Yes; Commissioner Wilson — Yes; Commissioner Boyd — Yes; Commissioner McMurray — Yes; Commissioner Gooch — Yes; Chairman Dodd — Yes. The amendment funds maintenance and repair work intended to finish HVAC replacement and LED conversions during the upcoming summer work window.","Health & Education Committee moved $1,635,468 from Fund 177 fund balance to maintenance and repair to cover LED lighting increases and phase 1 HVAC work at Smyrna Elementary; roll call approved the budget amendment.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6108821,"Commission forwards Poplar Hill Middle School construction request to budget after approving $70.9 million project request",552,520000,1072000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766803-1c34582b08c0060e3d2f70528f92f59d&start=520&end=1072","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766803-1c34582b08c0060e3d2f70528f92f59d/thumbnail_520000.jpg","/articles/6108821/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Commission-forwards-Poplar-Hill-Middle-School-construction-request-to-budget-after-approving-709-million-project-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108821-b427c5a8d176db3f6f294252834c7d34/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108884&Signature=a2l4DHyWzbh~pXubXFj1PZx6hR42L6mLI1L357EAuCNFUvYesK81hcKYd8C8bqsDus1enS9pLKtcDeMuHRxmOaHMZ3x50QbvDvQgBxNFW2m950urJrWcHcDQOVcynda7jiaWA5WMjDtV-lLfSHV9KSOcV7zO-YnYolEweKpyph4RB6cWL2jxZnuPDujeEFSGoG0p-yO0xdi0Y74PPk4Mw1edyxAFMOEhRMcyvCbRrx-Og4n2Y8UPHt~ccT4avr~~YmGjUiDLN7A6lSw8lOV0nPKV5fx~u7bkjIyA0Rh~0jVt6nOhzNXpPEm83LiV4jhHJZjhcwuf38QsrbtJ7frl3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rutherford County Health & Education Committee on March 25 voted to forward a school construction funding request for Poplar Hill Middle School to the county budget process with a positive recommendation.

Dr. Sullivan presented bid results and a funding package after purchasing and engineering received bids March 20 and RG Anderson Company submitted the lowest and recommended bid. The construction bid was $59,197,000; construction‑related contracts $2,000,000; furniture, fixtures and equipment $4,500,000; design $3,700,000; and site contracts $1,500,000, for a total request of $70,897,000. \"That bid came in very good as a district,\" Dr. Sullivan said.

Mayor Carr, moved up on the agenda, told commissioners the county expects to go to the bond market for about $110 million that combines this middle school and bonding for La Verne High School additions. He said the county has debt capacity and refunded debt to free cash flow; \"there will be no tax increase associated with this bond requirement,\" Mayor Carr said.

Commissioner Wilson moved to approve the request as presented and forward it to budget with a positive recommendation; the motion passed on roll call. Votes recorded were: Commissioner Oliver — Aye; Commissioner Davidson — Yes; Commissioner Wilson — Yes; Commissioner Boyd — Yes; Commissioner McMurray — Yes; Commissioner Gooch — Yes; Chairman Dodd — Yes. The committee’s approval advances the school system’s request to the county budget process and, if approved by budget and the full commission, schools expect an expedited timeline to open the school in August 2026 if approvals occur in April.

Dr. Sullivan said, \"We are hopeful that if budget will approve on April 10 and the full commission on April 17, that'll open in August of 20 26,\" and warned that delays would push the opening date.","The committee approved forwarding the Poplar Hill Middle School construction package — a $59.197 million construction bid and total $70.897 million request — to the county budget process with a positive recommendation; the mayor said borrowing will not require a tax increase.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6108826,"Rutherford County health department reports free flu shots, launches infant safe‑sleep class; director to leave for promotion",356,80000,436000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766803-1c34582b08c0060e3d2f70528f92f59d&start=80&end=436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766803-1c34582b08c0060e3d2f70528f92f59d/thumbnail_80000.jpg","/articles/6108826/Rutherford-County/Tennessee/Rutherford-County-health-department-reports-free-flu-shots-launches-infant-safesleep-class-director-to-leave-for-promotion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108826-61d5fe8c1915ce1ac84859e8b139d347/orig.mp4?Expires=1771108884&Signature=e6Q3A80g67WhZBvXEItMmGlEVH0HMCVYAHfYphwAuDeODSIV54nNnVzas6TU2WggkUb18Jhs281A6C3IyY2Oox7q6TDfbqctWyBa~lr8d98y3kIPSojZ3FxThBI5wSEaPZMAVpxvxjk2tzah7ZFDCb25zSovfGUjYiGefof2eW0DVKGfWdcXGoMDVCtrsBW3AjVwl~NW16960vWX4YFCyAJkBeK7nB9RCZVbK~sNIXSWnN9GmqGAh152yjO~9Uj27OBC8fJLdDEHhbovWRb75VB9DARlcnjBfVyUZ8T0tVtyJ7IpNqel31aPmJeU0xGHZRAqlxZ29y6Y-lUTgJBjdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Blair, assistant public health county director, told the Rutherford County Health & Education Committee on March 25 that the Rutherford County Health Department continues to offer free flu vaccines during walk‑in hours and is partnering with Middle Tennessee State University’s School of Nursing to offer a free infant safe‑sleep class on April 11 at the Murfreesboro Health Department.

The announcement included specific availability: \"Our flu vaccines are still free of charge at the Health Department. They are available during our walk in hours between 8 to 10AM and 1 to 3PM Monday through Friday,\" Blair said. He described the April 11 class and said, \"This informative session will cover the ABCs of safe sleep, which is alone, on their back, and in a crib, and provide practical tips to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, and other sleep related dangers.\"

Blair also addressed recent media reports about a measles case in Middle Tennessee. He said county health officials are still investigating location details and urged consultation with medical providers on vaccination, noting the protective effect of the MMR vaccine: \"Two doses of the MMR vaccine are highly effective at preventing measles.\"

Committee members praised Blair after he disclosed he is leaving for a promotional opportunity in Nashville. A committee member congratulated him on the promotion and asked about a replacement; Blair said county health conducted interviews for a county director and expects a decision soon and will notify the committee when it is public.

The committee approved Blair’s report by voice vote and moved on to other agenda items.","Assistant Public Health Director John Blair reported continued free flu vaccines, described a free infant safe‑sleep class with MTSU nursing, answered measles questions and said county health will soon announce a new county director after a promotion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board of Education presents five‑year plan updates, performance bonus and bus contract schedule

School system seeks committee approval to buy metal detectors for all schools; committee approves pending Board of Education vote

Committee approves $1.635 million transfer from Fund 177 to complete school HVAC and LED projects

Commission forwards Poplar Hill Middle School construction request to budget after approving $70.9 million project request

Rutherford County health department reports free flu shots, launches infant safe‑sleep class; director to leave for promotion