WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=zCAOI7z8SwU

Part: 1

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Call this meeting to order. For members of the public 
attending tonight's meeting, here are some important reminders. First, concerning the public 
comment portion of our agenda. Please remember that the time limit of a single presentation shall 
not exceed three minutes, and no recognized speaker 
may surrender or transfer his or her allocated time to another person, and the subject matter of any presentation must be limited to issues related to education 
or the business of the board.

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Secondly, concerning any and every 
portion of tonight's meeting, please be advised that the 
board will not allow threats or loud and disruptive comments 
or noise such as jeers, shouts or verbal outbursts from the floor. In accordance with Tennessee 
code annotated 39-17- 306. Any person who intentionally 
acts to prevent, obstruct, or intervene or interfere with this meeting 
by physical action or verbal utterance, shall be warned to discontinue

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such actions. After being so warned, law enforcement may remove any person who refuses to cease his or her acts of preventing, obstructing or interfering with this meeting. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the 
United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, 
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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Okay. At this time we'll move on to our 
public conversation comment section. First speaker Annabelle Jean Lee Spain. Is Annabelle here? Going once. Okay. Moving on. Amanda Frost.

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My name is Amanda Frost. And tonight I have a few questions. Not just for this board, but every candidate seeking public office 
for this board and throughout our community. Who exactly is public in public education? Is it only the families who voted for 
you who attend the same church as you, who were born here, who look like you, love like you, speak like you, or believe like you? Or is it every child who walks 
through the doors of our schools? Because when each of you ran for office, you weren't elected to represent 
only the people who agreed with you.

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You were elected to represent 
every family in this county. That responsibility didn't come with an asterisk. It didn't say except for the gay kid, except for the immigrant kid, except for the black kid. Except for the trans kid. Except for the child whose 
parents didn't vote for you. This includes all of my LGBTQ, LGBTQ plus neighbors, especially the T, because they have become one of the 
easiest targets for political gain and too many people seem eager to leave them out. My black and brown neighbors,

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my immigrant neighbors, my disabled neighbors, my Christian neighbors, my Muslim neighbors, my atheist neighbors, even the people who never voted for you. The people who didn't look 
like you, don't look like you, worship like you, speak like you believe like you. And even the ones that are raised to 
hate us because of the way they think. Representation is not conditional. It's not earned by agreeing with you. It comes with office. One of the hardest parts of 
leadership is representing people whose lives you may never fully understand,

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but that is what public service requires. Leadership is measured by how you treat the 
people who have the least political power. The child who wonders if they will 
be accepted because they're gay. The transgender child who 
wonders whether the adults elected to oversee their schools 
see them as worthy of dignity. The student who hears people debate whether they belong because their family immigrated here. The black student who wonders if their 
experiences will be acknowledged. The child with disability who simply wants the same opportunity 
to learn as everyone else.

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Those children are not asking you to 
agree with every aspect of their lives. They're asking you for 
something much simpler to know that the adults elected 
believe that they belong here. Your silence is loud. Your votes speak. The policies you support speak. Sometimes the things you choose to say. Speak not to say. Speak the loudest. The public deserves more than statements that say, I won't stand for this, or I stand for all kids 
because those are easy words. So show us. Walk the walk. Don't just talk the talk because leadership 
isn't measured by press releases. It's by all of your actions,

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whether you intended it or not. Every action tells our students 
who matter and who doesn't. And going forward. History has never judge a society by how well 
it treated the people that were in power. It remembers by those of the least. And one final thought. The teacher wasn't black. He wasn't brown. He wasn't immigrant. He wasn't a drag queen. He wasn't transgender that we know of. So maybe let's stop putting all the. Okay. Thank you. Next person Thomas West.

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Again, Thomas West. Okay, moving on Xaviel Lugo.

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In loco parentis is a Latin legal doctrine, meaning in the place of a parent. On March 27th of 2026, CMCSS assumed that responsibility. The moment those kids stepped 
into school and onto that bus. With that responsibility comes a legal 
and moral obligation to protect them, support them, and act when harm occurs. CMCSS failed each one of those 24 children 
involved in that horrific, fatal accident.

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You failed their parents and 
you failed this community. The ongoing lack of accountability 
and leadership should concern every taxpayer and 
every parent in Clarksville. On June 13th, I formally urged CMCSS to take immediate action to cover the medical bills 
and ongoing care these children require. Because of the district's negligence, I proposed transferring $2 
million from the general fund into a dedicated relief fund 
for all the affected children,

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and I want to be clear I'm advocating 
for every child harmed in this accident. Not only those with the visible injuries, and not only those whose stories 
have been publicly highlighted, as has been said, the scars you cannot see are 
often the hardest to recover from. Yet here we are, 116 days later and 
CMCSS leadership has done nothing. School starts soon and these families are still carrying the financial and emotional burden alone.

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We are done being lied to, being given false claim numbers. This is not a game. These are our lives. I urge Clarksville taxpayers 
and parents to demand that this board finally do what is 
right for those 24 children, and I urge every parent to think carefully about the trust you place in a system 
that's shown through its inaction, that your child's safety and best 
interest is not its priority. If serving on this board is too difficult,

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if speaking with parents and 
students is too difficult, if holding yourself accountable is too difficult, if doing what is right for children in your 
care is too difficult, then step aside. Let someone with the courage, integrity, and commitment to lead this 
community take your place. Leadership is not about titles or stipends. It's about the responsibility. And responsibility is something this board 
has refused to shoulder for 116 days.

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The time for excuses has passed. It is time to act. Thank you. Elia Marie Johnson. No Elia. Okay. So, Xelani Love Lugo.

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Hi. My name is Xelani, and I'm one of the kids who 
survived the March 27th bus crash. I'm 14 years old, and I'm standing here because people need to know why we 
deserve a new school board, one that actually sees us, hears us, and gives a damn about what happened. Before I start, I just want to 
give a shout out to Chris Lanier for lending 400 chairs for the 
fight for a night benefit show, but most importantly, what I really want to highlight is 
the support that he has shown me. Like during the benefit show, when I walked past him and he was talking 
with other adults about how the bus crash,

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families are mad at the wrong people 
or at the commissioners meeting when he stated that half of the students on the bus weren't harmed and are 
just looking for a handout. So for that Chris Lanier, I just want you to know that 
the debilitating pain I have woken up with for the past 116 days is less painful than the mental suffering and survivor's guilt that I will carry 
with me for the rest of my life. So maybe next time you want 
to support your community, don't use it as a way to snap a few pictures 
and promote yourself on social media, especially not on a night that 
was supposed to be about us.

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Since the day of the crash, I have been nothing but 
ignored by the school system. Not one of you on the school board, nor my own principal has reached 
out to see how I'm doing. Not at the vigil, not at the fight for a night wrestling event 
not at the last two school board meetings. I was not even acknowledged when I 
sent two emails last month requesting to speak at last month's school board meeting. It was to the point where I had to 
stand up with a poster and shout, demanding answers and accountability, and even then I was escorted out in silence. So tell me, when will you begin to listen? When will you start serving 
the people and not the system?

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When will you cover my medical debt 
that reaches over 200 thousand dollars? And when will you understand 
that decorum doesn't exist When there are kids in the cemetery? I have been to over 50 appointments 
and counting since the accident. My summer was meant to be 
felt filled with traveling, hiking, amusement parks, happy memories and relaxation. But instead it's been a constant back and forth between physical therapy appointments, neurology appointments, trauma counseling, and ENT appointments to make sure that 
I'm not going to go deaf in my left ear. Not to mention the traumatic 
brain injury I obtained from

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the bus accident that still 
affects my comprehension, vision balance memory, and ability to think. But sure Chris Lanier, I'm just looking for a handout. It is a shame for me to have 
to stand here and remind you that it is your job to serve the people. It is your job to listen. It is your job to be transparent, and it is your job to 
protect the children like me. To everyone sitting in this room, for all the parents and taxpayers of Clarksville, I want you to remember that these 
board members are running our school. I want you to remember that 
these board members work for you,

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and I want you to remember that CMCSS failed me. CMCSS failed every student on that bus. And if we don't demand change, they will fail you to. Thank you. Autumn Harper.

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Given that I only have 180 seconds, I'm going to skip the introductions 
and get straight to the point. This district has once again chosen to create another Assistant Director 
position in special populations, with a salary exceeding $140,000, while professionals working directly 
with our students with disabilities are making half of that and continue 
to carry impossible workloads, we still have related service providers with 
caseloads that no one can reasonably manage. Some occupational therapists are 
responsible for more than 160 students, and some SLPs have caseloads 
exceeding 190. At those numbers,

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individualized services become nearly impossible, and providers are forced to focus on 
compliance instead of meaningful intervention. When specialists are stretched this thin, responsibilities that belong to 
occupational therapists, SLPs, and behavior specialists are increasingly 
pushed into the general education Teachers, special education case managers. Those educators are doing everything they can, but they are not occupational therapists. They are not SLPs, and they are not behavior specialists. We can't continue expecting staff to fill 
roles they were never trained to perform.

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The same concern exists with 
our schools' counselors. West Creek High School has experienced 
four suicides in less than two years. Yet the counselors are responsible for approximately 500 students while also managing 504 plans and 
participating in IEP meetings. The American School Counselor Association recommends one counselor for every 250 students. If we keep investing in top administration 
while leaving front line staff overwhelmed, we can't expect different outcomes. I would also like to address what's 
being called inclusion or lack thereof,

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at Kirkwood Elementary and at other 
schools throughout the district. Students in CDC classrooms are 
brought into the cafeteria for lunch, where they sit at a table 
together with only disabled peers, and that time is counted as 
general education inclusion. Sitting in the same room without meaningful interaction with 
non-disabled peers is not inclusion. It's simple physical proximity. There are no non-disabled gross disabled only grocery stores, restaurants, or workplaces. After these students leave our schools, our responsibility is to prepare 
them to be active members of

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our community by giving them 
meaningful opportunities to learn, build relationships and 
participate alongside their peers. I also saw a recent video highlighting 
changing tables in elementary schools. Kirkwood, the district's newest 
elementary school until Freedom opens, doesn't even have a changing 
table in the CDC classroom, serving students who are not toilet trained. We should not celebrate accessibility. While basic accessibility needs remain unmet. I want to challenge this board, encourage each of you to seek training outside 
of the district on special Education law, the IEP process,

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and the reality that families face. The more informed this board is, the better equipped you'll be to provide meaningful oversight and ask 
difficult questions students deserve. Invest less in expanding administration 
and more in the professionals, and supports that directly impact students. Every day. Our children 
deserve meaningful. Leadership. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Moving on. Ashley Ellithorpe.

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Good evening. I am here tonight 
for a simple reason. Our children. We must all agree. Our children deserve 
completely safe inside CMCSS school. Protecting them is a sacred 
duty and a higher moral calling. Parents expect their children 
to come home protected. That is a baseline stewardship 
of this Board children are a blessing and protecting them 
is profound responsibility. We will answer for safety 
can never be an afterthought. It cannot depend on who is involved or how 
uncomfortable it is for the administration.

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Recent events have shaken this community with an indictment 
and arrest of a former teacher, Matthew Vedder, on criminal accounts. The severe gravity of what happened is laid bare. The fact that accused was that 
the accused was married to the district top administrator 
has shattered the public's trust. A technical recusal is not enough. A green petition has parents, makes it clear we are calling for 
an immediate resignation of Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder. Top leadership 
can no longer credible,

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assure families that the safety is a priority. Trust is built through openness 
and willingness to take action when system fails. To the board 
members whose terms are concluding, you face a profound question of 
stewardship as you ask to continue serving. Look into your hearts and answer. Have your actions truly put the safety of 
these children above professional comfort? Do you deserve to retain the 
sacred trust? Moving forward, every vote taken by this board 
must begin with a question.

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Does this make our children safer? Is the answer. If the answer is no, your work is not done. Our children, our parents and 
the community are watching. Let's make Montgomery County the 
district known for its moral clarity, put the safety of our children 
above everything else. Thank you. Thank you. Adam Ellithorpe. So recent events have left many people in 
our community asking difficult questions.

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The concern surrounding the whole 
public safety situation with the Matthew Vedder situation has made 
the school and have shaken public trust. The bus accident involving students has raised additional concerns about 
student safety and communication. Look where we currently are. We have school board members thrashing out against families telling them they're bad parents, telling them that the that the superintendent of Montgomery County School System is the victim. I look in front of me and I don't see any victims.

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I wanted you guys to know that what has been most troubling to many families is the silence. When serious issues arise 
and we push them to the side, it is not okay. It creates uncertainty. It erodes the public confidence. Parents, teachers and students deserve timely, factual communication whenever it's possible, while also recognizing that some information 
may be limited by ongoing investigations. We know that Mr. Vedder is still 
currently married to Ms Vedder.

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They share the same roof and they share 
the same computer technology that has all of our children's information and 
pertinent address and safety concerns. It is a safety concern for the 
community to allow Ms Vedder to retain her position as the director 
at CMCSS School Department. Transparency and those legal responsibilities 
can and should exist, but not together. This board has the opportunity 
right now to demonstrate leadership by reviewing their policies and 
removing Ms Vedder tonight as we speak,

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strengthening reporting procedures, evaluating safety protocols, and ensuring that safety 
is always the top concern. Every incident should become an opportunity to improve the systems designed to protect children. Right now, we are not protecting children. We are covering up situations 
to make ourselves look better and to make our system operate 
in a dysfunctional manner. I also want to recognize that 
the students and families arrested recently affected 
by the recent bus accident.

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They deserve compassion, support and confidence that every 
reasonable step is being taken to review what happened and to strengthen 
transportation safety moving forward. It is my belief, as I stand here today, that there is not a person in 
this room that believes that our current administration staff 
should be the same moving forward. We are asking as a community. We are asking from our petition and we are 
asking from the recent legal injunctions that have been raised amongst a former 
teacher of Montgomery County School Board.

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We are asking you guys to 
stand up and do your job. We are asking you guys to remove the problem. There will be no school board 
meetings going forward without conflict until this issue 
is arised and taken care of. All righty. Next speaker Samantha Baker. Good evening. The responsibility of this board

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isn't to protect the reputation of this district. Your responsibility is to protect 
the students entrusted to your care. As a parent, I have lost confidence 
that this board is doing that. Parents deserve transparency. They deserve to know that concerns are documented, investigated thoroughly, and 
leave a clear paper trail. Children deserve adults who act 
immediately when concerns are raised. Parents deserve honesty instead of silence.

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The question isn't whether 
protecting children is difficult. The question is whether this board has 
been willing to do it consistently, openly and without putting this the district's image ahead of student safety. My children and I moved to Clarksville 
after escaping domestic violence. I promised them this would be our fresh start. I promised them they would finally feel safe,

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supported, and able to focus on simply being kids. Now let me tell you why I no 
longer believe that's happening. My daughter was a new student in a 
criminal justice class when her teacher, a former officer, looked at her in front of 
her new classmates and said, Lacey, I don't want to know what 
your involvement with handcuffs was. Were they pink and fuzzy? When I reported it,

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the principal told me she just couldn't believe it was It just couldn't believe it because he was so well liked and popular with students and staff. Yet during a phone call with me, that same teacher admitted 
to making those comments. That should have been enough. But it wasn't. That same teacher later called my 
daughter and her classmates worthless. Waste of oxygen and wrist slitters 
during Suicide Prevention Week.

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I spent countless days wondering if I 
would get to see my daughter graduate. Thankfully, I did, and it wasn't because of y'all. She graduated with an honor cord. Her ACT for her ACT score and will be attending mortuary school 
because she cares about people. Now I'm fighting a different battle. My son needs support and accommodations, and instead of feeling like like 
we have partners in his education, I feel like I'm constantly having to fight.

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That lack of trust became very 
real at a community fundraiser, event. Board member Chris 
Lanier approached my son. I told him twice not to speak to my child. That wasn't personal. That was parental. Because if I don't trust the board members, All right, moving on. Debbie Fields.

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Good evening chairman, board members, superintendent, educators, 
and distinguished guests. My name is Debbie Fields, and I have the privilege of serving 
as the operations executive of YAIPAK a local nonprofit organization committed to strengthening our 
community by serving veterans, military families, children and families in need through practical assistance, 
education and outreach. Thank you for allowing me a few moments 
to introduce our organization and share how the work we do directly supports the students and families 
within our school district. At YAIPAK we believe every child 
deserves the opportunity to succeed.

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We also know that success in the classroom 
often begins with stability in the home. When families struggle with food 
insecurity and financial hardship, transportation challenges and unexpected crises, those burdens don't stay at home. They walk into the classroom 
with children every single day. That is why YAIPAK exists. Through our four pillars of service, we provide food assistance through 
our Patriot Pantry network, school supply distribution, Christmas assistance, disaster relief support for 
veterans and military families, and educational classes 
covering topics such as CPR,

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stop the Bleed, online safety, situational awareness, and 
signs of human trafficking. Every program we offer is designed to strengthen families because when the families are stronger, our children are stronger. We also want to be a resource for the 
students outside of the classroom. YAIPAK provides meaningful volunteer 
opportunities for students, can earn community service hours towards the Tennessee Promise Scholarship while 
developing leadership skills and compassion, teamwork and a heart for serving others. Rather than simply completing required hours,

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students become a part of 
something bigger than themselves by directly impacting families 
right here in our community. In addition, we have worked alongside CMCSS 
and the choice to change an age program. This program is designed 
for students who have been assigned community service as 
part of a disciplinary action. Following an expulsion. Instead of simply completing hours, these students are paired with 
mentors who invest in them personally. They learn responsibility, accountability, workplace skills, communication, and the value of serving others.

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But most importantly, they experience encouragement 
rather than condemnation. We believe every young person deserves 
the opportunity to rewrite their story, and sometimes all it takes is one 
person willing to believe in them. At YAIPAK we don't see troubled students. We see future leaders, future parents, future business owners, and future members of our community who simply 
need someone willing to walk beside him. Our desire is not to replace the incredible work that is 
already being done in our schools. Rather, we hope to become another trusted 
community partner that helps remove barriers,

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provides additional resources, and creates opportunities for students to 
grow both inside and outside the classroom. It truly takes an entire 
community to raise healthy, resilient, and successful children. Schools cannot do it alone, and neither can nonprofits. But together we can make a lasting difference 
in the lives of the families that we serve. Thank you. All righty. Moving on to 
approval of consent agenda. Have all of y'all looked over consent agenda?

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Jimmie motions second Ms Bryant seconds. Any discussion? Okay. If you would please call the vote. All members satisfied with your vote, please close the vote. No more disruptions. Please call the vote.

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Motion passes. 6 to 1. That's your last warning. Policy monitoring EL six. Asset protection. Board, Please find in your board packet 
information on executive limitation Six asset Protection. This executive limitation has 
eight compliance expectations. Specifically a complete 
property appraisal valuation and inventory of school system 
assets is completed each year.

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Additionally, employees handling 
material amounts of funds will be bonded. A preventative maintenance program 
is in place for all facilities, vehicles and where appropriate, equipment. Proper maintenance of equipment 
is an integral part of employee training and industry 
specific professional development. Adequate professional liability insurance, as indicated in your board packet, is in place to protect the 
District Board and staff. Furthermore, all purchases will 
follow purchasing procedures outlined by state law and 
local administrative policies. Security measures are in 
place to ensure protection of

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district information and intellectual property. In conclusion, the most recent audit 
conducted by the State Comptroller's Office resulted in financial statements being in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles, and there were no material weaknesses 
or significant deficiencies identified. District decisions are data informed 
using a team approach that filters individual and collective actions in light of their impact on improving student 
achievement. Chairman Lanier, This concludes executive limitation six. Okay. Six.

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Okay, the motion Mr Griffy. Second. Ms Berry, motion a second any discussion? All right. Please call the vote. All members satisfied with your vote. Please close the vote. Motion passes. Okay, moving on to EL seven. Emergency Director of Schools. Board, please find in your board packet 
information on executive limitation Seven. It states no fewer than 
three other executive executives

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must be familiar with issues 
and processes. Four CMCSS Executives have been designated 
to handle district business. Chief human resource officer, chief of staff. Chief communications officer 
and chief academic officer. Chairman Lanier. This concludes executive limitation seven. Okay. Anybody got any comments? Motion. Motion to approve. Mr. Garland. Second from. Ms Bryant. All right.

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Motion. Motion a second. Any discussion? Okay. Please call the vote. Everybody satisfied with your vote. Yes. This is this is for up here. Mhm. Okay. Please close the vote. Motion passes. Policy passes. Okay. Moving on to 
Rossview utility easement. Board,

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Last month, the Rossview utility easement came up and there were questions and clarification. Our chief operations officer has spoken, and, um, confirmed that we are able to meet 
those expectations that were set last month. So it is back for a vote now. Um Chief Operations Officer Norm Brumblay 
is available should you have any questions.

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Yeah. Push your button. You want to restate that. I'll move that. We accept. The Rossview utility easement. Move forward there. The contract that we were emailed had the 
modifications that were requested by the board. And it will make it a safer 
environment for the children as they're coming and leaving school. Okay. The motion. Mr. Griffey, is there a second? Second by Mr. Garland. Okay, there's a motion, a second.

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Any discussion? Okay. Please call the vote. Is everybody satisfied with your vote? Please close the vote. Motion passes. Okay, moving on to comments from 
Fort Campbell school liaison officer. Not here. Okay. CMCEA representative.

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Good evening. A new school year 
represents fresh opportunities. It is a chance for students to discover 
new interests, build confidence, overcome challenges, and grow 
both academically and personally. It is also a time when educators return 
to the classrooms with renewed purpose, ready to inspire, encourage and support every child 
who walks through our doors. Educators have invested their own time and 
resources to ensure classrooms are welcoming. Lessons are engaging, and students feel safe and valued from day one.

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They have done this by spending their summer leading and participating in Engage sessions, and it was a great Engage again this year, I just want to give you a shout out. Um, and other inservice opportunities, joining in externships, working on future lesson plans 
and collaborating with others. The week of August 3rd will be no 
doubt a hectic one for all educators, but it can also be stressful. I ask that we are mindful of workloads that week, um, that first week back, and allow as much time as 
possible for educators to

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use as they see fit to prepare for the year ahead. I look forward to this school 
year because together we can make Clarksville Montgomery County 
the very best place to live, teach, and learn. Thank you. Thank you. Alrighty County commissioners. Make sure y'all get out and vote. Okay. Anybody else? Board members. No, no.

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The public comment part is over. This meeting. When you sign up before the meeting. Okay. Moving on, Ms Bryant. Yes, I just. Don't I don't want to breeze past, um, Ms Fields with YAIPAK outreach 
because I've personally witnessed the impact that that program has had. And, um, Dr. Luna-Vedder, would you mind just giving a quick description 
on that program that we have with YAIPAK? Because it's really great.

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Sure. Choice to change is a program 
that if we have students who, um, have made a mistake and they have perhaps 
had a narcotic or something at school, normally that would be a zero tolerance. It's an expulsion for a full year. That is still the case. But choice to change offers the opportunity. If this is the first offense 
for a student to be able to rectify that situation through a whole 
series of of contracts that they do in, in accordance with their parents.

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So they are able to, to take coursework, they are able to go to, um, classes that help them actually, if they have any sort of drug addiction. They are, they are drug tested 
according to the policies. And then they are able to do 
community service work at YAIPAK. YAIPAK has been an amazing partner that 
they not only allow our kids to come there, but they treat them like family. As she said, they treat 
them as as someone who yes, they made a mistake, but they're able to get over that 
mistake instead of just going

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home for a year and then just coming back, they are able to actually make changes that are meaningful in their lives that give them 
a second chance before they turn 18, and everything is on their record to hopefully 
make a meaningful change in their life. And YAIPAK has been an amazing partner. They also allow parents to come in and serve 
that community service alongside of them, which just makes even more 
meaningful change in the family. Thank you. I've seen, I've seen that.

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Um, and we've had last time I looked, it was 80 students. It's probably more than that. Now. Do you know about how many 
students have been through that? I'll get that number. I don't want okay. Okay. Thank you. That's all I have. Okay. Anybody else? Push your button. Left or the right one. To the. Right. Hello? I would just like to say.

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Remind the audience that we need 
to keep the disruption down. Officers, please remove her. I would just like to say that I'm 
excited about Freedom Elementary Coming to district three. And it's a significant milestone. And it reflects the growth 
and future of our community.

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And I'm really excited about that. Thank you. Thank you. Any other board members? Um, I don't know where Debbie went, but she must be behind that pole or something. But I can't see her. But I want to reiterate what 
Kacie said about YAIPAK. Um. She's in the back, I just oh, there you are. Thank you for all that y'all do. I, um, it's amazing organization.

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Um, we've volunteered through Kiwanis and got everybody attached that we 
can with the YAIPAK and gathered. Um, shoot even we got involved the 
other day with ANG Diesel and all those, and they came to them and 
said, hey, we have a need. We're, we're missing cans. And so, you know, just local businesses came together and, and got y'all's stock back. So the attachment with the FIT families 
and everything else y'all done for us. Really appreciate it. Thank you. Um. At this time,

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I wanted to my public comment, I wanted to bring up, I need to ask our attorney something is, is a meeting of multiple board members outside of a board meeting 
to ask questions from a, from a speaker to gather 
information without deliberation. Is that a violation of Sunshine Law? No, it is not. Tennessee Sunshine Law says

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that public bodies such as the 
school board, the County Commission, the City Council will conduct 
their business in public, which means your debate, discussion and decisions have 
to be made in the public. If you are meeting to obtain information 
but not take action, not discuss, not debate, then that is not a 
violation of the Open Meeting Act. Okay. Thank you. So I've got a I've got a statement, uh, members of the board, district 
leadership and members of the public. I want to briefly discuss 
a recent matter regarding

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board outreach and compliance with 
the Tennessee Open Meetings Act. On May 26th, two local teachers and an APSU 
student teacher reached out to me to discuss an initiative aimed at 
strengthening our district's fine arts program. Specifically, the potential for a 
Fine Arts Coordinator within CMCSS. On June 15th, I met with those constituents 
to listen to their perspective, learn about their passion for 
expanding student programs, and gather their information.

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To be entirely clear, no formal actions, decisions, deliberations, or votes were taken during this meeting. 
As confirmed by the legal counsel and outlined under the Tennessee 
Code annotated 8-44-102. Board members meeting together to gather information from constituents is fully 
compliant within the Sunshine Law. Listen to our teachers, students and community members is a fundamental 
part of our duty as elected officials. Accusations suggesting otherwise create unnecessary division and undermine 
the open dialog that our.

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That our community deserves. Our priority must be. Must remain focused on 
supporting our educators and providing the most possible 
education for CMCSS students. I appreciate everyone's commitment to the 
transparency as we move forward together. If any, please, if you want to contact me, my number is ( 931) 218-6444. You can get it from quite a few 
of these people in this room. Or Christopher dot lanier@cmcss.net.

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I'd love to sit down and talk with you. Thank you. Okay. Yup. Go ahead. Mr. Garland. Yeah. I have just one question. Who was invited to that meeting? Um, an email was sent from a student teacher to set up the 
meeting and wanted to meet with, uh, Ms Berry and myself at his request. You said the board this was for the board?

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No, he he sent an email to both of us and 
asked for us to have a meeting to talk about Fine arts coordinator. He was 
a former student of Ms Berry. It's how he knew her. Okay. And then I don't I know his brother, so I don't I don't know if that's. I don't even think he knew 
that I knew his brother. But. Okay. Anyone else? Okay, moving on to director of 
Schools report. Dr. Luna-Vedder.

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Tomorrow marks two weeks from the 
first half day of the new school year. While we still have some positions to fill, I'm happy to report that we are more than 99% staffed for teaching positions with 
hiring and onboarding still occurring, most vacancies are in the area of 
special ed where we continue to provide an additional $6,000 
of differentiated pay, as well as potential sign on bonuses. Similarly, our bus driver 
situation has greatly improved, with 15 open bus routes with 
12 trainees in the program.

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Our team will continue to work diligently over the next few weeks to find qualified 
candidates for the remaining spots. In two weeks, we will celebrate students 
at our annual AP Pass and Go event in partnership with Wyatt Johnson and Clarksville 
Montgomery County Education Foundation. I am pleased to share that our advanced 
placement pass rate has improved from 55% in 2022 to over 70% this past school year. Finally, tune in to Q 108 this Thursday 
and Friday for Q up in the classroom.

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Last year, $36,000 was raised by the 
community for the Teacher Warehouse. Please consider donating so we can exceed last year's contributions to help with the 
extra supplies for our teachers and students. This concludes my report for the evening. Okay. And with that, we're adjourned.

