[{"_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",6572216,"mediaKeyId","3119417-574fbfe0b0977bf55d4d24478ddd5be5","parentId",3119417,"title","Board approves K–12 science textbooks, school calendar option and funds for archery nationals","audioSeconds",123,"startMs",3113000,"endMs",3236000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3119417-574fbfe0b0977bf55d4d24478ddd5be5&start=3113&end=3236","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3119417-574fbfe0b0977bf55d4d24478ddd5be5/thumbnail_3113000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6572216/Tennessee/Board-approves-K12-science-textbooks-school-calendar-option-and-funds-for-archery-nationals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572216-d71f718a7a581a0bbc67404ebbe8e9b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157333&Signature=JJKsdLMDM32614lvmg7HfBHCIKE~jqFEeec5XV2sxRXG~-qiHTkPxuPSsVqimftzTm4WbyythGYeUq~0~cfs8VyNBQkWUT670x2Y4JFwPhPlL5XcmbAwHIlASOO85NJtepMUNSclIm6uRWCs8D2uV5eMOQEQ7gKIIOnACZM0PomF6qo3UY9PfQWz6E9KrXPXJY~dTxYb-v1Q413Yom~ImnXtt64orXxebiX7ViJ8mRXDPWWjMdL--KnvZcD9ynKDRVc4Nbv85Fq-ZWdtbV7~Ct3kXqtaBaDXNUhAm7oBuUnwFtJOqmBxcyDgSbUNxrD3WjFjEn9Gpo-dG9k~p9vWRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cumberland County Schools","date","2025-04-25T01:13:50.12Z","article","The Cumberland County Board of Education unanimously approved the recommendation of teachers and school committees to adopt new science textbooks across K–12, approved a preferred academic calendar option for next school year and approved a request for funds to support students attending an archery national competition.

On the textbook adoption, the board accepted teachers’ votes: K–8 adopted Savvas materials and grades 9–12 adopted McGraw Hill materials, with the exception of physics where teachers selected Accelerate Learning. The board noted textbooks will remain on the local curriculum cycle for eight years and that public notice had been published; the boards approved acceptance of committee ballots and adoption by roll call.

The calendar committee presented several options and the board selected Option 1A (referred to in materials as Option 1) for the next year after members expressed concerns about starting school during a local sale event that brings heavy road traffic. Several board members said Option 1 avoided the high‑traffic dates and better protected students and staff.

The board approved a request to fund Crab Orchard students attending the Archery Nationals. The recorded invoices presented were $700 and $14.35 for registration; the board authorized assistance up to the policy maximum (up to $1,500) consistent with board policy and approved the motion by roll call.

Other items handled in the meeting included approval of the revised Director of Schools job description (first and second readings) and routine consent agenda items. Board members said textbook orders and any budget allocations for them will be scheduled across the current and next fiscal year per administration guidance.

Sources: presentation and committee ballots read at the meeting; roll‑call confirmations recorded in the meeting transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOE Regular Meeting 4-24-25","oneSentenceSummary","Cumberland County Board of Education approved a recommended science textbook adoption, accepted an academic calendar option for next year, approved travel support for a student archery team and approved the consent agenda item to adopt revised director job description items (first/second readings).","taxTitle","Cumberland County, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",76410,"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},6572220,"School board sends proposed budget to county commission after approving 10% pay increase for short‑term classified staff",762,4206000,4968000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3119417-574fbfe0b0977bf55d4d24478ddd5be5&start=4206&end=4968","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3119417-574fbfe0b0977bf55d4d24478ddd5be5/thumbnail_4206000.jpg","/articles/6572220/Tennessee/School-board-sends-proposed-budget-to-county-commission-after-approving-10-pay-increase-for-shortterm-classified-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572220-24b86a06ac8af1de11196237899ab7e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157333&Signature=pApe98sOkAEurJ5Cfn8VPnB0tRyDYamzu3kmWp5~nYSaKHh1svXUbkWBKsHg4zLMTTyX1aP0gfRpyEelMqdYm-Lf2~PfFvmutQJMJ85l6P1chrqJTSP7qx6EGqD-HHqxMNO-nVB3bE8-gmQcYSq8PQpoInLF5xHqYcOA18tL7pmvAKjklLUX5BXjyPjg5F5G6YRz8KVJyk6j0eR6xVR-u58dVIdlH4CBFwK6qzARvUYtuRs26KZAHrGWwi9AObcwUvOZPMIgPtYtLbgQCKYT8awmxYtvddUypbKenEqk~BOapuaDWaV0MwSU-0fe3VUQ7oD3yLNb-c7q48yGIIXk8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cumberland County Board of Education voted to forward the Executive Committee's recommended budget to the county commission after debate over pay increases and facilities spending.

During a lengthy discussion, a board member proposed an amendment to add a 10% pay increase for employees described in the meeting as “below 260 days” (the phrase used in the meeting transcript). That amendment — offered as a change to the Executive Committee recommendation — passed on roll call. The board then voted to send the Executive Committee’s budget to the county commission for review.

Board members also debated a separate amendment that would have added funding for new tennis courts and full replacement of a football field. That amendment failed in a roll call vote. The transcript records board debate over the timing and priority of large‑dollar facility requests, with several members arguing that safety and basic maintenance should take precedence over new construction.

During budget discussion finance‑related figures were mentioned as estimates: a synthetic turf option for a field at about $1.2 million, a natural Bermuda option at about $785,000, and tennis courts in the range of $650,000 each. When board members discussed the fiscal impact of the 10% pay increase, a district speaker described the estimated cost as roughly $600,000–$662,000 (approximate figures as stated in the meeting). Members repeatedly emphasized that final numbers would be refined before county presentation.

Public comment preceding the budget debate called on the board to preserve teacher benefits in any budget solution. One commenter, Julia Jempson, told the board, “If there is no meaningful raise and benefits are cut, we will lose more educators,” describing teachers’ concerns about proposed benefit reductions and pay disparities.

After amendments and discussion the board approved the motion to forward the proposed budget to the county commission. The board chair indicated the packet would be provided to the commission as soon as staff completed calculations. Final adoption will depend on further review by the commission and any subsequent adjustments.

Sources: board discussion and roll‑call votes recorded during the meeting; public comment by Julia Jempson.","The Cumberland County Board of Education voted to forward the Executive Committee's proposed budget to the county commission for review and approved an amendment to add a 10% pay increase for employees described during the meeting as \"below 260 days.\" A larger amendment to add tennis courts and a stadium field failed.",{"_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},6572225,"Cumberland County board approves mutual separation of Director Stepp and selects Rebecca Farley as interim director",1866,699000,2565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3119417-574fbfe0b0977bf55d4d24478ddd5be5&start=699&end=2565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3119417-574fbfe0b0977bf55d4d24478ddd5be5/thumbnail_699000.jpg","/articles/6572225/Tennessee/Cumberland-County-board-approves-mutual-separation-of-Director-Stepp-and-selects-Rebecca-Farley-as-interim-director","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572225-67dec7ce0d7aa0055d9e9cddd1e17995/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157333&Signature=Qn3QkomqVZcCYKQeVqF-My2SbtdV0iasSls3JH87feNza74ag6EM4K3cb~FPYlwhOKdnsbkuFViXiZXKaG0TSZfjEajB9ZKTttioYs0ZQFv5C1cg-RUtmH7SQjE67Za6AyNtBMTe~Ifrk-Z~H50CyOWCAJAatX6IMPWhtFwbc2soJezCSHXGPCWqPmkJbbKReM43tJ-kkmjNL5ICYCKzMqiDn5DhTiKe4PBy2qGtWDwWecudh-9cFXZGIGxe-xNJG4lppleKLXuDj93hVwqSPRDF-vrrjVtsidluti25T-v-iGYRomLR-pWO9lqP3vJHTQrsr5T2fj9-dwzvGHBzRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cumberland County Board of Education voted to approve a mutual separation agreement with Director Stepp and then selected Rebecca Farley as interim director by closed ballot during its regular meeting.

Board counsel described the proposed mutual separation as “a very simple agreement” that would preserve Mr. Stepp’s employee benefits while removing day‑to‑day responsibilities. The board approved the mutual agreement on a roll call vote with the following recorded positions: Miss Hough — yes; Mr. Van Wegel — yes; Miss Nichols — no; Miss Hale — yes; Mr. Matthews — yes; Mr. Cole — yes; Miss Stout — abstain; Mr. King — yes. The motion passed.

After approving the agreement, the board placed the process to name an interim director on the agenda and temporarily allowed three in‑district candidates to be considered despite an existing policy restriction. The board voted on the suspension/exception to the policy (to permit the three candidates to be considered) by roll call; the exception carried as recorded in the meeting.

Ballots were cast by board members to name an interim director. The transcript records several board members’ votes by name: Mr. Cole — Rebecca Farley; Mr. Matthews — Rebecca Farley; Miss Hale — Dr. Maddox; Miss Stout — Rebecca Farley; Mr. Van Winkle — Dr. Maddox. The meeting record shows the board congratulated Doctor Farley after the count and announced her selection as interim director; a final, complete ballot tally was not read aloud in full in the transcript excerpts provided.

The board also voted to engage the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) for recruitment and to include a superintendent evaluation in the first year for the incoming director. A board member described the selected TSBA package as a roughly $7,500 plan that would provide a survey, advertising and community communication to support the search. The roll call on hiring TSBA for the recruitment/evaluation package carried by recorded vote.

Board members discussed the Director of Schools job description and qualifications; one board member noted that state statute requires at least a college degree for the director role. The board later approved the job description revisions by roll call.

What this means: Under the terms described during the meeting, Stepp will remain an employee with access to benefits while relieved of daily operational duties under a mutual separation agreement; the board has installed Rebecca Farley as interim director and hired an outside firm to assist with recruitment and first‑year evaluation. The meeting transcript does not include a verbatim, final financial or severance figure tied to the separation agreement.

Sources: statements by board counsel during the meeting; roll‑call votes recorded during the meeting; ballot statements read aloud during the selection process.","The Cumberland County Board of Education approved a mutual separation agreement with Director Stepp and, after temporarily suspending a policy restriction, selected Chief Academic Officer Rebecca Farley as interim director by ballot. The board also authorized an outside recruitment/evaluation plan for the director search.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves K–12 science textbooks, school calendar option and funds for archery nationals

School board sends proposed budget to county commission after approving 10% pay increase for short‑term classified staff

Cumberland County board approves mutual separation of Director Stepp and selects Rebecca Farley as interim director