001Um Candace, did we notify the media? We did. Thank you. And I do declare that we have a quorum with six of seven board members present. We will need approval of the agenda. >> So move second. >> Thank you. Thank you. Any questions? All in favor of approving the agenda, please say I. >> Any opposed? All right, that's approved. Um And I do want to welcome everyone tonight. And I want to go around and do our tell me something good. Mike, do you want to start? >> Uh, I like the rain. We need some. >> Perfect. That's my something. I'm thankful for the rain. I don't have to water my flowers tonight. Very good. >> All right. My something good will be today is my 30th wedding anniversary with my bride Michelle. >> Thank you.
002Thank you. >> Fantastic. My tell me something good is I got to spend last week at church camp with 61 of our youth from our church and then some friends too. So that was fun. Mr. Gar, >> well yesterday we were at Brooklyn Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina and we were recognized for our 50th anniversary joining our fraternity. >> Oh wow. >> That's fantastic. Fantastic. >> My something good is uh my five kids got together and just made Father's Day just a really special special day for me. So, thanks to my five kids and just making me feel very very special yesterday. >> Um my something good is this it's been a it's been a great summer so far. Good weather and good times. >> Very good. And we have one more little I'm
003gonna see if Mr. Freddy will play a short video for us. It's look, I am so excited for you for your retirement. I'm not [music] happy about it, but I'm excited for you. I'm looking forward to the day when I can do the same. You will be greatly missed. [music] Please do not be a stranger. Come visit your nurses. >> Congratulations, Jody. Been great working with you. I really hate to see you go, but I'm happy for you. Jealous you get out of here before me. Take care of yourself. [music] >> Dr. Pinland, congratulations, sir, on your retirement. A job well done. It's been a pleasure working with you. Uh, I've enjoyed learning from you. I've enjoyed the hospitality that you've shown since I [music] stepped into this particular role. So, I wish you the
004best and congratulations again. Congratulations, Dr. Pinland, on your retirement. We are grateful for all you have done to our district [music] staff and the teachers. I wish and pray that you have a wonderful retirement [music] and please come and see us. Thank you. >> I'm so jealous of all the fun you're fixing to have [music] and I'm so sad for us, but enjoy your retirement. It's welld deserved. >> Congratulations, Dr. Pinland, on your retirement. [music] Thank you for everything you've done for the students and the staff of Lawrence School District 55. You will [music] be missed. Congratulations. >> Hey, Dr. P, this is Jackson. You know who I am. But man, [music] I I just want to say happy retirement. Uh you you deserve it, man. You uh I know the work you put into
005the district and [music] I know how much you love the kids and I know how much you love this area, love the community, and uh [music] you're you're one of my you're one of my mentors, man. I look up to you and I'm just thankful I got to be a small even a small part of your story. >> Congratulations Dr. Penland. I sure will miss you. Hey Dr. Pinland, I want to say congratulations. I'm so excited for you. Just remember we're here and you can come visit anytime. We will miss you. >> Hey Jody, we are going to miss you. This place will not be the [music] same without you. Thank you for everything you've done for us. Love you. Bye. >> Congratulations Dr. [music] Penley. I am so excited for you on your retirement.
006What I'm going to miss most is having [music] those conversations with you about money and my ability to buy extra shoes. [music] So, when you're out enjoying yourself and you hear something about our school district, I want [music] you to think, I bet Chris Hill is worried about how she's going to buy some more shoes. It has been my pleasure to work with you over the years. I loved how easy it was to talk to you about any and everything. [music] And I also appreciated all your support, especially for our guidance department. [music] Enjoy your retirement. >> Congratulations, Dr. Pinland, on your retirement. Neighbor day, I got you. >> Dr. Pinland is uh a great man. He has a great sense of humor and uh he has great hair. >> Hi, Mr. Pinland. This is
007Kennedy. I just wanted to congratulate you on your retirement. I hope you enjoy it and I hope you [music] enjoy all of the kids meals you want in the near future. Hey Jadeie, we're going to miss you. You [music] have been a great boss and friend and my granddaughter's going to miss her little carrot flavored suckers. Good luck. [music] Congratulations on your retirement. We are going to really miss you and [music] don't forget about us. Love you. >> If I could describe Dr. Pinland in two words, [music] I would use servant leader. He always puts others ahead of himself and he exemplifies empathy, trust, and a commitment to [music] serving this community. Dr. Pinland, congratulations. Thank you for all of your service, [music] all that you have done to help all of us. You will
008be greatly missed. [music] and nowhere to stand. One nation Our gracious heavenly father here in this place of the school district asking presight. directing. We have our torped. All those invite this month, I would like to take a a moment of personal privilege to reflect on my last 31 years. I would first like to Simmons and Wanda Isaac for taking a chance on me by giving me my first teaching job in clinic at Martha Denny Middle School. Then Dr. Rosemary Wicker hired me as a mathematics specialist for the upper Savannah STEM center. She allowed me to gain leadership capabilities and let me grow and provide professional development for 10 school districts. One of those districts being then my stent started here back in January of 2003 under Dr. Taylor. For several years, I was able
009to learn and glean from Billy Strickland, Mr. Shore, Miss Nancy Thompson, and Mary Fortune, who took me under their wing and provided me with a lot of historical perspective of the district. In Lawrence 55, I've had the opportunity to serve as a math specialist, a math science coordinator, professional development coordinator, district testing and accountability coordinator, director of federal programs, assistant superintendent for student services, and now finishing up my career as superintendent. 55 has not just been a career or a job, but Lawrence 55 is family. There are too many people to thank individually right now. I just have to say to this community, as I have run into you over the last couple of weeks, you have been nothing but encouraging and I greatly greatly appreciate all you have um all who showed up tonight
010and all of your kind words to this district office staff, Candace, and especially Mama Gary who calls me every morning at 7 a.m. to see what I want for breakfast. This office support and friendship have meant the world to me. The school and staff administrative teams have been amazing with the support they have given me over the years. I have worked with several boards and over the years I have just want to thank you and all of them for the opportunity to serve here in Lawrence. However, I cannot finish my career without thanking my parents for instilling in me the work ethic and the care for people. I would not have learned this without them raising me in a godly home. I also have to thank my wife Michelle and my boys. Two things have
011happened on this date, June 22nd. 30 years ago today, I married my bride. And as of today, this will be my last board meeting. I could not have made it through this without the struggles and the weight of this job without my wife, her discernment, and her prayers. I also have to thank my boys, Caleb and Luke, who have endured 247 phone calls and me not being present, even though I am there in body. When I told them I was retiring, I had no idea how happy they would be for me. There's a saying God put on my heart and I used it during our retirement dinner. If your presence doesn't make an impact, your absence won't make a difference. I pray I haven't made an impact on Lawrence 55 because I know Lawrence 55
012has made an impact on me. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Pen. >> Now I get to go into their agenda. All right, so um next item on the agenda um will be our calendar committee. Um I've um kind of shared this before in the last couple of meetings. Um we have had several meetings to develop the calendar um with Lawrence 55 means 56. Um the three calendars we looked at were a modified a traditional and a modified with twoe breaks. Um we did do this parent survey um and staff survey. Um we p or this was presented for first reading um last um month. And if you go ahead and click back my clicker and so you can see that um 63 um to 65% were in favor of this calendar. Um whenever we
013looked at that um we had did have 717 um respondents. Clinton had about 70% in favor with the same. They are presenting their calendar um for second reading this month also. Um go ahead. And so um we are presenting for second reading um this calendar. There have been several questions about why the two weeks don't work, why would that work? Whenever we first did this calendar um back probably four years ago, there was um kind of the perfect storm whenever you looked at the way the um weekends fail and it was allowed us to um actually put in two weeks of um break in the fall, two weeks of break in the spring. Um but that's also when we had er money that we could provide the additional um academic recovery and bring some summer
014school days up into the midyear. Um we don't have that funding anymore. So that's why we went back to the oneweek break um and also included um our um makeup days um tied to Thanksgiving break. So in the fall of 2027, we would have a week break in October. We'd also have the week um of November. um Thanksgiving, we'd have a two week break at Christmas. Then we'd have a week break at spring break. Um and this also includes your orange days in there, which are early release days. Um any questions on this calendar, but I would this would be for approval for this um second reading. >> Does anyone have any questions on the calendar? All right. Uh so Dr. Finland needs us to approve the 2728 school calendar. If we could get a
015motion for that. >> I'll make a motion we approve. >> I'll second. Thank you. Any discussion? All those in favor of approving the 2728 school calendar as presented. Please say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Right. Calendar passes. >> All right. The next item on the agenda for board operations um number one, two, and three. Um, I'd like to see if we want to do those all together. Policy GCK, professional staff assignments and transfers. Policy BA, board meeting notification, and policy BEB, board agenda. Um, all three of these are up for second reading. Um, we had first reading last time. Does anybody have any questions or need me to go over any one of those policies specifically or we can um approve those for second reading? All right. If there are no questions, we could
016get a motion to approve all three of those policies um in one motion. >> Wait, let me back up. I I have a question. >> Um I had said before that this is a board meeting. Okay. um notification to board members. >> Are you on which part? Are you on the um DE? >> Yes, DA. >> And it say the superintendent or his design will distribute notice to each regular meeting of the board with agenda and supporting material to board member. But I'm saying it's our meeting. So why aren't we taking control of that instead of giving to the superintendent? because the board meeting is a meeting where the superintendent reports to us. >> So, um, honestly, that is really how it's been since I've started. So, if there's something we should change about that,
017I'm open to discussing that. But that is something where when we distribute notice, you know, Candace is an arm of the board and that she is the board secretary as well. So I still see it coming from the board because she is sending it to all of us because she's the one gathering the details from the DO, but then she's also notifying the media as well. Um, but if we need to look at something different, >> well, I mean, this this is a notification. >> Yeah, it's just a That's all I'm going to say. >> It's just a notification. Yes. Yeah, >> it's just a notification. >> Um, so with her having the the media contacts and all the contacts here, she's that liaison as the board secretary uh to go between the DO and
018us and the media. So to me, this one puts the ownership of notifying of our board meetings to the public and make sure that our community is aware of it. Puts the ownership on the on the superintendent or the designate. >> Well, and this and keep in mind that that particular part of the policy has been that way since at least 25 or 16 when the last two adoptions were. The two things that were changed here are the time >> in which it has communicated um versus it saying before the fourth Monday if possible it says on the Tuesday preceding the regular scheduled meeting. Um >> let me just ask this. Would it um help if we change the word designate to um administrative assistant to the board? So [clears throat] that would still leave
019the responsibility in our office, but it would be specifically Candace or the superintendent, >> right? >> Yeah, that's fine. >> That's fine. >> Well, if we want to do these separately, then um we can just approve all three of them separately and then we can approve that one with an amendment for your your language. Okay. [clears throat] So we can do the two easy ones first and we go ahead and um do a motion for GCK and BB. >> Yeah. So moved. >> Second. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. All those in favor uh well any questions regarding policy GCK or policy BEB? All right. Hear none. All those in favor of approving policy GCK and policy BED, please say I. >> Any opposed? >> So those are and then Mr. Carpenter, if
020you want to make the motion for the BEDA with your language change, we can go from there. Well, um I'm going to make a motion that we remove um the designate to this randomly board correspondent >> and we'll put in um may we use board secretary or okay instead of a name. >> [snorts] >> Great. >> Um, >> okay. Any further discussion? >> Um, point of clarification, that would be all points where it says designate in the policy. Correct. I think there was three. >> Great. Thank you. >> All right. So our motion would be to approve policy BEDA with the language change of design to board secretary throughout the policy. >> All those in favor please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Thank you. >> All right. Number four on the board
021operations is community eligibility provision. Um each year we um have to reertify as a district that we would be um willing to accept the funds for community eligibility. That is the um food nutrition um national school lunch program that provides all of our kids with free breakfast and free lunch. Um so that is just um up for um discussion, but also um the board must annually review um eligibility. All of our schools are eligible. Um and um also um request for a resolution to state that we would be in favor of continuing the C um program for our district and that would be board action and we have included um policy EF um for your reference in there. There is not a change to the policy. It is just a resolution to continue that we
022would um accept the C funds. >> All right. Any questions? >> All right. If we could get a motion to approve the community eligibility provision. >> I'll make a motion. >> I'll second. Thank you. Thank you. Any questions or discussion? All those in favor of approving the community elig eligibility provision, please say I. Any opposed? All right, our next item on the agenda is finance and operations is the fiscal watch update. Um, you know, last month we did um go through and approve the submission of our plan um that we did receive on June um the 3rd or somewhere shortly thereafter the um acceptance of our plan um for the recovery plan for fiscal watch. um the letter that they said that they appreciate um the comprehensive plan that provides a clear timeline aligned with
023timely submission of the district's annual audit. Um and it also states the South Carolina Department of Education will be in contact with the district to arrange um technical assistance. And so um we did receive that that was included in your packet um for information um any questions on that recovery plan update. Yeah, help me understand too when with that recovery plan and it once we fulfill that plan and the state says you're no longer off fiscal watch. That can't happen until 27 though, right? >> Um what they say is that you cannot stay on it for cons. I mean that it you can't come off the same year you went on. >> So we are finishing one year >> and we're about to go into another school year. So it could be okay >> physically,
024you know, possible once we submit our audit in November that we could come off in December. >> So it's a fiscal year, not the physical year. >> That is right. It is a fiscal year. >> Thank you that clear. >> Y >> next we'll have Miss London. And if I could also make a comment about the fiscal watch. I had the uh the call with the Moody's bond rating services last week and they did uh follow up with me to let me know that our bond rating is not changing. >> Okay. >> So that's I wanted to share that good news with you also. >> Good. Thank you. So I'm here to present the monthly financials for the month of May. We have our cash balance with the treasurer as of the end of May
025of 8,31477. That's in comparison with 13,534502 at this time last year. Um, I researched the account activity and it's the same thing that um, I've explained in previous times where the May 2025 uh, 3 million payment for payroll was not taken out until June 1st and then for this year the May was taken out before the end of the month. So, if you'll look at our year-to- date um, net income as of the end of May 2026, uh, we have net income of $4,5,222. Um, so I want to also clarify that we have one month remaining in the year, but that one month will also include some cash payments that we'll be paying in July and August, but those payments will be acred back as of June 30th. So, um, we're on a cash basis
026accounting as of the moment, but we're going to have a little more expenditures during the month of June because, for example, we pay teachers 180 days, but their checks are spread out through the year. So, it's not the whole school year. So, it's their checks start in August when they start working, and they're spread throughout a 12-month period. So they're getting paid still in July for time that they worked as of the end of June 30th. So those expenditures will be acred back. So our expenditures may be a little more in June. So I just want to put that out there. Um any any questions about that acrrual process and how that works. So in comparison with this time last year, we were at $2,858,622. Our tax collections for the month of May 26 were
027at 1,44,01 or2 in comparison with this time last year. This the month of May last year was 1,32,420. So any questions about our cash flow? Um, looking at our budget to actual revenues, as of the end of May, we're at 55,764834. So, we've collected about 93% of what we're expecting to collect. Want to also point out that I have sent the bills to uh Lawrence School District 56 for use of the Joe Adair Center, Lawrence Prep Academy, and the um the uh adult education that they reimburse us for that that we we share costs with them on that. >> I have a question about the revenues. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Under the local revenues, >> um it's showing that we received a total of 563,000 more than expected that was budgeted. Am I reading that
028correctly? >> Yes. And it's mostly due to up there the second line um our FO number >> we budgeted um 1.6 million but so far this year we've actually gotten over 2 million. >> Okay. So with that being said will this money go into our fund balance? >> Yes. Okay. >> Yes. If if we have excess total revenues over expenditures it will go into fund balance. >> Okay. Any other questions about our revenue? Um, looking our at our expenditures. Um, our expenditures for the end of May year to date are coming in at 51 million759,413. So, our goal remaining is 8.33%. But we're actually have a remaining amount of 13%. So, we're coming in good with our expenditures. And we did get the payments made to the county of Lawrence for the the police security
029bill that they had not build yet. So we got three quarters at once. So we got those paid during the month of May. Any other questions there? Okay. So moving on to our uh budget presentation. I've I've um put together a slide. Here we go. So um I hope everybody can see that slide. Oh goodness. Sorry about that. So um I'm here tonight to present the uh 2627 general fund budget. So I'm talking tonight about the present the presentation that I'm doing at the moment includes a 4.4 mil increase and I'm going to talk at the end about the budget with no increase. So our projected general fund revenues we are requesting a 3 10% increase. When we look at our taxes, we are estimating 5,25 15 I'm sorry, 15,25,000 in taxes for the year.
030That includes 171.9 mills. The amount of felo we're expected to get is going to be a 22% increase over last year and other local revenue is 0.25%. When looking at our state revenues, um this is the money we get allocated from um for state allocation for state aid to classroom. And if you look at all of these categories together and then um put uh together the EIA formula, we're getting a lot um only like $46,000 more over the previous year. The federal revenues we get is for the the G JOTC program and it we're expecting a 2.17% increase over last year. So total revenue we're expecting to come in at 3.1 million. I I'm sorry 3.10%. Sorry about that. Um looking on to the uh projected general fund expenditures, we are projecting a 3 05%
031increase in salary and wages 4.24% in employee benefits 97% increase in purchase services 1.22% in supplies and materials uh no increase in capital outlay and a decrease in 1.09% and that brings us to 3.10% 10% um change increase over the prior year. So looking at the pie chart here, if you look at the the orange and the blue um part of the pie, you will see you will see that it accounts for about 84% of our total budget just salary and fringes alone. So summary of revenue items included in this budget. We are only receiving an increase of $47,80 in state aid classroom for the 2627 year. We are asking for an operating millage of 171.9 mills. This would make bring in advorum taxes in the amount of 15,125. And for our school district, the
032value of a meal is approximately $88,100. We are expecting an increase in tier one, tier 2, and tier three homestead exemptions of $36,21. Expenditures items included in this budget are a step increase and 2% increase for support staff, a step increase and 2% raise for schoolbased administrative staff, and a 2% increase for employees not on a pay scale. This would in order for this to occur, we plan to move one position um out of the general fund and charge it to a state fund. This includes a step increase and 2,000 in dollar increase in each cell for teachers. This is mandated by the state and this accounts for $898,186 of the salary increase. This includes an increase in student services to fund contract support services and we continue to incur costs with school security, janitorial
033services and maintenance services. So our balanced budget will come in at 61 million621,181. So I want to go over um what's the allowable operating millillage for our school district and this is just information purposes for for um you all the the caveat to our school district is we are we have an equalization agreement with Lawrence 55. So that's going to really limit our school district to increase our millillage only 2.63%. But I am going to walk through um the millage increase calculation for our school district. So the [clears throat] consumer price index is 2.6 63%. And population growth for our school district is 2.66%. So added those two um items together that comes to 5.29%. This is the allowable amount of tax millage we can increase. So our operating millage rate is 167.5. So we
034can raise we we could raise possibly raise our millillage as much as 8.8 mills for this school year. If we have an estimated value of a meal at 88,100, the meal cap increase, we could um budget as much as $775,280. That would be a possibility for our school district, but we're only asking 4 4.4 with operating millage. You can go back and what's called the look back mills. So we can go back to the prior three years and recapture the millage that we did not um utilize those three years and that comes to 17.6 mills. So like I said this is oper um information purposes only. We are in equalization with Laurens 56. So we we keep our millage the same. They are asking for a 4.4% mill increase. And so we are asking for
035the same. So on the next slide, it shows what the tax effect of a 4.4 millage increase would be to the taxpayer. So a 4% owner occupied uh property that's valued I just put put a value of $200,000 in there. It's not going to have any effect on the taxpayer [clears throat] because of act 388. Um, owner occupied residents cannot be taxed for school operating purposes. We're not talking about debt service, but for general operations. So the general fund cannot tax collect taxes for owner occupied properties. Non-ownero occupied properties um such as rental properties, apartment homes, um so if the property value was at $200,000, it would be cost the taxpayer $52.80. commercial properties with a um a 10.5% rate. If the property value is $500,000, it would cost the uh taxpayer $231 for vehicles
036at a 6.6 rate. I just a $30,000 value vehicle, it would cost $7.92. >> So I just make sure I understand. >> Yeah. for your average person out there that's looking at [clears throat] this increase if it's voted in really they're just talking about on their vehicle because if I own a house here >> that that's not going to increase my taxes on my house >> if you live in it and that's your primary resident >> you're not right I'm just talking about a homeowners which most most people are out there >> right >> um but the but I will be taxed on my vehicle >> yes your vehicle >> and I have eight of those. So, yeah, my So, it gets a They're not worth $30,000. I'm just going to say that right now.
037>> Good. >> So, I would not [laughter] Okay. So, we're not talking a lot of for each individual. It's not a big a big time go. >> No. No. >> But I I just wanted to give a picture of what >> I appreciate that what it would cost. So, >> so if you have three vehicles, three vehicles valued at $10,000, it's going to cost you $7.92. >> Thank you. >> So, That just kind of gives the community a little perspective of >> and I appreciate that. That's puts everything in perspective here. We're not talking about We're not bringing No one's going to be thousands of dollars out of their pocket for this. >> Not for our school district. >> So, the last slide I have to present is what uh we could do if there
038was no millage increase. We're still going to get the 47,000 from the state. We're going to keep the operating mills of 167.5. So, we would expect to collect taxes an approximately the amount of $14,500. No millage increase would consider removal of approximately approximately six positions from the general fund. And when I talk about removing positions, I'm not talking about firing six people. I'm talking about maybe we could reclass them to another fund if we're able. I'm talking about if we um we could eliminate some positions possibly through attrition if someone retires or or resign possibly we could maybe break that that job just into you know and and share it between different people. Um, the no millage increase still keeps the step increase and 2% increase for support staff. It's a step increase and 2%
039raise for school-based administrative staff. That's your principles and your assistant principles. And it's a 2% increase for employees that are not on a pay scale. Uh this is it also includes this the require this is required the step increase and 2,000 increase in each cell for teachers and so that mandate still accounts for $898,186 of the salary increase. So, does anyone have any questions for me? Um, [clears throat] one thing that we talked about at our last meeting and I I know there's been communication on this today. So, I was expecting to hear something or see a different budget number related to salaries because we had talked about allowing principles and APS to also have that 2% increase. Is that included in here? >> So, yes. So when I talk about um so when we
040looked at that doing when my original plan was to do just the step and then when we gave him the 2% and the step it would it equated to about $54,000. So that's when I put in. So if we could if we want to do that, we can move one position out of the general fund to accommodate that $54,000 raise. >> Okay. And so you're saying in doing that you would still keep the budget at either 61 million or 597, >> right? and we would just make a plan to to to move the fund to a state revenue fund. >> Okay. >> And based on how y'all approved today, that one page for the salary scale for administrators would need to be updated. >> Yes. >> That's the only thing that's not updated in your
041packet would be the pay scale page for the um administrators. >> Okay. Um, all right. I I don't want y'all to throw tomatoes at me, but I also want to talk about the supplement list. Um, so there was some um back and forth related to um our athletic supplements at the high school. Um so uh Dr. Pinland had shared some concerns and things that have been going on from there with the finance committee um just in the last day or so uh or maybe over the weekend. So, in looking at that, it and if I've gotten something wrong here, please correct me, but from what I understand, the supplements and the reasons that we were never able to connect the dots from here's what our list says to here's what getting paid is because what
042people are getting paid aren't necessarily what's on our list. Because what has been happening is for years the the the AD takes the total amount of athletic supplements for the high school and divides those out or or assigns those as needed. um at his discretion in discussion with you know in discussion with coaches and coach Compton and and those sort of things. So we've never paid exactly what's on that list exactly how it's shown and that's why things didn't match the numbers didn't match when we were trying to reconcile that. So, keeping that in mind, it's my understanding that there's already been some individuals hired and have already been told your supplement will be X. And if we approve the supplement list as listed, then their supplement would be reduced by what they were promised
043to come to our district. >> so the list that um I kind of shared out last year um football and the main issue is with football supplements. Um everything else kind of line [clears throat] lined up correctly. Um excuse me. Um so last year there were 16 positions for coaches. This year he has asked for 14 positions but leaving the amount allocated to football the same amount just being able to kind of regroup and reclassify who's coaching what positions and that type of thing. So, um, what I sent out was the, um, kind of recommendation that's coming from AD and football with the 14 positions where the packet that you have has the 16 positions. So, that was kind of and I didn't know how we wanted to address that tonight if that needs to
044come back in August to say yes, let's amend the supplement list based on XYZ. If you say no, this is already too far gone. we're going to stick with what we had. Um or if we can go ahead and make that amendment to the 14 positions versus the 16. >> Well, it in trying to think through this if you if we lock in the supplement list now as as the AD has recommended, right? >> Okay. That means come January, if there's turnover, if someone leaves, if he wants to bring someone else in, and if if a coach coming in has more experience than the coach that's leaving, he might want to offer that person additional supplement versus or he might want to offer that person the full $4,000 supplement versus a $3,000 supplement. But once
045we lock that list in, that's not going to give any flexibility for them to be able to do that. Um, so I was going to recommend that we approve the total, which it was sent to me today. Um, [clears throat] the total, oh gosh, the total for the athletic supplements at the high school is $231,227. And the sheet that you sent, it was only a PDF, so I couldn't add it up. >> Is that just coaches? >> That is all athletic supplements at the high school. So that would be the trainers, the coaches, the people that are handling South Carolina High School League qualifications or eligibility. Um, so I wonder if we need to approve that total number, that total bucket, and then allow the AD to disperse that as needed. And from what I
046understand, he's never you know, there's never been an overspend on our supplement list. >> They they know to stay within the budget. And so that's what they've tried to do in the past is, you know, as those changes are needed to make, as long as they have stayed under budget, that's what they have felt like that they were allowed to do. And if we are able to say that with this budget, then I know um what Leanne is wanting to do with position control for a lot of these supplements, you know, that would be locked in, but there might be one more step that we have to if that changes mid year. Um, but that would be something that we could still run reports on to be able to say this person's tied to this
047amount which is tied to this budget >> because that plan still works. It's just that this year the defensive line coach may be getting a supplement of $3,000 and next year somebody new with more experience comes in and they're getting $4,000. So that would that amount would just change, but the total supplement list um would change. And I'm just going to say that this out in public as well. I think it's crazy that the AD is not the highest paid supplement on the list. [laughter] Quite frankly, >> I agree. >> So that >> I found that surprising as well. >> Yeah. >> And I know a couple of years ago he took part of his um supplement so that he could stay under budget and gave back. So, I mean, he is very frugal with
048what he does and wants to make sure that >> um we're providing for the athletics and he has actually taken a hit himself. So, um a lot of kudos to Tommy and everything he does. So, >> um so that is my recommendation regarding the athletic supplements for the high school. >> And I want to make sure I understand. So just for flexibility, we would approve a total and allow the AD to divvy that up and so we would not need to worry about >> the individual >> approving individual slots with a value on that is that >> for the high school >> for Okay. So but for the middle school, we would keep it the way it is because we don't want the cheerleading coach at Hickor Tavern to make more or less than the
049um cheerleading coach at Lawren Middle. >> Okay. So, >> you know, so this would be the flexibility of those coaches moving in and out of the high school. >> Okay. >> Um, so I I do think I do think that would be the way to go there. The other um the other piece related to the budget that I wanted to talk about because um and I know auditor selection is next on the list. We probably should have put that ahead of um the budget discussion, but for our auditor um >> can I'm sorry. Can I just ask I just one other question? Come to me. Where do the um supplements they come out of the salaries line item or is there a dedicated line item for >> I think that is a 100. >> It's
050in the salaries line. >> Okay. That's what I just want to make sure came out of there. Okay. Thank you. um you know and with that once those were set and everything was signed off on then we would know the supplements for that year because it would be coded in the system. The ad would have had assigned them all. Um so we would be able to see a complete list. Um it it just won't necessarily be this list anymore like that will shift. So um and I'm trying not to be frustrated over the eight years talking about that. >> Um so the other thing uh for the auditor selection so uh Miss London had sent the finance committee a couple of different options for auditors. Um we have talked and based on the information that
051we've received and um the fact that that would be an increase in our audit line and considering we're under financial stress anyway. We are not the finance committee does not recommend that we change auditors at this point. We would like to see us go through a smooth year with our current auditor um and see how things go and then if this is a conversation we need to have next year then we would certainly be open to that. Um, but I I don't feel like I don't think you were put in a position to have a coral working relationship with the auditor because it was, you know, you were thrown into the fire as soon as you got here uh to work on that. Um, and I I would the finance committee recommendation is to continue
052for one year at least uh with our current auditor. So um so that portion of the budget we can hopefully back down to >> they're fine asking me that you you and you. >> Okay. >> Me, Tabitha, and Chip. >> Okay. >> Yeah. We >> Miss London provided some numbers for us for, you know, replacing the auditor and uh in increases in the next year and we just thought it would be better just to wait and let's let's get through another year here and make sure we're all on track before we um took a serious look at changing our auditor. Well, I think that's good because that's what we asked for when we formed the committee. >> Yeah. >> And without it coming to the board. And >> now with that be we um uh
053we will and we'll continue with the fund but we'll continue with our budget discussion um and then move into the auditor uh selection because we do have to vote on that and approve it. I know that we're We're I know that we're going to keep the same auditor for the year, but because of our our improvement plan that we have given to the state department, it states that the board approves the auditor. So, I do think we need a v a vote on that and then that could be reported to the state as that is one thing that we have checked off our to-do list >> and and as you mentioned um that is a deadline of July 1st. So, doing it this month is what we need, >> right? So that h yeah we
054have to do it this month in order to be able to to make that deadline. So all right so now we can go back to the the budget discussion and um and I I guess I'll just open it up. Anybody have questions? Is there a direction that anyone wants to to go with to um discuss because we do have a millage increase and non increase sitting in front of us. So, >> yeah. And I I'll just throw something out. Just knowing that there's going to be a new property assessment that the county is doing. That means everybody in the county is going to get an increase. And um without knowing what those values are, part of me says that this is not the time to do any other increases. Even though a lot of these
055aren't going to be impacted by a, you know, a typical house owner, but there is going to be some increases that are coming through the county. Um, part of me says, let's if if there's a way for us from school district to keep from doing any kind of increases, um, then I would I would that would be my preferred path. >> I agree. Um, you know, we live in a community that has very high poverty rates and we have members in this community that are on fixed incomes. Everything is extremely expensive now. And while $7 may not be a lot for some people, for some it may be everything. And I think that if there is a way for us not to be able to raise taxes, I think that's the path that we need
056to go. >> Do we know um I I don't know the answer to this question, but do you know how many owner occupied versus renters we have in Lawrence County. >> I I do not. >> Yeah, I I don't know that either. Just curious. But >> you find it up on the tree, guys. >> Yeah. I I would suspect that there's a there's a good rentals. >> And you know, and of course, if those landlords get an increase, that will be passed on to those renters for sure. >> We're we got we're facing hard times. >> Yeah. Um, but same on the other side of that coin though, we do have a lot of development in this in the district. Uh, I'm concerned about how many families are going to come in and how many
057students we're going to see being educated in district 55 and we're not going to have my fear is that we're going to run out of space. So eventually we're going to have to to take a serious look at how we're going to pay for a new school, specifically a new high school. So, we know that there's going to be um some rate increases that are coming in order to accommodate uh some of these increases and and u spending that we're going to have to face as a as a community. So, I don't know. I I think at this time, if we can hold off raising anything, um I would say let's hold off. Does this budget include um the assessments that where property taxes will be going up from the county? Do you have numbers
058for that? Is that >> we we were not able to get good numbers from the county at this moment? >> So there's still a possibility we could get more in taxes. >> Possibility. >> Okay. >> Looking at [clears throat] my say looking at my >> look at my assessments. You go get some more. >> Yeah. Right. Check. I'll I'll get my hat and go if it's worth what they say it is. >> You ain't got yours yet? >> No, I'm not. >> Be prepared. >> I got mine. >> I got >> your kids just hid it since it was Father's Day weekend. [laughter] >> You probably did. >> You'll get it this week. >> Don't open your mail. Um well, if we want to, if anyone would like to make a motion and keep in
059mind with that motion, if you could include um notating that the um supplement, athletic supplements for the high school would be a lump sum instead of a breakout. >> All right. I I would like to make a motion that we accept the budget without the mill increase and that our supplement would be a total amount, not an individual breakdown. >> Specifically for the high school. Thank you. >> I'll second. >> Any additional discussion, questions? All right. All those in favor of approving the 26 27 general fund budget with no millage increase and with the lumpsum breakout for the athletic supplements at the high school. Please say I >> wait. >> I was going to ask can we back up a second? >> Okay. >> Wow. I just I just want to hear from Miss London.
060What What do you think the feasibility there? >> Excuse me. What was the question? >> What What do you What do you think the feasibility raising the taxes or not? >> Well, I presented a 4.4 mil increase, [laughter] but I also don't live in this community. So, >> she presented the 4.4. So, that's >> Yeah. But >> but you're you're here for the community and you're here representing the community and the students. >> Yeah. >> So I'm here for, you know, to advocate for the students and staff and people working here. >> Okay. So if if we did the 4.4, it make it better for the district. >> Excuse me. >> If we did the 4.4, it would make it easier for the district. >> Yes, sir. Now we don't. [laughter] >> All right, Anthony,
061you got we already voted. People said, "Ah, I'm not [laughter] sure how you want me to rewind that." [clears throat] Um, >> and I do want to say yes, I think that, you know, yes, it would make it better for the district, but we also have to look at our community members as well. I think you have to look at the whole picture. >> Sometimes the easiest way ain't the right way. >> True. >> So I did I I will say this. So So I voted So I asked for who was in favor of I will also say is there any opposed? Okay. So we will then the motion passes that we will approve our general fund budget with no mill increase and with the stipulation for the high school athletic supplements. So, >> Miss
062London, thank you for your hard work. I do appreciate all the time and your recommendation. >> Thank you. >> And I hope this wasn't one of those they're not listening to me, but we are listening to you and >> we appreciate your leadership in this. This is not easy. >> Yeah. >> And you're in a tough place, too. >> You're in a tough place, too. So, it wasn't it wasn't just me. it was my whole staff and you know the procurement director and it was a lot of people that had input in this to help me out. So I want to give thanks to them as well. >> I would like to mention that we did have the budget hearing at 4:00 and we did have two people show up and that was the first
063time in 23 years that I remember and it was a very good conversation of just being able to find out the information. So I very much appreciate those two for coming. >> Yes. Good. Very good. Thank you. >> Thank you Missy. Um so uh like I said previously, we do need to actually take a vote on our auditor selection for the 2627 school year um to adhere to our deadline with the state department. So um we will need a motion to um to do that and it can be as simple as just maintaining our current auditor. >> I'll make a motion that we maintain our current auditor. >> Second. Any additional discussion or questions on that? Edie. [laughter] >> Um, all those in favor of maintaining our current auditor for the upcoming school year 2627,
064please say I. >> Any opposed? All right, the motion carries. And now, um, Miss Brandom has previously informed me that we do not have any public participation. So now we will need a motion to move into executive session. >> We move into session. >> I'll second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor of moving to executive session, please say I. >> Any opposed? All right. We'll go to executive session. 8:18. I will call us back to order. And we do have um we do have a few board action items from executive session. Um the first is our certified employee contracts, our letters of agreement, and our resignations. If we could get a motion, we can do all three of those in one motion. >> I so move. >> Second. >> Any discussions or comments? All
065right. All those in favor of approving our certified employee contract list, our letters of agreement, and the resignations for the 26 27th school year. Please say I. >> Any opposed? All right. And then now we are going to move on to um the discussion that we've had about naming our interim superintendent. >> Yeah. I make a motion that we u select Rhett Harris as our interim superintendent. >> Second. >> Any discussion or questions? All right. All those in favor of appointing Dr. Rhett Harris as interim superintendent, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. So Dr. Harris will be our interim superintendent um starting July 1. And um yeah, he couldn't be with us tonight. He's at a conference that was pres-scheduled. Um but he has agreed to to take that role. So
066all right. And with that, there is no further action needed on our agenda. So I will adjourn us. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you.