Haywood County Schools board adopts superintendent-recommended 2025–26 budget and approves multiple capital, policy and program measures

The Haywood County Board of Education approved the superintendent’s recommended 2025–26 budget (packages A and B) and a series of related spending, policy and operational items at its regular May meeting.

The board voted to adopt the budget that the superintendent recommended after a budget work session. The superintendent presented three budget packages to the board (A, B and C) and recommended adoption of A plus B; the board approved that recommendation in a roll-call vote. Board members asked that staff proceed with implementation plans already in motion if the combined budget passed.

Why it matters: the package adopted sets district spending priorities for the coming school year, funds summer projects and construction work, and authorizes the district to seek county reimbursement for consultant work tied to a proposed new high school.

Major votes and motions

- 2025–26 operating budget: the board adopted the superintendent’s recommendation (A + B). The superintendent told the board that A was already implemented and B would add further items; the board approved the motion and staff said implementation would begin immediately.

- 2025–26 federal budget resolution: the board approved a resolution directing that the district’s federal project funds (including Every Student Succeeds Act projects, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act grants, Carl Perkins vocational funds and other federal grants) be included in the county appropriation request.

- GEAR UP reclassification: the board approved reclassifying restricted GEAR UP funds from 2020–2024 totaling $285,009.16 into an undesignated fund balance.

- Budget amendments: the board approved detailed general school purpose fund amendments and central cafeteria fund amendments. Amendments moved money between line items to allow spending of awarded grants and to cover operational needs; among them was a $650,000 contribution recorded for playground equipment that will be used for repairs and capital projects.

Operational approvals and contracts

- Due diligence for proposed new high school: the board reviewed recommended consultant selections for site-related studies and authorized the district’s consultant (Southern Educational Strategies) to start work pending any concerns. Recommended firms named by the consultant included David Evans (topographic survey), UES Solutions (geotechnical), Tioga (environmental analysis), Kimberly Horn (traffic study), and Renaissance Civil Engineering Group (hydrology). Per the memorandum of understanding with the county, the county will reimburse the district for these study costs. Staff said some work could begin as early as late May depending on weather.

- Purchase of serving lines: the nutrition department requested and the board approved accepting bids to buy two new serving lines for Anderson Early Childhood Center from Federal Equipment Dealers for $44,942.45.

- Haywood High volleyball travel: the board approved an out-of-state overnight trip for the Haywood High School volleyball team to attend a camp in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, July 16–19. Head coach Koana Kent presented the request; the board voted to approve.

Policies and safety

- Policy updates required by state audit: the board approved updates to policy 6.4081 (safe relocation of students) and policy 6.415 (student suicide prevention) after the Tennessee Department of Education audit identified required additions. Board members discussed the meaning of “safe relocation” (the district explained it covers emergencies on campus and off-campus activities and reflects state law requirements). Staff said the 6.4081 update could be treated as a first reading and would not be effective until the stated date in May.

Construction, safety work and playground projects

- Capital and safety projects: staff reported completed ceiling replacements in multiple school gyms and near-complete window safety film installations; a small number of windows remain pending possible replacement. District staff said vestibule construction (controlled visitor entry points) will begin May 23 and that asbestos abatement schedules have been set for affected buildings; principals will receive specific entry dates for summer work. Staff warned abatement will require restricted access to some buildings during work.

- Playground equipment: the board discussed a $650,000 playground equipment allocation that will fund new equipment and site work (including removal of unsafe existing equipment at East Side and installation of new equipment at the rear of that school). Staff said the money was provided by Ford (presented as a donor) and that fencing costs have increased slightly and will be evaluated. Installation is expected over the summer; staff does not expect full completion before school starts but said much of the work should be finished before the school year begins.

Scholarships and trust report

- Calhoun Trust scholarships: the board approved awarding 10 students the Calhoun Trust scholarship at $2,000 each. The district also received a quarterly report for the Catherine Calhoun Trust showing a March 31 balance of $267,008.26; the report noted a $10,000 withdrawal in February to pay the second half of previously awarded scholarships and a year-over-year balance increase of roughly $25,000.

Discipline appeal

- Disciplinary hearing appeal: the board considered a parent’s appeal of a disciplinary hearing authority decision and voted to uphold the disciplinary hearing authority’s decision. The motion to uphold was made by Miss Reed and seconded by Mr. Van Stewart; the motion carried.

Career and student achievements

- Career-technical certification: Haywood High reported that 10 students in its patient care technician program passed the National Health Career Association patient care technician assistant exam; those students already held certified nursing assistant credentials and earned an additional industry credential.

Director’s report and operational notes

- Virtual Academy closing: the district has received approval from the state Department of Education to close the virtual academy; the official closing date will be June 30, 2025.

- Communications and engagement: district staff reported more than 200,000 PowerSchool sign-ins for parents and students and an average of roughly 750 sign-ins per day. Summer school registration is open for programs at Haywood Elementary and Haywood High.

Votes at a glance

(Only motions recorded as formal votes in the meeting minutes are listed; motions passed unless noted otherwise.)

- Accept consent agenda — motion carried. - Approve meeting agenda — motion carried. - Uphold disciplinary hearing authority decision — motion by Miss Reed; second Mr. Van Stewart; motion carried. - Approve Haywood High volleyball out-of-state travel (July 16–19, Cape Girardeau, MO) — motion carried. - Accept bids to purchase two serving lines for Anderson Early Childhood Center — $44,942.45 — motion carried. - Approve policy changes: 6.4081 (safe relocation of students) — motion carried (staff said this may be a first reading); 6.415 (student suicide prevention) — motion carried. - Accept general school purpose fund budget amendments — motion carried. - Accept central cafeteria fund budget amendments — motion carried. - Approve 2025–26 federal budget resolution (federal project fund requests) — motion carried. - Approve reclassification of GEAR UP 2020–2024 funds to undesignated fund balance ($285,009.16) — motion carried. - Adopt 2025–26 operating budget per superintendent recommendation (A + B) — roll-call vote; motion carried. - Approve central cafeteria budget (2025–26) — motion carried. - Approve 10 Catherine Calhoun Trust scholarship recipients at $2,000 each — motion carried.

Speakers (identified in the transcript)

- Miss Reed — Board member (moved multiple motions, including the disciplinary appeal and budget motion). - Miss Farrington — Board member (moved or seconded motions; active in procedural votes). - Miss Barrington — Board member (moved/seconded motions and voted on items). - Mr. Van Stewart — Board member (seconded motions; participated in votes). - Mr. Laird — District staff (presented the Catherine Calhoun Trust quarterly report). - Dr. Young — Special education director (introduced to the board during celebrations). - Dr. Scott — District staff/leadership pipeline coordinator (presented leadership pipeline recognition). - Mr. Blocker — Nutrition department staff (answered questions about serving line purchase). - Miss Marsh — District staff (presented policy update requests from the Tennessee Department of Education audit). - Miss Benard — District staff (policy contact for suggested changes). - Nicole Bond — District employee (PowerSchool beta-tester of the year; recognized by the board). - Leslie Phillips — Retiree recognized by the board. - Mr. Seymour — District staff (sent email notices about student athletic signings).

Attribution rules: direct quotes in this article are limited to phrasing in the transcript and attributable only to the speakers listed above. Statements that could not be tied to a named speaker are presented without attribution.

Authorities cited in meeting discussion

- Tennessee Department of Education (audit that prompted policy updates) — referenced by staff as the source for required policy changes. - Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) — referenced as the source/template for policies. - Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) — referenced in the federal budget resolution as part of federal project funds. - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) — referenced in the federal budget resolution. - Carl D. Perkins vocational funding (Carl Perkins) — referenced in the federal budget resolution.

Clarifying details extracted from the meeting

- Serving lines purchase amount: $44,942.45 (vendor: Federal Equipment Dealers) — presented by nutrition staff. - Playground equipment: $650,000 recorded in maintenance/repairs line and identified as paid for by Ford (district reported invoice and purchase order are complete; installation expected over the summer; initial work at East Side school to remove unsafe equipment and relocate new equipment to the rear of the site). - GEAR UP reclassification amount: $285,009.16 (to undesignated fund balance). - Catherine Calhoun Trust balance: $267,008.26 as of March 31, 2025; $10,000 withdrawn in February to pay second half of prior scholarships. - Due diligence studies for proposed new high school: services requested — topographic survey, geotechnical, environmental analysis, traffic study, hydrology analysis; consultant recommendations listed in the board packet and county to reimburse costs per MOU. - Virtual academy official closing date: June 30, 2025 (state approval received). - Patient care technician credentialing: 10 Haywood High students passed the National Health Career Association patient care technician assistant exam; students were already certified nursing assistants and earned an additional industry credential.

Community relevance and next steps

Staff said they will meet with the county mayor and the industrial development board about the high school site work and will move forward with consultant work pending no county objections. The district will publish specific abatement and summer construction schedules to principals and staff this week. Several approved budget and amendment items will be implemented over the summer; staff said further updates will be provided to the board as the projects advance.

Ending

Board members closed the meeting after announcements and an adjournment; graduation and award dates were included in the board’s printed materials and were to be confirmed by staff.