Jefferson County Schools Get $2.1 Million Boost

The Jefferson County School Board held a combination Work Session and Voting Meeting on Thursday evening, August 25, 2016. For Board Members Cavanah, Lowery and Rogers it was their final time at the table, as the trio will exit the Board in September. Newly elected Board Members Fair and Cox (Solomon not present)were invited to sit in on the meeting, as an opportunity to get their first look at the issues that will be facing the new Board starting next month. Board Members spent their Work Session debating the structure and priorities of a Capital Projects list. Jefferson County Commission requested the list before action on releasing funds that are left over as a part of the most recent building programs. Commissioners expressed concern that issues, such as emergency lighting for the Jefferson County High School Football Field, requiring immediate funding appear to be presenting themselves and these needs are outside budgeted plans. Director of Business Affairs for Jefferson County Schools Michael Phagan presented a large, loose plan that totaled almost $29 million dollars to the County Commission. However, Commissioners requested a more streamlined assessment of Capital Project needs over the next several years.

Thursday evening, Board Members struggled to put together a list that would answer the County Commission’s request. In the current fiscal year, the School Board has designated $200,000 for projects and some Board Members were inclined to determine the distribution of those funds. Board Members discussed differing priorities, with windows appearing to land at the top of the list. Beyond the distribution of the current funding for projects, the Board also addressed a more comprehensive, yet pointed, list that would suffice for the County Commission. No action was taken at the Work Session but the priority list will be an item at the next voting meeting.

The Board did receive an unexpected fiscal surprise, as Jefferson County Finance Director Potts informed the Board that they will have around $2.1 million dollars in excess of their required fund balance floor. This amount is above and beyond funds that Director Potts as pulled aside for incoming expenses that are anticipated, meaning that the Board now has available funds to address some of the needs on their Capital Projects list. Director Potts told the Board that the more than $2 million dollars came from a combined increase in revenue and a trimming of expenses. Exiting Board Member Cavanah requested that the Board look at funding $500,000 additional dollars toward the White Pine School Renovation and Addition Project and that they request that the County Commission chip in another $300,000 for a total of $800,000 which would complete the funding for phase one of the project. The item will be on the agenda for the next voting meeting.

In other action, the Board approved three budget amendments, as well as a handful of school policies. Board Member Bradley stated his concern with team and club fund raising, noting that often the Board does not get detailed information regarding trips and their funding mechanism. He requested that more information be provided to the Board for approval and that detailed fund raising information be brought before the Board.