Board met for their normal session. The slate of reports included Financial Report from County Finance Director Mike Nichols that the system is operating in budget and no chief finance concerns were given. A large crowd was in attendance for this meeting. The Central Office including Superintendent Nancy Zambito and Asst Superintendent Pam Finney gave recognition to the numerous faculty and staff member that have been doing “excellent work” and received high evaluations on State and system performance measures. Here is Pam Finney ….. (audio)
The board members heard a presentation from Brian Chandler about his committee's recommendation for a student uniform for the upcoming 09/10 school year and after little discussion the members approved a motion to pass 9 – 0
Brian Chandler discusses the new policy …(audio)
Teacher dress code was a negotiated item in their contract so the policy does not apply to them.
AS the business was drawing to close board member Grady Akins asked if the chairman would call a special called meeting to discuss three agenda items. The chairman asked if he wished to put his request in the form of a motion and he did asking for the meeting to discuss the superintendent’s contract, the central office organizational chart and central office base salaries. Anne Henning Rowan seconded the motion with the amendment that she be allowed to add “some” other items, she said would inform the secretary of those agenda item the next day or so. Board member Bob Alvey expressed “deep concern” about this “whole situation” saying that nothing he saw warranted a special mtg and it could be handled in regular session. Adding that he just wanted to say that to those orchestrating this plan. The motion did pass. Chairman Mays asked Mr. Akin if he had a date in mind at which point Carol Cater Estes interrupted and asked Mr. Akin if he needed a day or two to look at his calendar. He affirmed that.
It is reasonable conclusion that the discussion regarding the superintendent contract will center around whether the board acted in violation of some law in extending the contract three years. This issue was first raised more than two months ago and has been a talking point on several occasions. For the answer, if you believe the JMCSS Staff atty Deborah Owen, and sources who have cited the atty opinion of the TSBA and the opinion of the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendants legal opinions the answer is YES it is a legal contract. Nonetheless several Board Members are determined in there attitude that the contract should be voided and may opt to act accordingly in the face of differing legal opinion. One counsel the board has not sought is the opinion of their own attorney Dale Condor. That may still happen.
It is believed that scheduling the meeting is the responsibility of the board chairman. A date and time for the special called meeting will be published when it is decided
