[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6607461,"mediaKeyId","2952744-a37a4bf3aa00e851ad1cd2615e4dd241","parentId",2952744,"title","District leaders report on national technology conference; AI training and E-rate savings highlighted","audioSeconds",217,"startMs",2381000,"endMs",2598000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952744-a37a4bf3aa00e851ad1cd2615e4dd241&start=2381&end=2598","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952744-a37a4bf3aa00e851ad1cd2615e4dd241/thumbnail_2381000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6607461/Tennessee/District-leaders-report-on-national-technology-conference-AI-training-and-E-rate-savings-highlighted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607461-66872876d4b78f245048e31528e85df1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181581&Signature=AcVy2OWip2RwwZBKb9EeS5H7pvyjAiWB7vXAdSx28DoHD--Dm1NKlzWiKRsf-VvbIpWKKr0x89Oask47o-ojNxODNp0~EDsfi1Q7kaEXomgmLsoUjcZoNJwyuPu6UTGgS9NOniO11MvVEHBo5~NOBbTP82eqM0iyGzIrn2G83l6BzCzIr5YMszgP8JRdHA~k9zfhUOoDRbHuGGoWkcLZ5LMJsxWCkz9ajfNm6-lugQHYs1M8v7rnfQSE5TRppPgwCcEMSFaG-Z1qtkn1Kcgic74pTMC8WZNnH91XMYO3qUWqZc7jYC8mmowcBptHZZ5JH4awFvE1fSoAaeAwz7vKzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lenoir","date","2025-04-10T21:07:49.237Z","article","Lenoir City Schools leaders said district representatives attended the COSN (Consortium for School Networking) conference in Seattle and returned with resources on artificial intelligence, digital strategy and instructional technology.

Board members noted that the district has an AI policy in place and that staff training on the policy will be completed in April for the relevant staff. District representatives said only about 31% of U.S. districts had developed and passed an AI policy as of February 2025, and that Lenoir City’s work places it ahead of many districts.

Technology and instructional staff described multiple practical uses of AI in schools, including classroom tutoring tools, development of proprietary GPT-style bots for instructional support, and real-time translation tools. Beth Lockhart, identified in the meeting as East Tennessee Educational Technology Association regional president, said the AI trend is pervasive: \"This AI stuff is not going away,\" and the district should prepare students for evolving classroom tools.

District staff also reminded the board about the district’s E-rate funding: a federal program that subsidizes internet costs. The board was told E-rate covers around 80% of the district’s internet costs, saving the district roughly $400,000 annually. Officials said the technology department will present budget recommendations tied to technology priorities during upcoming budget discussions.

Staff said they will bring back ethical guidance materials and suggested a future briefing for board leadership on AI-related ethical dilemmas and implementation options. The technology department also referenced recent partnerships and conversations with large districts and national organizations that informed their recommendations.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lenoir City Board of Education 4-10-25","oneSentenceSummary","District technology leaders attended the COSN national conference in Seattle, reported on AI policy work and staff training, and highlighted E-rate funding that covers about 80% of the district's internet costs (about $400,000 per year).","taxTitle","Lenoir City, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",59404,"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},6607467,"Votes at a glance: Lenoir City board approves lighting, strategic plan, bids and scheduling of budget workshops",1276,897000,2173000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952744-a37a4bf3aa00e851ad1cd2615e4dd241&start=897&end=2173","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952744-a37a4bf3aa00e851ad1cd2615e4dd241/thumbnail_897000.jpg","/articles/6607467/Tennessee/Votes-at-a-glance-Lenoir-City-board-approves-lighting-strategic-plan-bids-and-scheduling-of-budget-workshops","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607467-897c8572ed9e0b101a61b7cb3d1cfb44/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181581&Signature=CZ8XApyfxWny69QavwE-bD2i34VwAGuWXth7PZUoKPp8PifO6mrd-Mnhf2rwDqR7nlToCT2bQ1F1EmU2~ERSFeUWPA7mnRtrq-yxniYPC7vxngo8NCzrRQTaWQqijfd8P~Z4Zmw3ljJ9pXSulgWNQagVtBlAOsreMLoFBzMijKdNcfq~7FEOc4ZBQYv4LhxeO9nTfb0xrjcwnBwyNhkgDZM3l05jEEIVDdj2smaJMee2Z-2IKJidMsld0GbLUXhOg3ngyKlHaeDfmWZMDd4njAFRGoe8avQK~lQkxups-aVHQF2YvAPigVIIfHCw4dikj6i38EVLZBsjckEhY-HM-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lenoir City Schools Board of Education approved multiple motions at its meeting, including a contract for sports lighting at North City High School, the district’s 2025–2030 strategic plan, a food service infrastructure bid, and several procedural items tied to the budget timeline.

Key approved items:
- Sports lighting installation (North City High School baseball and football field): Board approved a contract amount of $448,177, which includes the option to install a new pole if required to avoid a future return visit; the board discussed that not using the new pole would save approximately $70,000. Motion to approve carried by voice vote.
- 2025–2030 Strategic Plan: The board approved the final strategic plan, noting minor grammar corrections and an update to the capital project Gantt chart after a donated masonry assessment indicated work to address a stadium leak may not require a capital-line item for 2025–26.
- Food service lines bid (CES and LCIMS): The board approved awarding the bid for replacement of food service lines to a vendor in Knoxville, Tennessee, for a total bid amount of $247,260.46; this was the sole bid submitted for a previously budgeted project and will be completed over the summer.
- Policy revision 1.200 (method of election of officers): The board approved a proposed revision discussed previously at a workshop.
- Scheduling and budget timeline: The board scheduled an extended budget workshop on May 22 at 4:00 p.m. and approved a special-call meeting immediately following the workshop to vote on the budget submission to the city; the board noted deadlines for submission to the city (May 29) and for state allocation information to arrive.

Several motions were approved by voice vote with no roll-call tally given in the transcript; where recorded, tallies are noted. The board repeatedly emphasized operational timing for bids and capital projects to occur during summer break when students are not present.

","At its May meeting the board approved a series of items including a $448,177 sports lighting project, the 2025–2030 strategic plan, a $247,260.46 food service bid, policy revisions, and scheduled May budget workshops and a special call meeting.",{"_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},6607471,"Lenoir City board approves one-time bonuses, opts to include classified staff at $1,000",856,1180000,2036000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952744-a37a4bf3aa00e851ad1cd2615e4dd241&start=1180&end=2036","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952744-a37a4bf3aa00e851ad1cd2615e4dd241/thumbnail_1180000.jpg","/articles/6607471/Tennessee/Lenoir-City-board-approves-one-time-bonuses-opts-to-include-classified-staff-at-1000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607471-016563d9f83dbc753230f6215201e329/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181581&Signature=mskirNQLNndXvQ18DiMp1EmQB0ubHQsVZkVJKnrNPacbmTObB1iR1ajIAdjBVfpTwu1BRzzwMZ4hzFjdbW-O2ZQXC1ergW0IAOKHKZP3V1szymzPKmY2ftn6hA8P-UyqoesTblrAve-3voxHFkRK7LhgctMpyPOY5rpSz80CCwavBhtbBxEUHV2PF6XCrD-xIXISB6bS5tjphzVLhJPtOkaEwrD5Tl1~UdhAlRh6GIwMSdGjxM9CJXBgxemGhk1bTfhHTvObfeeyrKq5Tb9RndC7ZbEu9ovEDEj-502fwTQBbiYphKizb6KZUiMmX4-weGF5B~APVkuRN1m25wmcWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lenoir City Schools Board of Education approved a resolution to participate in Section 4 of the Education Freedom Act of 2025 and voted 3-1 to adopt payout option 2, which includes classified and support staff at $1,000 each in addition to licensed educators.

The board first approved a draft resolution acknowledging the Section 4 voucher-related, one-time teacher bonus and directed staff to submit the signed document to the state Department of Education by the June 1 deadline. Dr. Smith presented the resolution and noted the document was the draft discussed at the workshop.

Board members then debated how broadly to apply the one-time payout the state authorized. Dr. Smith and district business staff outlined three options: (1) licensed educators and administrators only; (2) licensed staff plus classified/support staff at $1,000 each; or (3) a flat amount for all employees. Susie Fox, representing the district’s business/finance staff, explained timing and operational constraints and said the district was able to front the funds so payouts could occur this fiscal year rather than waiting for state reimbursement.

Supporters of option 2 argued that classified staff such as teacher assistants, custodial staff and cafeteria workers play an integral role in daily operations and should receive a bonus. Board member Chris Clabo said he preferred option 2 because “it takes all of them to make it work.” One board member said option 1 would follow the state’s narrower definition but still acknowledged the district could absorb a limited local cost if it elected a broader definition of eligible licensed staff.

After discussion the board voted to (a) approve the resolution to participate in Section 4 of the Education Freedom Act of 2025 and (b) adopt payout option 2 (classified/support staff to receive $1,000). The motion to adopt option 2 passed 3-1. The board instructed the business office to manage timing so payments could be made ahead of summer payroll congestion and reimbursed when state funds are received.

The discussion clarified that the state will not send funds until after the governor’s budget is approved and that the district’s business office would temporarily advance the payments to deliver bonuses earlier in the fiscal year. The board did not set an exact payment date in the public discussion beyond general plans to pay before the extended summer payroll processing period.

The resolution to participate in Section 4 and the subsequent payout decision will be reflected in the district’s budget process and communicated to employees once payroll logistics are finalized.

","The Lenoir City Schools Board approved participation in Section 4 of the Education Freedom Act and chose payout option 2, which provides $1,000 to classified/support staff in addition to licensed staff; the payout plan passed by a 3-1 vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District leaders report on national technology conference; AI training and E-rate savings highlighted

Votes at a glance: Lenoir City board approves lighting, strategic plan, bids and scheduling of budget workshops

Lenoir City board approves one-time bonuses, opts to include classified staff at $1,000