Board Focus On JCHS Football Stadium & Safety Upgrades

The Jefferson County School Board held a Called Meeting prior to their Work Session on Thursday, April 10, 2014 at the Patriot Academy.  The Meeting was Called to Order by Chairman Potts and condolences were offered to School Board Member Rogers in the passing of a close family member. All Members of the Board were present.

Director of Schools Edmonds informed the Board that the Department of Education did not receive a grant that it had applied for that would have provided a large portion of the funds needed for window replacement in several County schools. The County Commission had previously approved funds to assist in window replacement ($500,000) and tennis court renovation ($25,000 to be combined with additional grant funds). Because the window grant was not received, Dr. Edmonds advised that those funds could be used for other Capitol Projects. He presented the School Board with a priority list compiled using a rubric that gave weight to Safety, Security and Code Compliance, as well as Instruction Impact, Asset Protection, Positive Fiscal Impact and Environmental Impact. Board Members discussed safety needs in various schools and the need for repairs to the Jefferson County High School Football Stadium (by recommendation to address safety and structural degradation). The cost associated with the football stadium was presented as $440,642 which would leave in excess of $59,000 to address other issues. Following lengthy discussion, Board Member Bradley made a Motion to use the funds previously assigned to window replacement for the football stadium at Jefferson County High School. The Motion was 2nd by Board Member Jarnigan and Passed 5-2 with Cavanah voting No and Lowery Abstaining. Director Edmonds recommended using the remaining funds for safety upgrades at various schools. Upon a Motion from Board Member Jarnigan and 2nd from Rogers the Motion Passed Unanimously.

The Board also Approved a Capitol Projects Plan for 2015 of around $550,000 (minus the baseball stadium at JCHS and including lighting for Jefferson Middle School and window replacement at Piedmont Elementary School) with a Motion from Bradley and 2nd from Board Member Vines.

On a 5-2 vote (Bradley and Jarnigan), the Board Approved Rogers Motion and Lowery’s 2nd to allow 3 equal installments for back mixed drink taxes owed by Dandridge and Baneberry to the Department of Education. Director Edmonds will contact the municipalities via a letter to discuss the motion and, if not acceptable, to extend an invitation to the municipalities to meet with the Board to discuss the issue. The Board’s Motion will require the approval of the County Commission, as they are the fiscal arm of the County.

Upon recommendation of Director Edmonds and with a Motion from Vines and 2nd from Rogers, the Board Approved using funds from the Capitol Outlay Note ($113,609) for the entrance road at the Patriot Academy.

The Board was presented with an updated look at their Budget and they will discuss the document at length after time to digest the information. Director of Jefferson County Finance informed the Board that it is possible that there will be no increase in health insurance.