Smith County board approves hires, $162,984 bus purchase, Title I Chromebooks, budget amendment and facility naming
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Summary
The board approved a package of personnel, procurement and budget items including two grant‑funded math instructional coaches, a $162,984 Type D school bus, Title I Chromebook purchases, a $3,800 revenue amendment and the naming of a baseball facility for Jerry Wayne Gammon Sr.
The Smith County Board of Education approved a slate of personnel, procurement and budget items during Tuesday’s meeting, including two grant‑funded math instructional coaches, a new Type D 78‑passenger school bus, Chromebook purchases with Title I funds, a small revenue amendment and the naming of a baseball facility.
Key votes at a glance
- Hire two current Smith County teachers as math instructional coaches (added duties; grant-funded): approved, vote recorded as 6–1. - Approval of salary-rating recommendations and Policy 5.11 compensation guideline (pay scale with a highlighted addition for math instruction duties): approved. - Gasoline and diesel fuel contract/approval: approved. - Purchase of one Type D, 78‑passenger school bus for $162,984 (including optional luggage compartment): approved. - School calendar for the 2026–27 school year: approved. - Revenue line‑item amendment to add $3,800 to account 26141 related to property‑tax discount/MOE calculation: approved; county commission appointment needed for funds to be allocated. - Permission to name a baseball facility building for the late Jerry Wayne Gammon Sr.: approved. - TISA accountability report submission: approved. - School‑level Chromebook purchases using Title I federal funds (elementary schools): approved. - Committee appointments (ethics, safety, legislation liaison, county financial management): approved.
The board discussed each item briefly and voted on them individually. Several motions included short clarifying remarks from staff: the math‑coach positions are funded by a grant (not general fund), and Chromebook purchases are paid from Title I federal funds.
On the bus purchase, board members asked about a luggage compartment (estimated about $1,600). District staff said the compartment is recommended for safety and for storing athletic equipment when buses travel for sports; staff described it as a small incremental cost on the purchase.
On the revenue amendment, central office staff explained that the Tennessee Department of Education identified a $3,800 adjustment related to property‑tax discounts and an MOE (maintenance‑of‑effort) calculation; staff said the district will receive or reclassify the $3,800 and that the county commission will need to appoint the funds.
The board approved committee appointments as presented: ethics committee (Jay Hesson, Marty McCaleb, Barry Smith), safety committee (Scottie Lewis, Scottie Enoch, Ricky Shoulders), legislation liaison (David McDonald, Dr. Mac) and county financial management committee (Joe Taylor).
No item requiring a formal second reading of an ordinance or a multi‑meeting adoption schedule was left pending; all listed motions were approved at this meeting.