The Greeneville City School Board of Education met yesterday afternoon and approved a new board policy, the use of Artificial Intelligence Programs.
According to the policy, students or staff may utilize AI programs in student instruction or completing student work, but must follow district procedures. The Director or Schools will incorporate training programs on AI into professional development to the staff. The trainings will focus on the responsible use of AI, best practices for the use in school settings, instruction regarding identifiable information, and privacy laws. Teachers may also use the AI program for completion of their own work including notes, images, communications, analyzing data and information.
All policy revisions on first, second, and final readings that were up for consideration were approved during the meeting. One of the revisions included no school for students when Primary and General Elections are held. Director of Schools Steve Starnes said that schools being used as polling locations contributed to the revision.
The board also heard from Chief Financial Officer Ellen Lipe. Lipe updates the board monthly on financial reports. First she spoke on how thankful she was for the people who have assisted her and contributed to the success of the Finance Department. She thanked the Finance Department employees for working harder than they ever have this year; she said she is proud of each employee.
Lipe also thanked her Supervisor, Dr. Jason Horne, Assistant Director of Schools for Administration, who has recently just settled into his new position. Lipe said Horne came in ready to work and get the job done.
Lipe thanked Board Treasurer Joshua Quillen and said having a good Treasurer makes all the difference as well as her job easier. She said he’s always a phone call away and always willing to help. Lipe additionally thanked her C-Team and Steve Starnes, Director of Schools. Lipe was thankful for his support and help through out the Fiscal Year. Lipe commended Starnes on his knowledge with school finance and added she doesn’t know any other Director who could fulfill those duties.
Speaking of numbers, Lipe presented the June 2024 Local Revenue Tracking Report to the board. The amount collected year to date was $234,957 more than this time last Fiscal Year. Collections this FY totaled about $8.8M. Lipe said this was just a Preliminary June report. Collections come from revenue including sales tax, property tax, mixed drink tax, clerk and master, marriage licenses, interest and penalty.
Furthermore, the list of surplus items for disposal was approved as well as the BrightPop Software purchase and August 2nd was confirmed as Abbreviated Day for students with the first full day back to school being August 6th, 2024.
