Board approves year-end budget amendments, several policies and a resolution to accept teacher bonus funds under Education Freedom Act

The Bradley County Board of Education voted on multiple administrative and policy items at its April 2025 regular meeting, approving year-end budget amendments, a special revenue amendment for the PIE Innovation Center, adoption of several policies and a resolution to participate in Section 4 of the Education Freedom Act of 2025.

Budget amendments — The board approved a slate of year-end general purpose budget amendments (items numbered 31–39) that included adjustments for the district’s Tennessee health care resiliency program (the district float nurse), high-cost special education reimbursement, position reclassifications, honor choir revenues, nursing reserves, summer learning camps, after-school program adjustments and Healthy Community Initiative grants for AEDs and the Prospect Community Walking Trail. The motion to approve the general purpose amendments passed on a roll call vote of 7–0.

Fund 145 (PIE Innovation Center) — The board approved year-end adjustments to Fund 145 to reconcile actual revenue and expenditures for operations and school programming at the PIE Innovation Center; the vote passed 7–0.

Policy adoptions — The board voted to waive second readings and adopt multiple policies on first and second reading. Items adopted included policy 2.601 (fundraising activities) with highlighted changes related to online fundraising and record-keeping; policy 2.501 (accepting credit card payments) with clerical corrections; policy 2.8051 (use of credit cards) recommended by TSBA; and policy 4.7 (testing programs) with revised numeric ranges tied to state guidance. Each policy vote was recorded as 7–0 on roll call.

Education Freedom Act resolution — The board approved a resolution affirming Bradley County Schools’ intention to participate in Section 4 of the Education Freedom Act of 2025, which provides a one-time bonus of $2,000 to public school teachers employed in kindergarten through grade 12 for the 2024–25 school year, subject to state appropriation. Dr. Linda Cash clarified that eligible teachers will be identified from the district’s 10-compass employee list, that administrators and supervisors not listed as classroom teachers are not included by that definition, and that the bonus funds — if appropriated and disbursed by the state — will not be released until after July 1 and would appear in fall payroll. The resolution passed on a roll call vote of 7–0.

Procedural notes — Board members asked clarifying questions on how teacher eligibility will be determined and on timing of the funds. District staff said they will present budget recommendations and any administrative steps required for distribution at a future meeting.

Votes at a glance (summary) - General purpose budget amendments (items 31–39): approved, vote 7–0. - Fund 145 (PIE Innovation Center) adjustments: approved, vote 7–0. - Policy 2.601 (fundraising activities): adopted, vote 7–0. - Policy 2.501 (accepting credit card payments): adopted, vote 7–0. - Policy 2.8051 (use of credit cards): adopted, vote 7–0. - Policy 4.7 (testing programs): adopted, vote 7–0. - Resolution to participate in Section 4 of the Education Freedom Act of 2025 (teacher bonuses of $2,000 for 2024–25, subject to appropriation): approved, vote 7–0.

All formal votes described above were recorded by roll call and passed unanimously at the meeting.