[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6700710,"mediaKeyId","2322523-1934d6b20551de7ef4957298699e5425","parentId",2322523,"title","Votes at a glance: Oak Ridge board approves hazard mitigation resolution, policy change, grants, personnel actions and equipment purchases","audioSeconds",1293,"startMs",1767000,"endMs",3060000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2322523-1934d6b20551de7ef4957298699e5425&start=1767&end=3060","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2322523-1934d6b20551de7ef4957298699e5425/thumbnail_1767000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6700710/Oak-Ridge/School-Districts/Tennessee/Votes-at-a-glance-Oak-Ridge-board-approves-hazard-mitigation-resolution-policy-change-grants-personnel-actions-and-equipment-purchases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6700710-4c6190abd8474d471bda8b819493f244/orig.mp4?Expires=1770720438&Signature=SDdiezQwpKedQU-txftQ5hUmaagCbignD1Rsg5ZurxmOWwY-zDSNw-eoBmGX53TyESdjQoO6bPkj4cYMBseeM~P4SmjErIn6ELwWAd-H3Eoehv~3AxwnSwm~ro5SnJJ3x2u3Xc4ADNeYKTPzLh2VZ92h3~YCtmZmtf8c3OS4jXDIrh8-zZewhvS9Tip9AErynravPGK43ESgQugedInWSEiDi2-7jjenAVvAOlEfpjOvic5EnSdOLMSd0Ynh88xdl5wKIc9K7ho3fAbXdKcpjgrN8o82N6QfWXMLq3euAfNk~mugc2t35WjwdzeWhwtNloi5hUDCWyL5Rt2BV8RhTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oak Ridge Schools","date","2025-02-17T13:22:20.583Z","article","The Oak Ridge Board of Education approved a set of motions by voice vote or roll call at its Jan. 27 meeting. All recorded motions on the agenda passed unanimously; the transcript records \"motion passes unanimously\" for each item but does not provide individual vote counts.

Key actions recorded by the board:

- Adopt Anderson County hazard mitigation plan (Item A). Superintendent Dr. Borchers recommended approval. The plan is required for the district to be eligible for federal disaster funding and reimbursement should a declared disaster occur. Motion to approve was made by Ms. Webb and seconded by Dr. Hartman; the motion passed unanimously.

- Approve Board Policy 5.118, Background Investigations (Item B) — first and second reading. Superintendent recommended entering the district into the federal \"rap back\" record‑of‑arrest notification program so staff will receive ongoing notifications instead of waiting five years for repeat checks. Motion made by Dr. Hartman and seconded by Ms. Craven; motion passed unanimously.

- Grant exceptions to Board Policy 5.1101 for four staff members (Item C). The superintendent recommended the exceptions; the board approved the waivers. Motion made by Ms. Webb and seconded by Dr. Hartman; vote recorded as unanimous. District staff said they plan to bring a revised policy to reduce recurring waiver requests.

- Reclassify 1.0 FTE software developer position (Item D). Superintendent explained the role has expanded beyond a tier‑2 position to include database integration, Power BI work, laptop rollout and sports ticketing systems. Motion to approve was made by Dr. Hartman and seconded by Ms. Craven; motion passed unanimously.

- Approve FY‑25 tenure status for eligible staff (Item E). The board recognized teachers, novice teachers, teaching assistants and principals who attained tenure; the motion was made by Ms. Craven, seconded by Ms. Webb and passed unanimously. The meeting listed names of staff awarded tenure across preschool, elementary, middle, high school and the Secret City Academy.

- Approve FY‑26 Preschool Voluntary Pre‑K grant (Item F). Superintendent said the grant traditionally funds five pre‑K classrooms to serve 100 four‑year‑old students. Motion to approve was made by Dr. Hartman and seconded by Ms. Crank; motion passed unanimously.

- Approve FY‑26 new high school course requests (Item G). Motion made by Ms. Webb, seconded by Ms. Craven; motion passed unanimously. (Details and follow‑up on the nuclear CTE pathway are reported separately.)

- Approve purchase of 592 Lenovo laptops in the amount of $825,916 (Item H). Superintendent stated laptops were over four years old and out of warranty; the purchase was included in the FY‑25 budget. Motion made by Dr. Hartman and seconded by Ms. Webb; motion passed unanimously.

The board's consent agenda, which included several student trip approvals, also passed unanimously. Following the votes, board members received an informational legislative update and financial report; no board action was recorded on those information items.

Motions, mover/second, and meeting notes below reflect the transcript record; where the transcript did not provide a numeric vote tally the outcome is recorded as \"passed unanimously\" per the meeting minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 27, 2025 - Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Oak Ridge Board of Education approved a series of motions at its Jan. 27 meeting, including adoption of an Anderson County hazard mitigation plan, revisions to background‑investigation procedures and purchases of laptops and program funding.","taxTitle","Oak Ridge, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",53588,"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},6700720,"Oak Ridge High students present peer‑mentoring, culture and new‑student programs to school board",924,177000,1101000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2322523-1934d6b20551de7ef4957298699e5425&start=177&end=1101","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2322523-1934d6b20551de7ef4957298699e5425/thumbnail_177000.jpg","/articles/6700720/Oak-Ridge/School-Districts/Tennessee/Oak-Ridge-High-students-present-peermentoring-culture-and-newstudent-programs-to-school-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6700720-a609dd1e65811d72b30a3bc3dfb9f7f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770720438&Signature=joLjXQ3dPS0G7pyizrLVJt8J2sY40czXP40EmOgBL6SYLjCSQZXrNcPkeCFV3i5f8yJYsOKCTSjiISRKPUmD8WRfQSmlBBhmv6ScKQXta74-uTin5DlwAo2vqjQFdEgthS6wDNGxoF6BVrcYzzKCFoa9B8AifMLjRHJjuxqtkvwmOg8WQ30LrFciRtvMg8LiK0hIjMwFDJ87HliyDehKHpk7SNIeSzE8eA4GBO-EzUS8i9MEz-OFt51SFXjOieiheRjGz1ajbGK2SbeITso0WGIPHcSmoRyBTVya14gMNYr3kvlTcGpOOdTw0b34pE9koa7GbhMAxa4RCbFwYUn0nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oak Ridge High School students and the school social worker presented three student‑led programs to the Oak Ridge Board of Education on Jan. 27 aimed at improving school culture, student connections and transition support.

Allison King, school social worker at Oak Ridge High School, told the board the counseling department began tracking student barriers to learning and found anxiety and depression were primary concerns. \"We started doing some social‑emotional lessons,\" King said, and students later approached staff to develop peer‑to‑peer programming.

The presentation described three initiatives. Wildcat Mentoring targets ninth‑grade students and uses the Teen Truth and CharacterStrong curricula; student mentors hold weekly activities in study halls to teach communication, goal setting, empathy and teamwork. \"When I was a freshman, I had mentors that came into my lunch class and hung out with us,\" said Mira Sheth, a senior at Oak Ridge High School. \"They made us all feel so welcome in our new school. I would love the opportunity to make some of the new freshmen feel the same way.\"

Wildcats for Change focuses on school culture and community events intended to strengthen relationships between students and staff. Jessica Linton, a junior, said the program organizes events including a back‑to‑school bash, game nights and a trunk‑or‑treat. \"We're enhancing student‑staff relationships ... improving peer connections,\" Linton said.

The New Student Ambassadors program pairs returning students with newly enrolled students for personalized tours, schedule help and lunch‑period matching to ease the first‑day transition. \"We do personalized school tours ... and match lunch periods so the student can have a familiar person to sit with the first day,\" a student presenter said.

Students gave examples of impact. Ben, a sophomore who moved frequently because his father served in the Marine Corps, said being an ambassador helped new students make friends and find belonging: \"I can definitely say it works because one of my closest friends this year is someone I showed around the school at the beginning of the year.\"

The board commended the students for their leadership during the brief question period. The programs, presenters said, aim to make Oak Ridge High School feel smaller and more welcoming by increasing peer support, improving student satisfaction and strengthening community connections.

The presentations took place during the board's Jan. 27 meeting and were followed by routine board business.","Students and a school social worker described three student‑led programs — Wildcat Mentoring, Wildcats for Change and New Student Ambassadors — that aim to support social‑emotional learning, build peer connections and ease transitions for new students.",{"_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},6700715,"Oak Ridge approves new high‑school courses, adds nuclear‑energy and innovations pathway",575,2496000,3071000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2322523-1934d6b20551de7ef4957298699e5425&start=2496&end=3071","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2322523-1934d6b20551de7ef4957298699e5425/thumbnail_2496000.jpg","/articles/6700715/Oak-Ridge/School-Districts/Tennessee/Oak-Ridge-approves-new-highschool-courses-adds-nuclearenergy-and-innovations-pathway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6700715-e7ce4313f1a30f832c35838223606d46/orig.mp4?Expires=1770720438&Signature=IQdPTBOVnLVv7A3cbWiYbOzXVpulQybfuz5kP-KYKSsPoPyg7SC-zC6ICtl5bEP1aduR4JGMoW3yYPGOOIpjhcSVoARYWRqzudbudfSZmPM-XHWmk~0Fyxo3AmRuC1tUq~-8uyaE8j8zqABGe0-P1UKm0a4x0nFX3Owe92TUA~wWZxxfUz-AFx33ebqFqp2tDkl4POFHqsCswNHKkrv45xYj3U3~gIUmGMdtJ077ir4TsXgUYCMcibEHxDXj9F0zeKiWmQ20mWilEVMVZiVPrYi2Efd7vOcMphhA8GTPgXzmVIseB~DLH2T89PJr-b5N2dDLiPC7QpArF6UmGsulPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oak Ridge Board of Education on Jan. 27 approved a slate of new high‑school courses for the 2025‑26 year and authorized the addition of a Career and Technical Education pathway titled Nuclear Energy and Innovations.

Dr. Williams, who presented the proposal, said the course request process starts with high‑school staff and aims to balance student interest with available scheduling and department capacity. \"We're excited to introduce a new pathway at Oak Ridge High School, which is the nuclear energy and innovations pathway,\" Dr. Williams said, noting the district will add related CTE courses to support the pathway.

Board members asked about college partnerships and credentialing. Board member Holly Webb asked whether Pellissippi State Community College could provide dual‑enrollment credit; Dr. Williams said the district maintains dual‑enrollment agreements with institutions including Roane State and Tennessee Tech and that Pellissippi follows the same agreement process. \"We work with whomever is the point of contact for that particular course of study at the college level, and then we sign an agreement between our organization and theirs,\" Dr. Williams said.

A board member asked how many students must enroll for a course to run; a district official said 12 students is the typical threshold but cautioned that that number does not guarantee a class will be offered because scheduling and overall course demand also factor into the decision.

The presentation included workforce linkage planning: the district reported coordination with industry partners and noted a potential industry credential in electrical work connected to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). A member of the public, Anne Toth, suggested the district also contact the Tennessee Valley Authority's education‑pathways team and offered to provide a contact at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant.

The board approved the new course requests by voice vote. The motion was made by Ms. Webb and seconded by Ms. Craven; the motion passed unanimously.

The approved packet includes elective offerings in performing arts and languages as well as the new CTE pathway; district staff said they will pursue dual‑enrollment agreements and industry credential approvals as the courses are finalized.","The Oak Ridge Board approved FY‑26 new high‑school course requests, including electives in musical theater and international film and a new Career and Technical Education pathway in nuclear energy; board members discussed dual‑enrollment options and industry credentials.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Oak Ridge board approves hazard mitigation resolution, policy change, grants, personnel actions and equipment purchases

Oak Ridge High students present peer‑mentoring, culture and new‑student programs to school board

Oak Ridge approves new high‑school courses, adds nuclear‑energy and innovations pathway