Board Requests Bonus For All Employees For ‘A Job Well Done’
The Jefferson County School Board met Thursday, November 20, 2014 at the Patriot Academy. The meeting was called to order by Chairman of the Board Bill Jarnigan and a short moment of silence and the Pledge to our nation’s flag began the meeting.
The first order of business was the presentation of a $44000.00 grant check to the school system by the Southeastern Dairy Farmers Association. This was the first county wide grant given by the Association and will supplement the breakfast programs for 11 different schools. The high school has a separate grant application currently in the review process, so the county could be in line for funding from the Dairy Association. The Diary Association, in conjunction with the National Football League, created the “Fuel Up To Play 60” Grant to ensure that kids across the country have the necessary nutrition to perform their best. Only 32% of students regularly eat breakfast and this grant will implement an in-room breakfast program for elementary school students and a new program for middle school students. Local dairy farmer, Celeste Blackburn, was on hand to help present the check. The grant is directly funded by nationwide dairy farmers who donate 16 cents per hundred pounds of milk, with 10 of those 16 cents going directly to programs to feed America’s children.
Following the presentation the night’s agenda and the previous meeting’s minutes were approved by the Board. The School Board members each received a handmade “Thank You” card from Jefferson County High School Special Needs students in appreciation of their new classroom. The Board also heard from Jefferson County High School Administrator John Cagle, who thanked the Board for continuing to push for the completion of Building 8. Mr. Cagle was joined by several high school students active in activities normally centered in Building 8. The School Board moved on to items of information from Dr.
Edmonds, the Director of Schools. He gave updates on the Owner’s and Contractor’s Contingency Fund regarding the high school and an update on the Bond Balance for Patriot Academy. The Board discussed using some of the bond balance to widen the turning lane in front of the Academy or installing a front canopy to provide shelter. Michael Phagan stated that he would look into each possibility and bring the Board information at the next meeting.
Phagan informed the Board that the newly installed Hand Wash Stations were completed and working well in Dandridge Elementary School, White Pine School and New Market Elementary School. Board Member Potts questioned the funding of the Hand Wash Stations. She stated that the Board had approved funds for the stations at least twice beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, but because the stations were not installed the appropriated money was rolled into the fund balance and used for other things. She stated that appropriated funds should be placed in a reserve account until the project is completed instead of being rolled into fund balance and spent on other projects. She stated that some appropriations and motions by the School Board are not always followed to completion. She addressed the County Finance Director, Helton, regarding the use of reserve accounts and he stated that reserve account would be a good idea. Board Member Bradley then questioned whether a motion was needed to create the use of reserve accounts and the decision was made to address the matter within the Finance Committee.
The Board moved to the review of the 2013-1014 Director of Schools Evaluation, where Dr. Edmonds scored a 4.03 out of a possible 5. He was congratulated by the Board and thanked for his hard work and dedication.
Under New Business, the Board addressed Board Policies for Review and Adoption on first reading. Policies 1.704, 5.111, 5.112, 2.806, 2.808 and 5.110 regarding Charter Schools, Career Level Educators, Extended Contracts, Bids and Quotations, Purchase Orders and Contracts and Compensation Guides and Contracts. A motion was made by Board Member Vines and seconded by Board Member Rogers to approve the policy changes on first reading without review. The motion carried unanimously. Resolutions 2014-20 and 2014-21 were next on the agenda, declaring surplus property within the Student Nutrition Department and the Technology Department. With a motion from Bradley and a second from Board Member Cavanah the motion carried. The Board Approved the General Budget Amendment #6 and Federal Budget Amendment #6 with a motion by Potts and a second by Bradley. The Board then addressed the matter of Employee bonuses. The Budget Committee had previously declined an amendment for employee bonuses because certified teachers were included and the Budget Committee had received equity pay from the State. It was clarified by Board member Bradley that the raise was not provided by county funds but was money owed to the teachers regarding a lawsuit settlement. Board members Jarnigan and Rogers felt it was unfair to withhold a bonus from non-certified employees, like teaching assistants and bus drivers, because the Budget Committee was unwilling to include certified teachers in the bonus. Board member Bradley stated that he felt the teachers deserved a bonus just as much as the other employees.
Jarnigan asked for a motion regarding the bonuses and Rogers made a motion to give the bonuses to all non- certified school employees. Board member Bradley added an Amendment to include the certified teachers in the bonus process and both motion as amended (6-0) and amendment (5-1) Passed. The issue of the school system bonuses goes back to the Budget Committee for budget amendment approval.
Under Unfinished Business, the Board addressed Board policies #1.101, 1.102 and 2.8051 for review and adoption on second reading. These policies deal with Duties and Powers of the Board of Education, Board Members Legal Status and Authorized Signatures. Following a motion by Vines and a second by Bradley the policies Passed. The Board then heard from a representative form Rentenbach regarding the construction of Building 8. He emphasized the importance of moving forward with the bid process for the work that was needed if they were going to meet the July deadline. About 28 bid packages will be needed.
Rentenbach will begin to advertise for bids on December 2, with bids to be opened on December 18. He could then meet with School Board Members on December 30 to discuss the bids and move forward with the completion of Building 8.
That was agreeable with the Board and the meeting was set for December 30, at 3:00 p.m..
The final 2 items of business were the School Board Retreat, which will be refreshments at the work session on January 8, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. and attorney information. The School Board is without legal representation and it was suggested by Jarnigan that Director Edmonds could arrange for several attorneys to visit the meeting in January, 2015 for the Board to review. This was agreeable with all board members and with no other business the meeting was adjourned.
