Oak Ridge Board approves summer school fee waivers, new K–12 science textbooks, gym floor replacement and budget amendments

The Oak Ridge Board of Education voted unanimously at its meeting to approve several administrative and budget items, including waiving summer school fees for eligible students, adopting new science textbooks for K–12, replacing the Woodland Elementary gym floor and approving a first reading of budget transfer number 3 and budget amendment number 2.

Per the superintendent's recommendation, Dr. Borchers recommended approval of the FY25 summer school fees and described the program’s target: “for our K–8 students, the summer program will be targeting those most in need of additional instruction for educational progress and promotional purposes.” The board approved the recommendation after a motion by Dr. Hartman and a second from Miss Craven; the motion passed unanimously.

The board also approved the 2024–25 science textbook adoption recommended by the district textbook committee. Dr. Borchers said the committee met in January, February and March to review TDOE‑approved options and recommended the following for an eight‑year adoption: McGraw Hill Tennessee Science for grades K–4; Accelerated Learning STEMscopes Science Tennessee for grades 5–8; and Savvas Learning for grades 9–12. The motion to adopt was made by Dr. Hartman and seconded by Miss Webb and passed unanimously.

The board approved replacement of the Woodland Elementary gym floor by Prater’s Flooring Incorporated for $105,682. Dr. Borchers told the board the existing floor dates to 1945 and “the only option we have is a full replacement.” The motion was made by Miss Webb, seconded by Dr. Hartman, and carried unanimously.

The board approved the FY25 audit contract per the superintendent’s recommendation; that motion was made by Miss Craven and seconded by Miss Webb and passed unanimously.

On finance matters, the board approved a first reading of budget transfer number 3 and budget amendment number 2. Dr. Borchers summarized key elements included in the transfer/amendment: a realignment of general fund salary, benefit and expenditure budgets; addition of $400,000 for contingency for an anticipated summer learning camp; an increase of $76,500 in revenues due to higher interest receipts and a matching $76,500 increase in capital outlay for the Woodland gym floor replacement; and other routine transfers. The first reading motion was made by Dr. Hartman, seconded by Miss Craven, and passed unanimously.

Finally, the board approved an exception to Board Policy 5.1101 to adjust the salary for one Oak Ridge High School staff member who had recently earned a master’s degree. Dr. Borchers said the staff member requested the adjustment; the motion to approve was made by Miss Webb, seconded by Miss Craven, and passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda (including Family, Career and Community Leaders of America trip to Orlando): approved (motion: Miss Webb; second: Dr. Hartman). Vote: unanimous (count not specified).
- Item A — FY25 summer school fees (waiver for eligible students/nonresident fee note): approved (motion: Dr. Hartman; second: Miss Craven). Vote: unanimous (count not specified).
- Item B — 2024–25 science textbook adoption (8‑year adoption; K–4 McGraw Hill Tennessee Science; 5–8 Accelerated Learning STEMscopes Science Tennessee; 9–12 Savvas Learning): approved (motion: Dr. Hartman; second: Miss Webb). Vote: unanimous (count not specified).
- Item C — Woodland Elementary gym floor replacement: approved (vendor: Prater’s Flooring Incorporated; amount: $105,682; motion: Miss Webb; second: Dr. Hartman). Vote: unanimous (count not specified).
- Item D — FY25 audit contract: approved (motion: Miss Craven; second: Miss Webb). Vote: unanimous (count not specified).
- Item E — Budget transfer #3 and budget amendment #2 (first reading; includes $400,000 contingency and $76,500 revenue/capital adjustments): approved at first reading (motion: Dr. Hartman; second: Miss Craven). Vote: unanimous (count not specified).
- Exception to Board Policy 5.1101 (salary adjustment for one Oak Ridge High School staff member who earned a master’s degree): approved (motion: Miss Webb; second: Miss Craven). Vote: unanimous (count not specified).

The board’s approvals were procedural and routine in nature; where the superintendent provided additional explanation—such as the condition of the 1945 gym floor or the textbook committee’s schedule—those explanations were recorded in the meeting transcript. No roll‑call vote with individual member tallies was given in the record; each motion was announced as passing unanimously.