Oak Ridge Board of Education adopts sweeping policy updates and grant applications; votes unanimous

The Oak Ridge Board of Education on Aug. 4 approved a series of policy updates required by new state laws, authorized grant applications and routine purchase orders, and approved modest pay increases for athletic concessions coordinators. All motions were adopted unanimously.

The package of changes primarily implements provisions from recent Tennessee public chapters and other state guidance, the board was told. Superintendent Doctor Borchers presented the recommendations to update district policies ranging from student records and emergency preparedness to library materials, virtual education and personnel rules.

Why it matters: The updates translate recent state law changes into district policy language that affects student privacy, school safety procedures, hiring rules and classroom instruction. Several items also fund or enable programs that affect early childhood and special education services.

Most notable policy changes and votes

- Board policy 1.407 (School district records): The board removed fax as an accepted method for public records requests to reflect Public Chapter 94. Motion to approve per superintendent recommendation carried unanimously (moved Dr. Hartman; second Ms. Webb).

- Board policy 1.7 (School district goals) and policy 5.1 (Personnel goals): Both policies were revised to reflect a new state law that removes a requirement for educator diversity goals and prohibits hiring decisions based on metrics other than merit (public chapters cited by staff). Both motions passed unanimously.

- Board policy 1.901 (Charter school applications): Revisions align local procedures with Public Chapter 275 and new reporting duties to the Tennessee Public Charter Schools Commission. Approved unanimously.

- Board policy 2.403 (Surplus property sales): The district updated a disposal threshold to align with federal rules changing a previous $5,000 limit to $10,000 and added posting requirements for news/information websites (Public Chapter 500). Approved unanimously.

- Board policy 3.202 (Emergency preparedness): Updated to reflect Public Chapter 315 limiting required fire drills to no more than two within the first 30 full days of school. Approved unanimously.

- Board policy 3.204 (Threat assessment team): New reporting obligations require a report to parents/guardians within 48 hours after the district reports to law enforcement and a quarterly incident report to appear at board meetings. Approved unanimously.

- Board policy 4.1 and 6.304 (Instructional program; Student discrimination/harassment/bullying): The board adopted language that includes definitions of antisemitism and other discrimination terms required by Public Chapter 293; the board approved an amendment to move the long definition into a footnote in the instructional policy before final approval. Approved unanimously.

- Board policy 4.212 (Virtual education): The district may use hybrid learning during dangerous or extreme weather or an emergency as determined by the superintendent; policy now includes provisions on attendance if hybrid learning is used (Public Chapter 484). Approved unanimously.

- Board policy 4.301 (Interscholastic athletics): Virtual-school students will be permitted to participate in interscholastic athletics under TSSAA or TMSAA guidelines, or to the same extent as zoned students if the receiving school is not a member of those associations. Approved unanimously.

- Board policy 4.403 (Library materials): District library policy was updated to reflect a state change clarifying materials may not be excluded solely because they are religious. Approved unanimously.

- Board policy 4.406 (Use of the Internet): Updated to implement the Teen Social Media Act requirements limiting district access to social media on district-provided Internet unless expressly authorized by a teacher for instructional purposes. Approved unanimously.

- Board policy 4.601 (Reporting student progress): Report cards for students in K–8 must now include the student's most recent universal reading screener score and dyslexia screener results if applicable. Approved unanimously.

- Board policy 5.119 (Employment of retirees): Policy revised to require a bona fide separation from service before re-employment, including a 60-day separation and no pre-existing agreement to return (Public Chapter 159). Approved unanimously.

- Board policy 5.305 (Family and medical leave): Updated to reflect changes in state law including the paid parental leave eligibility and how leave may be taken (Public Chapter 235). Approved unanimously.

- Board policy 5.701 (Substitute teachers): The number of days a substitute may teach without a license increased from 20 days to 30 days under the new state law. Approved unanimously.

- Board policy 6.303 (Questioning students and searches): Any searches of students must be performed by school resource officers, school security officers or administrators who have completed required state training developed by the Department of Education (Public Chapter 244). Approved unanimously.

- Board policy 6.312 (Use of wireless communication devices): District policy now allows students to possess personal electronic devices if turned off and stored during instructional time, per Public Chapter 103. Approved unanimously.

- Board policy 6.411 (Student wellness): Elementary students are now required to receive 40 minutes of physical activity each full school day (up from a prior weekly requirement equivalent to 130 minutes); middle and high school requirements remain 90 minutes per week. Approved unanimously.

- Board policy 6.6 (Student records): If a student transfers to another school, the district must provide a copy of the student's records to the receiving school within five business days (Public Chapter 156). Approved unanimously.

Grants, contracts and operational items

- FY26 IDEA Partnership Grant: If funded, the grant would fund year-two professional development for school administrators on federal and state special education law, restorative practices and transition/diploma pathways. Superintendent Doctor Borchers thanked Mr. Stultz for his work securing the application. A community member asked at the meeting whether the IDEA partnership grant could be used to hire staff, such as speech-language pathologists. The commenter asked, “Could this grant be used to hire, staffing where there is insufficient staffing in your SPED departments… or can you only use this funding to train administrators?” Mr. Stultz indicated the funding is for professional development, not hiring. The board approved moving forward with the grant application unanimously.

- FY25–26 Oak Ridge Schools Transportation certification/clearance: The board approved certification clearance for bus drivers after confirmation they meet the district's physical and credential requirements; certificates may be revoked for convictions or unfitness to drive. Approved unanimously.

- FY25–26 Blanket purchase order: The board authorized a $50,000 blanket purchase order for incidental maintenance purchases at Home Depot for FY26; district staff said single purchases typically remain under $10,000 but cumulative vendor spending can exceed bidding thresholds. Approved unanimously.

- FY25–26 Preschool CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) food grant application: The board authorized submitting the CACFP reimbursement-based application to cover breakfast, lunch and snack costs for preschool students. Approved unanimously.

- FY26 Preschool Voluntary Pre-K grant: The district entered $457,330.68 in ePlan for a grant that would fund five pre-K classrooms serving 4‑year‑old children; budget and supporting documents will be submitted to the state through ePlan. Approved unanimously.

- Oak Ridge High School concessions coordinator stipend: The board approved increasing pay for the ORHS concessions manager to $150 per football game and $125 per basketball game; district staff said increased concession prices and surplus revenue will cover the raise without additional district funding. Approved unanimously.

Procedural notes and other business

- The public forum produced no speakers. The board recognized Mike Taylor as the new director of the Oak Ridge Public School Education Foundation and thanked maintenance, IT and transportation staff for work resolving start-of-school issues. The board announced a school visit to the preschool on Aug. 14 and the next regular meeting on Aug. 25.

- All items on the agenda were approved by voice or electronic vote, and each motion as recorded in the meeting passed unanimously.

Sources: Oak Ridge Board of Education meeting transcript, Aug. 4, 2025.