School Board Funds Purchase of New System
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew
The Jefferson County School Board met for its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, September 26, 2013, at the Patriot Academy. The Meeting was Called to Order by Vice Chairman Jarnigan. Absent from Roll Call were Board Members Potts and Vines.
School Board Officers were elected for the next year, with Potts returning as Chairman of the Board and Jarnigan returning as Vice Chairman. Both were elected by acclamation.
Following the Introduction of New County Teachers, the agenda and consent agenda were Approved with a Motion from Board Member Bradley and 2nd from Board Member Rogers. No teachers, students or citizens requested to appear before the Board.
Vice Chairman Jarnigan stated that services were being held for Jefferson Middle School Coach and Staff Member, Johnny Reagan, who passed away and offered condolence for his family from the Board.
Under Items for Information, financial reports were presented for July and August, as well as a $5,000 grant from i-Ready Math Software for students in grades k-8. The Board was presented with a Memorandum of Understanding with Cherokee Health Systems School-Based Therapy Service that will be available to Jefferson County Students at their schools, rather than requiring travel for therapy. A list of all Jefferson County Coaches for extra curricular activities was presented to the Board.
Vice Chairman Jarnigan stated that the Tennessee School Board Association Meeting that was held at the Patriot Academy last week was a success and he thanked those that participated in planning and execution of the event.
Under New Business, Board Members were appointed to various committees. Serving as delegates to the TBA are Potts, Jarnigan and Bradley. Potts will also serve as the TNL representative. Jarnigan and Rogers will serve on the Board Policy Committee and Cavanah and Rogers will sit on the Insurance Advisory Committee. Bradley will serve on both the Sick Leave Bank Committee for Professional and Para Professional employees.
Upon a Motion from Cavanah and 2nd from Bradley the Board Approved the use of County Fairgrounds by Jefferson County Farm Bureau and Carson-Newman University.
With the Recommendation of Director of Schools Edmonds and a Motion from Rogers and 2nd from Bradley, the Board Approved Resolution 2013-5 for surplus property from the Student Nutrition department. Also with the recommendation of Director Edmonds the Board Approved three budget amendments. One from general funds (Cavanah, Lowery), one Federal (Rogers, Bradley) and one nutrition (Lowery, Cavanah).
Following a presentation from Technology Department Head Devine, the Board Approved, with a Motion from Bradley and 2nd from Rogers, the funds to purchase a new student information system from Follett Aspen. The system will be used to tabulate attendance, as well as for parental access to grades and other information. In addition to the amount already budgeted for student attendance software, the Board Approved $34,137 from fund balance to meet the first of two initial payments of $64,137. The first payment is due after signing of the contract (pending State approval), and the second payment is due July 15, 2014 for a total initial cost of $128,275. The yearly cost, thereafter, will be $46,200 for the 2nd year and $61,200 for the 3rd year and on going through the contract.
Per Recommendation of Director Edmonds and with a Motion from Bradley and 2nd from Cavanah, the Board Approved the Certificate of Compliance for Textbooks.
Director Edmonds informed the Board that the State has added cyber threats and assaulting a student (fighting), as zero tolerance offences that come with a 360 day suspension or term in alternative school. Also included in zero tolerance are possession of a gun, assault on staff and drugs. Edmonds stated that of the 142 students at the Jefferson County Alternative School, the predominate zero tolerance offence is drugs and, mainly, fake marijuana.
With a Motion from Lowery and 2nd from Rogers, the Board Approved on Second Reading Policy 1.108 Nepotism-4.301 Interscholastic 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-New Policy Civility Code-4.300 Extracurricular Activities-4.302 Field Trips and Excursions-5.117 Procedure for Granting Tenure-6.202 Home Schools.
