May 7, 2020 at 5:30 PM - Jackson-Madison County School Board Meeting

Discussion:  James Johnson Board Chairman opened the meeting with a moment of silence

Discussion:  Kevin Alexander made a motion to remove Budget Amendment #5 to line item 5A for further discussion on a revised Budget Amendment #5.  Holly Kellar presented the Budget Amendments at the May 4, 2020 Work Session.  There was discussion concerning the Budget Amendments and Mrs. Kellar has made revisions to Fund #177 Education Capital #5.  The original Fund #177 Education Capital 5. $3,614,000 (new money) read as follows; This amendment will appropriate fund balance to use toward the following projects:  locker room additions at West Bemis MS and JCT, masonry repair at Lincoln Elementary, parking room improvements and additional parking at Nova Elementary, secure entrances at schools, additional classrooms and restrooms at Community Montessori, and additional parking at Lincoln Elementary.  As remaining funds allow, they will be used toward the identified list of other potential projects.  Holly Kellar presented the budget revision to the Board at the May 7 Board meeting.  $1,463,693 (new money) This amendment will appropriate fund balance to use toward the following projects:  masonry repair at Lincoln Elementary, parking improvements and additional parking at Nova Early Learning Center, secure entrances at schools, additional classrooms and restrooms at Community Montessori, and additional parking at Lincoln Elementary.  As remaining funds allow, they will be used toward the identified list of other potential projects.

Discussion:  Karen Bell did not have any new information for the Board.

Discussion:  Karen Bell did not have any new information for the Board.

Discussion:  The FY2020-2021 Budget will not be voted on at the May 7 Board Meeting.  Holly Kellar shared with the Board a summary analysis of what the proposed funding cuts will do to the FY20 and the FY21 Budgets for the Jackson-Madison County School System.  Mrs. Kellar is saying, that the revenue projections for FY20 have been adjusted down from $103,111,000 to $96,945,000 due to the local tax shortfall ao approximately $6,065,000 when considering a $1.5 million transfer from the Local Purpose Tax fund at year end.  The ending Fund Balance will be at $7.6 million dollars. When the System moves into next year, the revenue is projected with an overall cut of $10,242,566 to local taxes which includes an adjustment to local funding for loss of students, putting budgeted revenues in this scenario at $93,275,080.  

Holly Kellar reports that the expenditures on this report for FY21 reflect the estimated expenditures that were projected for FY20 year - end as of the end of February 2020 prior to the national crisis.  

Mrs. Kellar states that the Fund Balance for FY21 would come in a  a negative $3.8 million dollars.  When you adjust the FY21 expenditures to a 100% budget, this would add another $3.6 million to account for and additionally to allow for a 3% fund balance and another at $3.1 million.  Mrs. Kellar reports that the system would need to have cut approximately $10.5 million from the FY21 budget.

The County is asking the School System to turn in our adjusted proposed budgets reflecting the revenue cuts in a week and a half. Holly Kellar reminded the Board that MOE funding law has not changed for the system and the county is still currently held to funding at the same level as the prior year.  The System is to present another budget to the County on June 1 which is prior to any possible legislative action.

Discussion:  The Construction Management Contract and Resolution was not voted on at the May 7 Board Meeting and will be put on the June Board Agenda.  Kevin Alexander a Budget Committee Member made the motion to recommend the approval of the Resolution to the Board on May 7.  Mr. Alexander mentioned that after the Work Session he was not in favor of the Resolution.  Dale Thomas, Ray Washington and Jim Campbell mentioned that the Resolution would be a document put in place to further the process of the project when funding was given to the system.  Mr. Campbell mentioned that the system was at no obligation if they approved the Resolution but could loss money if they were not to approve the Resolution.  Mr. Campbell mentioned that the time and documents have been prepared but if anyone was to pull out of the project, the system would lose money.  There was much discussion between the Board Members with the Resolution.  

Kevin Alexander made a motion for the School Board to add the Resolution to the June Board Agenda and Doris Black seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved by the Board.  VOTE: Kevin Alexander-Yes, Wayne Arnold-Yes, Doris Black-Yes, Jim Campbell-Yes, Carol Carter-Estes McCright-Yes, Janice Hampton-Yes, AJ Massey-Yes, Shannon Stewart-Yes, James Johnson-Yes.

Discussion:  Shannon Stewart wanted the Public to hear what was in the contract.  Dr. Marlon King's Superintendent Contract will include an annual salary of $185,000.00, Memberships- but not limited to AASA and TOSS, Fringe Benefits as that of full-time certified employees, Open Enrollment for his son to any middle school and moving expenses.  Dale Thomas and James Johnson mentioned that they had contacted TSBA in regards to find out the salary for a superintendent.  Mr. Thomas mentioned that the wording in the contract has been used for several years to hire a Superintendent.

Discussion:  Kevin Alexander motioned for the Budget Amendment Fund #177 Education Capital be moved to this line item

Discussion:  The Budget for FY2020-21 was discussed under the Action Items but not removed.

Discussion:  Doris Black the Long Range Planning Chair mentioned that she will speak with her committee for a meeting to be scheduled in July.  Janice Hampton the Policy Committee Chair will schedule a meeting in May and a Legislative meeting in June.

Discussion:  Ray Washington mentioned that the there was a Budget Hearing with the County today and the system will continue talks concerning the budget.  Mr. Washington mentioned that they will make adjustments and are trying not to impact the student learning.  The System has been able to prepare for the students over 100,000 meals these past few weeks and will end serving the meals on May 21.  On May 21st the Students will receive meals for Thursday and Friday along with a backpack from RIFA.  This has been Teacher Appreciation Week and Nurses's Week and we have been finding ways to celebrate these employees.