Oak Ridge Board extends superintendent contract, approves budget, staffing and facilities items

The Oak Ridge Board of Education on Nov. 18 unanimously approved a one-year extension to Superintendent Dr. Borchers’s contract and passed a slate of budget, personnel and facilities measures, board members said.

The extension was put to a vote after the board completed its evaluation process; by Tennessee law superintendents may be under contract for a maximum of four years, the board noted. The motion to extend the contract was made by Miss Webb and seconded by Miss Agle and passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The contract action resets the remaining term so the superintendent’s contract conforms to the four-year statutory maximum, and the related votes allocate existing local and grant funds for instruction, student supports and facility improvements.

The board also approved the consent agenda — which included student trips for the Oak Ridge High School percussion ensemble, Robertsville TSA and the Oak Ridge High cross-country team — and several finance and program items presented by district staff.

Key votes and outcomes

- Extension of superintendent’s contract: motion by Miss Webb, second by Miss Agle; outcome: approved unanimously.

- FY25 comparability report: approved on motion of Dr. Hartman, seconded by Ms. McClain; outcome: approved unanimously. The comparability report documents that Title I funds are used above and beyond regular budget allocations, district staff said.

- FY25 Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) report: motion by Miss Webb, second by Dr. Hartman; outcome: approved unanimously. Staff described TISA as a state accountability mechanism tied to funding formulas.

- FY25 Math implementation support grant carryover, $3,250: motion by Miss Agle, second by Miss McClain; outcome: approved unanimously. Staff said the carryover supports ongoing algebra and math instruction improvements across the district.

- FY25 budget transfer No. 1 (first reading): approved unanimously on first reading. Staff said the item covers routine transfers and revisions from July 1 through Nov. 11.

- Board policy 4.700 (testing programs), first and second reading: approved unanimously. The board agreed to keep the local weight for TCAP and EOC scores at 15% while changing the score-conversion methodology from a standard-deviation (SD10) model to a state-based target-score method designed to reduce semester-to-semester inequities caused by block scheduling, staff explained.

- Addition of a 1.0 FTE special-education 1:1 teacher assistant at Glenwood Elementary: motion by Miss Webb, second by Miss McClain; outcome: approved unanimously. District staff said a newly enrolled student with an IEP required a one-to-one aide for safety and access to general education.

- Robertsville Middle School sports media club: approved unanimously. The club will teach students photography, editing and publishing skills and serve as a feeder into the high school program, staff said.

- Purchase of bleachers for softball field renovation from Toadvine Enterprises, $44,428: approved unanimously. Staff said the bleachers will be delivered and installed before the softball season; contractors have begun grading and removing old structures and expect concrete work to proceed in two weeks, weather permitting.

What the board said

Board members praised district staff and the superintendent for continuity and instructional progress. In announcing the contract extension, the board chair said the district’s progress is the result of collaborative work across central office and building administrators. Dr. Borchers told the board he was "blessed to work with some incredibly talented people," and thanked the board for the opportunity to lead the district.

Next steps

Several items (notably the FY25 budget transfer) will return for a second reading at the board’s January meeting when required. Staff will proceed with procurement and project scheduling for the approved facility work.