Cannon County Board of Education approves budgets, personnel moves and contracts; narrow vote on school-zone speed cameras

Cannon County Board of Education members met July 10 and approved a series of budget, personnel and contract items while debating a recognition of a speed‑camera agreement and the future of contracted bus drivers.

The board approved the fiscal year 2025‑26 consolidated federal projects budget; appointed Kathy Mullins as deputy director for Cannon County Schools for the 2025‑26 school year; approved a one‑time $1,000 bonus for specified part‑time employees; approved an interpretation/translation services agreement; and authorized purchase of Paxton Patterson CTE curriculum and portable furniture for Cannon County Middle School using grant funds. The board also recognized an agreement between the town of Woodbury and Blue Solutions for installation of school‑zone speed cameras and approved a one‑year contract at a 3% increase for contracted bus drivers as the district considers phasing out contracted drivers.

Why it matters: these votes affect district staffing costs, instructional equipment funded by grants, transportation contracts and a local safety measure that will require additional traffic studies and state review before cameras can be installed.

Votes at a glance

• Revised agenda (approval) — Motion carried unanimously (5‑0). Vote recorded: Jessica Curtis: aye; Wade McMackens: aye; Derek Mullins: aye; Alisa Thomas: aye; Rebecca Trammell: aye.

• Consent agenda — Approved (minutes and overnight/out‑of‑state trip #4883 for Cannon County High School cross country to Suwanee, July 17–20, 2025). Vote recorded as unanimous (5‑0).

• Appointment: Kathy Mullins, deputy director, Cannon County Schools for the 2025‑26 school year — Approved (5‑0). Motion maker: Derek Mullins; second: Alisa Thomas.

• Bonus for specified part‑time/non‑licensed employees — Approved to provide $1,000 to specified part‑time employees (motion by Alisa Thomas; second Rebecca Trammell). Roll call: Curtis: aye; McMackens: aye; Mullins: aye; Thomas: aye; Trammell: aye.

• FY26 consolidated federal budget (school federal projects fund; budgets to be approved by Tennessee Department of Education for separate projects) — Approved (motion by Derek Mullins; second Alisa Thomas). Roll call: unanimous in favor.

• Agreement for interpretation/translation services for 2025‑26 school year — Approved (motion by Alisa Thomas; second Derek Mullins). Roll call: unanimous in favor.

• Recognition of agreement between the town of Woodbury and Blue Solutions for speed cameras in the Cannon County High School and Cannon County Elementary/Middle School zones — Passed 3‑2 (motion by Alisa Thomas; second Jessica Curtis). Roll call recorded in the meeting: 3 yeses, 2 nos; the minutes record the motion passing.

• Contracted bus drivers — Board approved a one‑year contract for contracted bus drivers with a 3% increase for 2025‑26 (motion by [Mills/Merrell—motion recorded in minutes]; second recorded). After an initial motion to table failed, the board voted to approve the one‑year contract. Roll call recorded by the board; the motion carried and the minutes state "All in favor." The 3% figure was described as the annual equivalent of a previously discussed 9% increase spread over three years.

• Policies — The board approved multiple policies: 1.1021 (student board member), 1.7 (school district goals), 5.5 (discrimination/harassment of employees), 6.304 (student discrimination/harassment/bullying/cyberbullying/intimidation), 6.411 (student wellness), and 6.6 (student records). Policy 5.11 (compensation guides and contracts) was pulled and tabled to the August meeting. Motion by Alisa Thomas; second by Rebecca Trammell.

• Purchase of Paxton Patterson lab curriculum and movable/portable furniture for Cannon County Middle School CTE room (grant funded) — Approved (motion by Jessica Curtis; second Alisa Thomas). Vote recorded 4 yes, 1 no; board discussion noted the purchase is grant‑funded and that furniture is portable so it will not require demolition of rooms.

• Board retreat — Scheduled for midday, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 (motion carried).

• Special called meeting for budget amendments — Scheduled for July 29 at 5:30 p.m. (motion carried).

Discussion highlights

Speed cameras: Board members said the agreement with Blue Solutions and the town of Woodbury was discussed at the workshop. Board members reported the implementation timeline would begin with a local traffic study, followed by an independent study; both studies must be approved before the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) would become involved. Board members indicated it is unlikely the cameras would be installed before January and that the item remains several steps from implementation. Some board members expressed constitutional and local precedent concerns, noting similar programs elsewhere have been challenged; others approved recognizing the agreement so municipal partners can continue review and studies.

Contracted bus drivers: The board discussed whether to renew multi‑year contracts for contracted drivers while district employees (drivers and teachers) did not receive comparable raises. An initial motion to table the matter failed. The board then approved a one‑year contract for contracted bus drivers at a 3% increase to permit time to discuss a possible phase‑out of contracted drivers over the next year and for additional workshop discussion.

CTE purchase and grants: Board members said the Paxton Patterson purchase is covered by a grant and will provide portable furniture and curriculum for the CTE room. Members expressed a desire to keep academics in focus while allowing extracurricular programs and career technical education to proceed.

Director remarks and staffing: The district director (name not specified in the record) thanked the board and staff, announced several administrative hires and moves (Emily Hancock Lane, supervisor of instruction; Dustin Brannon, principal at Cannon County Middle School; Julie Hackney, principal at Cannon County Elementary School) and noted Crystal Kennedy, the district CTE director, was named a semifinalist for a statewide supervisor of the year award (one of 23 statewide candidates).

What remains unresolved: The board tabled policy 5.11 (compensation guides and contracts) for more discussion; the speed‑camera agreement requires local and independent traffic studies and TDOT approval before any installation; details of revenue sharing from camera citations were not specified during the meeting.

Ending: The board adjourned after the regular business and scheduled follow‑up meetings to continue discussion of budget and personnel matters.