School Board Meets – Bradley & Jarnigan Appointed To Building Oversight Committee

The Jefferson County School Board met for their first meeting of 2015 on Thursday, January 22nd, in the Patriot Academy.

Chairman of the Board Jarnigan called the meeting to order. Absent from Roll Call were Board Members Rogers and Lowery. Director’s Gallery Art Winners for the first nine weeks were recognized. Jefferson Elementary School third grade student Emily Baker and fourth grade student Chloe Lindsey were on hand with their teacher Kim Tupps, as well as fifth grade White Pine student Elora Sweet and her teacher Miranda Lewis, to receive certificates for their winning works of art.

With a Motion from Board Member Cavanah and 2nd from Board Member Bradley, the agenda was Approved. The consent agenda was Approved with a Motion from Board Member Vines and 2nd from Board Member Potts.

Under Items for Information, Jefferson County Director of Schools Edmonds presented Board Members with certificates of appreciation for their work on the Board. Refreshments were also provided for the meeting in honor of the upcoming School Board Appreciation Week. Director Edmonds informed the Board that, despite incurring a little more than $698,000 for the Davis Bacon Wage Act, there was still a savings of nearly $3 million dollars because of the choice of bonds. In an update of the funds for the Patriot Academy, Director Edmonds informed the Board that bids were presented for a proposed canopy at the Patriot Academy. Bids that were presented ranged from the $50,000 to more than $300,000 range. There is a possibility that some materials that were salvaged from coverings of removed portables could be refurbished for use at the Jefferson Academy. Edmonds stated that there has been some investigation into the costs associated with turn lane improvements at the Patriot Academy. If the County Highway Department partners in the work, the cost to the schools will be around $11,000 which could be funded from $117,000 that remains in the Patriot Academy building funds. The Board rescheduled their postponed January work session for the second week in February and potential issues at White Pine School will be on the March agenda.

Under New Business, with a Motion from Board Member Vines and 2nd from Cavanah, the Board Approved the 2015-2016 JCHS Curriculum Guide, this included an additional AP class, as well as minor changes to some Vocational classes and other classes. With a Motion from Bradley and 2nd from Potts, the Board Approved a General and Federal Budget Amendment. They also Approved the used of Jefferson County Fair Grounds for the annual JCHS Tractor Pull on Saturday, April 4, 2015 with a Motion from Bradley and 2nd from Vines.

In other action, the Board appointed Board Member Bradley and Chairman Jarnigan to the newly constructed Building Oversight Committee, which has three seated members of the County Commission, Chairman Carmichael, Commissioner Gaut and Commissioner David Seal. Board Member Cavanah requested that the Board be informed regarding issues with the Building Program so they are not surprised. Board Member Potts requested that Director Edmonds begin the process to request an extension with Traveler’s Insurance for Building 8 Repairs. The Board took action to employee a new school board attorney, while continuing to employee a specialist in special needs law.