School Board: Requested Cuts Would Cost Multiple Teaching Positions
The Jefferson County School Board met on Monday, June 24, 2013 in the library of Mt. Horeb Elementary School. The Meeting was Called to Order by Chairman of the Board Potts. All Board Members were present for Roll Call. Following a Motion from Board Member Vines and 2nd from Board Member Rogers the Agenda was Approved. Upon a Motion from Board Member Cavanah and 2nd from Board Member Jarnigan the Consent Agenda was Approved.
Jefferson County Finance Director Helton informed the Board that end of year financial reports would soon be available and presented the Board with May financial reports.
Board Members were informed by the Jefferson County High School renovation Construction Managers that other options were available for roofing at the main campus that could provide better value for the school system. Two choices were presented that had savings of $76,000 and $206,000, which would also provide a better warranty situation for the school system. Both options had the recommendation of the roofing consultant. Vines made a Motion to adjust the Guaranteed Maximum Price by reducing it $206,000 to $21,482,694 (by choosing the roofing option with the $206,000 savings that included an extended warranty and hail damage rider on the roof). 2nd by Jarnigan, the Motion was Approved. The Board received information on a proposed fly box from the construction manager. Projected costs associated with the fly box addition could cost in the $350,000 range, according to the Construction Management representatives. Board Member Bradley requested information on the costs associated with outfitting the fly box once it is built and expressed concern that the costs could exceed fundraising ability. The Board will meet at Gentry Auditorium, along with representatives of the Construction Management Team and representatives of the school drama department to have an opportunity to view a fly box while discussing the issue.
On First Reading the Board Approved 1.802 Section 504 and ADA Grievance Procedures, with a Motion from Jarnigan and 2nd from Vines. The Board will address the issue of a lease between the Board and the Jefferson County Fair Association at the next meeting. Upon a Motion from Bradley and 2nd from Vines the Board Approved paying membership dues to the Tennessee School Systems for Equity, which protects the interests of small school systems across the State. The Board also Approved a General Budget Amendment # 12 and Federal Budget Amendment #12 (both having no fund balance impact), with a Motion from Vines and 2nd from Bradley. They also Approved a Capitol Projects Amendment that was financial housekeeping, with a Motion from Jarnigan and 2nd from Rogers.
Jefferson County Finance Director Helton informed the Board that there is the possibility of a law suit concerning portable leases. The portable lease companies are claming that they are owed $42,000 for lease payments and return charges. Department of Education Director of Business Affairs, Michael Phagan, stated that he has contested the charges and stands behind his assessment that Jefferson County does not owe the aforementioned charges. Funds that would be necessary to clear any judgments ($42,000) must be reserved, according to Helton, and those funds have been identified from Director Phagan’s current budget.
Director of Jefferson County Schools, Dr. Charles Edmonds, addressed the Board concerning a request of the Jefferson County Budget Committee for the Department of Education to cut their budget request by nearly $1.5 million dollars for the fiscal year 2013-2014. Director Edmonds stated that, without losing multiple teaching positions, there is no way to make the cuts that were requested. He said that the Department of Education had absorbed the operational costs for the two new schools, without funds appropriated by resolution from the County Commission. ($500,000 operational costs). Edmonds stated that his recommendation is to send the previously approved budget proposal, which included a deficit of $2,997,507, back to the Budget Committee without the requested cuts. Vines made a Motion to Approve the recommendation of Director Edmonds and send the budget proposal back to the Budget Committee without additional cuts and to request $750,000 in operational costs for new schools ($250,000 for Mt Horeb for the 2012-2013 school year and $500,000 for Mt. Horeb and the Patriot Academy for the 2013-2014 school year). His Motion was 2nd by Board Member Lowery and Passed Unanimously.
