[{"_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",6631238,"mediaKeyId","2680018-8a618154d085cc0c46b3f714853ecfe1","parentId",2680018,"title","Work session reviews dozens of recommended purchases, contracts and MOUs including SmartSense sensors and vehicle fleet replacement","audioSeconds",522,"startMs",2628000,"endMs",3150000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680018-8a618154d085cc0c46b3f714853ecfe1&start=2628&end=3150","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680018-8a618154d085cc0c46b3f714853ecfe1/thumbnail_2628000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6631238/Tennessee/Work-session-reviews-dozens-of-recommended-purchases-contracts-and-MOUs-including-SmartSense-sensors-and-vehicle-fleet-replacement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631238-392dd6fa23ab08d7c0939701cae956f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131475&Signature=oFvAmk9XiEa1g-K6pG1A0p8VvxpIPwz5Y2YFDJsa2fC7qzpyQV5jKBLPt-kuqgLiwzZKCoFBZ4OUsapCVpSzOKVRUvRS8ZcstRCwPutqpGSp7nZZLe04vsltqLqw-QfIC1vz~bikwJhzpvW9uUjt0DA9dNMhtcKzjvjeoKWquoMzGh5yvSdkaUAhXQeocFaIeqazDghycpGzLsJxg~26rf~z3MrH43dK0J82hJn-1cy7G2ox5GhbIvNKV7Or3UknlHiyAz-P08yfD0jM9fjtEi7V9gNW2zibycotuwhGvR3bRvPEpioVGZ1u~Kr~rlKOD1V57i-7-gkpwHyoRhU7Ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Shelby County Schools","date","2025-03-19T01:12:31.49Z","article","During its March 15 work session the Shelby County Board of Education reviewed a large consent and staff-business packet that included recommended purchases, contract amendments, grant acceptances and memoranda of understanding. Staff presented the items for board consideration and answered member questions; no final roll‑call approvals for each item were recorded in the work session record.

Key recommended items presented (amounts and details as stated in the meeting):
- Knowledge Tree Summer Learning Academy supplies: $425,060 (presentation recommended purchase).
- Amendment to contract with Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (contract number read as 8238920242025): increase to $90,800 (original $75,600 plus $15,200), end date unchanged at 06/30/2025.
- CCTE technology equipment: purchases to Avery Jones Educational Solutions — $239,100 (computer hardware) and Unistar Sparco Computers for deployment/asset tagging — $4,933.50.
- Cosmetology and barbering equipment (CCTE): Kmart purchase for $134,427.97, purchased under the TIPS cooperative (TIPS number referenced as 230301).
- MOU with Shelby County Government Pretrial Services to allow referrals of eligible preschool‑aged children of incarcerated parents to early‑childhood programs for enrollment consideration.
- Goodwill Excel Center Mid-South: approval to open two new locations in ZIP codes 38108 and 38134 to replace two previously approved sites (board consent recommended).
- Bottled water purchase: master distribution $132,090 for 11,700 cases at $5.10 per case (initial purchase $72,420 and $59,670 for remainder of year).
- Grant from Community Foundation of Greater Memphis to Barris Chapel School: $24,959.40 for playground and athletics support.
- Heartland School Solutions contract renewal for food management services: $227,205 (includes $184,500 for food management software and $42,705 for meal viewer digital suite).
- SmartSense contract to purchase 905 sensors for food-temperature monitoring: total not-to-exceed $827,854; initial 3-year service term $538,192 with two additional 1-year options at $144,831 each (RFP MSCS 0110204ANW referenced).
- Purchase of 14 vans and one utility truck for facilities maintenance: $847,495 from Helms Motor Company (presentation slide initially showed inconsistent figures; staff corrected to $847,495 during Q&A).
- Chiller preventative maintenance contract (ChemTreat Inc.): $174,430 for one year with two one-year renewal options.

Board members asked for clarifications on several items: how many computers were out of warranty to justify the CCTE tech purchase, specific warranty/out-of-service counts for vehicles, slide inconsistencies in vehicle cost reporting (staff corrected the figure on the record), and details on the SmartSense purchase and its service terms. Where members asked for additional data, staff responded that they would provide the requested details before formal approval.

Because the work session is a preparatory meeting, most items were presented as recommendations for approval; formal votes on individual consent items were not recorded in the transcript excerpt of the work session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MSCS Board Work Session 3-18-25","oneSentenceSummary","Staff presented recommended approvals for summer learning supplies, contract amendments, equipment purchases, a pretrial services MOU, sensor purchases for food safety, and fleet vehicles; board members asked follow-up questions on warranties, justification, and slide inconsistencies.","taxTitle","Shelby County, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",13505,"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},6631243,"Board weighs life‑safety spending at Germantown High as officials question costs ahead of possible property transfer",180,3720000,3900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680018-8a618154d085cc0c46b3f714853ecfe1&start=3720&end=3900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680018-8a618154d085cc0c46b3f714853ecfe1/thumbnail_3720000.jpg","/articles/6631243/Tennessee/Board-weighs-lifesafety-spending-at-Germantown-High-as-officials-question-costs-ahead-of-possible-property-transfer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631243-1b9d9cfba79d6f54b578576b02ca3ce5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131475&Signature=B7QlxDvJmCLDz3RNGDynKX7-K7iLpUT4hh2GCwwn7e8avcxajG4GCMLtv6s3~58Z12jkicHDxzIKoXh2wnUufdD1J58pArVW5gQJO4seZoac1OyF576ZD2X1kCZc635cx47M2NuLPfmA9tSZ6SJw3dDAzPEOhWZ657d5eep5YywV3yg0wBKFNmvjin9VWciM-lPK2~qi0W-ygTc3749vKH0NDwdhqL~4C4FOCJQQ8tdHelz8YE~28Mk3q~WDrBzP3vdFznYmEqp9boo7G3U44oUB~HLE6aA0LmJg4~4ZLer33xKfkoYD-XlWzhF82vRuAMv6GgxM2-aas8G-9AXy~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shelby County Board of Education members on March 15 questioned district staff about planned life‑safety and capital work at Germantown High School after staff recommended repairs and replacements that board members said might be costly if the district will ultimately turn the property over to Germantown.

The district recommended a contract for fire-system upgrades at Germantown High and additional auditorium sound and stage lighting work at White Station High. Board members pressed staff on timing, costs, and who benefits if the district invests in buildings that could be sold or demolished when municipal transfers occur.

Board Member Keith Williams asked directly, “Are we not getting out of that building before we put that kind of money in it?” Staff replied that the district still owns Germantown High under current law and that proceeds from any eventual sale would remain in district coffers to fund future schools; the officials cited an existing seven-year window under the governing resolution.

Facilities staff said Germantown High is currently under a “fire watch,” which requires round‑the‑clock monitoring if fire‑safety components are not functional. Facilities Director Langston told the board the district is spending $24,192 a month on a fire watch for that building and that, over time, replacing fire-system components makes financial as well as safety sense. He noted that a year of fire‑watch costs could approach $300,000 and that replacing systems could pay for itself relative to ongoing watch costs.

Board Member McKinney asked whether capital investments (such as a new gym floor and a fire system) would increase appraised value when the building is sold; staff said yes, these improvements typically raise appraisal value and that proceeds would be applied toward future school construction. Board members also asked whether parts of a fire alarm system could be repurposed at other schools; facilities staff said some components might be reusable but systems generally require retrofitting to match another building’s size and layout.

No formal vote on the specific contracts was recorded in the work session; staff said the items were being recommended for board approval and that the board retreat will include broader life‑safety and facilities planning.","Board members and staff debated whether to spend on fire-system upgrades—citing a $24,192/month fire-watch cost at Germantown High and a $986,775 capital estimate for several projects—while clarifying proceeds from any future sale would remain with the district.",{"_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},6631248,"Board adds Pre-K for All resolution, discusses expanding seats and county/city fiscal agent",490,6780000,7270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680018-8a618154d085cc0c46b3f714853ecfe1&start=6780&end=7270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680018-8a618154d085cc0c46b3f714853ecfe1/thumbnail_6780000.jpg","/articles/6631248/Tennessee/Board-adds-Pre-K-for-All-resolution-discusses-expanding-seats-and-countycity-fiscal-agent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631248-4551801fbf905cdb3ec2f40e55a947f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131475&Signature=i8Dx5EwiZlf8U7puL8VLxDcbLyPBxlzo52A0nWieoZFpOSuty1BoLAFZ1bZlrsX94qJMQK6GTp3RVWUhkGysNtjSunpdVndPNtJxqcQWDoa35OoqUSF5flcWLbcuZ9HkkTbXtTMwgTq~vMQMVPx-jF5fhmekz5pQqqF6mldelYmu6rXd4Oennm1wi6yuc81rr8bT4W0NjZeZiXT0TCXuCg8eBx0M7~xaMPrusm1cFImqG6i-GCr1TzuwAsTAVFaa8d3qehBTUcYhLNFZD74vSZKYPi2dQ-nthHq7-j1ZaM29bUx7BloT-xpN7tPIQaAbB2U1gJVxeym-MakI87n-9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shelby County Board of Education on March 15 added a resolution supporting the First 8 Memphis Pre-K for All initiative to its meeting agenda and discussed capacity, funding strategies, and next steps for expanding pre-kindergarten access in the district.

Board Member Natalie J. McKinney moved to add the resolution, which was seconded and added without objection. The resolution calls for collaboration with a joint city–county appointed pre-K fiscal agent and other stakeholders to increase access to high-quality publicly funded pre-K seats for 3- and 4-year-olds across Memphis and Shelby County.

Director Gordon (early childhood) told the board that MSCS currently funds roughly 5,200 pre-K seats (the meeting transcript lists that figure as funded seats), of which about 1,000 are funded through First 8 and an additional number are served through Head Start and state voluntary pre-K blends. Gordon said the district serves “a little bit over 10,000 kindergarten students,” and staff estimated a target pre-K population in the county roughly in the 12,000 range based on live birth data and kindergarten enrollment.

Board members asked practical questions about how seats would be phased in and how the city and county fiscal agent would allocate new seats each year. Interim Superintendent Rod Richmond said the city and county would decide the annual number of added seats, and the expansion would proceed year-by-year until the program reached its goal.

Members stressed the importance of attendance and family engagement once seats are available. Vice Chair Stephanie Love asked staff to work with the First 8 effort to ensure parents understand the value of regular attendance. Several board members described the proposal as a potential “game changer” for reading and early academic preparation.

No final funding vote was recorded in the work session; the resolution was added to the agenda for formal consideration at the next board meeting and board members encouraged continued coordination with municipal partners.","The board added a resolution supporting the First 8 Memphis Pre-K for All initiative to the agenda and discussed current pre-K capacity, funding blends, and the target to expand publicly funded pre-K seats.",{"_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},6631253,"Shelby County school board adds, debates resolution opposing state governance changes",2980,2300000,5280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680018-8a618154d085cc0c46b3f714853ecfe1&start=2300&end=5280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680018-8a618154d085cc0c46b3f714853ecfe1/thumbnail_2300000.jpg","/articles/6631253/Tennessee/Shelby-County-school-board-adds-debates-resolution-opposing-state-governance-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631253-7a12a771b9d724a0bf6f87495c26be8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771131475&Signature=apl6j~8qQcwBH7b-etMxRJdY3W80f3YZFGQD-HGJUlnw2yg0YIXwxKAcLXXETt4KRB06Codt0CH4h9sKBu6y5cczmHv52wbh5UqE-jwdVHxQffAbWNK2hE5RguTs817nckpJOk45g0hChd5t2thOf9oc8EPImXJHKfvK5smGAKwXYrLflYEsxoFz5Lq2cVCrTWwTdqH75r2Nssjji6Yk-utX22i09mYjgQzpwiSLWlYkbQEeU35CFARTqRQj0FUfkse~BtT1cT-hCMjOpo3alo-69d7TS-Db-Xz8bBK~M79j2Tvcs6nlm3UizfbZZRianrjW09PXVEe8kLqMlLniQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shelby County Board of Education on March 15 added a resolution opposing proposed changes to the board’s authority to its meeting agenda and spent more than an hour debating the issue, with several members saying they will sign onto the measure.

The resolution, read into the record by Board Member Natalie J. McKinney, opposes “any legislation or executive actions that would alter, diminish, or transfer” authority from the locally elected board and calls on state and local elected officials to publicly oppose changes to local governance. McKinney moved to add the resolution to the meeting agenda; board members voiced support and several — including Amber Garcia, Amber Porter, and Keith Williams — asked to be added as sponsors or to sign on.

Board members framed the discussion around recent state attention to Memphis Shelby County Schools (MSCS), citing a proposed bill (referred to in the meeting as Bill 662) and broader state interventions such as the Tennessee Achievement School District. Board Member Amber Garcia said the state takeover model has yielded “mixed or negative results” in other places and argued that “relinquishing our democratic right to choose leaders is not it.” Vice Chair Stephanie Love described local turnaround work in some schools as evidence that state takeover is unnecessary.

Several members acknowledged mistakes by the local board in recent months that contributed to state attention. Board Member McKissick said the board’s recent actions “fast tracked it and brought it to the forefront,” while others pressed for unity and collaboration to regain community trust.

During the discussion Vice Chair Love asked staff to provide comparative literacy data for Tennessee and MSCS; staff said they would try to produce that information for a future meeting. Board Member McKinney and other members said the board should pursue collaborative alternatives to state intervention and engage community stakeholders.

The board did not record a final vote on the resolution during the work session; members indicated they would finalize sponsorship and bring the item forward for formal consideration at the next board meeting.

The debate followed procedural votes earlier in the meeting to adopt the agenda as amended and to remove a separate agenda item; those procedural actions were recorded on the meeting record.","The Shelby County Board of Education added a resolution opposing proposed changes to the board’s authority to the agenda and debated state involvement in district governance; several members asked to be listed as sponsors and requested state literacy data.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Work session reviews dozens of recommended purchases, contracts and MOUs including SmartSense sensors and vehicle fleet replacement

Board weighs life‑safety spending at Germantown High as officials question costs ahead of possible property transfer

Board adds Pre-K for All resolution, discusses expanding seats and county/city fiscal agent

Shelby County school board adds, debates resolution opposing state governance changes