[{"_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",6081071,"mediaKeyId","2943918-1f9fc78bc3fdc87eb9d09754ea897fdf","parentId",2943918,"title","Board approves academic calendar, large science textbook purchase and metal detectors as district faces projected budget gap tied to bus contract","audioSeconds",3900,"startMs",3600000,"endMs",7500000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2943918-1f9fc78bc3fdc87eb9d09754ea897fdf&start=3600&end=7500","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2943918-1f9fc78bc3fdc87eb9d09754ea897fdf/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6081071/Tennessee/Board-approves-academic-calendar-large-science-textbook-purchase-and-metal-detectors-as-district-faces-projected-budget-gap-tied-to-bus-contract","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081071-bfa3e5a4b0f77377f2ce75d87af0ccfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770875927&Signature=cn3R-GA1X77MQmGGQt535VtVSeIruKetzCbqGWTiHhX0h1oQcPmVqSBogQi5DiXX1zBEarudc~WUPXrtAuV7FYsfheM7pZmGGP7-GgYmwjStQBLsIEcuTTaQsFx27355sOTZ5KMJNt954fJEjNIPMJEKkUzZPX9t6cG1Ijahqv9PN1bddbIpG~3xT4~omL07nmoeudoq~rFT4QfDOGlSWoMIYiIQoRPHq5hZpPJqe66spUzVE8nrFY~JoJS0o8yLRkIrpvSz0l2yhEn9acQtR0Yrr08A-bcaK~mpz0-CGV0qXo70ofriV2Oa4zQgqFUXVw9fZ6tBcOsmrcDxZMfXKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rutherford County Schools","date","2025-04-10T12:59:57.817Z","article","The Rutherford County School Board approved the 2025–26 academic calendar, authorized the purchase of new science textbooks, and approved weapon‑detection equipment during a meeting where district fiscal staff warned of a multi‑million‑dollar operational shortfall.

The board approved a calendar change to swap a teacher/admin day with May 5 because the primary election was scheduled for May 5, 2026. The board approved the 2025–26 calendar as recommended.

On textbooks, staff said the state moved from a six‑year to an eight‑year adoption cycle and the district moved planned textbook funding into fund balance in FY24–25. The board approved the purchase of science textbooks at a total cost of $6,654,414 (elementary $3,181,095; middle $748,555; high school $2,724,764), to be paid from fund balance as part of the district’s textbook adoption planning.

On school safety, the board approved the purchase of weapon‑detection metal detectors and selected a communications‑tech model as the preferred vendor/option. The recommended motion to approve weapon detection equipment passed by voice vote.

Treasury and finance presentations that followed outlined the district’s revenue picture and looming budget pressures. District staff reported preliminary state funding increases (cited as an additional $22,748,208 in state revenue in the preliminary estimate) but noted charter school enrollments and associated funding flows reduce district net receipts because charter students generate funding that follows the charter schools. The district outlined projected new costs tied to opening Poplar Hill School, insurance increases, and equipment needs.

Most prominently, staff and board discussion focused on the transportation contract. A requested 35% increase from bus contractors—combined with a new requirement that buses be covered under county insurance—would raise costs materially. Staff said a 10% contract increase would cost roughly $2.7 million and that the combination of contract increases plus insurance could push the district’s shortfall into the mid‑single‑digit millions. The director of schools said the district has limited options for further cuts outside staffing and urged engagement with the County Commission on revenue options. Board members said they are exploring multiple revenue options, including phased smaller increases and potential county revenue measures, but acknowledged no final decision had been made.

As part of the consent calendar and budget amendments, the board approved a Fund 141 amendment recognizing $4 million in additional current‑year revenue and multiple line‑item changes, and approved a separate budget amendment to move $6,005,064 from fund balance into textbook purchases (account 71100430 bound textbooks).

Board members and staff said they will continue negotiations with bus contractors and will present options to the board; the district indicated it expects a budget decision in late June and warned that cuts would otherwise be required if the County Commission does not permit budgeted deficits or provide additional support.

Votes and outcomes (selected):
- 2025–26 academic calendar — approved (calendar committee adjustment for May 5 election).
- Purchase of science textbooks — approved; total $6,654,414, funded from fund balance.
- Purchase of metal detectors (weapon detection) — approved; communication tech model selected.
- Fund 141 budget amendment (recognition of $4,000,000 additional state revenue and allocations) — approved.

District staff said they will bring further budget options and contract details to the board as negotiations continue and that any use of fund balance to cover recurring costs would require board and county review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting - April 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a calendar change, an eight‑year science textbook purchase from fund balance totaling $6.65 million, and metal detector procurement, while district staff warned of a multi‑million‑dollar shortfall largely tied to proposed bus contract increases and insurance costs.","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},6081077,"Board approves stadium naming, scoreboard and easement authority for Poplar Hill school site",466,2994000,3460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2943918-1f9fc78bc3fdc87eb9d09754ea897fdf&start=2994&end=3460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2943918-1f9fc78bc3fdc87eb9d09754ea897fdf/thumbnail_2994000.jpg","/articles/6081077/Tennessee/Board-approves-stadium-naming-scoreboard-and-easement-authority-for-Poplar-Hill-school-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081077-63527200ecac377af6b21fe023aedde8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770875927&Signature=QdmfwG9fp3TcOU4ru2gPKq5udoHWHDEp0mTuHi96kwyOEcPVJiK~u9UOrl4IgmJoSRLjib0Bx9pgsycfoxJdnn8gI5VibwIkx5pgXJBpkmyt1X0OWGpyKFEws0TbH3GkghWT5uUd60-j0STafqtpaP28d45qD57FUCm6LyiONC7OnKnNHfNdDTrclTeqz2F4Oz2zT5AunSsZ5qsPYoSz~ICeKVZpRYFuF-BaizHFRgyvx~XIhu~FDn1OLnjmtG5qlRfOYB1RAckl-A-ja-UW4DZMaJIcOXYO~U1mbGJd25HT6Z~UiKSfp0QN-wZy1R0EG7MkC4wWeZiFbnzhMsVxbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rutherford County School Board approved multiple facility and construction items on Tuesday, including athletic facility projects and a motion authorizing legal negotiation of easements needed to serve the new Poplar Hill school site.

Principal Justin Smith presented requests for a video scoreboard at Blackman High School (project cost $256,865 to be funded by a booster club loan from First American Bank) and a 16×16 outfield deck for Blackman High School softball (materials and labor donated). The board approved both projects after staff explained that booster‑club loans are separate from the school system’s borrowing and that improvements on school property become district county‑owned assets covered by district insurance once completed.

The board also approved a request to name the Smyrna High School baseball stadium in honor of Sonny Gray, a Smyrna alumnus currently pitching in Major League Baseball; the engineering and construction department had no objections.

On the Poplar Hill school site, district staff asked the board to authorize board attorney Jeff Reed to negotiate required right‑of‑way and sewer easements along Blackman Road and across private properties to extend sewer service to the new school. Staff said some widening of Blackman Road is required for safe access and that the Rutherford County Highway Department will fund the portion of road work beyond the school contractor’s responsibility. The recommended motion explicitly authorized negotiation with affected landowners and the use of eminent domain if necessary.

Board members asked whether the road and sewer needs were anticipated during due diligence; staff said the easement and sewer extensions had been expected as part of normal site development, and county and city negotiations following purchase required the additional work. Board members also asked whether the cost had been budgeted; staff said the county highway department has agreed to pick up the road‑widening cost beyond the school contractor’s responsibility, and that funds for sewer easements were budgeted as part of site development.

The board approved the easement authorization and asked staff and counsel to pursue negotiations with landowners. Members asked the district attorney to proceed with eminent domain only if negotiations fail and with appropriate prior notice to the board.

Votes and outcomes (selected):
- Blackman High School video scoreboard — approved; project funded by booster club loan; district staff clarified booster club—not the district—holds loan liability during construction; facility becomes district property on completion.
- Blackman High School softball outfield deck (16×16, donated materials and labor) — approved at no cost to board.
- Smyrna High baseball stadium naming — approved (to honor Sonny Gray).
- Authorization for board attorney to negotiate Poplar Hill right‑of‑way and sewer easements, including eminent domain if necessary — approved; staff to pursue negotiations.

Board members said they will monitor negotiations and requested updates on eminent‑domain steps only if negotiations fail.","The Rutherford County School Board approved several facility requests: a video scoreboard funded by a booster club loan, a donated softball outfield deck, Smyrna High baseball stadium naming, and authorized the board attorney to negotiate right‑of‑way and sewer easements (including eminent domain if necessary) for the Poplar Hill school site.",{"_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},6081082,"Board postpones one transfer‑student admission, denies others in disciplinary cases",368,2400000,2768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2943918-1f9fc78bc3fdc87eb9d09754ea897fdf&start=2400&end=2768","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2943918-1f9fc78bc3fdc87eb9d09754ea897fdf/thumbnail_2400000.jpg","/articles/6081082/Tennessee/Board-postpones-one-transferstudent-admission-denies-others-in-disciplinary-cases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081082-2ecda4c02424c3d71d8ce169805a172a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770875927&Signature=CWe71Ww8XT94zYbDiJpXAYxYJsOkxNeMEgPzBxUQsKjQKtpQGPwwy5YoiGWywBzxFFGetZR0RWwYQUhZ4Jf2Bw5VyFCi5y9GEo30wUYtxL4Dyzfiom2Fe3QsyQ09HsShB05K6AH6bg3ofqFl~~KX9v4Rxe2RbxnuplhW~9TniAz0GFvclKf0bQ4pnkJxbOg7U8WK8eam5CJzWHywJuaHh3xm857c9rz50MMUijz2M9vSUGzqb7nudKfMQO~Ip0yg~fL2GeUSLd9MryeCVK0UUmsBm53ASv6N5bF3VSxIO60KjWPU6AQmki4zm1VGWeZYoLnvFao9mf15ViAxY2EFvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rutherford County School Board considered a set of transfer‑student discipline requests on Tuesday and took action on each case individually. Under policy 6.318, the board may deny admission to students who transfer while under suspension or expulsion; the director of schools recommended denial in each contested case.

Most motions followed the director’s recommendation and the board voted to deny admission for multiple transfer students whose records showed expulsions or disciplinary findings, including cases involving alleged mass threats, Title IX findings, classroom disruption and possession of THC. One case drew extended discussion after a parent in public comment said a criminal case against his son had been dismissed in the originating district. Board members debated whether to postpone action to gather the parent’s documentation and legal records.

Board member motions led to an amendment and a final motion: the board voted to postpone consideration of that single transfer‑admission request until the next regular meeting so the parent could provide documentation and district legal staff could review the material. Members clarified that the district will accept materials from the parent to the school system’s legal team and that any additional documentation should be shared before the April 24 meeting.

Separately, the board affirmed a disciplinary hearing authority decision (DHA appeal number 250301) to uphold the DHA’s earlier determination. That motion to affirm was made by a board member and passed by voice vote.

Board members emphasized the district’s limited ability to disclose disciplinary or investigative records publicly, and several members asked district legal staff to coordinate with the parent following the meeting so board members could receive whatever appropriate documentation the school system is allowed to share.

Decisions taken during the session were consistent with policy 6.318, which the board cited when discussing the authority to deny admission in transfers from other systems when a student is suspended or expelled. The postponed case is scheduled for the board’s next regular meeting, where the board will reconsider admission after reviewing any new evidence presented to district counsel.

Votes and outcomes (selected items):
- Transfer case #1 (expulsion for a mass threat): board motion followed director’s recommendation to deny admission (motion passed).
- Transfer case #2 (Title IX finding): board voted to postpone to the April 24 meeting to allow submission of new information from the parent; district legal staff to review materials.
- Transfer case #3 (extreme classroom disruption): board voted to deny admission (motion passed).
- Transfer case #4 (possession of THC): board voted to deny admission (motion passed).
- Transfer case #5 (expelled for making a threat): board voted to deny admission (motion passed).
- Disciplinary hearing appeal #250301: board voted to affirm the DHA decision (motion passed).

The board said it will accept documentation from the parent of the postponed case and that the district legal team will review any new materials before the April 24 meeting.","The Rutherford County School Board heard several transfer‑student discipline cases. The board denied admission for multiple students transferred from other systems while under suspension or expulsion, and postponed one case after a parent presented new evidence.",{"_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},6081086,"Rutherford County board removes dozens of library titles, retains others with grade restrictions after multi-hour review",2703,3809000,6512000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2943918-1f9fc78bc3fdc87eb9d09754ea897fdf&start=3809&end=6512","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2943918-1f9fc78bc3fdc87eb9d09754ea897fdf/thumbnail_3809000.jpg","/articles/6081086/Tennessee/Rutherford-County-board-removes-dozens-of-library-titles-retains-others-with-grade-restrictions-after-multi-hour-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081086-295a6b9c06992683ad840b2281b2a46a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770875927&Signature=ZFVOmWQABRbd~pk2H7Ap62Y8opOlfylHaJwrTygME7CSBQDCt7XLsbn2fNCQ4wMe4--Y2yYmPaV35YUXFGS7AfO-Fg~RKoS5C~bu4MFXA6pdkDf-EOn5xvHgyb-lvl5Qd7VL3326-FoLsi-7PAfb6E9XL6jIm6hxhKlgcrU7h3kEDGd0fgr9vhtrTR-5igkCPjyXAkXebFGiGJ-7AYEYLIyULxTMEUzBDSq838-CgMy4Xtm6Zu~rMxghlFwS~IPtCWunnq21mN8fQR8iQxYKHEZTxtels0Pui7WL0eOCpX8w7jVtfmqpDiuorym89xdBgStmWSK7fhWCDegABQ5t8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rutherford County School Board on Tuesday completed a multi-hour review of contested library titles, voting to remove a large number of books from district collections while retaining and restricting others by grade level or parental consent.

The board’s review followed a months‑long reconsideration process the district said involved 22 librarians and produced recommendations that the board considered in successive roll‑call votes. Director of Libraries Dr. Chastain told the board that, of the titles under formal consideration, 59 were recommended for removal by the committee, 15 for restriction, and 2 for retention as of the night before the meeting.

The vote matters because it changes which materials students can access directly from school libraries and prompted debate about district policy, parental rights and librarian expertise. Parents and community members urged different outcomes during public comment: some asked the board to protect library collections and staff, while others urged removal of particular titles.

Most of the board’s actions were routine roll‑call votes. Notable outcomes included votes to remove titles such as All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson and A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess; retainments or restrictions included several titles that the board limited to eleventh and twelfth grades or to high school with parental consent. Librarians said the district is tracking removed titles internally and that they will continue a cyclical review of collections.

Librarians and library staff who spoke at the meeting described the workload and cost of the review process. Elizabeth Shepherd, a Blackman High School parent and school librarian, estimated thousands of dollars in removed books and thousands of hours in staff time for evaluations; she urged the board to close a policy loophole that allowed a single complainant to flag large batches of titles at once.

Several public commenters urged the board to adopt a resolution opposing state bills discussed by some speakers (including House Bill 793 and Senate Bill 836) that concern student enrollment and immigration status. Those remarks were part of a broader public comment period and not a formal part of the library votes.

After the votes, Dr. Chastain said the district will post the names of removed titles publicly and that the system is implementing internal flags so schools will not re‑purchase titles removed by the board. The district also said librarians would be invited to continue a collaborative collection development process and that the system is below state standards for books per student — a gap district staff said they plan to address in future budgets.

The board did not take up changes to board policy at the meeting; several commenters and some board members urged formal policy changes to prevent repeated mass challenges. Director Chastain requested that parents and community members use the district’s formal reconsideration process and said the district will work to make the process more transparent.

Votes at a glance (selected titles and actions):
- A Clockwork Orange, Anthony Burgess — removed (media committee recommendation: remove).
- All Boys Aren’t Blue, George M. Johnson — removed (media committee recommendation: remove).
- Bumped, Megan McCafferty — retained at high‑school level with parental consent.
- Daughters Unto Devils, Amy Lukovics — retained for grades 11–12 with parental consent.
- Fade, Lisa McMann — removed after roll‑call vote.
- Fire Force, Book 1 — removed.
- Me, Earl and the Dying Girl, Jesse Andrews — removed.
- Real Live Boyfriends, E. Lockhart — retained for grades 11–12 with parental consent.
- You Know, Bodies, Gender, Puberty, and Other Things, Cory Silverberg — removed (board cited state legal opinion on illustrative content).

The district said the committee reviewed 160 titles submitted for reconsideration; 61 were withdrawn from formal review earlier in the process for reasons such as missing information or withdrawal by complainants. The board said 99 formal recommendations were presented to the board, with the decisions recorded in the meeting minutes and the district’s online collection reports.

Board members and librarians said they expect further work on collection development and said they will discuss possible policy amendments at a future meeting, including methods to limit large, single‑complainant mass challenges and to provide clearer pathways for parental notifications and requests.

The board’s actions take immediate effect for district library holdings; the district said it will post a consolidated list of changes and continue outreach to school librarians and families.","After months of challenges, the Rutherford County School Board voted on dozens of library titles. The board removed many books, retained some for high–school use only, and placed others with parental‑consent or grade restrictions. Librarians and community members disputed the process and urged policy fixes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves academic calendar, large science textbook purchase and metal detectors as district faces projected budget gap tied to bus contract

Board approves stadium naming, scoreboard and easement authority for Poplar Hill school site

Board postpones one transfer‑student admission, denies others in disciplinary cases

Rutherford County board removes dozens of library titles, retains others with grade restrictions after multi-hour review