School Board Approves Johnston’s Resignation and Arnold’s Contract For Director Of Schools
Dr. Shane Johnston, Current Director of Schools, Tommy Arnold, New Director of Jefferson County Schools
Photo: Jeff Depew
The Jefferson County School Board convened last week for their regular monthly Work Session and Business Meeting. Following the Call to Order, with a motion from Board Member Solomon and 2nd from Board Member Martin, the Board unanimously accepted the resignation of current Director of Schools Dr. Shane Johnston. According to his letter of resignation, Johnston will complete the current fiscal year which ends on June 30, 2022.
The contract of Dr. Tommy Arnold, who will be assuming the position of Director of Schools on July 1, 2022, was approved unanimously after a motion of acceptance was made by Board Members Jarnigan/Pinkerton.
Recognition of the Jefferson County Anglers, Niswonger CER teams and TDOE Reading Rooms, as well as JCHS student athlete essay winner, took place during the business section of the meeting. Several items were presented on the Consent Agenda and were approved with a motion from Solomon and Board Member Zander. Under Items for Information, several Memorandums of Understanding were identified and briefly addressed. A list of Public Records Requests since the previous meeting was entered into the minutes and citizen Jim Pickering discussed a handout which outlined suggestions concerning the proposed plans for Jefferson Elementary School.
Three groups, Rockin’ P Farms ( Rodeo), The Jefferson County Fair, and Shriners, verbally requested use of the current Jefferson County Fair Grounds which is owned by the Jefferson County Department of Education and has been identified as a possible location to build a new Jefferson Elementary School. A representative from the Jefferson County Fair stated that, while there is not enough time to plan for a fair in 2022, the organization would like to host the event during the summer of 2023. He stated that if the organization is denied it is likely that the Jefferson County Fair will dissolve.
Pinkerton/Jarnigan made a motion to approve budget amendments as well as a resolution concerning surplus from technology. Solomon/Pinkerton moved to include a 67 cent raise for classified employees which will average a 5% raise. Their motion passed unanimously. Board Member Bradley and Zander made a successful motion to add an increase in substitute pay to total $90 per day for non certified and $110 per day for certified ( without outsourcing) to the fiscal year 2022/2023 budget document. Teachers who retired post pandemic but did not receive the pandemic inspired bonus were discussed. The Jefferson County Finance Office was instructed to determine if the up to $15,000 which would be needed to cover the cost of issuing the $800 bonus for full time and $400 for part time could come from a line item rather than pulling the cost from fund balance. The item will be addressed in the May meeting, as will the requests for use of the property adjacent to Jefferson Middle School (known as the Jefferson County Fair Grounds).
