School Committee Meeting Minutes
8 August 2025
Vice Chair Commissioner Terry Jones opened the meeting asking Commissioner Roger Reedy to offer a prayer and lead the pledge. The minutes of 22 May 2025 were moved for approval by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner Matt Rubelsky, and were approved unanimously. County Executive (CE) Graham Stowe noted that commissioner vacancies for the 3rd district and for the 1st district will be scheduled for appointments in full commission meetings this month (for the 3rd), and in September (for the 1st). The CE informed all that there will be a Building/Property meeting at 9:00 a.m. on August 12th. He also mentioned the Planning Commission would be meeting in the annex; and nothing had been heard from the XRio Ranch organization asking for inclusion in that meeting. Commissioner Roger Reedy asked if they are not on the agenda, would they be allowed to speak with the CE saying due to public interest possibly. Commissioner Matthew Hopkins said they have to be on the agenda, with Commissioner Roger Reedy noting the agenda can be modified in the meeting.
School Amendments – Financial Manager (FM) Beth Moore-Sumners said the amendments provided in a handout were approved by the school board. Majority of the amendments were rolling over unused funds from the 2024-2025 budget to the 2025-2026 budget. The Special Education line shows three positions being added, and funded from their fund balance. School Superintendent Vickie Beard explained the need for the additional spaces while noting some of the information is confidential, generally the spaces are required due to state requirements, e.g., number of staff per students. Commissioner Shelly Goolsby moved that the amendments be approved, and Commissioner James Lathrop provided the second. Discussion followed with Commissioner Matthew Hopkins commenting that due to state guidance, the county must meet and accept adding the additional spaces. School Board President Knox Vanderpool agreed, saying that if someone with special needs comes in from another county, then Giles County has to provide for those students. Further, if they have an approved Individualized Education Program (IEP) then the county must meet and accept that plan. The IEP is a written plan designed to ensure that students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education tailored to their unique needs. He noted several special needs students have moved into our district this school year. Superintendent Beard said in some cases where Giles County lacks the necessary special needs resources, we may have to provide another location for those students which could be as expensive as $9K a month. She said the MoE for Special Education would increase due to this amendment, and Commissioner Goolsby noted that sometimes it takes more than a year to review an IEP and, if necessary, revise. Superintendent Beard also discussed Comprehensive Development Classrooms, noting the county has four, i.e., Richland, Pulaski High, Southside, and Elementary, and those are required in special education. Commissioner Evan Baddour commented that IEPs are required for a variety of issues, e.g., behavioral, health impairments. Superintendent Beard said about 15% of total students or 300 students fall into this category, mentioning after COVID the numbers have escalated. Commissioner David Adams asked if the actual moves into the county were verified with Superintendent Beard saying two of her staff have assessed those moves into Giles County on an individual basis. Also, of noted Superintendent Beard said due to federal funding not being the same, eight individuals would be let go due to lack of funding. Another School Amendment addressed the Teacher State Bonus received by the county for $655,344.20. and the FM noted the Capital Project lines 177/178 were aligned to actual. The motion on all the amendments was approved unanimously (7 – 0).
Another handout provided information on a Commercial Account Right of Entry Agreement – Tenant in Possession for Spectrum. Superintendent Beard informed all that the PES part of the move has been completed and the Spectrum is near completion. She noted four individuals are still in the old office, and the contract could roll over pass the current fiscal year. A motion by Commissioner James Lathrop and seconded by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins to approve the agreement was made and was approved unanimously.
Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Matthew Hopkins, seconded by Commissioner Matt Rubelsky, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the Committee – (Absent Chair Commissioner Judy Pruett), Vice Chair Commissioner Terry Jones, , James Lathrop, David Adams, Matt Rubelsky, Joseph Sutton, Matthew Hopkins; Other commissioners in attendance – Shelly Goolsby, Evan Baddour, Rose Brown, Gayle Jones, David Wamble, Roger Reedy, Carman Brown, Annelle Guthrie, Tracy Wilburn, Erin Curry, Caleb Savage, Others in attendance –County Executive Graham Stowe, Financial Manager Beth Moore – Sumners and Shana Woodard, School Superintendent Vickie Beard, Board Chair Knox Vanderpool, Sheriff Joe Purvis, member of the public