January 6, 2020 at 5:30 PM - Jackson-Madison County School Work Session

Discussion:  James Johnson Chairman began the meeting at 5:34 p.m.

Discussion:  James Johnson Chairman asked for a moment of silence

Discussion:  Policy 1.404 Appeals to and Appearance before the Board
PUBLIC COMMENTS AT A BOARD WORK SESSION
To make public comments before the Board , a member of the public may speak during the public comments portion of the work session agenda.  Public comments shall be the first item of the work session agenda and shall be limited to a maximum of thirty minutes.  Speakers will comply with the following guidelines:
* Remarks will be limited to three (3) minutes unless time is extended by the Board.
* Each peron speaking shall state his/her name, address, and subject of presentation.
* Delegations must select only one individual to speak on their behalf unless otherwise determined by the Board.
*Remarks must pertain to school business.
* No interrogation of Board Members.
* No public derogatory statement about individuals (Superintendent, Board Members, teachers, staff, etc).
* No personal attacks.
* The chair shall have the authority to terminate the remarks of any individual who is disruptive or dies not adhere to Board rules,
* The chair shall have the authority to terminate the remarks of any individual who is disruptive or does not adhere to Board rules.
* Members of the Board and the Director of Schools may have the privilege of asking questions of any  person who addresses the Board.

Discussion:  There were no Public Comments at the January 6, 2020 Work Session

Discussion:  Holly Kellar stated that there were only 2 Budget Amendments for the month of January.  Mrs. Kellar mentioned that she presented the Financial Reports either on BOE Connect or tonight.  As of the end of December, 47.5 million dollars had been expensed with an additional 4 million dollars in outstanding encumbrances.  this is 47.6% of the total budget as opposed to being at 45.4% at the same time last year.  You may recall that expenditures at the end of November were 2.6 million dollars ahead of last year.  However, expenditures at the end of December are now just 2 million dollars ahead of last year.  This is mostly due to the employee bonuses that were paid out in December of 2018 in the place of giving annual raises.  Year-to-date revenues thru November total 35.3 million dollars with December revenues yet to be posted.  The quarterly school expenditure and utility reports are on the table for you.  These show the expenditures by school location.  I did receive a few responses from you regarding budget priorities for FY21.  If you didn't get a chance but would like to send me your priorities, please do so.

Discussion:  Karen Bell mentioned that the expenditures and revenues as of November, 2019 agree with the numbers presented by Holly Kellar's reports.  Year to date revenues are below stated expenditures by $4,260,228.29.  Sales tax for November is down from prior year by $154,000.00.  We will be reviewing and discussing with State what might be causing the decrease in sales tax to see if there are trends.  Additionally, the capital improvement budget submitted by the School system has been reviewed by the Capital Budget Committee when they met in December.  The committee will be reconvening in January or February to discuss priorities with each department which the school system had already noted on their submission.  Also, the public private collaboration on behalf of the county is moving forward with attorneys to have information to all parties by January 23.  There will be a special called Financial management Committee meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 29 for review and discussion of this data.

Discussion:  There was no discussion concerning the January Board Agenda.

Discussion:  Shannon Stewart and AJ Massey volunteered to assist James Johnson to contact the Education Foundation Committee and see if they would like to still serve.  The JMCSS Board Members have heard there are Education Foundation Committee Members that no longer live in Madison County and Scott Conger became Mayor of the Jackson.  These Members will need to be replaced for the Committee to begin working on raising money for the school system. 

Discussion:  The Policy Agreement will need to be approved by the Board on Thursday, January 9, 2020 and than sent to the County Commission for approval.  The County Commission will need to approve because the agreement is more than one year.

Discussion:  The Board Secretary will contact Principals and Counselors at each high school to select two students to attend SCOPE at MTSU.  The Board Members will contact the Board Secretary if they would like to attend the conference.

Discussion:  Holly Kellar reported that two Board Members have submitted Budget Priorities for FY21.  James Johnson would like in the General Purpose Budget, 1 additional Pre-K Classroom and tentative 1 Recruiter (HC Personnel) and in the Education Capital Budget, tentative funding for Stadium.  Kevin Alexander would like in the General Purpose Budget, Teacher Assistants in elementary grades 1st to 3rd in all schools or just priority schools and in the Education Capital Budget, replace buses on an expedited schedule due to several buses breaking down.

Discussion:  Ray Washington mentioned that they are in discussion on how to finance the SRO's for schools.  Mr. Washington has contacted other districts to see how they use SRO's in the schools and have had meetings with the Sheriff Department in order to understand the expectations.  Mr. Washington will have a meeting with the Sheriff, Principals and Central Office Staff for the next step.

Discussion:  Board Members need to contact the Board Secretary with any other revisions with having completed in February Board Meeting for approval.  AJ Massey made a suggestion that this document will be reviewed at the November 2020 Work Session or Board Meeting.

Discussion:  Ray Washington mentioned that Lane College has an interest in purchasing the old Lincoln Elementary School property and building.  Mr. Washington stated that the Attorneys have been in contact for Lane College to purchase the Lincoln Elementary property.  Dale Thomas explained the Consolidation Agreement with the purchase of property not being used by the school system.

Discussion:  Dale Thomas mentioned that Attorneys are involved with all documents and will have finalized by January 23, 2020.  The City of Jackson, County Commission and the Jackson-Madison School Board will need to have all documents approved by February for the closing to take place.  The following meetings will need to be scheduled by the City, County and JMCSS; from Attorneys final documents January 23, County Commission Finance Management January 25, JMCSS Budget Committee January 29, JMCSS Special Called meeting January 30 or February 3, City Council February 4, CRA February 12 and the County Commission February 18 for a closing to occur by the end of February.  The JMCSS Board has a tentative date for February 3, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. for a Special Called meeting.

Discussion:  The 2020-2021 School System Calendar was corrected and May 21, 2020 will be the last day for Teachers.  The Board will approve on Thursday, January 9, 2020.

Discussion:  Dr. Tiffany Green presented additional information for the Board to review of Teachers being absent.  Dr. Green will present the information concerning how many positions are still open at this time and will review the number of Teachers on wavers.

Discussion:  There were no additional Financial Reports to be discussed at the January Work Session

Discussion:  AJ Massey had concerns with the approved Policy 3.600 Code of Conduct and there will be further discussed by the Policy Committee and the JMCSS Board due to errors within the policy after approval by the Board.  Pope Elementary update from Ray Washington will be discussed further at the January 9, 2020 Board meeting but that Henson Construction was chosen to build Pope.  Shannon Stewart requested that once Public/Private Partnership is finalized, for regular updates to the Board Members.

Discussion:  James Johnson reminded Board Members to email agenda items to the Chairman, Superintendent and Board Secretary

Discussion:  The January 6, 2020 Work Session adjourned at 7:04 pm