[Re-Air] In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Keys Fillauer, 2021 President-Elect and Board Chairman of the Oak Ridge Board of Education, as he discusses the top attributes needed to be an effective board chairman. The chairman carries a heavy responsibility, and certain skills and actions are required in order for the chairman to conduct his/her duties in an efficient manner.

In today’s episode, Dr. Steve Barnett, Director of Schools for Johnson City Schools, Kathy Hall, Chair of the Johnson City Board of Education, and Dr. Greg Wallace, Supervisor of Safety and Mental Health discuss Johnson City Schools’ Heroes Program – a comprehensive set of services designed to meet a wide range of student mental health and safety needs – and how it has benefitted their students. Listen today to learn how to create a similar program in your school district.

https://www.jcschools.org/school-safety 

In today’s episode, Brian Hutto, Director of Schools of Lebanon Special Schools, Mike Kurtz, Director of Operations, and Officer Dusty Burton share the importance of school safety and introduce Blaze, their newest resource to ensure that all students and district employees are safe while at school. Listen in as they explain why the Lebanon Special Board of Education felt this program was needed within the district as well as how to successfully replicate a similar program in your district.

Shownotes

Lebanon Special School District “Paws on Patrol” - https://www.lssd.org/apps/news/article/1795952

Global K9 - https://globalk9protectiongroup.com

In today’s episode, the TSBA Staff Attorneys are back and answering the most asked legal questions received from board members across the state. This version of “Ask the Attorney” focuses solely on questions regarding the law around board policy. Questions from “what is the function of the policy committee” to “how can a board member propose a policy change” are tackled during today’s episode.

In today’s episode, Dr. Cathy Beck, Director of Schools for Cheatham County Schools, and David Risner, Board Chairman of the Cheatham County Board of Education, share the importance of becoming the first school district in Tennessee to be named a Unified Champion District by the Special Olympics. Join us as they cover the steps the district took to achieve this designation as well as the importance of promoting social inclusion throughout the school district.

https://www.cheathamcountyschools.net/apps/news/article/1810530

https://www.cheathamcountyschools.net/apps/news/article/1732327

https://youtu.be/3O2Fxc3pyFs

https://www.cheathamcountyschools.net/apps/news/article/1644462

The Tennessee School Boards Association maintains an awards program that, each year, recognizes school board members who have gone above and beyond for their school district. In today’s episode, Brittany Massey, Director of Finance and Member Services, and Sandy Jones, Board of Directors Services Coordinator, cover the different types of awards and recognitions available for school board members to achieve throughout the year. Visit www.tsba.net for additional award details and applications.

In today’s episode, Nathan Abbott, Information Systems Manager with the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury – Division of Local Government Audit, provides an in-depth overview of cybersecurity and speaks to why it is important for school districts to ensure that the appropriate safeguards are in place to protect their digital assets.

Show Notes:

Below are a few websites mentioned during today’s podcast that may be helpful to reference when learning more about cybersecurity:

https://www.cisa.gov/

https://comptroller.tn.gov/office-functions/la/resources/cyberaware.html

https://www.tn.gov/cybersecurity.html

https://www.cisecurity.org/ms-isac

In today’s episode, Patty Thomas, Director of Career & Technical Education, Federal Programs, & Nursing Services for Alcoa City Schools, discusses Careers in Motion, a program that encourages students to participate in CTE opportunities. Careers in Motion is a grant-funded project awarded by Pathways TN and the Tennessee Department of Education to Alcoa City Schools, Blount County Schools, and Maryville City Schools in order to promote high-wage, high-demand, high-skill career and technical education-related programs to students.

Visit the Careers in Motion website by clicking here.

In today’s episode, Greg Mays, Deputy Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, speaks about the SafeTN app and explains why this platform is vital when keeping our schools safe. Listen in as he provides background information as to why such an application is needed and why it is important to create a positive environment on reporting within a school district.

For more information regarding the SafeTN app, including posters to promote this platform in your district, please click on the link below or contact Greg Mays at [email protected].

https://www.tn.gov/safety/homeland-security/safetn.html

In today’s episode, Dr. Ricky Catlett, Deputy Superintendent of Operations, and Greg Hammond, Chief Public Information Officer, discuss why communication is key at Jackson-Madison County Schools. Listen in as they cover the different methods of communication that they have implemented to foster relationships with their employees, students, parents, and the community. To learn more about their district, visit them at www.jmcss.org.