Oneida SSD board approves master-teacher position, new reading curriculum and multiple routine measures

The Oneida Special School District Board of Education on an administratively routine agenda approved creation of a master teacher position, adoption of a new K–12 reading curriculum and several partnership and personnel items.

Board members voted to create a master teacher role that the district said will include leadership training and extra pay and is expected to include several positions across schools. Chair (speaker 3) introduced the proposal; a board member moved and the motion passed on a roll call vote.

Presenter Ashley (speaker 8) told the board the recommended reading program replaces the curriculum adopted during the COVID period and “more aligns with what we have, moved to in third through fifth grade,” arguing the change would create continuity across grade levels. The instructional leadership team and lead teachers, she said, support the move. The board approved the curriculum change by roll call.

The board also approved a memorandum of understanding with East Tennessee State University for student-teacher placements and educator-preparation collaboration; the MOU was described as “a good one” and was approved on motion. Members approved continuing the district’s partnership with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) for 2024–25 and noted the district will be recognized by the state department on April 10.

Other routine approvals included permission to surplus or recycle obsolete technology pending review, authorization to seek bids to replace an OMS/OHS dish machine after an unsuccessful grant application, and continuing an agreement that includes staff member Clayton with the American Registry for Internet Numbers paperwork.

Personnel items approved included acceptance of a resignation from Christina Tucker and approval of a leave of absence for Donna Lee. The board also approved a TSBA volunteer-recognition nomination for Beth Smith and six fundraising requests for middle- and high-school activities (playground bricks, cheerleading sales, combined soccer ham-and-goodies sales, baseball calendar and webpage donations, and softball T-shirts).

All motions reported in the meeting were carried by roll call. The meeting packet and director’s report contained additional materials and hiring recommendations; the board did not take additional separate votes on those packet items during this session.

The board adjourned after brief student-representative comments.