March 14, 2019 at 5:30 PM - Jackson-Madison County School Board Combine Meeting

Discussion:  Ernest Brooks ll and Annette Graves presented to the School Board "Do The Right Thing" program for students in the Jackson-Madison County School System.  There were two students that represented JMCSS in Washington D.C. this year for the program.  

Discussion:  Shannon Stewart, School Board Member and three of the students in attendance spoke concerning the trip to SCOPE.  Dr. Eric Jones, Superintendent presented Certificates to the Students attending SCOPE. 

Discussion: 

Public Comments started at 5:53 p.m.

Rachel Scott, Central Office employee spoke in support of Dr. Eric Jones and the changes he has made with staff, employees, teachers and students in the JMCSS system.

Shelia Godwin, Community person spoke that all Board Members needed to be treated fairly. 

Lizzy Belew, Parent and Pope Elementary PTO President spoke in support for Dr. Eric Jones and the K-8 property voted on in October for a new Pope School.

Helen Owens, Retired JMCSS Employee spoke on concerns about building jails compared to schools and the ratio of Teacher to Students.

Rich Smith, Pope Parent spoke in support for Dr. Eric Jones and concerns of not having a new Pope School built that families will leave the system.

Nicole Harris, Pope Parent spoke gave enrollments of Pope for the last few years has increased, lack of space previously in school, diversity of the school and the support for Dr. Eric Jones.

Ellen Neely, Pope Parent spoke in support for Dr. Eric Jones.

Beth Parnell, Pope Parent spoke in support for Dr. Eric Jones and due to the staff team at Pope, her special needs child at Pope has made tremendous gains in academics since being at Pope.

Michelle Niesler, East Elementary Teacher spoke in support of Dr. Eric Jones and stated that there have been many Superintendents over the years.

Janelle Baker, Pope Parent spoke that there should be more field trips offered to students.

Jenci Spradlin, Madison Parent spoke that after listening to Dr. Eric Jones that she felt comfortable and had hope in the system to remove her son from private school and enroll in Madison Academic High School.

Sherry Franks, Pope Parent spoke stating that currently Pope is sitting on 8 acres of land and that the new location has 42 acres.  Ms. Franks stated that Pope is still using temporary buildings after 20 years and supports Dr. Eric Jones.

Tiffany Taylor, Principal at East Elementary spoke in support for Dr. Eric Jones after working for several Superintendents over her years in the system.  The Faculty and Staff finally have the love and support and feel appreciated by a Superintendent.  The Students have made great accomplishments with the curriculum that has been given since last year. 

Mark Spain, Community person spoke in support for Dr. Eric Jones to stay and he is the best thing for this system and the community.

Steven (did not give last name), Parent asked, was Dr. Jones staying?

Tim Gilmer, Principal at Thelma Barker Elementary thanked the Board for their service.  Mr. Gilmer was in support for Dr. Eric Jones and his team for the hope of the students.

David Wicker, Principal at West Bemis Middle spoke in support to Dr. Eric Jones and his team and the availability of all of them in times of needs or questions.  Mr. Wicker stated that it is a privilege to work for Dr. Jones and his team in the JMCSS system. 

Fred Spike, Pressed Ministry concerns of how the zoning of students has taken place for the schools and the amount of issues that students face on a daily bases.

Harrell Carter, President of the NAACP spoke on funding and that everyone needs to prioritize with a change in focus for our system.  

The Public Comments ended at 6:49 p.m. 

Discussion:  Jeff Davis represented JMCEA for Earline Price, President of JMCEA.  Mr. Davis stated thanked Eric Jones for supporting the Teachers in our system.  Mr. Davis mentioned that the following activities for Teachers would be coming up in March and April; elections of JMCEA, Math Conference in Franklin and a Professional Development Training in Chattanooga.  Mr. Davis mentioned that he would like for the system to do more training with Teachers and Staff on how to handle student behavior.  

Discussion:  Mike Nichols read the Budget Amendments for the Board and the Board had the amendments on eMeeting.

Discussion: 

Holly Kellar mentioned that the February Financial Statement for the General Purpose Fund is posted.  As of the end of February, 60.9 million dollars had been expenses with an additional 2.3 million dollars in outstanding encumbrances. This is 60.5% of the total budget as compared to 59.7% being spent a the same time last year.  February revenues in the amount of 12.1 million dollars were received, bringing the total revenues for the year to 71.7 million dollars which is 70.2% of budgeted revenue.

Year-end projections have been added to the Monthly Financial Statement.  The current projection puts FY19 spending at an overall 97.5% creating a slight deficit which would leave the fund balance near $12.8 million as of June 30th.

Discussion: 

The following policies revisions were to be approved in the February Board meeting.  Janice Hampton stated, in the March Combined Board Meeting that the Policy Committee met in February and during the February Board Meeting a recommendation for the first reading was made regarding several policies revisions.  A recommendation was not made during that time to wave a second reading due to a correction of policy 4.600 Grading System. To which the name change of Montessori School of Bemis to Community Montessori had not been changed as indicated from the February Policy Committee meeting. 

Shannon Stewart asked, the only reason that the policies are being voted on again was due to the name change and that there were no other policies added.  Janice Hampton stated, that is correct and no other policies have been added.

 

Discussion: 

Kevin Alexander, Chairman, made a motion to remove the tabled motion from the Long Range Planning Committee made on February 11, 2019 in the February Combined Board Meeting.  The Long Range Planning Committee recommendation; the Committee brings to the School Board as a courtesy to Dr. Jones is his request that the Board approves $30,000.00 to extend the option and additional six months for the property on Ashport Road. Wayne Arnold seconded the motion and the motion passed and was unanimously approved. 

Wayne Arnold-Y, Doris Black-Y, Jim Campbell-Y, Janice Hampton-Y, James Johnson-Y, AJ Massey-Y, Morris Merriweather-Y, Shannon Stewart-Y and Kevin Alexander-Y

Shannon Stewart stated, when you remove a motion from being tabled there is no discussion.

James Johnson asked, was the motion off the table and Kevin Alexander replied, yes.  

James Johnson will amend the motion to approve and continue the option of $30,000.00 for an additional six months with the K-8 land and to have Dr. Eric Jones and Kevin Alexander bring at least two possible locations of land within 90 days to the Board.  Doris Black seconded the motion.

After much discussion (below) concerning the amendment, the final amendment was stated: To have the Director of Schools and the Chairman of Schools bring back 2 or more additional possibilities of land for the K-8 within 90 days if available. The amendment passed with a 6-Yes and 3-No votes.

Wayne Arnold-Y, Doris Black-Y, Jim Campbell-Y, Janice Hampton -Y, James Johnson-Y, AJ Massey-N, Morris Merriweather-N, Shannon Stewart-N and Kevin Alexander-Y 

James Johnson stated that he feels that there is a better choice of land for the system to build on for a school.

Dr. Eric Jones stated that he would pursue looking for land and that they have narrowed down to five Architects and after Spring Break these architects will be notified to continue the process.  

Kevin Alexander stated that he and Dr. Jones have spoken several times and will continue to look at land due to having Dr. Jones feel he has support from the School Board.  Dr. Jones will continue to look for land and report to Kevin Alexander of what land is available and to get Board approval to pursue the process. Dr. Jones stated that the system will continue to pursue the Ashport land at this time while continuing the other land options.  Dr. Jones would like to bring land to the board within 2-3 months.

Doris Black called for a question to the amendment and AJ Massey seconded. (they withdrew the call for a question)

MOTION: from the Long Range Planning Committee made on February 11, 2019 in the February Combined Board Meeting.  The Long Range Planning Committee recommendation; the Committee brings to the School Board as a courtesy to Dr. Jones is his request that the Board approves $30,000.00 to extend the option and additional six months for the property on Ashport Road.  AMENDMENT: To have the Director of Schools and the Chairman of Schools bring back 2 or more additional possibilities of land for the K-8 within 90 days if available.

 The motion passed 8-yes and 1-no votes.

Wayne Arnold-Y, Doris Black-Y, Jim Campbell-Y, Janice Hampton -Y, James Johnson-Y, AJ Massey-Y, Morris Merriweather-N, Shannon Stewart-Y and Kevin Alexander-Y     

Discussion: 

Morris Merriweather read the motion made from James Johnson and the Long Range Planning Committee to have the Malesus Elementary School be re-opened for Pre-K classes and that Dr. Jones provide figures at the next Board Meeting.  

Morris Merriweather thanked Dr. Eric Jones for providing the figures to the Board concerning Pre-K programs.  Mr. Merriweather continued reading documentation concerning Pre-K.  

James Johnson would like to amend his original motion by saying, to bring Malesus back on line pending the sign up numbers and the funding approvals from the Government funding in May and the County Commission in June or July before knowing funding. Morris Merriweather seconded the motion. Amendment passed with a 5-Yes and 4-No votes.

Wayne Arnold- N, Doris Black- Y, Jim Campbell- N, Janice Hampton- Y, James Johnson-Y, Kevin Alexander-Y, AJ Massey-N, Morris Merriweather- Y, and Shannon Stewart-N

Janice Hampton asked for Dr. Eric Jones to comment on the Pre-K program.  Dr. Jones stated that there are several needs in the system and provided data for the Board to review in Pre-K Needs.  If the system was to add Pre-K classes to Malesus compared to other schools would cost the system greatly.  Dr. Jones stated that for 10 classes without TLM findings, it would cost approximately 1.6 million dollars for optional costs and 1.8 million dollars for capital costs over 2 years.  James Johnson is wanting to bring Malesus on line which means to get it operational for the system to use when needed.

Kevin Alexander mentioned that the property of Malesus would go back to the family.  Jim Campbell mentioned that a small part of the property would go back to the family.  Mr. Alexander would like to further the option of opening Malesus with more discussion of this school.  

Morris Merriweather mentioned that when Lincoln Elementary was being closed that there was some discussion and now that there is a big discussion concerning the Malesus school.  Dr. Jones stated that the City would take over Lincoln School when the System is finished with the school.  Wayne Arnold mentioned that the Whitehall program was moved to Nova due to weather damage and there was a big discussion concerning the move.  

Janice Hampton would like to have more board retreats to further understand what is happening and to express the opinions of each board member.  Ms. Hampton mentioned that school vouchers are a real possibility that will happen for parents to choice where to send their children.

Wayne Arnold would like to suspend the rules and bring Malesus discussion back to the Long Range Planning Committee for further discussion in a retreat.  Mr. Arnold is declining the suspend the rules.

Morris Merriweather is calling for a question at this time to vote on the amendment. James Johnson second the call for a question to the amendment. Question to the amendment passed with 8-Yes and 1-No votes.

Wayne Arnold-Y, Doris Black-Y, Jim Campbell-Y, Janice Hampton-Y, James Johnson-Y, Kevin Alexander-Y, AJ Massey-Y, Morris Merriweather-Y and Shannon Stewart-N.

Morris Merriweather is calling for a question at this time to vote on the motion.  James Johnson second the call for a question to the motion.  Question to the motion passed with 8-Yes and 1-No

Wayne Arnold-Y, Doris Black-Y, Jim Campbell-N, Janice Hampton-Y, James Johnson-Y, Kevin Alexander-Y, AJ Massey- Y, Morris Merriweather-Y and Shannon Stewart-Y. 

MOTION: Malesus to re-open for Pre-K classes and Dr. Jones to bring back figures for the Board to review to see if the County Commission would be willing to fund Malesus.  Morris Merriweather stated to re-open would be to bring Malesus on line. The motion passed with 3-Yes, 4-No and 2-abstains.

Wayne Arnold-N, Doris Black-AB, Jim Campbell-N, Janice Hampton-AB, James Johnson-Y, Kevin Alexander-Y, AJ Massey- N, Morris Merriweather- Y and Shannon Stewart-N

 

Discussion:  James Johnson mentioned that the Budget Committee met and spoke on budgeting items and the Policy Committee to review guidelines on sponsorship's for the system.

Discussion:  Dr. Eric Jones mentioned that Spring Break will be March 25 to March 29, 2019.

Discussion:  Auction will be on Saturday, April 6, 2019 and a list has been given to Board Members on eMeeting.  Hinson Auction has provided a flyer for the public.

Discussion: 

Ray Washington mentioned that during the Budget Committee meeting that there was discussion concerning the vehicle leasing for IT and Maintenance Departments.  James Johnson mentioned that for $57,000.00 the system could lease approximately 8 vehicles.  

James Johnson made a motion to lease vehicles for the IT and Maintenance Department for 5 years lease pilot program.  Morris Merriweather seconded the motion and the motion was unanimously approved.

Wayne Arnold-Y, Doris Black-Y, Jim Campbell-Y, Janice Hampton-Y, James Johnson-Y, Kevin Alexander-Y, AJ Massey-Y, Morris Merriweather-Y and Shannon Stewart-Y.