The Regular Meeting of the Board of Education
Nashville School District
February 26, 2024
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Nashville School Board was called to order by
President Tem Gunter at 5:33 PM. Other members present were Jerry Wilson, David Hilliard, and Nick
Britt. Jamar Finley was absent.
Nick Britt made a motion to approve minutes from the January meeting. David Hilliard seconded the
motion. It passed 4-0.
During old business, Superintendent Douglas Graham introduced Mrs. Julie Chesshir, Primary Art
Teacher, to present a Primary Art Project to the board in honor of School Board Appreciation Month
which was in January.
With 57.8% of the budget spent and an operating balance of $8,090,490, Mr. Graham recommended the
payment of bills. David Hilliard made a motion to approve. Jerry Wilson seconded the motion. It passed
4-0.
During the Scrapper Moment, Mr. Graham recognized the athletes of the Class of 2027. Mr. Ben Wallis,
Junior High Assistant Principal, told the board all of the accomplishments of this group of students.
Ms. Ashley Riggs, High School Principal, presented information about adding a CTE course for Sports
Medicine. Ms. Riggs said that the start up costs would be $44,757.25 but with a State Start-Up Grant the
district would only be responsible for 15% of the costs. Ms. Riggs went on to ask if she had the approval
of the board to begin the search for an instructor and the board approved.
Mr. Graham asked the board to approve the purchase of a new handicap bus from Rush Truck Center of
Arkansas. Mr. Graham stated the bus was a 2025 International for $142,700. Mr. Graham stated that
two other bids were received one from Central States for $156,852 and the second from Midwest Bus
Sales for $158,440. Mr. Graham stated that the bus would be paid for out of ARP ESSER funds. Jerry
Wilson made a motion to approve the purchase of the new handicap bus from Rush Truck Center for
$142,700. Nick Britt seconded the motion. It passed 4-0.
Mr. Tate Gordon, Assistant Superintendent, gave a report on the new VAM, Value-Added Modules,
which shows each teacher’s score based on their students’ growth. Currently the district has 2 teachers
considered High Impact, 26 teachers that met expected growth, and 16 teachers that did not meet
expected growth with their students but ranged between a 75-79.98.
Mr. Graham told the board that both contractors that were bidding on the tennis court projects had
requested soil samples to provide an accurate bid. Mr. Graham stated that those soil samples had been
ordered.
Mr. Graham asked the board to consider allowing AirMedCare to offer each employee a membership to
AirEvac through a business plan and payroll deduction. Mr. Graham explained that the employees would
receive a discount and it would only cost $70 per household for employees. The plan would be
completely optional. Nick Britt made a motion to approve AirMedCare to offer our employees
membership. David Hilliard seconded. It passed 4-0.
Mr. Graham asked the board to approve a roof repair on the Junior High Gym. Mr. Graham stated that
insurance had determined part of the damage was due to hail and would be covered by insurance and
the rest the district would need to cover. Mr. Graham stated Kirk Roofing had provided a quote for the
project. The cost would be $37,200 to repair the 150’ covered by insurance, $24,800 to repair the part
not covered by insurance and $12,500 to replace the gutter. Nick Britt made a motion to approve the
roof repair as stated by Mr. Graham. Jerry Wilson seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.
Mr. Graham advised the board that the High School Roof repair had started today but that project was
covered by insurance and the district had already received the check from the insurance company.
During his Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Graham that the Junior High bridge was in bad shape. Mr.
Graham stated that he had a company coming to fix it and 10 days out they called and cancelled.
Another company had looked at the bridge on Friday and will be getting estimates together on the cost
to repair the bridge. Mr. Graham said that if the cost of fixing the bridge was too much, he would ask the
board to consider completely replacing the bridge.
Mr. Graham recommended the re-employment of James Nichols, Kim Slayton, Tate Gordon, Ashley
Riggs, Krysta Parker, Tyra Hughes, and Nathan Evans. David Hilliard made a motion to approve, and Jerry
Wilson seconded the motion. It passed 4-0.
Mr. Graham asked the board to accept the resignations of Stephon Davis, Primary Custodian (effective
2/2/24), Linda Stiver, JH Social Studies Teacher, Brittany Moore, Primary LLC Para, Lesa Bell, District
Treasurer, Allyson Chesshir, Primary Nurse, Keith Sanders, JH Band Director, and Cody Ford, HS Band
Director. Jerry Wilson made a motion to accept the resignations and David Hilliard seconded. The
motion passed 4-0.
Mr. Graham recommended the transfer of Ashley Hale to District Treasurer, Barbara Fuentes from
Primary Teacher to LLC Para, and employment of Donald Beshears, JH Custodian. David Hilliard made a
motion to accept the recommendations. Jerry Wilson seconded. It passed 4-0.
Nick Britt made a motion to adjourn the meeting, with Jerry Wilson seconding. The meeting adjourned
at 6:39 PM.
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Tem Gunter, President David Hilliard, Secretary