Education Board Updates Competitive-Purchasing policy, expands public use of school insignia

During its Oct. 13, meeting, The Sevier County Board of Education unanimously approved all 10 items that came before it, including the adoption of changes to its competitive-purchasing policy (BP805). The policy requires that “all purchases of supplies, materials, equipment, and contractual services in excess of $10,000, including those of individual schools, will be based on competitive bids. … The lowest and best bid will be accepted, provided the Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids or any part of any bid and, if applicable to accept that bid which is best as evidenced by reasons relative to the purpose of the purchase.”

The board also approved a policy that will allow organizations to use public school names, mascots, or logos to raise money (BP822). “A group or organization that has registered with the Secretary of State of Tennessee as a school support organization and submitted proper documentation may enter into cooperative agreement(s) with the Board. The group or organization may then use the name, mascot, or logo of a Sevier County public school or the school district to solicit or raise money, materials, property, securities, services, or other things of value.

Other action taken by the board include approving appointments to the Textbook Adoption Committee in science, health, agriculture, and family and consumer sciences; approving the report that certifies that the Sevier County schools comply with Tennessee statutes and State Board of Education rules and regulations; approving a summary of the employees’ 403(b) plan provisions; and adding Robert Penn Warren’s classic “All the King’s Men,” to the parallel reading list for secondary schools.

Mayor Cardwell of Pittman Center presented a check to the SCBE that brought the total of the community's contribution to the building of Pittman Center Elementary up to $900,000. The community pledged $1 million before the onset of the building of the new school building.

Prior to the start of the meeting, the board held its annual retirement reception for employees who retired during the previous school year. The date of the November meeting has been changed to Nov. 3.