Lakeland board honors students, hears grant, security and video‑board updates; discusses TSBA resolutions

The Lakeland Board of Education recognized a large group of students for state and national distinctions, and received updates on school facilities, grants and policy items during its August meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Horrell opened his report by calling forward students, coaches and family members for photo recognition of athletics, arts and academic honors at Lakeland Preparatory School and Lakeland Elementary School. “You guys deserve it,” Dr. Horrell said as students were acknowledged for accomplishments that included state track appearances, a state long‑jump third place and national recognition in visual art.

The superintendent also reported several operational and funding developments. He told the board the Lakeland Elementary School pavilion—funded by the LES Parent Teacher Association—was expected on site later this week, and that the video board at Lakeland Prep “is fully installed” and will make its public debut at the first home football game, which he said is Aug. 29. “The debut of that board will essentially be at the first … home football game, which I think is Aug. 29,” Dr. Horrell said.

On instructional and workforce matters, Dr. Horrell said the district is expanding work‑based learning and school‑based enterprises for seniors and that Mr. Uhirin, the CTE director, has been meeting with community organizations to identify additional placements.

The board heard two funding announcements: Lakeland School System received a $50,000 Perkins Reserve grant from the Tennessee Department of Education to support career and technical education, and the district was allocated a public school security grant “for about $50,000” to support safety improvements. Dr. Horrell said the security funds will be evaluated for enhancements to school security.

Dr. Horrell also said the district has implemented a limited clear‑bag policy for high‑school football and basketball events; an exception will be allowed for small clutch purses, and details are posted on the district and Lakeland Prep websites.

During discussion the board considered an administrative proposal to raise the procurement threshold that triggers three written quotes to $10,000, which staff said would help the district respond faster to maintenance and repair needs. Vice Chair Jeremy Burnett commented that, given inflation, the $10,000 threshold still feels low for many capital and maintenance projects: “$10,000, at that threshold is still, in my opinion, fairly low because you can hit that on capital projects maintenance repairs very quickly,” Burnett said.

Board legislative liaison Michelle Childs reviewed ongoing work on a TSBA (Tennessee School Boards Association) resolution seeking full state funding for preschool special education. Childs explained that state law requires public schools to provide preschool special education services for children ages 3–5, but that the state’s current funding formula does not cover full costs. She said Representative Mark White requested TSBA conduct a study of preschool special‑education costs and practices; Childs said she expects results around Nov. 1 and that the board will consider resolution drafts at its September meeting.

The board also agreed to continue using the TSBA board self‑evaluation instrument for its annual evaluation requirement.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of agenda as presented — motion seconded; voice vote: approved (board present: 5). - Approval of the consent agenda (7 items) — motion seconded; voice vote: approved (board present: 5). - Continue to use TSBA board self‑evaluation instrument — motion seconded; voice vote: approved (board present: 5).

No formal votes were taken on the proposed change to the three‑quote procurement threshold; the discussion will inform staff and possible future agenda items.

The meeting concluded with scheduling announcements for the September meetings and adjournment.