State Board committee asks dozens of training-course applicants for more information, approves procedural minutes

The Tennessee State Board of EducationSchool Board Training Advisory Committee met electronically March 21, 2025, to review training-course applications for local school board members and charter governing body members and to decide which applicants should be asked to supply additional materials before the committee—s April meeting.

The committee—s chair opened the session at 11:30 a.m. Central and the group proceeded to discuss applications from several statewide providers, smaller consultants and charter-focused organizations. Ally Reed, director of engagement and accountability for the State Board, led the staff review and noted rubric-based strengths and weaknesses in many submissions. "This meeting is called to review applications submitted to the state board by the February 15 deadline from prospective course providers applying for approval to offer training courses to both local school board members and charter school governing body members," Reed said.

Committee members said the recurring issues included (1) course materials that did not clearly cover required topics in the state board rule, (2) missing evidence that course providers— effectiveness would be evaluated, and (3) unclear processes for reporting course completers to the appropriate authorizer. Paula Dyer, a committee member and retired educator, cautioned that some slides could be misread: "It could be interpreted when it says 'make employment decisions' that it's beyond the scope of the director or superintendent of schools," she said, urging clearer language in curricula.

Most substantive discussion focused on whether to request additional information from applicants rather than making immediate approval decisions. The committee followed a process proposed by staff: committee members would build two verbal lists during discussion (one for applicants that need more information and one for those that did not), then vote on each list as a block at the end of the section.

Votes and formal actions

- The committee approved written minutes for the March 22, 2024 meeting and the recorded minutes for the April 17, 2024 meeting. Both motions carried by roll call with six affirmative votes. (Roll call recorded: Paula Dyer, Stephanie Heskey, Tom Lanham, Anna Maxwell, Sarah Morrison, Amy Owen = 6 yeses.)

- After reviewing applications for school-board trainings (including proposals from Leadership Institute, Pathway to Careers and 18 courses submitted by the Tennessee School Boards Association), the committee voted to notify a designated list of applicants that they must provide additional information before the April meeting. The motion passed by roll call (6 yes, 0 no).

- The committee then reviewed charter-governing-body training applications (including submissions from Early Bird Learning, Facility Resource Center, Henson Consortium, Little Ford & Associates and the Tennessee Charter School Center). The committee voted to notify the listed governing-body course applicants that additional materials were required. That motion also passed by roll call (6 yes, 0 no).

Major recurring concerns and staff directions

- Provider evaluation forms: Staff and committee members repeatedly noted that several applications included pre/post reflections addressing participant learning objectives, but lacked an instrument or question set that measures the course provider—s effectiveness. The committee directed staff to request updated evaluation tools.

- Reporting completers: Multiple applicants did not specify how they would report course completers to the governing authorizer, as required by state board rule. Reed said applicants would be asked to document how they will submit completion lists to the appropriate authorizer.

- Content alignment and accuracy: Committee members flagged slides and materials that contained outdated information or that conflated the roles of the State Board, the Department of Education and the Public Charter School Commission. Several speakers urged applicants to review and correct references (for example, statements about who authorizes charter schools and the composition/appointment process for the State Board).

- Course length, agendas and fees: For some applications the stated length (hours) did not match the agenda—s total time. One applicant listed a $50 per-person package for training, lodging and meals; another proposed a $5,800 fee for a four-hour virtual workshop with an additional $2,500 fee cited for focus groups. The committee asked staff to request clarifications about pricing and delivery models where fees appeared unusually high or unsupported by materials.

What happens next

Reed said staff will compile the committee—s notes and return them to applicants, who will have a brief window to submit updated materials ahead of the advisory committee—s April 23 meeting. Committee members will then decide which courses to recommend to the full State Board for approval. "They'll have a brief window to provide any updated materials, which will then be shared back with you in advance of our April meeting," Reed said.

Ending

The committee adjourned after confirming the next meeting date of April 23, 2025, and recording no other business. The full list of applicants and the specific items requested from each provider will be provided to the committee and applicants in writing following this meeting.