June 16, 2025

Bristol Tennessee Board of Education: Left to right: Jim Butcher, Debbie Darnell, Charlie Taylor, Jennifer Henson, and Eric Cuddy.

Ballad Health Academy

Ballad Health's Chief Academic Officer Dr. Matthew Loos addressed the board about the Ballad Health Academy. Dr. Loos thanked board members and staff for the district's participation in the program, which helps students pursue a future in healthcare through a rigorous, hands-on program designed to fast-track them into high-demand medical careers. Tennessee High School hosted a special Signing Day ceremony on May 7, 2025, honoring 52 students from Tennessee High and Tennessee Middle School who have committed to joining the inaugural class of Ballad Health Academy, which will launch in fall 2025. Read more about the Ballad Health Academy Inaugural Class Signing.

• The board approved Financial Reports (Revenues & Expenditures) and Board Approval Listings (Bills paid in April) for General Purpose, Federal Projects, Capital Projects, and School Nutrition for the month of April. 

• The board approved a listing of surplus and obsolete items.

• The board approved to waive any credit card or debit card processing fees of the Board of Education related to school activity fees, technology use fees, fines, general district donations, and fundraising donations internally processed. Donors for fundraising activities will be requested to pay the processing fees voluntarily. An online processing fee will be charged for school nutrition payments and tuition payments. Face-to-face transactions at Tennessee High School will also include a processing fee as part of their internal school fund activity. Per TCA 9-1-108, credit card and debit card processing fees may be waived by approval of the governing body.

• The board approved Policy 4.600 (Grading Systems) on first reading.

• The board approved the District Consolidated Application.

• The board approved the Emergency Operations Plans for the following:

  • Anderson Elementary School

  • Avoca Elementary School

  • Fairmount Elementary School

  • Haynesfield Elementary School

  • Holston View Elementary School

  • Tennessee Middle School

  • Tennessee High School

  • Viking Academy

  • Bristol Tennessee City Schools District Plan

Safety plans and procedures were open for public comment at our last board meeting and procedures are developed with input from the districtwide school safety team and a building-level school safety team, the Bristol Tennessee Police Department, Bristol Tennessee Fire Department, Homeland Security, Sullivan County Emergency Management, and in accordance with the requirements set by the state of Tennessee. Our plans focus on crisis intervention, emergency response, and emergency management, outlining the procedures that our staff and students need to follow in case of an emergency situation. Specific details of safety plans will remain confidential in accordance with state law.

• The board approved the CTE Perkins Reserve application, Fiscal Year 2026.

• The board approved the summer learning camp application.

• The board approved the Title IX McKinney-Vento Application FY 2026.

• The board approved the Educational Assistant for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing job description.

• The board approved the Holston View Solar Pavilion donation agreement.

• The Report from the Director of Schools was given by Dr. Annette Tudor.

• City Council Liaison Rae Akard provided comments on behalf of City Council.

• The Bristol Tennessee Board of Education provided individual comments.