Salaries and Textbooks at Center of Debate
Jefferson County School Board Members locked in line items just in time for the Jefferson County Budget Committee to approved their 2015-2016 fiscal year budget. In a called meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2015, Board Members, again, struggled to find common ground on which line items should be funded and which should be cut to achieve a zero deficit budget. With the bottom line already approved by the Budget Committee in their last meeting, the Board was faced with decisions regarding text book cuts and administrative salary increases. Also at issue was a previously approved motion that required specific area cuts that were no longer a part of the proposed budget document.
Previously, the Department of Education had proposed more than $400,000 in cuts for textbooks, predominately math books, that were deemed unnecessary because the current book would suffice for two more years. The DOE had presented an alternate budget that used the textbooks to achieve a zero deficit. However, some Board Members were reluctant to cut textbooks while giving salary increases to Principals, Vice Principals and Supervisors. At the request of the Board, Jefferson County Finance Director Potts brought back a hybrid plan that provided salary increases to the teacher base of administrator’s salaries but not their supplement, while reducing the textbook line by $182,000 rather than the proposed $421,000.
Although the Board made several attempts to rescind their previous motion that included specific line item cuts that were not included in the latest proposal, none of the motions could garner the required votes to rescind. Late in the afternoon, it appeared that the Board would, again, fall short in their attempt to lock in line items. After two failed attempts to rescind, the Board turned to Robert’s Rules of Order for guidance in even continuing to address the issue. Ultimately, Board Chair Jarnigan made the Motion to reconsider the previous motion made on 5-14-15. He was 2nd by Board Member Vines and the Motion Passed, clearing the way for the new budget proposal to be addressed. Board Member Cavanah made a Motion to accept the most recent budget document, as presented ( which included a reduction in textbooks of $182,000, a 1% increase for Supervisors, a 1.4% increase in certified personnel salaries including Principals and Assistant Principals, 2% increase for classified personnel that were not a part of the revised salary scale and a revised salary scale of $8.25 minimum) for a zero deficit. She was 2nd by Board Member Potts and the Motion Passed 5-0.
Following a Motion to Suspend the Rules by Potts and 2nd by Cavanah, the Board addressed two budget amendments. Budget amendment 141 was Approved with a Motion from Vines and 2nd from Cavanah and amendment 142 was Approved with a Motion from Potts and 2nd from Bradley.
The School Board will not hold their May 28, 2015 meeting and will meet the next time on June 11, 2015.
