Hardeman County School Board Approves Policy Updates, Review Director’s Evaluation, and Reports Academic Growth
The Hardeman County Board of Education approved a series of policy updates, federal grant budgets, and reviewed the director’s evaluation during its meeting on July 14, 2026, with many of the changes stemming from legislation passed during the most recent Tennessee General Assembly session. All school board members were present at the meeting.
Following an executive session, the board approved the meeting agenda and consent agenda, including the minutes from its June 9, 2026, meeting.
Policy Updates Reflect New State Laws
The board unanimously approved the first and second readings of several updated board policies affecting personnel, student safety, attendance, discipline, and school operations.
Policy updates were made to:
- 5.106 Application and Employment
- 5.302 Sick Leave
- 5.303 Personal and Professional Leave
- 5.600 Staff Rights and Responsibilities
- 6.200 Attendance
- 6.205 School Assignment
- 6.303 Questioning Students and Searches
- 6.306 Interference of School Activities
- 6.318 Admission of Suspended or Expelled Students
- 6.4053 Outside Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy
- 6.412 Emergency Allergy Response
- 6.506 Students from Military Families
Technology Equipment Declared Surplus
Board members approved a request to declare outdated technology equipment as surplus, allowing the district to dispose of or liquidate obsolete items.
Human Trafficking Prevention Plan Approved
The board also approved a K-12 Human Trafficking Prevention Implementation Plan required by state law.
The plan outlines timelines for staff training, student instruction, and program evaluation. District officials said they are also working with Homeland Security to identify training opportunities for educators.
Budget Committee Recommends Three Federal Grants
The board approved three federal grant budgets recommended by the Budget Committee:
- $87,000 CTE grant
- $136,000 School Improvement Grant (SIG 3.0)
- Teacher Advancement Grant (TAG 6.0)
Director Receives Annual Evaluation
Board members also reviewed the annual evaluation of Director of Schools Dr. Smith. (18 minute mark in the video)
Evaluation scores included:
- Vision – 83.30%
- Student Achievement – 82.20%
- Board Relationships – 84.40%
- Community Relationships – 80.00%
- Staff – 77.70%
- Facilities – 93.30%
- Administrators – 100%
The overall evaluation score was 91.74%.
Insurance Committee to Review Health Plans
Dr. Smith announced the district’s Insurance Committee will meet on July 29 to review employee health insurance options, including the addition of a copay plan alongside existing offerings.
With annual health insurance costs exceeding $3 million, the district plans to work with an outside consultant to evaluate available plans and ensure employees receive the best possible options.
To allow additional time for that process, the board voted to move its August meeting to August 25, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
District Reports Academic Growth
Dr. Smith shared preliminary district-level TCAP and End-of-Course assessment data, noting that Hardeman County Schools showed academic growth in nearly every tested subject compared to the previous year.
“We are really liking these greens that we continue to get every year,” Smith said, referring to the district’s growth indicators.
Strategic Plan Draft Presented
Board members also received the first draft of the district’s new five-year strategic plan, which will replace the current plan at the end of the school year.
Smith said the district has expanded career and technical education pathways, increased opportunities for industry certifications and Middle College participation, strengthened early literacy efforts, and improved academic achievement over the past several years.
She also defended the work of district employees, emphasizing that recent successes were the result of teachers, principals, support staff, bus drivers, cafeteria employees, central office personnel, students, parents, board members, and community partners working together.
“Public education is too important to become divided by misinformation, personal agendas and rhetoric that diminishes the work of the dedicated professionals in our classrooms and in our buildings every day,” Smith said.
She added that while the district is proud of its progress, there is still work to do and expressed appreciation to everyone who supports Hardeman County Schools.
The meeting concluded with the board voting unanimously to adjourn.
Click here to read about the June 2026 school board meeting.
The School Board will meet again on August 25, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
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