The Overton County Schools Board of Education on Oct. 21 approved a set of personnel and program actions, including a differentiated pay plan and its subsequent revision, the appointment of a building program consultant with monthly pay, and recognition of a girls flag football program for Phillips Academy.

The board’s fiscal and personnel votes were part of an agenda that also cleared routine budget and grant items, extracurricular trip approvals and compliance reports. Board members approved the measures by voice votes and several roll-call tallies during the meeting held Oct. 21.

Board action and why it matters: The board adopted a differentiated pay plan for the 2025–26 school year intended to provide additional compensation for certain instructional and hard-to-fill roles, then approved a revised version that added a gifted position. Board members said the revisions were needed after recent staffing moves. The board also approved a placement for a building program consultant — Mike Hayes — to receive the same monthly pay as the board chair for months he attends building program functions, a personnel payment the board said was recommended by its auditors. Those two items affect recurring payroll commitments and staffing incentives across the district.

On extracurriculars, the board voted to recognize a girls flag football team at Phillips Academy. Board members discussed logistics including likely spring scheduling, locker-room usage, startup staffing and an initial pay proposal discussed with the coach. Board members said the coach proposed a $3,000 stipend and an assistant stipend of $1,500; the board estimated the program would cost about $5,500 a year in the first season, subject to budget calibration as the program grows. The board noted the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) has recognized the sport regionally.

Other routine approvals: The board approved consent-agenda budget items that included FY26 originals and revisions for Title I and other grants, various district capital projects revisions, and multiple overnight trips for Livingston Academy FFA and athletics. The LEA compliance report and the FY26 TISA accountability report were approved, along with the district’s five-year strategic plan.

Discussion highlights and dissent: Debate on the differentiated pay plan included questions about which roles and “H.E.R.V.E.S.T.” or instructional areas would receive the supplements and confirmation that gifted responsibilities were added because of staff moves between schools. The meeting record shows two distinct roll-call votes on the differentiated pay plan (the initial plan and the revision). The roll-call tallies reported by the board for those votes were recorded in the meeting as "10 4 0," which the board clerk read aloud following the roll call; the motions were announced as passed. The appointment of the building program consultant was approved by roll call with a reported 9–1 tally in favor.

Formal actions taken (selected):
- Approved the consent agenda, including multiple budget items and overnight student trips (motions passed by voice vote).
- Accepted the retirement letter from Catherine Ray (motion passed).
- Accepted the resignation of Eddie Presley (motion passed).
- Approved the 2025 LEA compliance report (motion passed).
- Approved the 2025–26 differentiated pay plan (roll-call tally read as "10 4 0"; motion passed).
- Approved a revised 2025–26 differentiated pay plan adding gifted compensation (roll-call tally read as "10 4 0"; motion passed).
- Recognized Phillips Academy girls flag football and approved program startup steps (motion passed; board discussed proposed coach stipend of $3,000 and assistant stipend of $1,500).
- Approved the FY26 TISA accountability report (motion passed).
- Approved the district five-year strategic plan (motion passed).
- Nominated and approved Mike Hayes as the board’s building program consultant, to be paid the same monthly amount as the board chair for months he attends building program functions (roll-call tally reported as 9–1; motion passed).

Quotes from the meeting: "She's a wonderful person ... We will miss her," Board member Shirley Myers said about Catherine Ray during the retirement item.

What’s next: Board members noted budget calibration will be needed as new programs (such as the flag football team) begin play and suggested staff will return with details about facilities, staffing and precise budget impacts. The board also announced upcoming meetings and professional development events, including TSBA events scheduled in November.

Ending: No executive session was held; the meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn and the board proceeded to its scheduled work session.