October School Board Meeting: Committees Appointed, Policy Changes Considered, and Support Organizations Confirmed
The Hardeman County School board met for its monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the school board office. In attendance were Director of Schools Dr. Christy Smith and board members Kenny Adkins, Jennifer Aylor, Patricia Carter, Johnny Davis, Anthony Ford, Board chairman Bobby Henderson, Brad Polk, Gene Ross, and Stacy Swift.
AGENDA
1) Call to Order
2) Agenda Approval {1:06 minute mark in the video}
3) Consent Agenda {1:26 minute mark in the video}
Approval of Minutes from September 9, 2025 Board Meeting
Approval of Minutes from September 29, 2025 Special Called Meeting
- Insurance was discussed.
4) Public Comment {1:55 minute mark in the video}
- No one signed up for public comments.
5) Request to Address the Board {2:04 minute mark in the video}
- Hardeman County citizen Katina Mays made a request to address the board on procedures of policy changes regarding the agenda. Before discussing the changes, Ms. Mays shared she and Dr. Smith met last week and had a very productive meeting, for which she was thankful. To the board, Ms. Mays asked for Policy 1.404 – Appeals To and Appearances Before the Board to be reviewed for possible changes.
“If you all can look at that policy and see if there’s a way for the public to speak to the board without being screened out or necessarily denied, so that public comment can come to the board . . .,” said Ms. Mays. “I know the City of Bolivar and the County Commission allow citizens to speak either by being added to the agenda or by public comment. So, I am kind of asking for something similar like that to be looked at in this policy.”
6) Nepotism Declaration {5:19 minute mark in the video}
- The board members agreed to follow the Nepotism Declaration, which reflects Policy 1.108. All Board members agreed to abide by the nepotism policy, which states in part, “If a member of the Board has a relative who is an employee in the system, prior to voting on any matter of business that may have an effect upon the employment of the relative, the member shall declare such relationship. In making such a declaration, the member shall certify that his/her vote on the pending matter will be in the best interest of the school system.”
7) Confirmation of School Support Organizations {7:34 minute mark in the video}
- Approved Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs) at Bolivar Elementary School, Bolivar Middle School, Hornsby Elementary School, Middleton Elementary School, Toone Elementary School, the Bolivar Central High School Quarterback Club, and Middleton High School Tiger Den.
8) Policy Review {8:43 minute mark in the video}
- Reviewed Policy 1.403 – Agendas where it reads, “For items to be considered on the agenda, they must be received in the Director of Schools’ office fourteen (14) [days] prior to the scheduled date of the meeting.” The 14 days will be changed to 10. It was approved and will now be aligned with Policy 1.404 – Appeals To and Appearances Before the Board.
9) Committee reports {10:05 minute mark in the video}
Chairman
Committee Nominations
- Board chairman Bobby Henderson nominated the committees for Insurance, Personnel Budget, Differential Pay Liaison, Directors of Evaluations, and the delegates for the state convention. Dr. Smith shared about the school level committees, which include the Textbook (Health and Physical Education), Bully and Complaint Manager (male and female required at each school), and the Disciplinary Authority. All committee appointments were approved.
Budget Committee {13:20 minute mark in the video}
- Mr. Adkins discussed the general purpose, which helped with teacher bonuses; grants received – 21st Century, Innovative School Model (textbooks, supplies, equipment, library upgrade, and teacher salaries), Public School Security (barrier at some of the school entry points, card access, etc.), Special Education Preschool, and more.
10) Director’s Report {21:41 minute mark in the video}
- Dr. Smith shared about library innovations; middle college enrollment, which is at 71 this school year with 25 at Middleton High School and 46 at Bolivar Central High School; Bolivar Elementary School is a Level 5 school; Ayers Foundation successes at both high schools; and more.
Adjourn
See October 7, 2025, Hardeman County School Board Meeting
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