Rutherford County board approves multiple contracts, land option and book‑review actions; diversity resolution fails after reconsideration

The Rutherford County School Board on Feb. 6 approved a range of operational items, considered several resolutions and took multiple votes on library materials. Highlights from the meeting include contract and procurement approvals, a land option purchase, termination of architect services on two renovation projects, and a protracted debate and roll‑call votes on a state‑statute‑related resolution on educator diversity.

Votes at a glance

- Signing bonus incentive, 2025–26 (hard‑to‑staff subject areas): motion to approve carried by voice vote (motion passed).

- Lacrosse cooperative: Segal High and Oakland High co‑op for 2024–25 approved by voice vote (motion passed).

- Termination of architect services with Sherman Carter Architects (Central Magnet School STEM building and 814 S. Church St.): motion to terminate approved by voice vote; board instructed staff to evaluate options and solicit new design fees (motion passed).

- Denial of transfer student admission (discipline; possession of THC): board voted to deny transfer under Policy 6.318 citing space at Daniel McKee and Smyrna West (motion to deny passed by voice vote).

- Policy adoptions (first reading): The board approved first readings for multiple policy updates (including purchase orders/contracts, promotion/retention, background checks, employee discrimination/harassment updates, and attendance of nonresident students); items to return on Feb. 20 for second reading (motion passed).

- Engineering and construction approvals (donations and projects): Approved acceptance of Experience Church donation for Thurman Francis gym/auditorium sound system ($20,619.70 donation); approved painting and cosmetic projects funded from fund balances and donations for several schools; approved Whitworth Buchanan home‑plate turf funded from school baseball accounts; approved Rocky Fork Middle concrete donation for softball backstop (motions passed by voice votes).

- Smyrna High adjacent lot and land option: Board voted to exercise an option to purchase 35 acres for $10 (motion passed). The board also voted to undertake due diligence and approach the owner about acquiring two additional adjacent parcels and to explore site‑plan modifications (motion to pursue due diligence passed).

- Two resolutions related to earlier items: • Rescind prior border/ESL resolution (passed on 01/23/2025): board voted to rescind the prior resolution by voice vote (motion carried). • Resolution concerning TCA 49‑1‑302(g) (educator diversity policy): after extended discussion the board first approved an amendment to add language that the resolution "only pertains to hiring practices." That amendment passed. Later, after a motion to reconsider and further debate, the final roll‑call vote on the resolution as amended resulted in a 3–4 vote against approval (Yes: Tidwell, Sharp, Darby; No: Rosales, Vaughn, Blott, Maxwell) and the resolution failed.

- Book‑review and library access motions: Following extensive public comment, the board considered the librarians’ recommendations and moved through a series of motions to remove a large group of titles from the general collection and to retain others with restrictions. The board voted to remove multiple specified titles from general circulation and to retain a smaller set under parental‑consent or restricted high‑school access (motions and roll calls for individual groups of titles are recorded in the meeting minutes). Several motions to reclassify remaining titles for parental opt‑in in high school failed; other motions to retain specific titles for 11th and 12th graders with parental permission passed for selected titles.

- Procurement and bids: • Rotary screw chiller (Wilson Elementary) — the board accepted competitive bids and approved the recommendation to award to Matrix Mechanical as lowest complete bid (motion passed). • Student transportation RFPs — two responsive bids were received and were accepted for record; the board did not award a new long‑term contract at this meeting and directed staff to hold bids while the district continues contract discussions and explores alternatives (information accepted; no award).

How the board decided

Most routine business — agenda approval, consent agenda, personnel and facility donations, and several construction and equipment items — passed on voice votes. The more contested matters used roll call votes and amendments (notably the educator‑diversity resolution and the multi‑motion book‑review sequence). The TCA 49‑1‑302(g) resolution drew the most prolonged debate, amendments and a final roll‑call defeat after reconsideration.

What the board directed staff to do

- Seek new architectural proposals/design fees for Central Magnet STEM and 814 S. Church St. after terminating the existing contract. - Proceed with due diligence and negotiate with the property owner regarding two additional parcels adjacent to Smyrna High, and explore site‑plan modifications. - Keep the opened student‑transportation bids on file while staff returns with options for routes, potential purchasing of district buses, and financial impacts. - Implement the book‑removal/retention decisions as voted (removals from general collection and restricted/parental‑consent handling where approved).

Votes and formal actions are recorded in the official minutes and roll‑call records; this summary captures the principal outcomes and directions the board adopted at the Feb. 6 meeting.