[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",6348575,"mediaKeyId","2241515-2239c63d039ae3b37ad62ee001c65e7e","parentId",2241515,"title","Board hears debate over county paying off booster-club athletic debt; no vote at study session","audioSeconds",4410,"startMs",5786000,"endMs",10196000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2241515-2239c63d039ae3b37ad62ee001c65e7e&start=5786&end=10196","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2241515-2239c63d039ae3b37ad62ee001c65e7e/thumbnail_5786000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6348575/Tennessee/Board-hears-debate-over-county-paying-off-booster-club-athletic-debt-no-vote-at-study-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348575-73aea1cd5b6c3667fdf2c623ccf23993/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143929&Signature=NzPYkTuWrh8VNOp2ikDjam5ogLyL890s7vP9PYej6xF6asMNIK-fQGjbAXrGWctdg-wjOmy7qikAA0jSAAUHSgd5S7l6sF9IUz413sWcAHmUd4gnLnF9aE0d53OQt6qmo8ciX3pAWq4yyj1W8VPqawpTnyt2WhmUrK0DUZTxC3aCCHaoKKkth~980V308Fbnv4oIkFpHl3o9HwuPz8TgKtmVqsvVHBlDPv56CMM1Bohhj2Ov0OuHme5IJNxHnf9mJ1bGeDY6pflRhwqbmdtVmz5OKrD0WB9p4wyqqVWACXvJ092JJmvyF3kMZPQV6ipVsL~Q5Cr6NArTt5PyerJbdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sumner County Schools","date","2025-02-04T00:00:00Z","article","The Sumner County Board of Education held an extended discussion Feb. 4 about a draft resolution requesting that the Sumner County Commission consider paying outstanding athletic booster-club debt for several high schools.

Board member Mr. Evans introduced the resolution and said he wanted to prompt discussion with commissioners and stakeholders. Director of Schools (remarks by staff) and other board members reviewed records showing district capital contributions and amounts the district or booster clubs contributed to athletic complexes and facilities across the county. Staff said the district cannot itself give money to 501(c)(3) student support organizations and that any county payment would have to come from the Sumner County Commission, which has statutory authority to make certain grants to community organizations.

Data presented by staff listed district capital and school/community contributions (examples): Beach High School (district ~$850,000; community ~$783,439), Gallatin High School (district ~$850,000; community ~$373,000), Hendersonville High School (district ~$750,000; community ~$327,332), Station Camp and Westmoreland among others. Staff noted Gallatin, Merrill, Portland and White House had no outstanding booster-club athletic debt at the time of the presentation.

Board members debated fairness and precedent. Some members urged a narrowly targeted approach — for example, reimbursing Westmoreland High School for a specific outstanding field-house debt of about $274,000 — arguing that the facility had emergency needs and that individuals had personally guaranteed an unsecured loan to complete the project. Others warned that a broad county payoff could set a precedent and raise fairness concerns for schools that raised funds without borrowing. Several board members and staff said the county commission has authority to fund 501(c)(3) entities and has historically made similar payments to community organizations.

Board members asked staff for additional documentation about the makeup of debts, the parties guaranteeing notes and the history of county and district capital contributions; one board member said he would offer an amended, narrower resolution for the board’s next regular meeting. Staff said any county action would be outside the board’s direct authority and would require commission approval; the school board’s role is to communicate its recommendation if it chooses to do so.

No board vote was taken at the study session. Board members agreed to continue the conversation and to seek more detailed debt breakdowns and legal/financial background before considering final action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 4th, 2025 Study Session","oneSentenceSummary","Board members discussed a draft resolution urging the Sumner County Commission to consider paying outstanding athletic booster-club debts. The session produced competing views about fairness, precedent and which debts, if any, to prioritize; no board vote was taken.","taxTitle","Sumner County, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",17443,"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},6348580,"Sumner County maintenance says in-house trades saved millions; completed over 12,700 work orders last year",714,2044000,2758000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2241515-2239c63d039ae3b37ad62ee001c65e7e&start=2044&end=2758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2241515-2239c63d039ae3b37ad62ee001c65e7e/thumbnail_2044000.jpg","/articles/6348580/Tennessee/Sumner-County-maintenance-says-in-house-trades-saved-millions-completed-over-12700-work-orders-last-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348580-0c21bc3679b8ed0a56f766c705734abf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143929&Signature=DISz0NYjXq6UxnqwULxjI0J9S9dacUAUHoXhTqXwL4Q3y09MnbhrD9T511P8AFRxC1eGJNikjmiAnUqk8bdUMHwmtS0AZ~nAkOthAPiC~F5ZmCqVKcyc5M8XEmCLlXr~eXyNNxr0m6nI8Pzfgv76565Lzv63KpIA4NWqDyZ2FEpKSf1~t4Vecq9c4Myn60p9jJq2p73gdbXsdYKa3ySU2m~nwX0p3bj285z63pJKrTZ8lsNOUGi5kBNviZIG0G2t9eWLHafdKsgm~1h-Qe18gbToxxLaD1gLGKqY2zpYkvUUKaFNAbMdhf4hTsLz3OQpeM4OmKEk-o8qXvjMoiGHFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sumner County Schools’ maintenance and operations director Andy Brown told the school board on Feb. 4 that his in-house trades crews completed more than 12,700 work orders last school year and that keeping skilled trades — plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, carpentry and electronics— inside the district produces substantial savings.

Brown described the scope: 52 school buildings, six support buildings and roughly 6.4 million square feet of district property under maintenance. The department reported 72 employees in maintenance and grounds, including specialized technicians for electronics (fire panels, cameras), HVAC, plumbing, electrical and masonry. Brown said an internal warehouse carries inventory “like a Home Depot” to support repairs.

The presentation listed last school year’s volume: about 13,388 work orders logged and more than 12,700 completed. Brown described the department’s emergency trailer equipped with air movers, dehumidifiers and antimicrobial products used after sprinkler triggers, pipe ruptures or fires, and said the team regularly responds to after-hours emergencies. He cited an incident in which a small fire triggered sprinklers; rapid response and remediation reduced classroom closure time.

Brown discussed preventive maintenance and apprenticeship approaches. The department employs three box-truck crews whose year-round responsibility is filter replacement across many HVAC units; he said this illustrates the sheer number of units the district maintains. Trades also perform in-house roofing repairs, grounds shaping and concrete work, and the district operates its own lawn-mower repair capability and non-ethanol fuel supply to prolong equipment life.

Brown acknowledged hiring challenges in skilled trades, noting a recent pay increase helped retention and recruitment. The department uses mentors and apprentices and recruits through TCAT and local networking. He said large projects (for example, whole-roof replacements or major HVAC replacement) are still contracted out, but many renovations and repairs occur in-house at lower cost. Brown gave an example: an elementary football restroom building was quoted around $110,000; in-house work completed comparable work for about $48,000.

Board members asked about work-order turnaround and priorities. Brown said critical issues (cafeteria freezers, intercoms, fire panels) receive immediate attention; routine and lower-priority requests are scheduled and prioritized through the district maintenance system (SchoolDude). He and other administrators said capital planning is ongoing to address deferred maintenance: roofing, HVAC and other large-ticket items remain in multi-year plans.

No formal board votes were taken. Brown thanked his staff and said the department intends to continue a mix of in-house work, apprenticeship, and selective contracting for larger projects.","Maintenance director Andy Brown told the board his 72-person department handled more than 13,000 work orders last school year, keeps many trades in-house to save money and runs an emergency response trailer used for sprinkler or flood events.",{"_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},6348585,"Sumner County transportation reports 185 buses on routes, 1,100 daily runs; department seeks drivers",330,1048000,1378000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2241515-2239c63d039ae3b37ad62ee001c65e7e&start=1048&end=1378","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2241515-2239c63d039ae3b37ad62ee001c65e7e/thumbnail_1048000.jpg","/articles/6348585/Tennessee/Sumner-County-transportation-reports-185-buses-on-routes-1100-daily-runs-department-seeks-drivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348585-ceeadd7a6f590316bffab4c54a3108d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143929&Signature=jw52Qr0m6pd2NUgYOYDo9fOO7BNMNSuEcvk3NrXN4VYaPjeiuE8vtQYmEccj05p4rvGCMAE5knvrHrgO1NnfAEUK6kWQC1CUhnwH6VZ85doh~wgEYxsa0vzRTA6i24PmbL8PaeHo736UBJ317MyBIdJQyluflk-Gs9AzP8wd4vw8Y7ne6DiLNDi6w4clL4JT3dRYYBJRZLPWDEK6IC7EHcZErFKPaofXuGFwnR330TH5msBJ-lppGoGkBzrUeR~9Fc9U-agCiFDVZgj7tTKHQ9-wgLeiyZmn8brSMHNQP3rdMPPh-nqSF7iSxTS1FZRFEPxlFeKxDycHrnd32gIStg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sumner County’s transportation department told the school board Feb. 4 that the district runs 185 buses daily, operates 1,100 route runs per day and transports roughly 18,930 students, and that staffing shortages remain the department’s biggest challenge.

Transportation Director Tracy (last name not provided) and frontline supervisors presented fleet and operations data to the Sumner County Board of Education. The department reported a fleet of 233 buses including spares, with 185 buses in daily service, 28 of which are assigned to special-needs routes. Staff said the buses and routes combine for about 9,171 miles daily and about 1,650,780 miles per school year (regular-year routes only).

The department said it performs annual state inspections on all buses; buses older than 15 years get two inspections per year. State troopers conduct technical inspections that include exterior lighting, the stop arm and cross-arm, reflective tape, emergency exits, seats, windows and undercarriage components including brakes and tie rods. The department said a school bus is stripped for parts after about 18 years or 200,000 miles in service.

Driver training and certification were a major focus. The presenters said the district meets Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) entry-level driver training (ELDT) standards implemented in February 2022 and that Sumner County Schools is listed on the FMCSA training-provider registry for drivers who will work for the district. Training is performed in-house and includes classroom material, 24 hours behind-the-wheel, supervised area driving, CDL skills testing with a certified tester at the district shop, annual DOT physicals, mandatory state “Infinity” video training and yearly CPR/first-aid certification.

The department described outreach and community programs: “Buster the Bus,” a remote-control vehicle used for kindergarten bus-safety lessons; “Buster’s Closet,” a converted out-of-service bus used to distribute donated coats; and an “activity bus” stocked with supplies that rotates among schools.

Board members asked about technology and scheduling tools. Staff said they are working with a third-party bus-tracking app to resolve multi-address issues for divorced parents and that staffing shortfalls are addressed largely by existing drivers and a small substitute pool; the department said it does not cancel routes and covers students when possible.

On recruitment, the department said it has about 20 open driver positions and encourages applicants, offering training, CDL testing in-house and benefits. Directors said several drivers have decades of service and that supervisors interview and train drivers because supervisors work with recruits in the field.

No vote or formal action was recorded on the presentation; the board thanked transportation staff for the overview.","Sumner County Schools’ transportation staff described fleet, routes, safety inspections and driver training standards and said the department has about 20 open driver positions amid routine recruiting and in-house training.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348589,"Sumner County internal school funds audit returns clean opinion; fund balance up about $326,000",0,5069000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2241515-2239c63d039ae3b37ad62ee001c65e7e&start=5069&end=5069","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2241515-2239c63d039ae3b37ad62ee001c65e7e/thumbnail_5069000.jpg","/articles/6348589/Tennessee/Sumner-County-internal-school-funds-audit-returns-clean-opinion-fund-balance-up-about-326000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348589-12f9f3f7f559198629981179e534170b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143929&Signature=KM3fqiG-z3Qb~nPmtTjJPqoJCMnXfqgs-DLapLvMcVK1X5KtjbI3A85imDoUlrbZXyixt21N1zdco3OamJYfG7cp8Km8kOcVFXcvRYgHlhc~Gz8zbLQw0E9rt7P6COLL0FaksDHJr~JCUWMThExlVicLFH-BHLIjZwQiEXo5kNdBUfYeHL12Q~3oF7SqCLjtRW39Cjl-HvGZnYoPI9lPSW6v20TzZOg8sUKqoP-1RkBFVbhSCImaVvQzXrlw-NQPiWTwk0T25kT~SLwVSa1ZarbcXw1HN5audJmaUVyd9GohChpLIjDe8KHm5FY33UqjPnTdMtmDFo5Ab05CAaHk3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An external auditor reported an unmodified (clean) opinion on Sumner County Schools’ internal school funds for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, and said the district’s combined internal fund balance rose by about $326,000.

The auditor told the Sumner County Board of Education during the Feb. 4 study session that the audit opinion dated Dec. 13, 2024, included a clean opinion on internal control and identified no material weaknesses. The audit showed a combined internal fund balance of just over $8,000,000; revenues of approximately $15.03 million; and expenditures “just under” $15 million.

The internal school funds cover cash that moves through individual schools for activities such as snack sales, ticketed events, fundraisers, locker fees and similar receipts. Board members and staff discussed the reason for the internal-audit program: to verify that hundreds or thousands of small transactions across 50 schools are accounted for. Superintendent and board participants said school bookkeepers and the district’s internal audit team perform multiple checks on those receipts.

Board members and the auditor described recurring findings as “significant deficiencies,” the lowest reportable category that does not affect an overall audit opinion. The auditor said those instances have declined in frequency over the three years the district has conducted the internal-fund audit. Board members credited the district’s internal audit and bookkeeper training for that improvement.

Administrators described operational controls and support: the internal-audit team trains and backstops building bookkeepers, fills in when bookkeepers are absent and answers daily questions from school staff. The board also heard that declining instances of theft and misuse reflect both tighter procedures and more training, and that cybersecurity threats now figure into fund-control work.

Board members asked for clarification about the program’s purpose and scope; staff reiterated that the audit focuses on school-level cash collections and internal controls, not the district-wide financial statement audit.

No formal board action was recorded on the audit report during the session; the auditor closed the presentation after questions and thanked staff for cooperation.","External auditor gave Sumner County Schools’ internal school funds a clean opinion for fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, reporting a combined fund balance just over $8 million and revenues near $15.03 million.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears debate over county paying off booster-club athletic debt; no vote at study session

Sumner County maintenance says in-house trades saved millions; completed over 12,700 work orders last year

Sumner County transportation reports 185 buses on routes, 1,100 daily runs; department seeks drivers

Sumner County internal school funds audit returns clean opinion; fund balance up about $326,000