Dickson County board approves finance report, multiple policies and student trips; TISA and LEA reports accepted

The Dickson County Board of Education at its Nov. 20 meeting approved the district's monthly financial report, multiple policy items and several student field trips, and accepted required accountability and compliance documents.

Finance: Board members were told the county commission approved $281,156.22 from the fund balance to fund 12 HVAC units at Burns Middle School. The finance presenter noted revenue trends and changes in expenditures; "Property tax and sales tax are up," and "We are purchasing gas at a dollar 90 a gallon and $2.55 a gallon for diesel," the presenter reported. The board approved the monthly financial report unanimously.

Policies and personnel: The board approved second reading of policies 4.601 and 3.204 and took first‑read action on policies including 4.403 (library materials) and 4.406 (internet/data language). Policy 4.406 passed with a recorded vote in which Mr. Parker was the only 'no' vote; otherwise the measures carried. Policy 5.119 (employment of retirees) was updated to reflect recent state law changes and approved. The employment report showed 0 retirements and 11 resignations for October.

Trips and extracurriculars: The board approved field trips including Dixon County High dance team to Orlando (Feb. 5), Creekwood CTE to Washington, D.C., Dixon County High ag team to Tennessee Tech (January), Dickson County High cheerleading nationals in Orlando (Jan. 29–Feb. 2), and Burns Middle to Gatlinburg (Dec. 5–7), among others.

Accountability and compliance: The TISA accountability report — a required annual statement of how district funds addressed academic goals — was approved after administrators said only grammatical changes had been made since the planning session and no public comments were received. The LEA compliance report, which noted that most students currently receive more physical education than state minimums, was also approved despite one board member expressing concern about acknowledging departures from statutory expectations.

Votes at a glance: approve agenda as amended (carried); approve minutes (carried); approve monthly financial report (carried); approve White Glove Elementary change order (carried) — see separate coverage; approve field trips (carried); approve policies 4.601, 3.204, 4.403, 4.406, 5.119, 6.304 (various readings; 4.406 recorded vote with Mr. Parker voting no); approve TISA accountability report (carried); approve LEA compliance report (carried).

The board closed with routine director remarks recognizing CTE program work and upcoming meeting dates on Nov. 24 (long‑range planning), Dec. 4 (planning session at Creekwood High) and Dec. 18 (regular meeting). The meeting adjourned without further business.