Murfreesboro board approves United Way campus resource center, Bradley ceiling project and policy updates

The Murfreesboro City School Board unanimously approved a space-use agreement with the United Way of South Central Tennessee to open a community resource center on the Mitchell Nelson Elementary campus and authorized an architectural agreement to begin ceiling renovations at Bradley Academy, board members said at their March 11 meeting.

The board also approved two policy updates: board policy 5.306 on military leave and policy 5.802 on qualifications and duties of the director of schools. All motions were approved unanimously with no recorded opposition.

The United Way agreement will allow the nonprofit to operate a resource hub in a standalone building on the back of Mitchell Nelson’s campus, district staff said. United Way will cover staffing, supplies and operational costs; the district’s only contribution is providing the building space. "This center will provide resources and services, strengthening community partnerships, and enhancing support for students and families in need," a district presenter said during the meeting.

The board authorized an agreement with Johnson and Bailey Architects, a fixed-fee contract of $60,000, to begin procurement and planning for ceiling renovations at Bradley Academy. District staff said the estimated construction cost for the project is between $450,000 and $500,000 and that funding will come from county shared bonds that have been approved through the capital improvement program process by both the school board and the city council. A staff member explained the work will focus mainly on the older upstairs classrooms and hallways and described the project as time-intensive, with most work planned for summer and a target completion date before teachers return.

Board policy 5.306 received an update limited to statutory citations related to military leave procedures for employees who serve in the armed forces or National Guard, the board was told. Policy 5.802 was updated to add Tennessee School Boards Association model language and state board rule references requiring the director of schools to report educators who are suspended, dismissed or who resign after allegations that could lead to licensing action.

Votes at a glance: - Space-use agreement with United Way of South Central Tennessee for Mitchell Nelson Elementary — motion moved by Mr. Richardson; seconded by Ms. Long; outcome: approved unanimously. Notes: United Way to cover all operating costs; district provides space only. - Architect services agreement with Johnson and Bailey Architects (fixed fee $60,000) for Bradley Academy ceiling project — motion moved by Ms. Moore; seconded by Ms. Price; outcome: approved unanimously. Notes: Estimated construction cost $450,000–$500,000; funding from county shared bonds; project targets summer completion with possible punch-list items remaining. - Board policy 5.306 (military leave) — motion moved by Mr. Suttles; seconded by Ms. Price and Ms. Dodd; outcome: approved unanimously. Notes: changes limited to statutory citations; no substantive policy changes stated. - Board policy 5.802 (qualifications and duties of the director of schools) — motion moved by Mr. Suttles; seconded by Ms. Dodd; outcome: approved unanimously. Notes: adds TSBA model language and state board rule language on reporting requirements for educator licensure matters.

Board members asked logistical questions about the Bradley project, including how the timeline would affect summer cleaning and furniture moving; staff said a contractor will perform some furniture moving and that district partners (ABM) will work extended hours to meet the target completion date. "We had to push them pretty hard to guarantee us they could be done by the 27th," a facilities staff member said referring to the July deadline for substantial completion.

The board’s approvals were taken as a block of action items during the meeting; presenters and staff emphasized limited fiscal impact to the district for the United Way agreement and noted the ceiling project is the final internal ceiling replacement planned under the current program.

The meeting record shows no roll-call tallies; in each vote the board chair called for "All in favor, say aye" and recorded no opposition.