April 20, 2021 at 4:00 PM - Board of Education Budget Session

Rationale:  In attendance:  Chair Butch Campbell, Jimmy Richardson, Roseann Barton, Amanda Moore, Becky Goff, Vice Chair David Settles, and Wes Ballard

Staff: Dr. Trey Duke, Ralph Ringstaff, Sheri Arnette, Angela Fairchild, Joe Marlin, Kim Williams, Beth Prater, and Lisa Trail

Assistant City Attorney Elizabeth Taylor and City Liaison Bill Shacklett

 

Rationale:  Dr. Duke began the meeting by informing the board
of the teacher meetings that he’s had since he began as Director.
He shared that he had received great feedback from the teachers. He also shared that he is keeping good communication with the city council. And lastly, he stated that the central office team is a great team.

He shared the vision of Murfreesboro City Schools and the
budget goals and gave each board member a handout of his presentation.

 

Rationale:  There was some discussion about virtual schools.  The general
consensus of the Board was to not create a virtual school so quickly.

Mr. Richardson asked about medically fragile students that may
get quarantined.  He wanted to know if they would be virtual.  Dr. Duke and Mrs. Fairchild said that they would be homebound.

Dr. Duke also discussed ending fund balance and how that looks. He discussed how he was looking to possibly move some things into ESSER until things balance out.

Dr. Duke explained the proposed staffing changes for 2021-22.

 

Rationale:  Dr. Duke went through the budget and explained the changes
from last year.

Mr. Ballard asked how much we are saving by doing away with the "If I Had a Hammer" and "The Big Inch" program. Dr. Duke said that would be about a $20,000.00 savings.

Roseann Barton asked Dr. Duke if he plans to present the budget to the principals. Dr. Duke explained that the budget will be presented to the
department heads next week and he will present it to principals at the next principals’ meeting in May.

Dr. Duke recommended to the board that we change audit companies. His and Ms. Kim Williams' recommendation was to go with the Jobe Hastings Audit Firm. This is the same company that audits the city. Matlock Clements would still do the internal school audits, but the district would be audited by Jobe Hastings.

Chair Campbell asked if this had been discussed with Matlock Clements. 
Dr. Duke said that they have spoken with the Comptroller and Matlock Clements, and they are in agreement to release us.

If the board agrees with switching firms, an official vote will be taken at the
All increases in the cost of the switch are included in the amount of $4450.00 listed in the budget.

Kim Williams told the board that she will get the cost of Jobe Hastings for the first three years and get that information to them.

Mr. Settles asked about the increase in legal services in the budget. Dr. Duke explained that we are paying 10% of the overhead for city legal.

Chair Campbell asked if there was any discussion to move Ms. Taylor to the city schools' budget so that she could continue with TCRS. Dr. Duke said that he had not had that discussion with the city in the past seven weeks, but he is willing and happy to have that conversation in the future.

Mrs. Moore stated that she feels really strongly about offering transportation for Discovery School. Dr. Duke said that he will have to talk to Mr. Rome about that so that he can give the correct information.

Mrs. Moore suggested that If we don’t need the two additional bus drivers and aides due to the fact that our enrollment doesn’t increase like we plan, possibly we can use them for transportation to Discovery.

Mr. Settles said that he remembered from past discussions that the reason  we did not have transportation to Discovery was because students come from all over the city to go to Discovery, and it would be more of a cost.

Ms. Moore feels that our values should show equality and if we offer transportation for all other schools, we should for Discovery.  Dr. Duke will investigate this item and bring information to the board in the next few weeks.

Ms. Barton thanked Dr. Duke for the wonderful budget presentation. She said that he did a great job and the information was very helpful.  The entire board agreed.

Dr. Duke told the board that at the next night's budget meeting, he would cover the tentative five-year Capital Improvement Plan and the Nutrition and ESP Budgets. 
 

Rationale:  The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.