Fly Box, Road Problems & Recommendation for Designated Smoking for Fair Goers
Jefferson County School Board Meeting – Staff Photo by Jeff Depew
The Jefferson County School Board met on Thursday, July 25, 2013 at Mount Horeb School. The Meeting was Called to Order by Chairman of the Board Potts. Absent from Roll Call was Board Member Lowery. Upon a Motion from Board Member Vines and 2nd by Board Member Rogers, the Agenda was Approved. The Consent Agenda was Approved with a Motion from Board Member Jarnigan and 2nd from Board Member Cavanah.
Under Items of Information, Director of Schools Edmonds informed the Board that the 2013-2014 fiscal year budget will go back before the County Commission on Monday, July 29, 2013 due to lack of funding. He stated that the County and Department of Education are currently operating on a continuing budget. The Director stated that the finishing touches are going on at the Freshman Academy and updated the Board on the relocation of students in Jefferson County High School Building 8. He stated that teachers will have floating classroom in the building proper and that space for shop activities will be located before the beginning of the second nine weeks of school. Director of Business Affairs for Jefferson County Schools, Michael Phagan, stated that POD 4 of Jefferson County High School will be ready for use and that the roof will have a temporary fix until a permanent replacement next year.
Don Cason of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and John Cagle of Jefferson County High School requested that teachers be presented with optional payroll deductions to support TN Achieves and The Imagination Library. With a Motion from Board Member Vines and 2nd from Rogers, the Board Approved the request.
Director Edmonds recommended that the Board Approve a contract with the Jefferson County Fair Association for lease of property that the Fair is currently held on. Board Member Vines requested that Fair officials designate smoking areas, rather than smoking at large. Edmond’s recommendation to Approve the lease Passed. Upon a Motion from Vines and 2nd from Board Member Bradley the Board Approved use of the Fair Grounds by Carson Newman College on Monday, August 26, 2013.
Director Edmonds and Randy Rogers, Athletic Director for Jefferson County High School, informed the Board that new rulings by TSSAA allow for the participation of home schooled students in sanctioned sports. Director Edmonds will accept application from home school students prior to August 1, 2013. The Board will review the current participation policy and will address both sanctioned and unsanctioned activities, as they apply to School Board policy. One parent addressed the Board on the issue of home school participation and was informed that participation of unsanctioned or sanctioned events, should they be approved, would be only for the school that the student would be attending if they were public school students.
In Other Business, the Board Approved an increase in class fees of five dollars for JCHS AP Micro Biology students and Approved Board Policy 1.802 –Section 504 and ADA Grievance Procedures-on second reading.
Following a presentation by JCHS teacher David Seal and with a Motion from Board Member Jarnigan and 2nd from Board Member Vines, the Board Approved committing $224,097 for fly space and auditorium modifications necessary for the space, to be paid for out of the contingency fund. The Motion was Approved with a 5-1 vote (Rogers No). The Contingency, prior to the Motion, was listed at $1,735,506.
Director Edmonds stated that it will be necessary to tap into the Capitol Outlay Note, which is currently around $133,000, to address road changes at the new Patriot Academy. The costs associated with the changes are expected to be in the neighborhood of $120,000. Board Member Jarnigan offered a public expression of thanks to First Responders during the roof collapse at Jefferson County High School. Board Member Bradley addressed the recent death of retired Jefferson County High School teacher, Jan Patterson, and the Board offered condolences to her family.
