May 9, 2017 at 5:30 PM - Bradley County Board of Education Work Session

Discussion:  Students from Hopewell Elementary School presented several group presentations about the activities they enjoy at their school.  They sang, presented an art project, talked about wellness, and how much they enjoyed reading.  They thanked the Board for their support. 

Discussion: 

Ellen Smith explained to the Board that eight (8) questions were sent back out to Public Risk Insurors and TN Risk Management for their response.  Each document is attached in eMeeting.  Dianna Calfee asked Ms. Smith to explain how after we ask for additional information, TN Risk Management changed their annual premium $755.005 to $739,768.  Ms. Smith told them that the difference was due to the deductible.  We ask them to do a $1,000 deductible so we could compare it to the bid Public Risk Insurors turned in.  If we keep the $500 deductible that we currently have and they include the bus driver training discount, along with the early pay discount, the annual premium for TN Risk is around $727,000.  Now there is $611 difference in the two bids.  Mrs. Calfee thanked Public Risk Insurors for giving a competitive bid.  She also told the Board that she thinks this has been very beneficial to the District and saved the District some money.  Dr. Cash asked Chairman Dillard to move this item to the Thursday Board meeting for a vote.   

Discussion: 

Susan Willcutt, Financial Director, began by telling the Board that there was not a lot to report since the last meeting.  She received the first BEP estimate from the state.  The numbers came in a little lower than were expected.  She estimated $1.2 million in new BEP money but according to the April estimate the District will receive $762,000 in new money. There is a $438,000 reduction in the BEP revenue budgeted amount.    One of the reasons for the reduction of what was expected is the state changed the way they identify "at risk" students.  Our numbers were greatly reduced.  The second reason is the Average Daily Membership (ADM) numbers are down by approximately 128 students.  This reduced the BEP funded positions by about 4.28.  This not only reduced funding for salaries and benefits but also reduced funding in most other areas such as textbooks, transportation, classroom materials, supplies and instructional equipment. Basically everything in the BEP is ADM driven.  Approximately, 95% of the BEP funding comes from the BEP ADM numbers.  Mrs. Beaty asked if the Districts were notified of the change in identifying "at risk" students.  Mrs. Willcutt told the Board the change was to make everything more equitable but it seems to have had the opposite effect - rural counties were hurt by the change but it helped inner city areas.  Mrs. Calfee asked if this was something that just changed.  Dr. Cash told them that it happened at the end of last year’s legislative session. To get this changed, would a resolution from the Board help, Mrs. Calfee asked.  Dr. Cash told the Board that it would be a good idea to send a resolution at the time the legislative session starts back.  Vicki Beaty asked how much the District actually lost with the change in identifying "at risk" students.  $150,000, Mrs. Willcutt told her.   She went on to say that the third reason for the reduction is in the current 16-17 budget, the District is receiving $247,000 in "Additional Minimum Funding" that is not included in the April estimate for 17-18.  There is no longer a one year grace period.  The State will establish the new minimum funding level by using last years' funding but adjusting it by the loss of ADMs.  She added that the District lost $150,000 for "at risk", $250,000 for reducing ADMs, and $247,000 for "additional minimum funding".   She explained that even with the reduced funding, the Board, Dr. Cash and the Finance Department are committed to providing the step raises, a 2% raise for all salaried employees, and funding the estimated 7.1% increase for insurance.  They hope that teachers and staff realize how much they value their service to the students of Bradley County. 

The Board thanked Mrs. Willcutt and Mrs. Crispin for going out to schools to explain the employee benefit package to employees.  There has been a lot of good feedback. 

Discussion:  Emily Brown, School Nutrition Supervisor, explained to the Board that there were not any changes from the presentation during the Board meeting last month.  There is still a 2% raise in her federal budget for the School Nutrition employees.  Dianna Calfee asked if there were still two reduction in staff positions in the budget.  Mrs. Brown told them yes.  The School Nutrition Budget will be moved to the consent agenda for the Thursday Board meeting.

Discussion: 

Scott Humberd, Chief Operations Officer, presented the Capital Outlay budget to the Board.  Amanda Lee asked for clarification on Valley View capital outlay section.  There is $9,000 for shades for 9 classrooms.  Were those not part of the Energy Management project?  Dr. Cash told them that those were classrooms that were not a part of the Engery project and Mr. Limburg wanted them to match.  Mrs. Lee also asked about the HVAC unit.  It was not a part of it either per Dr. Cash.  Dr. Cash ask that the Capital Outlay budget be placed on the consent agenda for Thursday.  Also, she ask that a vote to pull $435,000 from the fund balance to cover the non recurring capital outlay expenses be put on the agenda for the voting session. 

Discussion:  Terri Murray, Federal Projects Director, presented the 2017-18 Federal Consolidated Application budget to the Board.  She told the Board that the budget was cut.  All Federal Project budgets were cut.  The District has been conservative with non reoccurring cost so there are no lose of employees, we are able to give the 2% raise and cover the insurance increase.  Dr. Cash asked that the budget be moved to the consent agenda. 

Discussion:  Arlette Robinson, CTE Director, presented the CTE Perkins budget to the Board.  She told the Board that the Budget is small and pretty straight forward.  The largest amounts goes to Vocational Instruction Equipment and Other Contracted Services.  Dr. Cash asked that the CTE Perkins budget be put on the consent agenda. 

Discussion:  In June, there will be a joint meeting with Bradley County Board of Education and Cleveland City Board of Education.  The June 20th date will not work so we will announce when we get a date worked out.  Our regular Board meeting will be June 8th at 5:30 at the Central Office of Bradley County Schools. 

Discussion:  Mr. Bryson asked that the Janitorial contract be put on the agenda for discussion.  Chairman Dillard asked about putting it on the June agenda.  It was agreed that it would be put on the June agenda.  Mr. Frazier stated that he would like someone to do a report.  He told them that when he talks to Principals and they tell him they are not getting their buildings cleaned from the service and the service is still getting their check - he is not okay with that.  Dr. Cash asked Mr. Humberd to do a report and bring it back to the Board at the June meeting.  Mrs. Calfee asked about the yearly evaluation that was in the contract.  The year has not ended so the evaluation has not been given yet, Mr. Humberd explained to the Board.  Mr. Dillard asked if there was a database that complaints and resolutions were to be entered.  He asked Mr. Humberd to do a report on these complaints when he did the June report.