School Board Meets At New Patriot Academy – Energy Audit Savings Discussed
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew
The Jefferson County School Board met on August 22, 2013, at the new Patriot Academy. The meeting was Called to Order by Chairman of the Board Potts. Absent from Roll Call were Board Members Lowery and Vines. Special Focus for the evening was on the new Patriot Academy. Chase Burke, a freshman at the Patriot Academy, offered an overview of the new school.
Upon a Motion by Board Member Jarnigan and 2nd by Board Member Rogers the Agenda was Approved. With a Motion from Rogers and 2nd from Board Member Bradley the Consent Agenda was Approved.
On citizen addressed the Board with concerns regarding the new Common Core Curriculum. No financial reports were available, according to Jefferson County Director of Finance Helton.
Bill Nolen gave the annual update on the energy savings program from Cenergistics. He stated that there was a 18% savings through out all of the schools in the County due to the energy savings program, falling just short of the target of 20%, translating to a +$65,000 savings for the school system. According to Nolen, the number reflects savings after Trane savings were calculated and removed from the total.
Director of Business Affairs, Michael Phagan, presented the Board with an update on the renovation at Jefferson County High School, including the monthly progress report from July and August.
Director of Secondary Education, Ruth Pohlman, offered congratulations to Jefferson County High School on being named a Reward School for its academic progress by the State Department of Education. She stated that there had been an improvement in ACT scores for Jefferson County High School, going from 18.1 to 19.8.
Under New Business the Board Approved Policy changes for review and adoption on policy 1.108-Nepotism, 4.301-Interscholastics Athletics, 5.305-Family and Medical Leave, 6.200-Attendance, 6.206-Transfers Within the System,6.309-Zero Tolerance Offences, 6.316-Suspension/Expulsion/Remand, 4.604-Accelerated and Advanced Credit, Civility Code(new policy), 4.300-Extracurricular Activities, 4.302-Field Trips and Excursions, 5.117 Procedure for Granting Tenure, 6.202-Home Schools, with a Motion from Jarnigan and 2nd from Bradley.
Jefferson County Director of Finance Helton brought a general and federal budget amendment. According to Helton, no new money was involved in the amendment for the e rate grant that was not fully spent during the last fiscal year. One of the amendments also addressed setting up a new technology account for bookkeeping purposes. With a Motion from Bradley and 2nd from Rogers the amendments were Approved.
The Board Approved a request from Cope Associates, Inc to allow the nomination of Mt. Horeb Elementary School for the TSBA School of the Year Excellence in Architectural Design, which is no cost to the County.
