August 6, 2018 at 5:30 PM - Jackson-Madison County School Work Session

Discussion:  There were no Public Comments at the August 6, 2018 Work Session Meeting.

Discussion:  Mike Nichols stated that the Fund #177 Education Capital Projects Fund at the cost of $1,131,510.  This Amendment moves funds from the Fund Balance to Engineering Services for 2019 projects including the Montessori roof, East Elementary to include re-roof, drainage and HVAC, North Parkway Middle drainage, North Side and South Side football stadiums, and Parkview roof replacement.

Discussion: 

Holly Kellar stated the July Final BEP funding allocation came in showing $101,000 less that the April estimate which was used for budget purposes.  That overall, the BEP funding is up $525,000 from last year.  Of this amount, $368,000 is in the area of instructional salaries. As a reminder, the District is using this increased funding to support teacher bonuses and corresponding benefits including FICA tax and retirement.

Holly Kellar stated she would like to point out that the Quarterly Expenditure Report by Location and the Quarterly Utility Report by Location, both for the period ending June 30th are available for you in eMeeting.  The Expenditure Report includes all expenditures from General Purpose, Federal Projects, Food Service and Education Capital.

Holly Kellar presented to the Board the General Purpose Monthly Financial Reports for the periods ending June 30th and July 31st.  As you can see on the June 30th report, FY18 expenditures (including year-end encumbrances) exceeded revenues by $789,408.  This is $553,000 better that was estimated and reflected in the FY19 General Purpose Budget document.  These figures are unaudited and may actually come in better once invoices are paid and year-end encumbrances are liquidated.  Based on the unaudited year-end figures, the District spent 96.8% of the General Purpose Budget in 2017-2018.

Discussion: 

Bob Alvey presented a power point to the Board for the June 2018 School Board Evaluation.  The Board Evaluation Priorities were; Our School Board is respected by the community 4.6/6.0, Board seeks in from employees, students and community when adopting policy 4.7/6.0 and Board members are routinely familiar with the agenda materials and ready to discuss and decide important issues 4.8/6.0.

Janice Hampton stated that the Board does not seek the community's input when adopting policy and she was not aware of how much input the students have in the meetings.  Bob Alvey stated that the Board does have a Student Committee for Policy meetings, but they were not available to attend many meetings due to meeting during the day.

Kevin Alexander mentioned that he would like to have further discussion with the elected school board members at a board retreat for the the Board Evaluation Priorities.

Discussion: 

Eric Jones presented a power point for District Goals 2018-2019 to the Board.  

Climate and Culture Goals 2018-2019, Workforce Development Goals 2018-2019, Literacy Goals 2018-2019, Early Foundation Goals 2018-2019, Achievement Goals 2018-2019 and Operational Goals 2018-2019

Janice Hampton asked, when the Board will be informed of the Priority Schools.  Eric Jones stated, in September but that the Leadership Team has already had a plan of action for the schools.

There were several questions concerning the AIMS Web and Eric Jones is reviewing how to use this as a tool for the Jackson-Madison County School System.  Mr. Jones agrees with the Board that there needs to be a better system of tracking results of student performance.

Discussion:  The Board will take action on the following policies at the August 9, 2018 Board Meeting.

Discussion:  Bob Alvey stated that the Rainey Kizer Reviere and Bell Retainer Engagement Agreement will need to be approved August 9, 2018. There were no questions by the Board concerning the Retainer Engagement Agreement.

Discussion:  Bob Alvey and Dale Thomas, JMCSS Attorney, presented an Education Foundation Bylaws Comparison for the Board to review.  There was concern that the Education Foundation Committee has changed the approved Bylaws from the Board.  After discussion, the Board would like for Dale Thomas to meet with Attorneys for Jackson City and Madison County for clarification to the Bylaws being rewritten.  Dale Thomas will communicate with Eric Jones of the findings and bring to the Board.

Discussion:  Corey Currie would like for the Board to approve the 2018-2019 Disciplinary Hearing Board list.  The following names have been submitted to the Board for approval; Lajuan Sylvester, Terrance Morris, Donald Hornbuckle, Kyle Lutz, Craig McNatt, Tanya Snow, Carol Rogers, Adam Peachey and Dionne Springfield.  

Discussion:  There were no questions concerning the New OCR Proposed RA from the Board.

Discussion:  Allen Powell stated that the Booster Club would like to have permission from the Board to build a Softball Field House on the property of South Side High School.  Mr. Powell stated that the Booster Club would fund the project of the Field House.

Discussion:  Ray Washington stated that the sale of the 408 Jackson Street property would be finalized this week and they have been in communication with the property owner.

Discussion:  The meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.