Juvenile detention staff report 14 youths in custody; multiple staff on leave and several openings

Miss Duke told the board the juvenile detention center had 14 young people in custody as of that morning, 11 of whom were from Rutherford County and one each from Gibson, Typton and Houston. "As of this morning had 14 young people currently detained in the facility," she said.

Miss Duke described current staffing needs and absences: the facility is recruiting for a full-time lieutenant (interviews are under way), a full-time male detention officer and a part-time chaplain. She also reported three employees on Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) absences, mostly in administration, and said the leaves were straining operations.

Board members asked operational questions about volunteer services and scheduling; staff said volunteers provide services such as haircuts on request and that scheduling—rather than parental payment—is the main constraint.

Procedural note: earlier in the meeting Dr. McDonald moved to approve the previous meeting minutes and Miss Maxwell seconded; the minutes were approved by voice vote.

The board accepted the data report without objection and asked staff to continue monitoring staffing and service schedules; no formal personnel actions were taken at the meeting.