Bill Jarnigan New Chairman of School Board
Bill Jarnigan, Jefferson County Board of School Commissioners Chairman
The Jefferson County School Board met for their Regular Monthly Meeting on Thursday, September 25, 2014 in the Patriot Academy.
The first order of business was the election of Chairperson and Vice Chair. Board Member Bradley nominated former Chair Potts for another term. Potts declined the nomination. Bradley also declined a nomination by Board Member Vines. Board Member Rogers made a Motion for Jarnigan and was 2nd by Vines. Jarnigan was elected by consent. Bradley nominated Board Member Vines for Vice Chair and was 2nd by Potts. Vines was elected Vice Chair by consent.
The Agenda was Approved and the Consent Agenda was Approved with a Motion from Potts and 2nd from Bradley (Board Member Lowery abstained).
No teachers, students or citizens requested to speak before the Board. Under Items for Information, Jefferson County Finance Director Helton presented the July and August Financial Reports. Board Members were given a handout of Coaches and Sponsors for the 2014-2015 School Year. The Jefferson County Fair informed the Board that they would be unable to make a payment because they did not make a profit. Director of Schools Edmonds stated that the contract with the Fair will be reviewed and information brought back to the Board. Helton presented a handout of Capitol Projects over the past five years. Board Members questioned the uncompleted items on the projects list and requested that the intercom and baseball lights be installed as soon as possible since funding is already allocated for the projects. They also inquired about the windows at Piedmont and were informed that the funds are still available for the project. Tennis court upgrades also have funding available and are awaiting legal instruction regarding grants and usage.
Director Edmonds informed the Board that issues have arisen concerning the Building 8 construction and that the work will need to be completed before the pending law suit is settled. He stated that payment has been made to the Fire Marshal (around $2300) for review of the plans for Building 8. The current plans include restoration of Building 8 and upgrades needed to meet the current code, which would tally in the neighborhood of $1.5 million dollars. Some of the costs would be covered by insurance funds and the rest would need additional funding (around $600,000 in additional funding). Plans also included renovations beyond the original scope that were provided by the Jefferson County High School Vocational Department and the costs associated with the additions are unknown. A combination of insurance fund and Capitol Projects funds, along with approximately $100,000 from the County Commission would fund the original portion and the Vocational additions would need further funding. Potts stated that the Board should have been presented the plans and approved funds for the fire marshal. She said that the plans were in progress at the time of a luncheon that she and Edmonds attended and should have been available for review. Potts questioned the following of policy in not seeking Board approval before sending a check to the fire marshal and the wisdom in approving plans with no information on the cost.
Because the item was not listed on the agenda, it required a suspension of the rules to be addressed officially. Vines made a Motion to Suspend the Rules and was 2nd by Rogers. The vote was 4-2-1 with Cavanah and Potts voting No and Lowery abstaining. Vines made a Motion to add Building 8 to the agenda and was 2nd by Rogers. The vote was 4-3 with Jarnigan, Potts and Cavanah voting No.
Potts made a Motion for the plan, including vocational department additions, to be bid out and was 2nd by Bradley. The Motion Pass 6-1 with Rogers voting No.
As the additions to the original plans have not been reviewed, they will be reviewed and bid out. The Board was informed that the cost information would be back in mid October if current sub contractors are used and mid to late November if the bid is open. Though the check had already been sent to the fire marshal, the Board determined that it needed to officially vote on the action. Vines made the Motion to send the check to the fire marshal and was 2nd by Bradley. The Motion was Approved with Potts voting No. By consent the pricing for the plan will come from current sub contractors.
Under New Business Policy changes for Review and Adoption (First Reading) were Approved with a Motion from Potts and 2nd from Vines – 1.803 Tobacco Free Schools4.400 Instructional Materials, 4.401 Textbook Selection, Distribution and Care, 4.700 Testing Programs, 4.802 Student Equal Access (Limited Public Forum), 4.803 Recognition of Religious Beliefs, Customs and Holidays, 5.200 Separation Practices for Tenured Teachers, 5.201 Separation Practices for Non-Tenured Teachers,6.200 Attendance, 6.312 Use of Personal Communication Devices, 6.317 Student Disciplinary Hearing Authority (DHA), 2.400 Revenues, 2.900 Student Activity Funds Management, 6.307 Drug-Free Schools, 6.3091 Weapons & Dangerous Instruments.
The addition of a Junior Car Club at Jefferson County High School was Approved with a Motion from Vines and 2nd from Rogers. The General Purpose Budget Amendment was Approved 4-2-1 moving $87,178 into the Maintenance Department to cover costs incurred from the insurance claim on Building 8. With a Motion from Vines and 2nd from Bradley the Federal Budget Amendments were Approved. Board Member Bradley questioned the timing of the tenure list, given that the new school year had already started and to decline tenure could leave multiple vacancies. He was informed that the list is not available until after teacher testing information is in. Upon a Motion from Bradley and 2nd from Rogers the tenure list was Approved. With a Motion from Vines and 2nd from Rogers the Board Approved the textbook certificate of compliance. Surplus Property from the Transportation Department was Approved with a Motion from Rogers and 2nd from Vine.
By consent, Board Members Jarnigan, Bradley and Potts will be delegates to the TSBA Convention in Nashville on November 16-17. No Member was appointed as representative of the TLN. Committee appointments include Board Policy Committee (Jarnigan and Potts)-Insurance Advisory Committee (Cavanah and Bradley)-PECCA (Potts, Jarnigan and Bradley).
As a point of information, the Board was informed that the JCHS Gym floor is being address and the plan is to be completed by the November deadline for use. Cost is approximately $100,000 to $125,000 and will have to be done before claim is paid. The cost of the Rush Strong gym floor is still unknown and the roof has around $24,000 in damage. The amount of insurance recovery is still unknown.
With a Motion from Cavanah and 2nd from Vines, the Board Approved a request from Kindergarten teachers to use the Fair Grounds for Farm Day.
Board Member Potts request that policy numbers 1.101, 1.102, 2.805, 2.805 1, 5.601 (Duties and Powers of the Board of Education, Board Member Legal Status, Purchasing Authority, Authorized Signature, and Staff Conflict of Interest, respectively) be reviewed at the next meeting.
