Board authorizes TSBA contract to review school policy manual; additional $8,250 noted
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Summary
The board recorded an authorization for TSBA to perform a comprehensive policy manual review at a quoted $12,500 cost, with $4,250 already in existing services and an additional $8,250 to complete the review; members asked to place the contract on the agenda for formal action and noted the service can be funded in the new fiscal year.
Jefferson County board members recorded authorization for a contracted comprehensive review of the district’s policy manual with the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA), according to the work-session discussion. The stated total cost was $12,500, of which $4,250 is part of the district’s regular contract payments, leaving an additional $8,250 to fund the comprehensive review.
Speaker 2 (policy committee representative) presented the policy inventory and TSBA’s proposal, saying the policy manual contains 339 policies and that about 140 policies have not been revised since before 2020; multiple sections listed many policies last revised 09/12/1996. Speaker 2 told the board TSBA’s contact, Jennifer White, stated TSBA conducts a few comprehensive reviews each year for districts and offered the $12,500 quote for a full review.
On the reasons for contracting: Speaker 2 explained the board lacks the resources and continuous legislative tracking to ensure all policies are up to date and compliance-focused. He said TSBA would provide suggested revisions and periodic updated drafts, with the policy committee deciding which suggestions to bring to the full board.
Funding and timing: Speaker 1 noted the service could be appropriated in the new budget year beginning July 1 and described the typical TSBA invoicing practice of 50% up front and the remainder on completion. Speaker 2 said he would ask to place the TSBA contract on the business-session agenda tonight for formal action.
Action recorded: Speaker 2 stated, “We voted to authorize TSBA to do a policy manual review.” The transcript records that the committee voted to authorize the review; the work session discussion made clear the policy committee will bring recommended policy changes to the policy committee and then to the board for votes on amended policies.
Other business: Speaker 2 also asked to put a previously discussed communication coordinator position under unfinished business for future discussion and vote. The board scheduled a retreat/Patriot Academy on a Saturday morning (dates discussed included Feb. 20 and Feb. 21) and planned details to be circulated.
Next steps: TSBA will be engaged per the committee recommendation if the board approves the contract; staff said the review can be scheduled to fit legislative session workloads and completed within the fiscal year. The policy committee will receive the TSBA deliverables, decide which suggested changes to bring forward, and present amendments to the full board for votes.