July 9, 2020 at 5:30 PM - Jackson-Madison County School Board Combine Meeting

Discussion:  James Johnson, Board Chairman, called the meeting to order with a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Discussion: 
The JMCSS Board Members have requested a monthly update from the JCM and Madison Projects.
Chris Alexander Health Community thanked Chairman James Johnson for coordinating the groundbreaking ceremonies at each school and construction on both schools are going well.  Chris Rice with Construction Manager mentioned that the projects are on target and on budget.  Chris Alexander has emailed a detailed update for all Board members to review.  

Discussion:  The South Side High School Boys Basketball Team, Coach and Athletic Director was recognized at the July 9, 2020 Combined Work Session and Board Meeting for the remarkable season they had that was shorten due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Boys Basketball Team was undefeated for the season with a record of 32-0 and earned a State Tournament appearance but the season was unable to finish with the cancellation of the State Tournament.  The Basketball Team was able to accomplish the following throughout the season; the 33rd Annual Poplar Bluff, MO 2019 Basketball Showdown Champions (defeated a 3A and 5A nationally ranked team), #1AA all season, District 14AA Champions, Region 7AA Champions, Sub-state Champions, Tennessee Associated Press Class AA State Champions and made history for South Side High School Basketball.

South Side High School Boys Basketball Team
District, 14-AA    Team Mascot, Hawks    Colors, Black and White
Head Coach, DaMonn Fuller and Assistant Coaches, Jeremy Weddle, Sam Greer, Kendall Walker and Eric Liesey
Managers, Rodderrick Pugh, Makaya Futrell and Gracen Parker
Address, 84 Harts Bridge Road, Jackson, Tennessee 38301
Principal, Anita Tucker
Athletic Director, Casshawndra Sain
TEAM:
Rico Sain, Jailen Anderson, Kobe Ward, Aaron March, Brandon Maclin, Jaylen Cole, Josh Anderson, Bryson Baker, Jermaine Moore, Janias Parram, Matthew Berry, Javonte Bulter, Kirtlynn Martin, Bradley Rivers and Jytavion Johnson

The JMCSS Board presented the Team with a banner and starting July 19th for four weeks the teams picture recognizing them for the season will be showing on a digital billboard on Airways, FE Wright Dr., South Highland and Old Hickory Dr. free of charge to the system.  

Casshawndra Sain, SSHS Athletic Director was recognized for demonstrating our core values of Judgement, Courage, Motivation, Service and Support.  You have shown your dedication through 20 years of service to JMCSS athletics, staff, families, and stakeholders, but most importantly, the students of Jackson-Madison County.  Mrs. Sain has served as an Educational Assistant, Special Education Teacher and serving the last 7 years as an Assistant Principal and Athletic Director.  Mrs. Sain is currently the first African-American Female Assistant Principal and Athletic Director South Side High School has employed.  Mrs. Sain has many accomplishments as she has served as the school's Athletic Director, School's Crisis and Safety Coordinator, Supervisor of the Exceptional Student (Special Education) Department, Supervisor of the School's Climate Team, Section 504 School Coordinator, Member of the School's RTI2 team, a member of the District's Facilities Team and the JMCSS "New Normal School Initiative" Team, 2019-2020 graduate of the NISL (National Institute for School Leadership) Program sponsored by the JMCSS, voted by SSHS student body the 2019-2020 Most School Spirit Award and awarded TSSAA A.F. Bridges 2019 Athletic Director of the year for District 7.

Discussion:  The JMCSS Board Members recognized Ray Washington for his service while serving as the 2019-2020 Superintendent of Jackson-Madison County School System.  

Discussion:  Janis Carroll (teacher for JMCSS) voiced concerns with the reopening of school for Staff and Students.  

Discussion:  Earlene Price represented JMCEA for Jeff Davis, President of the organization.  Welcomed Dr. Marlon King to Jackson-Madison County School System, encouraged by the having teacher bonuses and being asked to serve on the New Initiative Team 

Discussion:  Ray Washington stated that there will not be any Budget Amendments in the Financial Reports for the month.  Mr. Washington mentioned that in the Sales tax revenue this is showing April  Revenues in the June information.  There is a two month delay and at the end of July there will a better understanding of the revenues for the system.  

Discussion:  Dr. Ricky Catlett presented the Human Capital Report for the month of June.  At this time the Human Resource Department has filled 109 positions with 41 positions to be filled for the 2020-2021 school year.

Discussion:  Dale Thomas the JMCSS Attorney, explained the difference between the JMCSS budget and the County budget that was approved.  
Budget Process:  
* When reviewing the proposed budget of the board of education, the County Commission "may alter or revise the total amount of expenditures as proposed...Upon alteration or revision of the proposed budget of the (board) of education, the director of schools shall submit a revised budget within the total expenditures approved by the County Commission with 10 days.  If the revised budget complies with the amount of expenditures as adopted by the County Commission, the revised budget will become the approved budget for the (board) of education."  

* If no approved budget then there is a continuation budget based upon the appropriations in the prior fiscal year's budget.  In a continuation budget the School System can spend no more than the amount that it spent in the same month of the prior fiscal year while operating under a continuation budget.  However, a final operating budget must be adopted not later than August 31.

* If the County and School Board fail to agree on a final budget by August 31, by operation of law, the School Budget will be equal to what is required to comply with minimal maintenance of effort.  If for three consecutive years the County and School Board fail to agree then in the third year the School gets a 3% increase in its maintenance of effort.  

Differences in the Budgets:
* The significant changes comparing the two budgets are:
1. The revenue for local taxes for FY 20 in the County Budget was decreased from the Board approved budget resulting in the County shorting by $2,123,136.00 its statutory obligation to fund Maintenance of Effort for FY 20 which results in the fund balance decreasing that the end of FY 20.
2. The projected local revenue contribution for FY 21 in the County Budget was decreased based upon a reduction of ADM of 105 students (which does not consider the increase in JMCSS's Pre-K student population). 
3. The Ameresco payment was increased in the County Budget from $290,000.00 to $420,000.00

Maintenance of Effort:
*TCA 49-2-101 (1) requires the County to make revenue estimates and determine the amount of revenue necessary that is at least equal to the minimum budget required to comply with maintenance of effort.
* The maintenance of effort requirement is not just a budgeting requirement but is funding requirement.  In TN Attorney General Opinion 11-86, the County was facing a shortfall in actual sales tax revenues.  The AG was asked if the county was financially responsible for providing full funding of the county school system as budgeted (to the extent of maintenance of effort) from revenue sources other that sales tax revenue.  Th AG stated that the County had to fully fund maintenance of effort even though there was a shortfall in revenues.

Use of Fund Balance:
Per consultant, Chuck Cagle, there is no option, statute, rule, opinion, or regulation that allows the county commission to reduce MOE by any amount in the school district's unobligated fund balance.  Additionally, it takes a joint action by both the board of education and the county commission to appropriate and spend funds that tare in the unobligated fund balance.  Fund balance funds can be used to meet maintenance of effort; however, as stated above, it takes approval of both bodies to make that happen.  the county commission cannot unilaterally appropriate fund balance dollars and place them in the education budget.  From a policy perspective, such an act would constitute spending "one-time" non-recurring dollars to meet continuing budget requirements.

This position is supported by Tenn.Code Ann 49-3-352 (c) which says any use of Fund Balance "must be recommended by the board of education prior to appropriation by the County Commission."  But see Tenn.Atty Gen. Op. 04-098 (this language was added in the 2014 amendment to solve a problem created when three local legislative bodies appropriated the Fund Balance reserves without the approval of the Board of Education).

CTAS is telling County that it can use Fund Balance to fund MOE.  We invited CTAS and the County to sit down with JMCSS and the consultant to discuss but CTAS will not do so.  

Line Item Issue:
* T.C.A. 5-21-111 (e)(1) allows the County Commission to revise the Board's proposed budget.  However, the statute says that the County "may only alter or revise the total amount of expenditures as proposed." In this case, the County Commission not only revised the total expenditures but also revised the line item referenced above.  
*The County revised a line item in the budget passed by the Board of Education.  The expenditure revision occurs at line item in the budget presented by the Board of Education. 
*The line item change is under the category 82330 Education and at line 620.  The County budget increased this line item from $290,000.00 to $420,000.00 which accounts for the $130,000.00 difference in the total expenditures approved by the Board and the County.
*The law is clear that the County cannot change line items in the budget.  Otherwise, there would be a line item veto which is clearly not allowed by stature or case authority.  However, the unique piece about this line is that it is an obligation the Board has to the County.  

After the explanation by Dale Thomas, the Board Members had a few questions to be answered concerning the budgets.  

 

Discussion:  2020 Annual Conferences - The following conferences are being proposed for board members, board secretary and/or superintendent attendance:  NSBA - Board Superintendent, TSBA - Board, Superintendent and Secretary, TOSS/AASA - Superintendent, IEI - Superintendent and NABSE - Superintendent.

Discussion:  James Johnson, Board Chairman mentioned that several of the Board Members met with Representative Johnny Shaw and Senator Ed Jackson on Friday, June 26, 2020.  Board Members were encouraged to keep the Legislators accountable, to have more visits and Teacher pay raises on the agenda. 

Discussion:  There were no items removed from the consent agenda

Discussion:  There were no items added to the agenda

Discussion:  Dr. Marlon King was very appreciative of the welcoming his family received from the Community on July 1, 2020.  Dr. King mentioned that the School New Normal Initiative (SNNI) work teams began work on how to re-open school for Staff and Students.  The Community will be able to have updates on social media and the system's website but that the system will communicate once a secure plan is in place.  

Dr. Marlon King is requiring a professional development for Staff before the students would return in order to better educate all students.  Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Vivian Williams developed the following teams: Academics, Students-Whole child, Class Size/Schedule, Discipline Framework and IEP, ESL, 504, traditional and non-traditional.  Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Ricky Catlett developed the following teams:  Facilities, Human Capital, Transportation, Communications, Technology, Safety/Security, Fiscal, Nutrition and Athletics.  With each team there was a Central Office Staff Employee to lead various community leaders in the discussion for each area of concern.  

Catherine Korth presented a power point with the JMCSS 2020-2021 School Reopening Employee and Parent Surveys.  Each Survey was given the same time to fill out, Monday, June 22, 2020 to Wednesday, July 1, 2020
EMPLOYEE:  There were 991 total responses from the Employee Survey
Q1: I am an employee of JMCSS as a(n)? Teacher - 649, Support Staff - 259 and Administrator - 83
Q2: What grade level do you teach? Pre-K - 76, K-2 - 211, 3-5 - 198, 6-8 - 151, High School - 185 
Q3: What subject do you teach? Math - 253, Science - 197, Social Studies - 198, ELA - 278,         
      CTE/Fine Arts/ Physical Ed - 54, SPED Self contained- 46, SPED inclusion - 76, Other - 60 
Q4: If conditions regarding COVID-19 in August are similar to today, I plan to: Return to work     
       without  reservations - 354, Return to work with reservations - 580, Do not plan to return to
       work - 24, Other - 33 
Q5: What safety options would you like to see schools take while students are present under current
       COVID-19 conditions? All staff and students required to wear masks - 423, Slightly abbreviated
       school days where possible - 506, Limited Contact with large groups (lunch, p.e. etc) - 538,
       Staggered student days where not all students present - 629, Additional cleaning/sanitizing     
       throughout the day - 878, Social distancing (6ft) within the classroom - 480,  Minimize student           transitions - 146, other - 112
Q6: What are your primary concerns about coming back to school? Public health regulations not
       being followed - 515, Classrooms and other students gathering places not properly disinfected -
       661, Availability of disinfecting materials or PPE - 591, My student's mental health due to       
       COVID-19 - 344, Readjustment to classroom or school life - 463, Student transportation (e.g     
       school busses) - 366, Having in-person interactions with others - 392, Underlying health 
       conditions of myself or family - 403, Other - 94
Q7: If you had the option of traditional school or online learning, which would you choose for
       instructional delivery under the current COVID-19 conditions? Traditional/In person schooling -
       328, Online/Distance Learning - 133, A combination of traditional and online - 519, Other - 11
Q8: Do you have a reliable high-speed internet connection that will support using a laptop for
       online/virtual learning/teaching? Yes - 884, No - 93, Other - 14
Q9: What online meeting platforms have you previously used? ZOOM - 879, Microsoft Teams - 476,
       Google Meet - 141, Other - 88
Q10: In order to effectively provide distance learning, which of the following trainings would best
         support your needs? Hosting online meetings - 390, Virtual classroom platform - assignments
         and grade book - 539, Accessing your curriculum online - 356, Recording and posting videos
         of a lesson - 518, Recording and posting a screen cast - 436, Communication with students
         and parents - 486, Other - 80
Q11: Your feedback is important as we explore options for reopening schools as safety as possible
         in the fall of 2020.  Please share additional concerns, thoughts or ideas that might not have
         been captured through the questions presented.  
        1. Asking for schools to be re-opened for in person teaching (65), Personal and family health                and safety concerns (65)
        3. Concerns about cleanliness of schools/availability of sanitizer (62)
        4. Concerns about student access for online learning (50)
        5. Concerns about wearing masks (46)
        6. Concerns about how to social distance at school (43)
        7. Effectiveness of online teaching (42)
        8. Need for consistency -online platform and expectations (39)
        9. Need for training for staff and parents on online platforms (35)
       10. Need for screening, tendency to send sick students to school (35)
       11. Concern for teachers with children in school on a hybrid schedule (14)

Parent/Guardian:
There were 4649 Total Responses but completed surveys were a total of 4075
Q1: How many school-aged children do you have enrolled in the Jackson-Madison County School
       System? 1- 47.49%, 2 - 33.68%, 3 or more - 18.82%
Q2: In August of 2020, what will be the grade band for your child(ren)?  Elementary 61.22%, Middle
       35%, High 40.25%
Q3: If the public health partners believe it is safe to allow in person instruction in August, will your
       student(s) return to school? Yes - 42.65%, Maybe - 42.76%, No - 14.58%
Q4: If health guidelines and/or health agencies prevent schools from returning at full capacity in
       August, which do you prefer: 5-day week remote learning (at home) - 33.08%, Hybrid model
       (part in-person learning, part at-home remote learning) - 66.92%
Q5: If a hybrid model is necessary to limit building capacity per health agency guidelines, which
       model do you prefer? Students in-person/alternating days - 2.11, Students alternate in-
       person/remote alternating days each week - 2.13, Students attend in - person 5 days - 1.76
Q6: If social distancing and health agency guidelines or other considerations prohibit or limit bus
       transportation, will self-transportation be an issue? Yes - 33.51% and No - 66.49%
Q7: How prepared do you feel to support your child with distance learning activities? Not prepared
       at all - 21.25%, Somewhat - 49.04%, Very prepared - 29.71%
Q8: Due to the spring school closures, how concerned are you that your child will not be prepared
       academically for the 2020-2021 school year? Not concerned at all - 34.65%, Somewhat
       concerned - 46.66%, Very concerned - 18.69%
Q9: Do you have a deice other than a phone (computer, tablet, iPad, Chrome book, etc.) and
       internet access? No, I only have access to the internet on a phone and od not own another
      device - 16.50%, No, I own a device other than a phone but only have internet access through
      my phone/hotspot - 5.76%, Yes, I have a device other than a phone AND have internet access
      separate from my phone - 77.74%
Q10: What type of device do you have? (Select all that apply) Computer - 65.33%, Tablet - 38.85%,
      iPad - 31.90%, Chrome book - 14.05%, Other - 20.48%
Q11: Is there a different device available for every JMCSS student in your home? Yes - 55.93% and 
     No - 44.07%
Q12: Do you have any suggestions or comments you would like to share? 
     1. Asking for schools to be re-opened for in person teaching (342)
     2. Health and safety of students and staff (335)
     3. Technology at home (241)
     4. Concerns for working parents (201)
     5. Asking for a fully virtual option (186)
     6. Concerns about masks (142)
     7. Social distancing (110)
     8. Consistency/Communication (92)
     9. Cleaning/Sanitation (76)
     10. Students falling behind (51)

 

Discussion:  Deputy Superintendent Dr. Vivian Williams presented the report for the CARES ACT. The following figures have been given for the Jackson-Madison County School System:  $3,897,423.21
* Unemployment Compensation - $100,000.00
* Virtual Software Platform (iReady) - $335,100.00
   Virtual Software Platform (Edmentum) - $132,500.00
   ESL Software - $5,000.00
* Mental Health Curriculum - $65,000.00
* Admin Costs: 1 retiree 120-day contact - $35,510.00
* PD (iReady Gr. K-8) - $21,000.00
* PD (Edmentum Gr. 9-12) - $17,500.00
* Masks/Gloves for schools $56,250.00
*60 Temperature Kiosks - $150,000.00 
* Total Before Devices - $927,860.00
* Remaining for Devices - $2,326,759.76
* Amount reserved for Private Schools - $638,706.68
* After admin costs - $642,803.45

Discussion:  The Board would like more input from the Student Advisory Committee throughout the year.

Discussion:  The November 12, 2020 Board Meeting will need to be rescheduled for November 2 Work Session and November 5 Board meeting due to the Board Members and the Superintendent will be attending the TSBA Leadership and Annual Conference in Nashville on November 12 to November 15.