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Bradley County Board approves year‑end budget moves, hires Pritchard for custodial services and adopts multiple policies
Summary
At its April 10 meeting the Bradley County Board of Education approved year‑end general fund and PIE Center budget amendments, unanimously selected Pritchard Industries for district janitorial services, adopted four TSBA‑recommended policy changes, and passed a resolution to seek $2,000 teacher bonuses under the Education Freedom Scholarship Act.
The Bradley County Board of Education on April 10 approved a set of year‑end budget amendments, awarded a janitorial contract to Pritchard Industries and adopted several policy updates, while also passing a resolution to pursue state teacher bonuses.
Ellen Smith reviewed general purpose budget amendments that included year‑end adjustments for the district float nurse (Tennessee Health Care Resiliency Program), reimbursements for high‑cost special education expenditures, position reclassifications, additional honor choir revenues, nursing care reserves for stipends and supplies, summer learning camp funding and adjustments to 21st Century/after‑school program accounts. Smith also identified two county‑funded healthy community initiative grants: one for district AEDs and another to resurface the Prospect Community walking trail. "You have 27 individuals scoring over 30 on the ACT this year," Dr. Linda Cash said while outlining district academic highlights and recent TVA STEM grants that awarded $5,000 to a set of schools.
After discussion, a motion to approve the general purpose amendments passed by roll call with unanimous support. The board separately approved a Fund 145 (PIE Center) year‑end amendment intended to reconcile PIE Center operations and school programming revenue and expenditures.
On procurement, the janitorial services solicitation — begun in October and reviewed by a committee using a rubric that evaluated cost, industry experience, experience in educational facilities, financial management and references — produced a recommendation to contract with Pritchard Industries, a national firm with offices in Nashville and Atlanta. "Pritchard Industries will be the recommendation made to this board today," the committee representative said. Board members queried differences in cost calculations from the lowest bid and raised concerns about the lowest bidder's prior contract sizes and capacity to service large facilities; committee members and Dr. Cash said the process was thorough and that references (including a call with Atlanta Public Schools) and the firm’s benefits and staffing proposals supported the recommendation. The board voted unanimously to approve Pritchard as the recommended company; the contract is expected to take effect June 1 and the district will return the final contract for approval after budget option details are settled.
The board also voted to waive second readings and adopt four policy updates recommended by the Tennessee School Boards Association. Amanda Lee moved to adopt policy 2.601 (fundraising activities), policy 2.501 (accepting credit card payment), new policy 2.8051 (use of credit cards) and policy 4.7 (testing programs, including a highlighted addition related to high school credit exams). Each policy passed by unanimous roll call.
On compensation policy, the board passed a resolution to participate in section 4 of the Education Freedom Scholarship Act of 2025 so the district may receive state funds to issue a one‑time bonus of $2,000 to each teacher employed in K–12 public schools for the 2024–25 school year. Nancy Cason read the resolution’s provisions regarding participation. Dr. Cash clarified that the Department will pull eligible teachers from the district’s 10Compass roster and that administrators/supervisors are not automatically included; she also noted that "that money will actually not be released, so it will until after July 1," meaning payouts would appear in fall paychecks if the funds are provided. Board discussion indicated the district may use its budget to include additional employees at the board’s direction.
Announcements included upcoming PIE Innovation Center events, a Walker Valley community performance and the district’s April 30 roadshow and state of the schools address. With no further business, the board adjourned.
Votes at a glance: the board approved general purpose budget amendments (items #31–39), the Fund 145 (PIE Center) amendment, selected Pritchard Industries for janitorial services (contract to start June 1 pending final contract), adopted policies 2.601, 2.501, 2.8051 and 4.7, and adopted a resolution to participate in the Education Freedom Scholarship Act to pursue $2,000 teacher bonuses.
