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