School Board Funds Band Room for White Pine School Project
The Jefferson County School Board took action in their regular monthly meeting, held on Thursday, January 26, 2017, to use monies already in the capital projects budget for the 2016/2017 School Year to fund the band room renovation at White Pine School. The motion to move the remaining $113,800 that was left of the $200,000 capital projects allocation in the regular working budget to fund the band room was offered by School Board Member Potts and it found unanimous approval from the Board (6-0 with Vines absent). Previously the Board had allocated the remainder of the regular capital project’s budget to the White Pine School Project and those funds will be coupled with the $113,800 allocation to pay for the estimated $172,000 band room renovation. The band room project will be outside of the $2.8 million dollar cap on the Phase I renovation and addition and, as it requires no budget amendment, does not necessitate the approval of the County Commission.
The Board, with a motion from Board Member Solomon and 2nd by Board Member Potts, also approved the rescinding of a previous motion that required the signing of contracts with the sub contractors be completed by by January 25, 2017. Jefferson County Finance Director Potts stated that the date had passed and contracts were still coming in from various parties. He informed the Board that he needed the motion to be rescinded to allow contracts to be signed after the motion date. Director of Facilities for Jefferson County Schools Phagan said that they were overly optimistic when choosing the previous date and that some sub contractor contracts were not able to be completed in that short time frame.
Board Members were informed that the estimated calculations for teacher bonuses for the 2015-2016 school year were $85.57 per share with level three teachers receiving one share, level four teachers receiving two shares and level five teachers receiving three shares. Central Office Director Sherry Finchum said that the money would be a separate deposit into each eligible teacher’s account.
Students from Mount Horeb School brought cards to the members of the Jefferson County School Board in appreciation for their work. Mount Horeb students participated in a Great Kindness Challenge in a pay it forward program to promote kindness among the students. School Board Members also enjoyed a cake and refreshments in honor of School Board Appreciation Week and heard an essay from Tennessee Civic Essay Contest award winner Allie Boatman of Maury Middle School.
Other Items for Action that found approval of the Board included one general and one federal budget amendment, the 2017-2018 JCHS Curriculum Guide, surplus of student nutrition equipment, approval of the local textbook committee, a $200 donation to the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and the 2016-2017 Tenure list. They also approved on first reading ten policy changes including ones governing differentiated pay, fund raising, discipline procedures, student alcohol and drug testing, field trips, testing and grading. The Board also approved several field trips under the Consent Agenda item.
