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Tullahoma school board approves teacher bonus resolution, credit-recovery policy and new science textbooks
Summary
The Tullahoma City School Board voted to opt into the teacher bonus provision of the state voucher law, adopt a model credit- and grade-recovery policy on first and final reading, and approve a package of new science textbooks for 2025–26. The board also approved the consent agenda and received committee reports on facilities and auditing.
The Tullahoma City School Board voted Thursday to take three formal actions that affect district staff and instruction: adopting a model credit- and grade-recovery policy on a first-and-final reading, approving a district science textbook adoption for 2025–26, and passing a resolution to accept a one-time teacher bonus tied to state legislation.
Why it matters: The votes change local policy and instructional materials and allow the district to receive state-directed bonus funds for eligible teachers under the recently passed Education Scholarship Freedom Act. Board members emphasized that opting into the teacher-bonus section is a procedural step to deliver money to classroom teachers and does not indicate support for vouchers.
Votes at a glance
- Adopt model policy 4.21 (Credit and Grade Recovery) — Motion: Teresa Lawson; Second: Brock Compton; Outcome: Approved on first and final reading. Recorded opposition: Jennifer Matlock (recorded as opposed during roll call). Notes: Policy allows students to retake up to two courses during high school to recover credit or grade, and the committee reviewed alignment with state rules and TSBA guidance.
- Approve 2025–26 science textbook adoption — Motion: Rosie Graham; Second: Gigi Robinson; Outcome: Approved. Recorded opposition: Jennifer Matlock. Texts approved include Savvas Elevate (elementary and middle), Savvas high-school series (Biology, Chemistry I, Physics I, Environmental Science), McGraw Hill titles (Physical Science, AP Biology, Human Anatomy & Physiology) and Cengage for AP Chemistry. The board discussed budget implications for associated science kits and digital access for K–2.
- Adopt resolution to opt into Section 4 (teacher bonus) of the Education Scholarship Freedom Act — Motion: Andy Witt; Second: Rosie Graham; Outcome: Approved. Notes: The district stated its formal opposition to vouchers remains unchanged; the resolution is limited to accepting the one-time teacher bonus funds for eligible full-time teachers who meet the statutory criteria. The district will receive state lists and has opportunities to correct and confirm eligibility before final payment.
Other formal actions
- Approve consent agenda — Motion: Gigi Robinson; Second: Andy Witt; Outcome: Approved.
Details and context
Policy 4.21: Board members said the policy development drew input from principals, counselors, the CTE director, and the TSBA model and school board attorney to ensure compliance with state law. The policy establishes the local process for grade and credit recovery starting next school year and frames protections so changes do not negatively affect current students.
Textbook adoption: District staff and a teacher committee spent the year reviewing vendors, field-testing options and presenting sample lessons. Committee leaders said Savvas was selected in part because it provided one kit per grade level plus K–2 digital access for students as part of the purchase; the board discussed the high cost of classroom science kits and plans to prioritize one kit per grade while seeking creative local solutions to replenish materials.
Teacher bonus resolution: District staff explained the mechanics: the state will provide lists of eligible teachers (first list expected by the end of the week or the following week), the district will cross-check HR and fiscal records, submit corrections with documentation, and receive a final list in June. The law requires a local board resolution to access the funds; the district stated the resolution is narrowly limited to Section 4 and “should not be interpreted as an endorsement or approval of any other provision within this legislation.”
Formal motions and roll calls were taken on the floor and recorded in the minutes. The board chair and staff noted timelines for textbook purchases and for submitting the teacher-bonus affirmation in the state ePlan system if the resolution is approved.
Ending
The board said it will follow up with administrators and staff on implementation details for the policy and textbook rollouts and will cross-check teacher eligibility lists from the state before any bonus payments are distributed.
