Moore County begins purchase of new school bus
School leaders name Hatfield to legislative network, update governance while keeping meals at same price
5:30 a.m. July 14, 2026
DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor
Moore County Schools has begun purchasing a new school bus, budgeted at $165,000, through a cooperative contract that provides smaller districts access to competitively bid prices.
Director of Schools Chad Moorehead told the Board of Education on Monday, July 13, that the district had started the purchase process through a Sourcewell contract with Mid-South Bus Center.
The bus was already included in the district’s 2026-27 budget.
Moorehead said Moore County often receives only one response when it seeks bids for school buses. Sourcewell gives the district access to a price already established through a competitive process.
The board also renewed its existing cooperative purchasing resolution so the authorization reflects the current board. The district has also used cooperative contracts for other large purchases, including football bleachers.
The bus update came during a meeting that also included Kaleigh Hatfield’s appointment to a statewide legislative network, changes to the director’s evaluation, a review of proposed board policies, and approval of the district’s federal programs application.
Board members Ed Cashion, Jammie Cashion, Hatfield and Board Chair Tanya Vann attended. Carrie Barnett was absent. No one addressed the board during public input.
• Related: Moore County begins Pre-K enrollment push
Hatfield appointed to legislative network
Hatfield will represent the Moore County Board of Education in a statewide network that keeps local school boards connected to education issues as they move through the Tennessee General Assembly.
The board unanimously appointed her to the Tennessee School Boards Association Legislative Network.
Vann had served in the role for at least three years but said she was ready to pass the responsibility to another board member.
The network provides legislative updates and allows local representatives to participate in discussions about proposed laws and TSBA priorities.
Vann said statewide meetings can be overwhelming at first but offer a valuable look at how education policy is shaped.
Hatfield agreed to accept the appointment.
Director evaluation expanded
The board adopted a revised performance evaluation for the director of schools.
The previous evaluation contained four sections, although board policy calls for five. The new version separates the director’s relationship with the school board from that with the broader community.
Moorehead said much of the material was already included in the previous evaluation. The revision reorganizes the questions and adds several items specifically addressing the director’s work with board members.
Board members will continue completing the evaluation electronically. Their responses will be collected in a spreadsheet and compiled into a report.
“I like adding the four and five,” Hatfield said. “It gives another dimension to it that we didn’t have.”
The discussion also turned to self-evaluations.
Moorehead said he had not completed one as he begins his 21st year as director and initially suggested giving the board feedback from administrators who work directly under him.
Board members said that feedback would be useful but also encouraged Moorehead to complete his own assessment.
“Most of the time, you’re harder on yourself than other people are,” Vann said. “But it also lets you know if you’re aligned with what other people are seeing.”
Moorehead agreed to complete a brief self-evaluation.
The board then acknowledged that its members are also expected to complete a self-assessment. Moorehead said he would locate a tool, likely through TSBA, for them to use.
“They’re very beneficial tools,” Hatfield said. “They really are, whether you like them or not.”
Board reviews proposed policy changes
The board reviewed a large group of policy revisions recommended by TSBA following the latest session of the Tennessee General Assembly.
Some of the proposed changes were sent to the district in April but were tabled because TSBA warned that additional revisions could follow as new state laws were finalized.
The latest packet combines those earlier proposals with recommendations issued in June.
Moorehead said some provisions are required by law, while others are recommendations from TSBA or the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office.
District administrators were briefed on the proposed changes Monday morning and will review them before the board’s August meeting. Board members will also have another month to study the language before considering any action.
“I’d like a little time to look at it before we do anything,” Vann said.
Among the policies under review are rules governing appearances before the board and public comments during meetings.
Moorehead said he would continue reviewing the proposals and update the district’s administrative procedures to match any changes eventually adopted by the board.
Federal programs application approved
The board approved the district’s consolidated application for special education and other federally funded programs.
Moorehead said the application largely carries over the same programs and budget into the 2026-27 school year, with few major changes.
The Tennessee Department of Education had already reviewed the application and sent it back several times for revisions before granting approval.
“The process is tedious,” Moorehead said. “They send it back several times for revisions.”
District employees who oversee special education and federal programs completed most of the application. Moorehead said they could attend the August meeting if board members develop detailed questions after reviewing it.
Cagle retained as board attorney
The board voted to retain Chuck Cagle of Lewis Thomason as its attorney for the coming school year.
Cagle has represented the school board longer than Moorehead has served as director.
Moorehead said he reviewed arrangements used by surrounding school districts. Some pay attorneys a $1,500 monthly retainer, or $18,000 a year, before additional charges are considered.
Cagle does not charge Moore County Schools a monthly retainer and often does not bill the district for routine telephone conversations, Moorehead said.
“I think he knows we’re a small system, and he doesn’t always put me on the clock when we’re on the phone,” Moorehead said.
The district’s regular legal expenses are limited. Larger bills generally occur when the attorney attends meetings, conducts training or performs more extensive work.
Moorehead acknowledged that Cagle may be nearing retirement but said the firm appears to be preparing other attorneys to step into the role when necessary.
Annual agenda adjusted
The board approved its annual agenda, which serves as a guide for when recurring reports, evaluations and other actions should come before members.
The board changed the annual planning document to require that meeting agendas be posted at least 96 hours – or four days – in advance.
A related policy containing the same language remains under review and could return for consideration in August.
Moorehead said a new state law requires school boards to post agendas at least 48 hours before meetings. If adopted, Moore County’s proposed 96-hour policy would remain stricter while removing questions about whether the day of the meeting counts toward the deadline.
Members also discussed listing school threat assessment updates monthly rather than quarterly because Moorehead already provides the information each month.
The annual review of school support organizations will likely move from September to October. Board members said September is too early for principals and parent or booster groups to have their records organized after the beginning of the school year.
Schools will continue maintaining inventories, but Moorehead will review whether detailed inventory reports need to be formally presented to the board each June.
The consolidated federal programs application may also be listed within a May-to-July window because its completion depends on when the state releases the required materials.
Personnel changes announced
Moorehead reported one resignation and three new hires.
James Sparkman resigned as a social studies teacher at Moore County Middle School to accept a position at Riverdale. Troy Sloan was hired to replace him.
Eli Scarlett was hired as a teacher assistant at Lynchburg Elementary School, replacing Denny Wise. Amber Pigeon was hired to work in the school cafeteria.
Student breakfast and lunch prices will remain the same as they were during the 2025-26 school year. High school lunches will remain at $3.50, elementary lunches at $3, student breakfasts at $1.50, teacher breakfasts at $3, and adult lunches at $4.50.
Moorehead said the increase approved last year meets the state’s pricing requirements for the coming year.
Moorehead nominated for statewide post
Moorehead also told the board he may continue serving with the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents.
After completing a term as the organization’s past president, Moorehead was nominated to serve as treasurer.
If elected, he would remain on the association’s board. A vote is expected at the organization’s September conference.