[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,76,87,99],{"_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",6151244,"mediaKeyId","5504634-83e248455063c45ae35bfd75cf70ccc7","parentId",5504634,"title","Board discusses new state recess mandate; trustees voice scheduling concerns","audioSeconds",293,"startMs",3413000,"endMs",3706000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5504634-83e248455063c45ae35bfd75cf70ccc7&start=3413&end=3706","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5504634-83e248455063c45ae35bfd75cf70ccc7/thumbnail_3413000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6151244/Tennessee/Board-discusses-new-state-recess-mandate-trustees-voice-scheduling-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151244-6a687c114927a040148f832057edf5cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172009&Signature=lqsNgs6yW-mvpWYkRS-aLBQr~uO1UNq9EKNB4nHKxiAojpb34uqwsL6UBOMCvAutogTRVHriPxEbWupEXrK~JM00q90qWyzR6VlO-yI9-PS8OX03RpXdWe0vumt8Lv3r2nEC~CcMVvks-07o9qerWs6CEY2puN8RuX84nrcH6abjDN7ZVswjtmY42EBMiuKcl96Np1YVFMK52fL8-vL5wLNACLqXA9by1hhgqgG1t~WFv7eFneyHIOoPrcv12g7El607X8cJr~LJWT-KplmebuMhg2xwAPsZ0wboLfshojtzgOhZ40uXnE8HLX9E5p2axciFpssred40k0li2YhioQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Franklin Special School District","date","2025-07-29T12:25:33Z","article","Trustees discussed a state law change that increases elementary recess requirements to 40 minutes per full school day and how the district might meet that mandate.

Administration presented TSBA model policy language updating student wellness standards to reflect the new law; the presentation noted that middle and high-school physical activity requirements remain at 90 minutes per full school week. Board members described the district’s existing practice—elementary students already receive combinations of physical education and recess—and questioned how to accommodate the additional recess minutes without reducing core instructional time.

“Take it out of language arts or math,” one trustee said the legislature suggested, but other members said legislators do not appreciate what a 90-minute instructional block entails. Trustees noted the district already provides daily physical education in many schools and that adding recess minutes could require schedule adjustments. Several trustees urged inviting legislators to observe a full school day to better understand classroom scheduling and accountability demands.

Why it matters: The new recess requirement affects elementary scheduling, staff time allocations and possibly instructional minutes in core subjects. Because state accountability focuses on academic growth and achievement, trustees expressed concern about reducing instruction time for mandated recess minutes.

Outcome: The board approved the policy update on first reading (administration recommended waiving second reading) and asked administration to continue examining implementation strategies and to seek input from principals and the legislature where appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","FSD School Board Meeting - July 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees debated a new state requirement that increases daily recess minutes for elementary students to 40 minutes, with members questioning impacts on instructional time, scheduling and accountability measurements.","taxTitle","Franklin SSD, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",38747,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":42,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6151249,"Board approves updated retiree reemployment limits; one trustee voices opposition",2457000,2750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5504634-83e248455063c45ae35bfd75cf70ccc7&start=2457&end=2750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5504634-83e248455063c45ae35bfd75cf70ccc7/thumbnail_2457000.jpg","/articles/6151249/Tennessee/Board-approves-updated-retiree-reemployment-limits-one-trustee-voices-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151249-31e714af4b0a7f7f49e7e23831aa746a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172009&Signature=gO8WmCSsbrqnDbbiqxLKu-cPro8FF9XEgRGee4RAjy2zeU~UZlPqOGw5rmCTGkS1tqI3w9MprMjqv3BbesjdNZnVFjTWzsLw5CdQvmTPy2OT1jKN1NCw14p11bmhcBVmu8m7kHRlsfr6paMPnJ~Af2tg1mS5BJw5sUSguw27ZdxUpiXKEVE3MqxMVAI-JcOBLJd-uczaG8q1LnCuPq-MRDXJtgDXykRUjZVDwddR~T4Osshz5E2J6sV~1nWc1~mWo8Yidk8u1Or1hi3FDk0kycsvuO5Pzg6zFjGwYObiRM7zdkbqR49nee8Og9KlxG8yRQo4Z~77sWjZLqRrKadbjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin Special District School Board approved a policy revision on employing retired personnel that reflects recent state-law changes, including a required bona fide separation of service and pay limits for reemployed retirees.

Administration said Public Chapter 159 requires a 60-day separation of service before a retiree may be rehired and includes compensation limits; the model policy language from TSBA was incorporated. Doctor Snowden summarized the changes and said they were incorporated into the recommended policy revision.

Trustees discussed the policy at length. One trustee said the reduction in allowable pay for reemployed retirees—from prior levels to a lower percentage in the new law—was troubling and not necessarily aligned with local hiring goals. That trustee said they would vote no “just out of principle,” while acknowledging the motion would likely pass. The record shows the board moved, seconded and approved the policy revision; the administration and several trustees framed the change as a state-driven requirement rather than local preference.

Why it matters: The policy establishes conditions and pay for retired educators who return to work in the district, affecting staffing flexibility and the district’s ability to fill short-term vacancies with experienced personnel.

Clarifications and remaining questions: Trustees asked whether the 120-day limit referenced in statute was contract days or calendar days; administrators said some provisions remained open to interpretation and that the district would monitor guidance from state retirement authorities and legal counsel.

Outcome: The board approved the policy revision on first reading and waived second reading per the administration’s recommendation; administrators will monitor for any additional guidance that would require revising the policy.","The board approved revisions to the district's retiree reemployment policy aligning with state law changes that require a bona fide separation of service and limit compensation for reemployed retirees; at least one trustee registered a 'no' vote on principle.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6151254,"Board adopts policy revisions to comply with recent state laws; administrators recommend waiving second readings",2862,867000,3729000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5504634-83e248455063c45ae35bfd75cf70ccc7&start=867&end=3729","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5504634-83e248455063c45ae35bfd75cf70ccc7/thumbnail_867000.jpg","/articles/6151254/Tennessee/Board-adopts-policy-revisions-to-comply-with-recent-state-laws-administrators-recommend-waiving-second-readings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151254-60fa8285a93228b4ea24e00f0ec5eaf0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172009&Signature=cKLgOPOFYuTYhHmSbS0-XLekUhwqJgYWwX8dO6v4Wx~735kPeN3~VmHjwou02IJ3uQCuebSy2gGX-l~pWczLouABjCdYFJzpxjiImInTzcqya8LeHGLYkM4XjikL9TiVSVL~uH7RdmaTirTKiGzD5wj84cgGOj2u3ZGtMjvhcazTGQXVcnr9l4OsLtqxyNlc1P0tPoS140XjoqTZxnFiOOR-z3~DHj8aaawwl4hPQceLNtnoSsVbGX9YyjNKAMclIyjihwVH0aPOege2TjyJeU04yr1so5xJclSliYAAhBk8roAaOIWfYhJ9T51U85D6HtvvPTgO3I9leDAIjIBgAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin Special District School Board adopted first readings for a slate of policy revisions the administration said are required by recently passed state laws and updated model policies from the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA).

Doctor Snowden told trustees that legislators passed numerous education-related bills this session and that the district is recommending adoption of policies required by law. He said, “A lot of the policies [are] as required by law, just TSBA's interpretation of what that law means.” The administration proposed adopting required policies on first reading and waiving the second reading for efficiency, while allowing the board to request a full second reading where members preferred.

Policies presented and adopted on first reading included new or revised rules on service animals and a therapy dog program, public records access (removing fax as an allowable submission method per Public Chapter 94), educator diversity and personnel goals (changes tied to Public Chapter 494), charter school application reporting (Public Chapter 275), surplus property thresholds, emergency preparedness and fire-drill requirements (Public Chapter 315), threat-assessment reporting timelines, curricular definitions to include antisemitism (Public Chapter 293), virtual education attendance rules (Public Chapter 484), interscholastic athletics for virtual students (Public Chapter 173), library materials policies related to religious content, the Teen Social Media Act internet restrictions (Public Chapter 195), reporting student progress and screeners (Public Chapter 330), family and medical leave changes (Public Chapter 235), substitute teacher and retiree reemployment rules (Public Chapter 159), search-and-seizure training requirements (Public Chapter 244), wireless device rules, student wellness and recess requirements, and timelines for transferring student records (Public Chapter 156).

Board members asked procedural and operational questions as each policy appeared. On the topic of virtual students and athletics, trustees asked whether the district tracks how many students currently participate in virtual programs; administrators said that number was not known. On internet and social media restrictions, administrators noted district technology systems (for example, GoGuardian) already implemented many of the required content controls.

Why it matters: Many of these revisions are responses to statutory changes and will alter district procedures in areas that include student privacy and safety, curriculum definitions, staff employment practices, and day-to-day operational rules such as recess minutes and fire-drill scheduling.

Process: The administration repeatedly recommended adopting required policies on first reading and waiving the second reading; board members said they could request a second reading if they wanted more time. The administration also flagged areas where legal clarifications (including potential Attorney General opinions) may prompt future policy changes.","The Franklin Special District School Board approved first readings of a broad set of policy revisions—many based on new state laws and TSBA model language—including updates on service animals, records access, virtual education, library materials and internet use, and definitions tied to anti-discrimination requirements.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6151259,"Franklin Special District board adopts FY 2025–26 budget, sets tax rate with no new property tax",280,536000,816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5504634-83e248455063c45ae35bfd75cf70ccc7&start=536&end=816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5504634-83e248455063c45ae35bfd75cf70ccc7/thumbnail_536000.jpg","/articles/6151259/Tennessee/Franklin-Special-District-board-adopts-FY-202526-budget-sets-tax-rate-with-no-new-property-tax","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151259-9aed3f17fabc2713146add68b79f4835/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172009&Signature=mlgAEVTFl~CtKd-wm~U8JAeYzdvrMaoq4Dsi3B2RkkFXvSbI25oOqnjXZfoNxGUveprTMK-8l6q8vGkljaBCpuYIvLzuebOjyKNTdFYUAd79cu~EWx979tgYepTRw~HqA5MB~1enw9kZ6l2BDi7R5-X6KtEspcwCmpOpvkWdDLjIxBHh1S55f-pHgZVeoYeshSVgn5DN8sAoQF3n2wiJPy5glwSKS1SDAVVAuPXcWrAKZtZdDzDDqXp00KS2Mf-5ZhwMwfbSjCwSQdESFzWB4F5A0zelwSsbM2aNEwIDAQQD5Tkx51bB7Pl8CA7JQygoclaDEV-lDX58UXVEbiCI6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin Special District School Board approved the district's fiscal year 2025–26 budget and set tax rates to fund it, the board announced following roll-call votes at its meeting.

The administration presented the final general purpose and debt service budget documents before the board. Doctor Snowden, speaking for the administration, summarized the package and its personnel-related provisions: “The proposed 25–26 budget provides a 2% cost of living increase in addition to their step increase for all FSD employees, continuation of the driver retention and recruitment program, and continue to pay 100% of the employee only health coverage and 65 of the health coverage cost for other family members anchored in the standard PPO tier instead of the premier PPO tier,” he said. He also said the budget requests no Franklin Special District property tax.

The board approved the budget on a motion by Miss Stilling, seconded by Miss Parker, with a roll-call vote recorded in open session. After budget approval the board set the tax rates the administration recommended: 0.4323 for general purpose and 0.155 for debt service, for a combined rate of 0.5873; the board moved to approve the tax rate immediately after adopting the budget and took a roll-call vote.

Why it matters: The budget determines employee compensation, program continuity and how capital and federal funds are deployed in the coming school year. The board’s decision to avoid a local property tax increase was noted repeatedly during discussion as a priority for district leaders and trustees.

Supporting details: Board members and administrators highlighted personnel incentives included in the budget. Doctor Snowden recognized the finance staff and administrators for their work in finalizing the documents. During the work sessions leading up to the meeting, the board discussed the details of federal capital project budgets, food services, and magnet/alternative program budgets, the administration said.

Process and next steps: With the board’s vote to adopt the budget and set the tax rate, the administration said it will move to implement the approved spending plan. Specific program or contract-level awards that require additional board approval will be brought back as needed.

Votes and procedure: The budget passed on the record; the board then approved the tax rate to fund the adopted budgets. (Motions and roll-call votes were taken in public session.)","The Franklin Special District School Board approved its fiscal year 2025–26 budget, including a 2% cost-of-living increase and step increases for employees, and set a combined tax rate to fund the budget while requesting no new FSD property tax.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board discusses new state recess mandate; trustees voice scheduling concerns

Board approves updated retiree reemployment limits; one trustee voices opposition

Board adopts policy revisions to comply with recent state laws; administrators recommend waiving second readings

Franklin Special District board adopts FY 2025–26 budget, sets tax rate with no new property tax