The Lakeland School Board (LSB) met for a business session last night (9.16.19) at City Hall with the superintendent recognizing the recent statewide honors for the Lakeland School System (LSS).
Dr. Ted Horrell categorized the recognitions for LSS as “wonderful tidings,” referring to LSS being named an Exemplary District, one of 20 districts in the state; two reward schools in LSS which means 100% of Lakeland schools; and LSS being #1 in the state for the K-5 band and #2 in the state for 6-8 band.
The Department of Education announced the state rankings Aug. 15th and last night was the first LSB meeting since the announcement.
Link to Livestream: https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8822102
Link to agenda: https://lakelandk12.org/res/web/09.16.19%20BM/09.16.19%20Business%20Meeting%20Agenda.pdf
“It’s obviously exciting, but mostly exciting because the teachers recognize the rewards for their hard work. Our teachers are pretty self-motivated. They want to be successful. They want their kids to have the best opportunities.”
Dr. Horrell added, “We say our kids are more than a test score. This is not the only thing. This is not the main thing. But it certainly is a nice thing.”
Speaking about a Sept. 11th proclamation from the City of Lakeland recognizing LSS, Dr. Horrell said,” I am going to take exception with something that was said publically. I do want to thank the Mayor for his proclamation and the Board of Commissioners honoring the school system.
“But I am going to take exception to something he said. He made the comment that no elected official can take credit for these accomplishments. And I just want to say as someone who works with you five elected officials every day … you do deserve a lot of the credit and I appreciate everything you guys do.”
Swim Club at LMPS
Among items on the agenda was discussion on the schools’ fees list. Mentioned was a swim club, being formed for grades 6-8 at LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School). The School will sponsor the Club but there will be a non-faculty coach and the sport will be non-sanctioned, said Laura Harrison, LSB vice chair. It will be known as the Lakeland Lions Swim Club and fees were discussed for the Club. Team members will practice at the Bartlett Recreation Center.
USDA loan for high school
All information has been submitted for the USDA loan to finance the first high school in Lakeland, said Dr. Horrell. LSS as well as the City of Lakeland are waiting for official notification of acceptance. “We have every reason to believe it will be accepted,” said Dr. Horrell. The $40 million high school serving grades 9-12 is to be built behind the current middle school which serves grades 5-8. Lakeland Elementary School serves K-4. Currently high school students in Lakeland attend Arlington High School through an interlocal between the two cities. A new high school in the City is expected to open for school year 2022-23 to 9th grade.
MOU with City for LSS fields use
Item #8 on the agenda was for an LSS facilities use agreement including a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City. The MOU allows Lakeland Parks and Recreation to utilize outside fields at LMPS for youth sports. The City has already been using gymnasiums at both schools for youth sports.
Dr. Horrell said he met with Kevin Rooney, director of the Parks and Rec Department. City sports teams are now using the football stadium and fields at no or little cost to the City. Dr. Horrell said the City will do maintenance on the fields and there could be other costs like additional trash removal. The fields cannot be rented to other groups, he said.
The rest of the meeting
All 14 items on the agenda were unanimously approved with several amended before approval.
The TSBA (Tennessee School Board Association) Leadership Conference and Annual Convention is Nov. 14th – 17th.
The August financial summary had no surprises or concerns, said Dr. Horrell.
