School Board – District Report Card Shows Improvement

The Jefferson County School Board met on Thursday, November 14, 2013, at the Patriot Academy.  The Meeting was Called to Order by Chairman Potts. Absent from Roll Call was Board Member Vines.

Three students were recognized for winning the Director’s Art Gallery in grades 3, 4 and 5. The 3rd grade winner was James from Jefferson Elementary School-4th place winner was Hannah from Rush Strong and 5th place winner was Abby from White Pine. All three student’s art projects were framed and will hang in the Central Office until the end of the school year.

With a Motion from Board Member Rogers and 2nd from Board Member Cavanah, the Agenda was Approved. The Consent Agenda was Approved with a Motion from Board Member Jarnigan and 2nd from Rogers.

No teachers, students or citizens requested to speak before the Board. Jefferson County Director of Finance Helton stated that Financial Reports were included in the Board Member’s packets for review.

Under Items for Information, Jefferson County Schools Director of Business Affairs Michael Phagan gave an in depth update on the Energy Management Systems. Phagan stated that, using the software that is contractually provided by the Energy Savings Company Energy Education, as well as the guarantee by Trane and Energy Education, the Savings Guarantee of the combined companies to the Gross Savings shows an overall savings for both the first and second year of the contracts. He will provided detailed information to the County Commission at the next meeting.

It was announced that Mt. Horeb Elementary School was named the TSBA School of the Year in the Elementary School Division.

Director of Secondary Education Ruth Pohlman addressed the Board concerning recently released information on the District Report Card. She stated that Jefferson County has realized improvement in every measure and that there is an upward trend due to the hard work of students and teachers.

Chairman Potts stated that the evaluation numbers are back from the Director’s Evaluation and that Dr. Edmonds received a composite of 4.17 out of a possible 5. Director Edmonds thanked the Board for the support and opportunity to lead Jefferson County Schools.

Under New Business, with a Motion from Bradley and 2nd from Board Member Lowery, the Board Approved on first reading policy changes for 3.208-Capitol Assets and Facilities Planning and 6.309-Zero Tolerance Offenses.

With a Motion from Rogers and 2nd from Jarnigan, the Board Approved General Purpose Budget Amendment #6, Federal Purpose Budget Amendment # 5 and #6 and Food Service Amendment # 2.

The Board also Approved the Textbook Adoption Committee for Social Studies, following a Motion from Rogers and 2nd from Cavanah.