[{"_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",6541292,"mediaKeyId","3573536-6fb600d22c4049d6b58d2a6fd1ebd0b7","parentId",3573536,"title","School board adopts 2025–26 budget, approves teacher bonus resolution and signs MOU for Carolyn Smith Innovation Center","audioSeconds",4625,"startMs",2834000,"endMs",7459000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3573536-6fb600d22c4049d6b58d2a6fd1ebd0b7&start=2834&end=7459","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3573536-6fb600d22c4049d6b58d2a6fd1ebd0b7/thumbnail_2834000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6541292/Tennessee/School-board-adopts-202526-budget-approves-teacher-bonus-resolution-and-signs-MOU-for-Carolyn-Smith-Innovation-Center","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541292-a2373a5b4f9e13c4f71104b83fd0a657/orig.mp4?Expires=1770712930&Signature=fE8~kyIvGuQakwkewKOSQAHrLyU9PcDIGPrQi27dbwDvV8mrVfZUXEEEkaTXQhJ83Bnh9CUnvkyi4qGdg6J2NMT3XJZBToie44Z7fX0F5kxRA2f0m5alH73nyvRDJ9cqZsZuO7x5wgIUtxzKiaRpTOekEyrAx8iXaCkeYuL8L7XqLVjU9WUPrjmLP-ZmVcmpBMur3RwtuWrhPdsH0o-oQbjSE-SifeMZ4OjzJdQVk7MwWFUzWZ0oNA-Nn5goklU8yAkDE740n3RzAQKK7jkyCwakl~ZEGRds3P5VK6Ku2V-zJcFiUkuNUpspqrkcymEeZASPo1JEWLKedr~9niiveg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sumner County Schools","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. — The Sumner County School Board approved its 2025–26 general purpose budget Wednesday, moved to accept a state‑funded teacher bonus program and approved a memorandum of understanding that starts the district’s lease of the Carolyn Smith Innovation Center, a 60,000‑square‑foot facility intended for career and technical programming.

Budget and compensation

The board adopted the 2025–26 general purpose budget after discussion of multiple line items including technology replacements, instructional priorities and central‑office staffing adjustments. Dr. Langford, the district director, detailed technology purchases for the coming year — replacing kindergarten–second‑grade iPads (about 1,800 devices), purchasing roughly 1,500 MacBook Airs for staff and leaders, and additional iPads for leaders — and said these purchases will be funded through district device programs and technology plans.

The proposed reorganization of central office roles and new supervisory positions (chief‑level and several director roles) drew questions and a failed motion to remove those positions. Dr. Langford and supporters said those changes add capacity for instruction, special education and CTE/STEM expansion; critics said the board should prioritize classroom pay. The board did not approve an amendment to remove the staffing changes.

Teacher bonus resolution and vouchers

The board approved a resolution required by the 2025 Education Freedom Act to make district teachers eligible for a one‑time $2,000 state bonus. Dr. Langford said the district must sign and upload the resolution into the state system (ePlan) by June 1 to secure the one‑time payments; the state’s funding mechanism releases money starting July 1 and the district expects to process payment during the August payroll cycle. One board member voted against the resolution (Evans), citing concerns about the broader scholarship/voucher program tied to the law. The director and staff emphasized the bonus is a one‑time payment and that the district will not be penalized this year for students who choose education scholarships.

Carolyn Smith Innovation Center MOU

The board approved a memorandum of understanding to move forward with leasing the Carolyn Smith Innovation Center at a substantially reduced rate. The district will lease roughly 60,000 square feet at an initially reported rate of about $6 per square foot plus taxes and insurance (roughly $360,000/year) under a multi‑term lease structure the board will finalize in June. The center is intended to centralize offerings such as aviation, allied health, entrepreneurship, cybersecurity and audio‑visual programs and give students access to cross‑school CTE opportunities. Dr. Langford said initial outside commitments and philanthropic interest already total roughly $650,000 and could grow.

School supplies, federal projects and other votes

Board members debated whether to add $1,000,000 to next year’s budget for district‑wide school supplies, a motion that did not receive a second. The district’s staff said they can provide supplies to students in need through existing family resource centers and local partners and that a large, centralized purchase would require additional time to procure. Federal projects and grouped budget items were approved as presented.

What the votes mean

- General purpose budget (2025–26): approved by roll call (King voted no).
- Teacher bonus resolution: approved; one no vote (Evans) recorded. District staff said the bonus is a one‑time, taxable payment that requires submission to the state by June 1; state monies will be accessible July 1 and paid to teachers in a payroll after that date.
- MOU for Carolyn Smith Innovation Center: approved; board directed staff to return with final lease/contract terms in June.

Next steps and context

District staff will finalize the lease and bring details back to the board, upload the teacher bonus resolution to the state ePlan by June 1 and provide a timeline for payouts once the state releases funds. Staff will also coordinate with principals and PTOs on playground and supply needs and continue grant writing for capital projects including inclusive playgrounds.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 20th, 2025 Regular Schedule Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Sumner County School Board approved the general purpose budget for 2025–26, passed a resolution needed to receive a state $2,000 teacher bonus, and voted to move forward with a lease/MOU for the Carolyn Smith Innovation Center; the board also discussed but did not fully fund playground and school‑supply proposals.","taxTitle","Sumner County, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",17443,"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},6541297,"Sumner County School Board allocates $250,000 toward inclusive playground upgrades after parents press for ADA‑compliant play areas",3802,560000,4362000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3573536-6fb600d22c4049d6b58d2a6fd1ebd0b7&start=560&end=4362","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3573536-6fb600d22c4049d6b58d2a6fd1ebd0b7/thumbnail_560000.jpg","/articles/6541297/Tennessee/Sumner-County-School-Board-allocates-250000-toward-inclusive-playground-upgrades-after-parents-press-for-ADAcompliant-play-areas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541297-33012224ca6e871179cb71a99eb39382/orig.mp4?Expires=1770712930&Signature=k81dzD-XUcQRQ82XwBj6Ed1o8EcpIPEuK4Ga0~TT~GP3F3MblzMGPQqdVX4gCDNRbeHDjjK1BmivlTAtPzHdljY3yY5piillU~l9FZlu~lB1s1QQYBaWQ3t7lJ~3VOqREgzpPo9s21UjAs~-OdUh5plaO23-izMOk0JnbvybHpomN1TC0xvi9N6z8Wncsq~h7HwJ0pBB8NvGVh9sYlG2~QaohoEnh6Ss4tz295wr95JrD1dE1D-FkKD1p39nvnCLNHx~ZX1xjZv5zXOo6cT72z-oVwQTfkS~ZZAobiCsKZ~t01m~iB2huf9l7lEtrOAiS3lGklnGQ6Zrjnj8kdoyrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. — The Sumner County School Board voted Wednesday to allocate $250,000 from its capital budget toward upgrades to make elementary‑school playgrounds more accessible to children with mobility challenges, after more than a dozen parents and educators described barriers they and their children face on campus play areas.

The move follows a sequence of public comments that urged the district to do more than the minimum required under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure play equipment, surfacing and routes to play areas are usable by children using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. The board approved the $250,000 allocation in a roll‑call vote that carried with 10 yes votes and 1 no vote (King voted no).

Parents and teachers who spoke during the public‑comment period said many playgrounds still have deep wood mulch, gaps between sidewalks and tracks, steep hills and narrow routes that prevent children who use wheelchairs from joining classmates. \"Playgrounds need to follow ADA standards,\" said Laurel Galant, a parent who spoke during the meeting. \"But ADA compliant playgrounds are not necessarily fully accessible to those with disabilities.\" Several callers asked the board to pursue \"inclusive\" play design so children with and without disabilities can use the same equipment.

School leaders responded with a plan of immediate, short‑term and longer‑term steps. Dr. Langford, the district director of schools, said the district already has a team working on playground upgrades, has ordered some adaptive equipment to arrive this summer for schools such as George Whitten, and will prioritize accessible pathways to existing equipment. He asked the board to let administration and maintenance identify short‑term fixes (for example, blowing mulch off walkways) and to order more adaptive swings and ground‑level features where feasible.

Director of schools remarks listed current conditions by campus and the typical obstacles: lack of accessible routes to tracks and courts; deep wood‑chip mulch that impedes wheelchair travel; and surfacing materials that are costly to replace. Dr. Langford said the district had identified several immediate purchases (adaptive swings and smaller pieces of equipment) and a pilot for a lower‑cost turf surface at Gallatin Early Learning Center. He also described grant‑seeking as part of a multi‑year strategy and suggested an \"accessible playground task force\" to produce a phased plan and funding strategy.

Cost examples discussed at the meeting: a set of four adaptive pieces of equipment was quoted at roughly $11,200 (equipment only, not installation), and a turf surface shown in a bid for an earlier project covered 4,428 square feet at about $79,700 (roughly $17–$20 per square foot, including base and installation on that quote). Speakers noted larger turnkey inclusive playground projects can range from roughly $150,000 to more than $250,000 depending on surfacing and site work; one community example, Mary’s Magical Playground, previously cost about $1.6 million to build.

The board debated a larger proposal from one member to dedicate $1.5 million toward inclusive playgrounds; instead members agreed to set aside $250,000 now and directed administration to convene a stakeholder planning process (parents, special‑education staff, maintenance, PTO representatives and community partners) and return with prioritized, site‑specific recommendations. The board asked staff to pursue grants and private partners and to bring sample designs, cost estimates and a timeline to a future meeting for additional appropriation votes.

What’s next: the district will continue short‑term fixes this summer (pathway work and equipment installation where ordered), complete the pilot surfacing at Gallatin Early Learning Center and form the task force to return with a prioritized plan and budget recommendations in the coming months.

Votes and formal action: The amendment to allocate up to $250,000 from the district capital budget for inclusive playground upgrades passed by roll call: Hayes (yes), Tucker (yes), Lancaster (yes), Evans (yes), King (no), Hollis (yes), Brennan (yes), Stewart (yes), Barnes (yes), Lacey (yes), Daniels (yes).","After more than an hour of public comment from parents and special‑needs advocates, the Sumner County School Board voted to reserve $250,000 from capital funds for inclusive playground improvements and asked district staff to form a planning group and return with detailed recommendations.","actionData","errors"]

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School board adopts 2025–26 budget, approves teacher bonus resolution and signs MOU for Carolyn Smith Innovation Center

Sumner County School Board allocates $250,000 toward inclusive playground upgrades after parents press for ADA‑compliant play areas