[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6576295,"mediaKeyId","3141237-c52630985c2ab0cf75358664c92cb5b5","parentId",3141237,"title","Warren County board affirms intent to participate in Section 4 of Education Freedom Act; debate over extending bonuses to other staff","audioSeconds",975,"startMs",5452000,"endMs",6427000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141237-c52630985c2ab0cf75358664c92cb5b5&start=5452&end=6427","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3141237-c52630985c2ab0cf75358664c92cb5b5/thumbnail_5452000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6576295/Tennessee/Warren-County-board-affirms-intent-to-participate-in-Section-4-of-Education-Freedom-Act-debate-over-extending-bonuses-to-other-staff","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576295-6abe64c62567614d57cc060fbe539fc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770945055&Signature=bwvOY3ntI6RqCHX03C94UAwpPogOU2rAL1fanKH8Uy3Y5cZ7jJghr~DbRusWD9PzoChnXa5qMf9alhvYciulOkSbpRmKTQ-AWdd6edJSmUYbMwjD2JQgeiSi0KvVJuJBe4l526Sy7g-Z1TNO~gQ6Gps8AJ4QZ3kvvsz~bNCkmFaHyyokS2u1R0jOnnurjSsXNyqQ9myKbZY65wZU8a9NLFwdUuCLDOMI1n3hugyBgyVAYhy6jMUFYL6zLpi3PIP2KHSiVSijnjkIYOuRk1nxm15bfuLporBrRePphrDGh0Aa3efSkGZZnhnLaoN3Sg5D0AWxXelaEIKn8ClOCcVfcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Warren County Schools","date","2025-04-28T00:00:00Z","article","The Warren County Board of Education voted to adopt a resolution affirming the district’s intention to participate in Section 4 of the Education Freedom Act of 2025, a state-law provision that provides a one-time $2,000 bonus to eligible K–12 public school teachers for the 2024–25 school year.

Why it matters: Board members debated whether to supplement the state-funded bonus for other district employees who are not included in the state’s eligibility definition. Several trustees described the issue as one of fairness for staff who support classroom instruction but may not meet the state’s eligibility criteria.

Superintendent Dr. Swallows told the board the state would provide roughly $954,000 (as the district’s calculated share) for eligible employees and an additional per-employee amount to cover fringe. He said the state would also provide updated lists of eligible positions in May and a final list in June; district staff noted the bonus funds would not be paid until July and are limited to employees who were on staff in 2024–25. The superintendent also presented district estimates for extending bonuses to other classes of employees: district calculations showed that giving $2,000 to all classified employees would add roughly $753,140; giving $2,000 to all employees would raise the district’s cost toward roughly $922,946 and require use of reserve funds and County Commission approval.

Board discussion was substantive and repeated themes of fairness and budgetary responsibility. Some trustees urged the board to accept the state program now and prepare budget amendments to cover supplemental bonuses for non-eligible staff later. Others expressed concern that the state’s eligibility categories leave out important roles such as nurses and certain classified staff, and urged the board to find district resources if necessary. One board member summarized the board’s position as wanting “one team, one goal.”

Motion and outcome: A motion to adopt the resolution affirming intent to participate in Section 4 of the Education Freedom Act was made by Mr. Jenkins, seconded by Mr. Brown, and carried after a voice vote. No roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.

Next steps: District staff said if the board chooses to supplement the state bonus for additional employees, the district would need to prepare a budget amendment, potentially draw on reserves and obtain County Commission approval. The board directed staff to return with budget options and updated eligibility lists after the state’s June finalization.

Ending: Board members said they want to be equitable to all employees and will consider formal budget amendments in a future meeting once the state provides the final eligible-employee list.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Warren County School Board Meeting - April 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board voted to adopt a resolution affirming intent to participate in Section 4 of the Education Freedom Act of 2025, which makes $2,000 one-time bonuses available to eligible teachers; board members discussed fairness and budget impacts if the district supplements bonuses for non-eligible employees.","taxTitle","Warren County, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",72559,"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},6576300,"Local aviation group outlines plan for high school aviation academy at Warren County airport",423,1630000,2053000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141237-c52630985c2ab0cf75358664c92cb5b5&start=1630&end=2053","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3141237-c52630985c2ab0cf75358664c92cb5b5/thumbnail_1630000.jpg","/articles/6576300/Tennessee/Local-aviation-group-outlines-plan-for-high-school-aviation-academy-at-Warren-County-airport","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576300-d544e54b387cb40bf724216e8a718568/orig.mp4?Expires=1770945055&Signature=eqZZskaNtPYifhNJ1KGTZRT~G63fpkD6h~MnxHOEbvMP8kUWdfIPG0SgbWniwb5Fc8ocdGX5e3djFy5VFhggEu6NDVdRM1ShpkUxJja-583d3rZVz9JvJ1YLlUksBimBwxXj1rcC7Xf0Icx-CbitMl-h7aDDe8XhXZ3PaKe5ArLtGqbshWuf-lQVzaJZKNpK~D4Gw~o0hyVq6sMZ06Rv7yAXVbSuGYAOfD3OznzGoPxNRSIvH3P-u1MbO0G0zj~DB10zIP0DDPlwE-Zsu4yhprnJH4j5~TVNJYKeOnc8oM2J9x3o2HUMbhpASHGImkN2P667qYD8b-sfm6XvgOFOXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 1700 told the Warren County Board of Education they have secured a building adjacent to Warren County Veterans Memorial Airport and are moving forward with plans for an Aviation Leadership Academy to offer high-school career-pathway training.

The presenters said they acquired the former Calco Corporation building at 422 Old Nashville Highway — described in the presentation as roughly 6,500 square feet on two acres — as a home base for the academy. The group also announced a donation of 15 FAA-approved flight simulators from Flight Sim Academy, described in the presentation as valued at $250,000, and reported that donors have provided three aircraft build projects valued collectively “up to $350,000.” The EAA representatives said the program will pair certified teachers with EAA mentors for technical support and FAA inspections of student-built aircraft.

Why it matters: academy organizers said the combination of a local facility, donated simulators and aircraft projects, and partnerships with higher education institutions would create a direct career pathway for students interested in aviation and aerospace jobs.

In the presentation, the EAA representative said the academy plans to use the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) high-school aviation curriculum, a four-year pathway that the presenters said is currently under discussion with the Tennessee Department of Education for possible adoption as a state standard. The presenters also described planned articulation and dual-enrollment alignment with Middle Tennessee State University’s aerospace program, Motlow College’s flight-training program and a local aviation-maintenance pathway at TICA Winchester.

The presenters gave a projected timeline for students: the program would accept students at grades 9–12 and the earliest realistic timeframe to be ready for FAA testing and flight certification would be about two years after a student enters the pathway, with the presenters noting that FAA rules require students to be 16 to take certain exams and 17 to obtain a pilot’s license. “Within about two years they’ll be ready to move forward,” the EAA representative said.

Board members and district leadership expressed support and appreciation for the work so far. Superintendent Dr. Swallows told the board he was excited by the partnership and noted the new building would allow the district to provide “tangible data and evidence” to grow further support. Chair Cope and other board members also praised the effort during the meeting.

The presentation included several specifics that the board may use in later decisions: building location and size, a donor commitment of 15 FAA-approved simulators, donated aircraft-build projects, curriculum alignment goals, and verbal commitments to mentorship and FAA technical inspections by EAA volunteers. The presenters said additional building and fundraising phases are planned to expand the facility beyond the donated building.

The board did not take any formal action on the proposal during the meeting; the EAA representatives concluded by inviting questions and saying they would provide further updates as the project develops.

Ending: Board members said they look forward to future updates as the EAA adds details about facility renovations, final curriculum approvals and any formal district partnership agreements.","Representatives from EAA Chapter 1700 told the Warren County school board they have acquired a building near Warren County Veterans Memorial Airport, secured flight simulators and donated aircraft projects, and seek to establish an Aviation Leadership Academy using AOPA's high school curriculum and partnerships with area colleges.","actionData","errors"]

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Warren County board affirms intent to participate in Section 4 of Education Freedom Act; debate over extending bonuses to other staff

Local aviation group outlines plan for high school aviation academy at Warren County airport