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Bledsoe County Board of Education elects Billingsley as chair, approves $50,000‑match ag lab grant and policy update
Summary
At the Sept. 8 meeting the Bledsoe County Board of Education elected Andy Billingsley chair and Carolyn Oakes vice-chair; approved an Agriculture Lab Grant requiring a $50,000 district match; updated policy 4.601 to adopt nine‑week report cards; and approved routine contracts and student trips.
The Bledsoe County Board of Education elected Andy Billingsley as chairman and reappointed Carolyn Oakes as vice-chair at its Sept. 8, 2025 regular meeting at Mary V. Wheeler Elementary.
The vote followed nominations from board members and was unanimous. After the leadership votes the board approved its agenda, the Aug. 11 minutes and routine business including monthly financial reports and the Annual Agenda, which the board asked be accompanied in future years by a school calendar approved a year in advance.
Director Dr. Walker reviewed a 100‑day plan, 30‑day accomplishments and Strategic Plan updates. She reported that Mary V. Wheeler Elementary, Bledsoe County High School and Cecil B. Rigsby scored TVASS Level 5; Pikeville Elementary was Level 3. Dr. Walker said supervisors and principals recently met to discuss academics and behavior, that principals will provide updates beginning in October (requested every other month), and that Farrah Fields will analyze student achievement. The director also said she is reviewing board policy, budget areas of concern, program sustainability and personnel needs and proposed a winter retreat to discuss the Strategic Plan.
The board approved an Agriculture Lab Grant presented by Safety Coordinator Mark Oxner. The board’s motion to accept the grant passed unanimously; the request notes a required district match of $50,000. Oxner said the lab would serve the agricultural program as well as chemistry and biology classes. Board member Charles (Bron) Reece asked Dr. Walker to explore additional support for the agriculture program.
The board also approved several routine personnel and program items: the Private Duty Nurse Memorandum of Understanding (no changes from the prior year), renewal of the athletic trainer contract (terms unchanged), and multiple student‑travel requests. The board approved a student trip to Washington, D.C., and New York for fall 2026 participants in grades 9–11 (organized by Southeast Tours, single bus; an interest meeting will be held next month). FFA advisor Ronny Collier received approval to attend the National FFA Conference in Indianapolis (Oct. 29–Nov. 1, 2025) and to use district transportation; the board also approved Collier’s request to attend the Cultivation/Emerge Conference at Camp Clements (Nov. 14–15, 2025) with an early dismissal on Nov. 14.
Principal Candi Kempton presented a proposal for an outdoor classroom at Bledsoe County Middle School funded in part by a sizable memorial donation honoring former principal Debbie Thompson; the board approved the project.
Under new business the board approved revisions to Policy 4.601 (Reporting Student Progress): the language will change from “progress report” to “report card,” and reporting will move to a nine‑week schedule. The board asked staff to investigate electronic report cards and return findings at the November meeting.
Technology Supervisor Jennifer Terry presented two quotes for a portable sound system for remote‑location meetings: Option A (sound and visual) for $34,035.00 and Option B (sound only) for $14,685.00. The board took no action on the quotes at this meeting.
The meeting adjourned by unanimous vote. The board announced a planning meeting at 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting at 6:00 p.m., both scheduled for Oct. 13, 2025 at Bledsoe County Middle School.
