by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

The Franklin County School Board welcomed new and returning members at the Aug. 10 meeting. In regular business Chair CleiJo Walker updated the board on new legislation impacting the public schools.

At the Aug. 6 General Election, Franklin County residents living in odd numbered districts voted to select school board members for their districts. Sandy Schultz was re-elected to serve as the representative for District 1; Sarah Marhevsky was re-elected to represent District 5; Caycee Roberts was re-elected to represent District 7; and Dave Van Buskirk was elected to represent District 3. District 3 representative Lance Williams chose not to seek re-election. The new and returning board members will begin their four-year term in September.

Williams is the current vice-chair and has served on the board 16 years. The board honored Williams long-standing dedication and commitment to the Franklin County Schools, awarding him a framed certificate of recognition. “Lance sits on my left at board meetings, but he’s my right hand most of the time,” Walker said in presenting the certificate. “We appreciate you.”

Stepping in for Marhevsky who usually delivers the legislative update, but could not attend the meeting, Walker reported on four legislative provisions highlighted at the Tennessee School Board Association (TSBA) Summer Law Institute. One, electronic participation in board meetings is allowed during inclement weather. Two, school districts can conduct a superintendent (or similar role) search either in executive session or in public. The pros include a district may get more candidates who don’t want to risk their current jobs by going public, and conversations are easier in a small setting than in a large public one. On the negative side, in a private executive session, a district cannot get feedback on the candidates from other groups. Three, English Language Learners who receive assistance in class can now receive assistance during TCAP testing. Four, if a seventh grader earned “exceeds expectations” on their math TCAP, they will be put into Algebra I in eighth grade.

In her note to the board, Marhevsky asked the board to think about resolutions to present to the TSBA calling for or commenting on legislative action.

Board member Sarah Liechty expressed interest in a resolution addressing the impact of the Education Freedom Scholarship Act voucher program on public schools. “Sarah wrote a beautiful resolution last year regarding the voucher program,” Liechty said. “[Tennessee] is 51st in the nation on per student expenditures. We’re not going to do any better as long as we’re putting that much money into vouchers. It’s important to continue to show the challenges that legislation brings to us as a school system.”

Liechty also expressed concerns about homeschooling. “I’m wondering if our [state] compulsory attendance law is in line with our regulations for homeschools. Four hours a day is all that’s required,” Liechty said. She also cited the discrepancy in requirements for public school teachers versus homeschool teachers. “The education level or training of the person providing the [homeschool] education is only a GED or a high school diploma. [Homeschooling] is happening all over the state. I’m wondering if from a legislative standpoint, we need to look at what’s going on with homeschools and the students who are receiving an education in that environment and how that might align with public schools. I’m concerned there is so much difference between the environments and the rules and regulations.” Walker and Schultz voiced agreement.

Turning to TSBA recommended policies, the board approved an Application and Employment policy amendment stipulating “No person shall be employed … Who has not had their information verified using E-Verify.” “We already use E-Verify,” observed Director of Human Resources Jenny Crabtree. The board also approved an amendment to the Students from Military Families policy. The amendment gives parents longer to show proof of residency, increasing the time from five days to one year. The policy also allows 11th and 12th graders forced to relocate due to their parents’ military commitment to remain enrolled in the same high school even though they no longer reside in the district.