March 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  In attendance:  Dr. Trey Duke, Don Bartch, Sheri Arnette, Angela Fairchild, Lisa Trail, Cynthia Hopkins, Emily Spencer, Jeremy Lewis, Abbi Miller, Amy Jackson, Maria Johnson, Ken Rocha, Tiffany Strevel, Daniel Owens, Jesus Alvarez, LeAnn Story, Sonya Cox

Assistant City Attorney Lauren Bush. City Liaison Bill Shacklett was absent.  

Discussion:  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Lorelei Blane, a 3rd grade student, and her sister, Lillian Blane, a kindergarten student, both at Cason Lane Academy.  Lorelei provided sign language of the Pledge of Allegiance for the audience. 

Discussion:  Murfreesboro City Schools PreK Teachers and Staff would like to thank The Discovery Center for their generous offer to bring their incredible academic programs directly to our schools for no cost! The teachers are so excited to work with the staff at DC and bring these experiences to our youngest learners.  

We had an amazing Read Across America week in our schools.  Thank you to the many parents, staff and community members who read to our students.  

The walls of the City Hall Rotunda will hold the MCS Art Show beginning April 8 with a reception for the artists and their parents being held on April 28. 

Congratulations to our robotics teams that competed at the state level in February. Teams from Salem, Reeves-Rogers and Erma Siegel represented MCS. 

Remember that Matilda Jr. begins this week at Patterson Park.  The students at Bradley have been practicing all year for the week ahead. We wish them the best of luck. 

Gifted Graduation will be held on March 14 at the MCS Central Office.  

It’s Music in our Schools month and our students will be performing across the district.  Two specific occasions including the MCS Choir Festival on Saturday, March 21 at 2:00 p.m. in the Overall Creek Gymnasium and the Honor Band on Monday, March 23 at Hobgood. 

The City Schools Foundation’s Excellence in Education event is Friday, March 20 at Macca Villa. The Foundation would like to thank all our sponsors, guests and volunteers. 

Thank you to the Murfreesboro Police Department and River Oaks Church for their donation of 3,000 packages of Mac and Cheese. 

Thank you to Ascend and the Salvation Army for their huge donation of food and hygiene products to our Family Resource Center. 

Finally, just a reminder that Prek registration closes this week, Friday, March 13 and zone waivers close on Friday, March 27.  Families currently on zone waivers or new families wanting to request a zone waiver must have their forms turned in by this date.   
 

Discussion:  The Bradley Choir performed two songs under the direction of Abigail Miller.

Discussion:  Dr. Amy Jackson, Gifted Specialist, came forward to speak about the Gifted Academy. She shared that the 2025-2026 Gifted Cohort will graduate from the program this Saturday. Dr. Jackson also provided an overview of the Gifted Academy and recognized the support of the Jennings and Rebecca Jones Foundation in making the program possible.

Discussion:  Jesus Alvarez-Lopez, Amy Jackson, Emily Spencer, and Cynthia Hopkins were all in attendance and recognized at the podium by Dr. Duke and the board.  Ms. Maggie Smith could not attend due to prior committments. 

Discussion: 

Board member Jimmy Richardson stated that this will be an extraordinary partnership.

Board member Jeanette Price inquired about the organizations typically used for these types of situations.

Dr. Duke responded that the district utilizes some services from Rutherford County as well as Nashville and that this group will be added to the list of partners. He noted that Ms. Angela Fairchild toured the school and was pleased with their services. Dr. Duke added that the district is reaching out to other partners based on identified needs.

 

Discussion: 

Board Vice Chair Butch Campbell commented on the high cost of buses.

Board member Barbara Long asked how many buses will be removed from service. Dr. Duke stated that two buses will be surplussed as they have exceeded the 200,000-mile threshold, while the remaining buses will continue in circulation and serve as spares.

Dr. Duke reported that the district currently has 31 general education buses and 15 special education buses, for a total fleet of 46 buses.

Board member Jimmy Richardson asked Dr. Duke to explain the benefits of owning the district’s own buses. Dr. Duke responded that this model works well given the district’s location in the city and provides flexibility for quick adjustments. He also commended the transportation team for their work and noted that they are enjoying the new maintenance and transportation building.

Board member Karen Dodd inquired about the number of spare buses. Dr. Duke stated he would provide that information to the Board.

Board Vice Chair Butch Campbell asked how many buses are operated daily. Dr. Duke responded that approximately 40 buses are in daily use and said he would provide the exact number to the Board.

Discussion:  Chair Amanda Moore informed the Board that the self-assessment packets were provided. She explained that completing the assessment is a required step in achieving Board of Distinction status and requested that each Board member complete and return it at the next Board meeting on March 24th.

Discussion: 

Dr. Duke reported that last Friday was a successful Reading in the Schools event. He noted that he accompanied Mayor McFarland, who visited each school to read to students. Dr. Duke thanked Mayor McFarland for participating, Captain Fanning of the Murfreesboro Police Department for the escorted tour, and Steve Burris with City TV for documenting the event. He added that the visit demonstrates the strong support City Schools receives from the City Council.

Dr. Duke reminded the Board that March 20 is Parent-Teacher Conference Day and that students will not be in school.

He also provided an update on the upcoming budget meetings in April. Dr. Duke stated that the Federal Government has approved Title funding for the 2026-2027 school year, noting a slight increase in Title I and IDEA funding, with Title II, III, and IV remaining level-funded. He further reported that the School Nutrition Program will receive $12 million in Federal funds.

Discussion:  Elaine Alexander and Marzee Woodward with The Colonel Hardy Murfree Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented the MCS School Board with the Patriots Rutherford County Remembers poster in honor of the 250th anniversary of our independence. This poster highlights famous Murfreesboro residents who played a crucial role in the Revolutionary War.  

Members from the group will begin delivering posters to every school next week which they have asked be sent to the library for display. This is being funded by the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial and the State of Tennessee.
 


 

Discussion:  The meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.