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Loudon County School Board approves director's contract and a slate of routine items
Summary
The Loudon County School Board approved a new contract for Director of Schools Garen and voted to adopt textbooks, approve budget amendments, a custodial contract, coach approvals and meal prices; the director's contract passed on a 9-1 roll call. Specific meal-price amounts were not stated.
The Loudon County School Board voted to approve a new contract for Director of Schools Garen and passed several routine administrative items during its meeting. The contract was approved after a motion by Miss Newman and a second by Miss Barber and carried on a roll call vote.
The board also approved textbook adoptions for PE and CTE, budget amendments, a custodial contract for HES, non-faculty coach approvals and the 2026'2027 meal-price schedule. Motions were made and seconded for each item and recorded by roll call as part of the meeting minutes.
Why it matters: The director's contract is the key personnel decision of the night and sets compensation and terms for the district superintendent. The other approvals update instructional materials, vendor contracts and operating budgets that affect school operations for the coming year.
Director Garen, in his report, thanked the board and staff and noted operational stability: "We had no first state law, we had no credible threat the last quarter that I need to report to you," he said, and added that the district's success "is a direct correlation to the leadership and support that you give me." The director also asked the board to move the May 7 workshop to May 14 to avoid conflicts with local graduations; the change will be advertised.
Votes at a glance: - Director of Schools contract (motion by Miss Newman; second by Miss Barber): roll call recorded 9 yes, 1 no (Miss Bridges); outcome: approved. - Non-faculty coach approvals (motion by Ms. Disney; second by Mr. Newman): roll call recorded unanimous yes; outcome: approved. - Textbook adoption, PE and CTE (motion by Ms. Bridges; second by Ms. Harvey): roll call recorded unanimous yes; outcome: approved. - Budget amendments (motion by Ms. Browder; second by Ms. Harvey): roll call recorded unanimous yes; outcome: approved. - HES custodial contract (motion by Ms. Barber; second by Ms. Harvey): roll call recorded unanimous yes; outcome: approved. - Meal prices for 2026'2027 (motion by Ms. Bridges; second by Mr. Presley): roll call recorded affirmative votes; the transcript does not specify the new price amounts.
What the board said: Board members offered praise for the director's leadership during discussion of his contract; one member expressed concern about setting a precedent with a longevity bonus but nevertheless supported the hire. The meeting record shows expressions of appreciation for the leadership team and staff.
What's next: The director asked the board to approve a workshop-date change to May 14; the board instructed staff to advertise the change and the meeting adjourned.
