Coffee County School Board Spring Retreat

001And uh we have an agenda for today's meeting that we will try to follow. But uh if anybody needs to get up, walk out, go to the restroom, get you something to eat, feel free to do that. It's not uh this is not a formal board meeting. This is an our annual spring retreat and it's a time for us to uh informally discuss things that are issues for our school system. And u hope everybody feels comfortable and doesn't feel like that we're having to uh be stiff and not converse with each other. Okay. Um, I guess before we get started, um, at the end of the meeting, there's two or three announcements that that, uh, I wanted to go over. And if anybody else has any announcements at the end of the meeting, that's when

002we'll do that because sometimes, uh, it might get us off track if we start that to begin with. Um, the first thing on the budget on the budget, the first thing on the agenda is our general school budget. And I guess that would be uh April would be discussing that with us. >> Can I interrupt for a second? I'm going to ask somebody in the chief seats to stand up and she's a brand new employee of ours. That's good. >> And she is our new board and director secretary. Okay. >> And her name is Miss Shannon >> Tins uh Tinsfield. And we're excited about her. She's a lifelong Coffee County coffee county high school graduate and she started on Monday with us and we're excited about having her part of as part of our team.

003>> Hey, welcome Shannon. Has everybody met Shannon >> this morning? I think we all did as we came in. >> Meet me. >> Well, you have to be to handle this guy. Is there any other announcements that that do do we need to do anything else, Mr. Harrove? >> Okay. >> I apologize for >> No, that's No, that's a that's fine. Oh, okay. Then we'll start with April with budget. Okay. So, I first started saying that what I sent you in email has changed. Um, if you if you've even looked at this, you'll know that um still tweaking and going through, found some issues with some formulas. So, it's fixed and correct. And um so what you have previously got in your email is different from what you're going to see today. And I'll try

004to explain and stop where I've changed so you understand what the difference. I'm going to start with the first page, the revenues. And I'm kind of do what we did last year. I'll go through each section of the budget and then I'll pause if you have questions. Um and that way try to give you a brief overview of what's in each section of each section of the budget. So in the very first part is your revenues. Um the very top county property taxes. This is your local revenue. So property taxes, trustee collections, um payment in lie of taxes. So you can look at what I've estimated we're going to end the school year with. I've budgeted what we've estimated for the next school year because I don't know haven't gotten um numbers from the county

005yet um on what that what that looks like. Um so I'm trying to be very conservative. I know we're probably going to get an increase in property tax. I just don't know what that increase is. So, I try to be very conservative in this part of the budget. Um, questions about that part. Okay. The next section is also local. It is um sales tax, mixed drink tax. So, this is sales tax revenue we get um for anything that's spent in the county. That sales tax is is split between us and the two city districts. So, this is our portion of it. Also did the same thing. I know we're going to see a increase in sales tax. I just did I budgeted what we're estimated to get next year or this year. Um, keep in

006mind too that Bonnaroo canceled so we didn't get any of the sales tax for that of via and that would have pushed our revenue up pretty hefty from um what we estimated what we estimated for this year. And then mixed drink tax is um liquor by the drink. I have a question um on that mixed drink tax and all that. What portion does the county get? >> So, it's split between us and the two districts. I would have to look up what our current So, I get I get um a um ADM from the state on enrollment and then I have to back out any students that aren't um in the county. So we have some that are in the county because we have teachers that bring their kids over when they come from a

007different county. Have to back that out. But let me I can if you'll give me a minute. >> So it's based on our ADM. >> It's based on like a weighted average >> ADM and it's something >> so it's not a certain percentage that the county gets for liquor tax. It's based on our >> No. So anything local is split between us and the other two districts and it's based off that calculation. I believe it's like 40 45% I think every year it t we tick down just a little bit. um seeing an increase in Manchester City's enrollment, >> but that's just what is in the county or is that county and city liquor tax? >> Um the entire county that's >> Yes, it would be for the entire county and then that gets split

008and >> we get a certain percentage of the entire county. Every month those all those revenues go to the trustes office >> and then based on what calculation I give them is how they split our between the two cities and us and that's basically our estimate on what we're going to get for the next school year based on what the current split is. >> Anybody else have any questions that >> um next is just marriage license. This is I kept this the same as um we probably will come in higher because we tend to see a trend over summer, but this is kind of where I'm estimating us right now, but we see usually see a trend in marriage license over the summer. Um so we'll probably end up hitting the 2200. So I kept

009the budget the same for that. And this is also local that split between us and the two city districts. Um education charges. So receipt from individual schools. This is the revenue that we received for field trips for athletic events. So this is our bus trips that are taken in the district. This is the what the schools pay us for any kind of extra labor related to a field trip um athletic event etc. And then the next line is for our after school program. That's the revenue that we um budget for what we plan to receive for the after school program. Anybody have any questions on that? >> Flip to page two. Sales of materials. That's just like any scrap, metal, anything that we would um take to the CFC and get a check for. Um

010we haven't gotten any this year. Um so far, typically we have a have some of that, but we haven't done we haven't seemed to have any of that this school year. So, I just kept the budget. I kind of lowered the budget because didn't want to put in the 3500 and we didn't actually receive any this year. Um the next section is kind of our grants any kind of special grants we would get um sale of equipment. So like if we sell a bus, Chromebooks, iPads, so that's where our revenue for that would come in. Um that any kind damages like the kids would do to our school buses or property that would come the parents would come in and pay for that. That would hit this section. And then any kind of small grants.

011So like our um if you look on there there is car's F FRC grants um a literacy grant that we receive. So anything that would come in like from the community would go in this section and I typically don't budget anything for those because those aren't guaranteed revenues and we just bring those into into the budget with a budget amendment if we do receive. Um and then at the very b lot bottom line is our elementary basketball revenue. I usually try to budget what we um every year that number usually stays the same. We're we came in a little bit lower this year um but but I usually try to budget the same amount as we do each year questions so far. And then the next se section is our state um revenue. So you

012can see the very top line is our our March TSA estimate 34.6 million um little bit up from last year aboutundred $60,000 increase from last year. I'm sorry, one $1,160,000 increase. And then um we also get on behalf payments for our um juvenile detention center and our ACT. That's separated out. It's not included in our normal TISA revenue. So that's a separate payment. So that next line that you see the 90,000 for, that is also Tissa income. Our preschool grant is listed in here, the 659036. That that um revenue pretty much stays consistent each year. It may fluctuate 10 10 to 15,000, but it pretty much stays in that kind of range. And then um we get money for all of our driver's ed kids that are enrolled in driver's ed class. And let's go

013to that next one. There's another there's a a salary equity portion of TISA that we get. It's also broken out from the original estimate. So that what you see there in the 88 8,418 and then career ladder. So that's anybody that's an kind of an older employ older like been with us for more experienced employee that's been with us for a good a good amount of time who qualifies for career ladder. So we have 26 employees that do that. >> I apologize. >> Well, we're aging out. >> It is old because I was on Career Ladder. >> I apologize for that. Call me out, sir. >> Um, >> we'll pray for you, April. >> Hopefully nobody's tuned in and heard that yet. >> The prek that prek amount's been within dollars for a decade. >>

014We We have decades. We haven't lost a lot. I mean, those those teachers that qualified, if you can look back, we've pretty much consistently we might have lost two or three teachers, but we still have quite a few that wrote that letter. >> I was just kidding. >> I didn't hear you. >> As far as that prek, I bet when we opened our prek, our numbers were similar to that. They haven't wavered. >> It hasn't increased at all. >> Not much. Not much at all. >> Not anything noteworthy, >> right? >> That would make the difference. No ma'am. >> Okay. And then going to page three. Um the very top one is our beer sales tax. So like before I said the the other one was liquor by the drink. This is the beer sales

015tax. So anything beer we get a portion of that that's sold. Um and then the next section is where we is our federal revenue. And um we typically will see some of our like our summer school program when we get our allocations for that that'll run through this area. the budget, a portion of it will um but the main thing we collected here is ROC and we get 50% of their salaries reimbursed um for the two employees that we currently well the two employees that we'll have in the next school year. And then um the last two the last section is for any kind of insurance recovery. like if you have a bus wreck and Tennessee risk management reimbures us for that um for our for the damages, it will go into the insurance recovery

016line and then operating and transfers that is any grants that we have indirect cost for. So, um we don't typically have a whole lot anymore because we've kind of weeded that out to kind of save the revenue, save the expenditure to be able to keep employees in those federal grants. So, it's very minimal. Um bring in your total budget of revenues 53,474514. Okay. questions about revenues before we move on to the next. >> Well, I don't know if this is the appropriate time to to discuss our TISA funds, but you know, it's it's in the uh House Ways and Means Committee at state level that they're proposing that they're going to narrow the protection for what we may get be getting with TISA. And I don't know if all the board knows that, but we

017need to be understanding what's trying to be done. And then whatever your position is on it, you need to be talking with your state representatives. Uh right now, the current house proposal is narrowing our protection. In the past, you know, it would hold us harmless. If we uh under current law, school districts are protected if their TISA funding drops and they lose students for any reason. the state makes up the difference to keep the funding at the prior year's level if both of these conditions are met. So, you know, if we lose students for any reason, they have to they have to uh protect the TIS of funding. But the current House proposal narrows that protection and the districts would only be held harmless if their TISA fund decreases and students have specifically left to

018use education freedom scholarship. So, in other words, we're not going to be protected anymore if that passes. And the only way would wouldn't and correct me if I'm wrong, but only way we would be if we had students leaving to get take the voucher program. So, that's very serious public schools. Um, and then House Bill 2532 will next be considered by the full house. And it's also important to note that the Senate version is different. The Senate bill does not change the current whole harmless protection, but it expands the voucher program, the EPS program by 20,000 students. So, uh, each version of this will be heard on the h on the House and Senate floors. And, um, we need to we need to keep aware of that because this affects our budget and, uh, our

019piece of fun is very important. And uh so that's I just wanted to bring that up at this time because that's probably a good time to have it in our heads that all our budget's going to depend on what happens at the Would you like to comment on that or anything? >> You you did a really good job of that, Miss Freda. That's and and I've tried to share moving forward. Um and we'll get into um teacher pay. They've supported uh all our systems in our state to get to $50,000 as a minimum and they've supported and they supported. Well, next year that is in place, >> right? >> There's going to be a cut there. >> We've also seen cuts in programming that is uh was at one time attached to CTE. >> There's

020another $100,000 gone. Um, >> yeah, >> I think we this and and I know everybody talks about tight budgets, but moving forward, I hope our budget will sustain us not for just this year, but moving forward for the next three, four, five years. >> That's what we hope because I see the vine drying a little, >> right? >> Just as you spoke about >> unless we get on the ball and and changed people's minds about public schools. And uh in my opinion is that's one of the greatest things that our country's ever had is public education available for every child. And whenever we start cutting that, we're cutting out of cutting out programs that set us apart from other countries. The way I look at it, uh, we're the only country I know of that

021tries to educate every child, whether they come from a $30,000 income to a million dollar income. And I hope that that continues through my grandchildren's lifetime and everybody's for the benefit of everybody, not just those kids, but for the benefit of everybody. Anyway, sorry. >> That's okay. That's a good lead into this next section. So, when we got our March estimate for Tissa, we are required to um put in $538,000 and some change um into our certified increases. So, I did a little I did a little math before we get started into this next section. I did a little math to see what our step increases would get, how far that would get us, and then like a 2% would get us. So, our step increases, if we just did the step increase, we would

022be around 256,000. So, that would that would have not been enough for us just to satisfy the requirement of the 538,000 with um the 2% increase. We probably could have given one and and and met that, but we had to give it like we had to start with a two because we were we had to meet the 50,000 and 1% would wouldn't have got us there. So, um that's why we chose this the starting point of a 2%. So, with a 2% increase and the step increases, we will meet um the 538,000 um that we're required to meet by the state permit. >> And and here's how how we we what we parlay that into and it helps our school district. Um, you know, when you're a first year teacher, you don't you don't even

023think about retirement and that cut type stuff. With a balanced with a balanced pay schedule, a lot of districts are um are off schedule early in the first two or three years, uh, four, five years even in their pay scale to to meet it. And they do it for financial reasons. Well, that puts us ahead. You know, we were talking about this at our last CEKC meeting. Over the course of zero to 30 years in Coffee County, our PE we will make more money than other systems will that did that. That that teacher will make more have more income over the course of that 30 years. Although the back end is a little higher, we're we're keeping it balanced. Does that make sense? Instead of uh Miss Jones making $50,000 her first year, which they

024do in all systems or will next year, well, your your next year pay may be 50,200. Well, ours isn't. Ours is higher. It's on scale. It is balanced with how we do have traditionally done our pay scale, if that makes sense. And to me, that's a good talking point when you're trying to recruit teachers >> to come because the the the brand new teacher is going to get the same no matter where they go, but it's those next few years where we we're kind of separating ourselves from some other districts. >> Question if I may. I think I'd asked this before, but how many of our teachers are making less than 50? Um, I looked >> 14 or >> um, actually we grew a little bit from what I expected because we hired some newer

025teachers last year. >> So, we currently have I think it's 21, but let me look. Yes, 20. We have 21 um, as of right now that will that are making less than 50. >> How many of those will move up >> with just the step? Um, one, two, three. um about two we have seven that will not so 14 of them will with the step will be at 50 >> but we'll have seven plus whatever new teachers we hire for next year >> if they're if they're brand new. >> Yeah. >> What is that balance there? What? $900 to get them to there. >> Um it I think it was 800 and from the first step. >> That's what it was. >> 867 I believe is what it is on the very z on year

026zero. >> Right. >> That's the step raise. >> Well, that would have be what it >> zero to one, >> right? >> Um this Yes, that's the step raise, but I think it was going to take another 867 to get us to that 50 at the very top. I think if I remember what the pay scale >> so we'll have seven after >> we'll have seven. But keep in mind too that even though we just have seven, we still have to submit a um a salary schedule to the state that shows that we're at 50 at that very top level. Even though we like these people will go on the step raise, that top step still has to say 50 regardless if we have anybody on it or not. >> What is the date on

027that? Is that the end of next year? beginning. >> Um it says on the TISA estimate it says um for the 26 27 school year the minimum minimum salary will be 50,000 >> this year. >> So that doesn't mean does that just means that we have to to increase their salary. We don't, and I'm not saying we're not going to increase everybody's salary, but in case of like if we were in a big bud budget crunch, we don't have to have a salary schedule for everybody the same. We could up those teachers salaries to 50,000 and keep it that way. It's not mandated by the state. >> So, anybody that's certified is all on the same schedule. And then, so like in your principles, your admin, your teachers, they're all on the same schedule together.

028And then your um classified are listed kind of by category. So there's an individual scale for like custodians, bus drivers, teachers aids. So you could potentially adjust those scale not adjust or adjust those scales more or less than other the other certified scale. But if you have >> I guess my question was say we had seven teachers and we we just needed to increase their salary to get them >> a little more >> legit with the state. You know what's mandated by the state and uh that's all we're required to do. Is that correct? We don't have to change our entire schedule. >> But you keep in mind that you have the 538,000 that we're required to spend on certified raises. So that would right >> that and if you did that and then just

029the step raises you still wouldn't get there >> right. Okay. >> What would be the difference >> between the 538? You know what I'm saying? like if you did. >> So, so if I just did the step raises, it would be 256,000. >> You just told us that. Mhm. >> And then those 21 teachers times 867 and that would still not get you there. >> Okay. >> Or those 14 or seven teachers times 867 >> where so where would we be and you may have to come back later on that after you give the less than 50,000 after they're all bumped up I guess is what I'm saying. Then how what is the >> so like the 21 people? >> Yeah. >> So if you just give them $867 because that's what it will be

030to get them there. >> Yeah. >> That's just $18,000. >> So we're still >> you'd still be >> 240,000. Sure. >> And so that's 240,000 in raises that we have to to meet to get to the 538. >> So 256 plus if you did the 18,000. So the 256 is just the step >> like in a year that you probably just didn't have the requirement that he's a requirement to give. >> Maybe you would just want to give the step raises and nothing else. But >> in order to meet that requirement, that's kind of why I had to go I went and pulled all this out so I would know to make sure because I think this number might be larger than it was last year. Um, >> and so I wanted to make sure

031we were going to meet that with our current budget because I didn't want to present a budget to y'all that >> didn't make it. >> Yeah. >> And so the step raise will get us 256. And then I didn't do 1% because obviously 1% wouldn't have worked because it wouldn't have got us to 50 or 50. Um, but the 2% is around 59,000 to give to give just certified raises, >> a 2% raise. And when we're talking about the 2%, is that based on their total salary or their base salary? >> It's based on the pay scale. So it would be their base. It'd be what the pay scale says and then like if they had a if they had a supplement, that supplement calculates off the base. So everything gets increased just by the

032base and then >> okay, >> the supplements are >> even for everybody. It just goes base. So even when you do the 2% in the base, >> we're still seven people short of meeting, require. >> No. No. Okay. If you were to do >> those will get them get them to that point with the 2% and that and then we're done >> as far as meeting that requirement we've been chasing this many years. >> Yes. >> So April again, the staff raise will get us how much? 256,000. >> Thank you. >> So, we're not even looking at the three. >> Well, I put it on there because I didn't want to bring you a budget just with one option, >> right? >> And so, and I couldn't do a one because it wouldn't have gotten

033us there. So, obviously the three, the two, and the three were the most the two we have to do. Not have to, but two will get us to 50. >> And then 3% was the next option because you couldn't go lower than that. >> Right. So that's why there's two and three on here. >> Okay. >> Mia, uh, everybody, you remember, you did this for a while. You remember long periods of time where we didn't get raises. >> I'm not sure we're not on that doorstep again >> because I believe that money will cease the support on giving. I think that money will be don't know that for a fact but I' if I was a betting man I'd bet on that. So >> obviously we got to meet the obligation. >> Yes sir. >>

034And get to that point minimum and that minimum is >> 538 >> when we transition from BEP to Tissa. That was the plan and we were going to get teachers to to that number. Uh and then local was have to >> pick it up from there >> from then on and we're at that doorstep. So >> a year from now when we're having this conversation, I bet our numbers look different. >> Okay, y'all ready for me to move on through? >> So the very first section on your um expenditure page is regular instruction. So this is anybody that would be like a regular in a regular instruction classroom. So right now we have 271 certified teachers. Um around 39 coaching supplements that are paid out of this section. Um we pay some interim like interim

035teacher pay degree changes. We we did put in three additional kindergarten teachers just in case our numbers come in. We do that typically every year. Um just in case our numbers come in higher than um what we have right now. This section covers a technology um support person, 28 educational aids. It covers our um stopins for the uh virtual academy. So we pay teachers a record to help those students at the virtual academy. Um covers substitutes, certified non-certified substitutes. Um retirement went up from 5.88 88 to 6.35% for our legacy employees. And that's anyone that was prior to 2014. So anyone after that um stays at the 9% and it's split differently. Their their part of theirs is hybrid stabilization and the other is um through TCRS. So it's kind of like a 401k um

036in um in the state. So like they have TCRs and they have like a 401k. So that stayed the same for our um hybrid employees, anyone hired after 2014. And then um I budgeted a 5% increase in medical. I don't know what that is yet. We won't know until um probably September. Um so I always try to budget a 5% increase. Last year we ended up coming in um right at average of 5%. some of our areas went went up nine, but an a over average out of all of our plans it was about 5%. So, I kept to that um strategy. And then this also covers our our um Chromebook replacement parts, um teacher supply money, instructional supplies, fee waiver, textbooks, um act and juvenile attention on behalf payments that we have to record

037that in this section of the budget. um fundraiser money, classroom equipment, band money, and um technology replacement of of Chromebooks and iPads if it's needed. So, this brings if you look at the top 2% increase would be 23.5 million and then a 3% increase would be 23.6% uh 23.6 million. >> You use the term hybrid stabilization. >> Explain what that is. So, it's just based on when the person was hired. Um, so anyone that was hired prior 2014 is what we consider a legacy employee and all of their retirement is through TCRS. >> Um, so they just get the 5 I think the 6.35%. where our um hybrid employees are um anybody hired after that they get um I think it's 4% from TCRS and the other 5% I could be wrong is through like

038um the 401k >> and a lot of that is dictated by what the county tells us that they are doing for their employee employees. So, it's kind of just a difference in the um it doesn't change anything for when they retire >> requirements. It's just how their percentages are split >> versus someone they hired in. >> So, will they get two different type of checks at retirement because it's TCRS is one. >> I don't think so. I think it all I think it all rolls into the same >> That's that's ridiculous. >> You did a great job, April, not calling legacy people old people. is what >> so duly noted. But um yes and and part of the the the hybrids are in a market where we traditionally have a pension that is whatever percentage

039of our an average of our five highest years. >> Our hybrid people have that but it is a much smaller percentage but it also has the >> 401 I think it's a 401k piece >> 401k piece that is tied to it. right >> as well. >> So that money is being used uh in other words they're contributing to a fund that's being utilized by someone else making money off of it >> lobbying. >> And the other thing that we're going to try just as a service to our our employees is during in service next fall we'll have TCRS come in and talk to the legacy folks and then we a session for the hybrid people just to to make them aware what their flexibility is within that plan, what they need to be doing with

040that plan >> because it's kind of up to them, isn't it? >> Yes, they do have choices to make on how many they get to retirement. If they haven't followed that plan, they're not and that's what people don't understand. You've got to I mean I I know I draw retirement from TCRS and I I had no uh qualms about an entire career that I would be receiving my retirement and that kind of work. We're we're getting off but anyway >> we are going to try. >> I I'm thinking about these hybrid people >> that they really don't know. >> Uhhuh. >> And you know something uh be quite honest first five years I didn't think about that stuff. >> Right. You don't. >> You don't. But the more they hear it, the more they're aware

041of it, the more we can >> create an awareness. Hey, I need to be on top of this early, especially the hybrids. >> Right. >> Yeah. We did one of those sessions, was it a year and a half ago? >> It's been a little longer. >> Yeah, maybe two years ago. So, it's time for us to do a new one, another one. And we try and when we when my um employees meet with our staff, they give them all the information and so they're provided all of that, but a lot of times they just they need more education on >> So the new word for old is legacy. >> Sorry guys. >> Got it. >> Any more questions on that part? >> I got a I got a couple of questions. >> Okay. on um

042line 399- Tech-022 other contracted services. I noticed that you cut 30,000 out of >> I did and I was going to mention that later on in the in the budget, but I can talk about it right now. So, we have two of our restricted funds that are growing pretty um fast. So restricted, I mean assign I should say assigned because that's a better word. So like our assigned funds are like capital, technology, maintenance, a transportation. So I'm able to restrict areas of the budget to roll over into a a signed fund that we can use later for however if we need them for like Chromebooks p purchases. Well, I have two funds that are growing pretty large and they're going to grow even larger this year. And so I'm cutting sometimes that doesn't they've not

043questioned it, but if it got to a point where the auditor was concerned about how large it was growing, they could question it. They haven't yet. So, I'm just trying to keep us from getting to those large points. So, at a couple places in here, I've done that intentionally to reduce that restricted number for next year so it doesn't grow as much as if we need to pull from that restricted fund, I will do that, but I >> lower that fund down. >> So, I've done that in a couple different places and um so technology falls in this area and in the technology area. So, I was going to mention it when we got there, but >> um I'll mention it again when we get there. >> Okay. My other question is the uh Line

044595 the TISA on behalf payments. I know that we get you know on the uh revenue side we got 90,000. What why are we paying 90,000 out? >> Because we have to record the revenue and the expenditure like so it's a it's a it's a adjustment entry I have to make at the end of the school year and they tell me how much I'm this is just a a guess on what >> an estimate. >> It's an estimate. So basically that revenue will always match that expenditure. >> Okay, >> that's all I had. >> Okay, >> thank you. >> Welcome. Um, moving on to page six. This next part is just our when we pay alternative alternative instruction fees for our alternative students that um were to facil. So these are facility fees that we

045would pay for the students who are alternative school. um that if you look at it, we've kind of increased a little bit this year compared to last year. Um we're going to probably hit this 60,000. Last year 25 in the school year, we were at 26,000. So that number fluctuates um each year based on how many students we have in that situation. >> So it went up by half two years ago. >> And that's something we can't control. Those kids get sent to alternative school and we have to pay the fee that is assigned. So that's a set fee the state sets for those um facilities. >> So we've got more kids going to alternative school. >> I mean that's what Yes, that's what it looks like. I don't get I don't get the details

046on that. That's that's Mr. Cornel's area. We just get the invoices to pay because that's a verb. I wouldn't wouldn't know. But yes, I would assume that if it goes up, yes, we have more. >> That's what it says. We got more kids. We got more than half kids going alternative government >> or the fees increased. I mean, yes, probably both of that. I didn't realize there was a fee. I mean, how does that work? That's interesting. >> So, the state mandates a fee that we have to pay per student per day. >> We who do we pay it to? >> To the facility. >> Oh, okay. So, if we send a child to to the alternative school, the child sit alternative school. Then the school system has to pay. >> Where does that go?

047goes >> it goes to to the um >> it goes for oh it goes for that school to to >> so provide services okay >> to a facility we'll get an invoice that will say how many days that student that student was there times the fee per day >> so that's like cost like if that's that's >> it wouldn't be cost it would be outside it would cost this is not for kids that are at cost this is kids that aren't at cost that we've had to send I guess had to send >> oh few other places. >> Okay. You're not talking about our in-house. Yeah. >> No, no, I'm not talking about our in-house. This is students that have gone out to another location. >> Ratherford County or >> this is more like detention.

048>> Yeah. Putnham County, stuff like that. >> Gosh, we've increased that much. >> And that's I was thinking I was thinking school over here. >> Two year not this last school year, but two years ago, right? Why I got to the 60 because that's where we were at last two years. school two school years ago. We were probably going to hit it. We might have to I might have to adjust that number by the end of this school year, but it's getting pretty close. >> 60,000. >> I mean, based on the bus report alone, though, I'm not surprised. >> Fire old paddles back up. >> Well, this is what they call. >> Yeah, I see. >> You know, when I was in high school, you get in trouble, you go to the alternative school, but

049then more trouble meant sent off. Know what you're talking about? >> Yeah. These are facilities that we're paying for students to >> Okay. So, this is the send off. >> And a lot of times it's just off. >> Yes. >> The majority of the time it's our >> the courts. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Oh, okay. >> But we have we have to pay we have to pay. >> Well, you're getting paid for that child. So, if you're having to send that child, even if the courts does it somewhere else, where the money's going to fall, >> right? So, we get we get credit. That's a good point. We get we do get credit for those students. >> Yeah. It'd be nice for us. Hey, we just send them all up there. We don't have to

050worry about nothing. We still get all the money, right? >> No. >> What does this include special ed? Oh, >> no. >> Anything like that. It's just regular. >> This is just Well, I mean, I guess it could be, >> right? >> It could be a >> any child, I guess. >> That's interesting. >> Yeah, it fluctuates. So, like last year, we only spent 26,000, but the year before that it was close to 60. So it it fluctuates based on the number of children we have that go and then the fee the fee always increases. So okay I'll move on to the next part unless y'all have other questions. Um the next section is our is one part of our sped budget. There's another part um later on in this packet. So page six starts

051that and this this contains 37 um fed teachers. >> Um >> 37 um homebound any kind of homebound services that we would need to provide to our students. Um 35A this is 35 covers 35 um bed aids seven speech pathologist one occup occupational therapist um substitutes for those teachers and their and their um substitutes for teachers and the aids because we usually get a sub for the aids for those classrooms and then um medical dental vision benefits for those people, testing materials and packets, repairs to equipments, equipment supplies for non-instructional classrooms. So like your speech pathologists may need supplies, we'll um usually don't send money to the schools for those. We usually require them to come up here and and write a purchase order. So the money for them to for what they need and

052then teacher supply money and then any kind of classroom needs or supplies that the bed classrooms may need. So looking at a 2% increase is 5.4. four um 42 million and then a 3% would be 5.495 495 million >> April. Don't we have about 120 employees in our bed program? >> I think so between federal or we've got contracted services. We've got other employees listed on that page. >> So they're not directly employed by our district, but they're a contract service. >> Okay. And we also have a we also have a federal grant um IDA grant and an IDA prek grant that also houses some um several aids. >> So not everybody from sped is listed in the general budget. >> Yes. So general school, you might say, is funding 5.4 million for special ed

053>> and then the idea supplements it >> and in in the past it was almost the opposite. You know, you got you got most of the money from the federal government to uh to fund the special education programs and now it's flipping. And we all need to know that it's coming back into the regular school. We're not getting that funding from the federal government and and it's going to be hard. Mhm. >> And uh >> yeah, we're seeing that grant pretty we we have to monitor each year and we're seeing that grant go kind of trickle down >> each year and we're having to move some of those aids into our general budget because the grant doesn't support them and we need those aids in the classrooms. >> Over the last two years, we moved

054five people from federal to general because the federal funding has decreased or we couldn't keep up. >> So then it's local money, >> right? our our percentage of IDA students has risen. We're 22 something% >> pushing 22% >> systemwide. >> My last count we had 99 students with >> 22% now. >> We're right at 22%. It's like 21.7 or something like that. >> And that number's rising, >> right? And so, um, the other public schools are required. Other schools that our tax dollars are going to aren't required to do this. People need to understand that >> that we're still going to be under the same rules even though we're getting money taken away from us. >> Um, who are the now? Are all your speech pathologists are they uh employed with us or are they

055contracted? >> They're all with us. So we we have fortunate enough to have seven >> speeches. That isn't that a hard >> that's a hard position to fill. We're blessed as a district to have enough to cover all our students, >> right? >> A lot of districts that don't have enough, they have to reach out to contract, >> right? So we're fortunate. >> So we've been blessed. We have some wonderful. >> Are they housed at the schools or where are they? >> Yes, ma'am. They they're assigned to certain schools. We have, you know, one at Hillsboro and one's at Deerfield and share schools depending on the size >> but but they're scattered out throughout the district. >> What about school school psychologist? >> You think they're all schools? >> Yeah, we've got one full time

056school psychologist. We have two that we're contracting with and they they're scattered out. They have different schools that they attend. Now, our contract psychologist are not 100% virtual. They're they're a hybrid. They're they're on campus as much as they're virtual. So they are a face that people can kind >> Oh my. You mean we have virtual services for school psychology? >> We don't if we don't have someone in person. That's the only other alternative. >> Yeah. >> And we did that one year just over in a transition period. And it's it's tough. >> Some are split, but I'm not sure. I don't have it in here. >> Okay. I think they do. I think they're split. >> There are some districts in our state that do nothing but contract psychology. >> Yeah. >> Because they

057can't find the person >> and they don't come to the schools. It's it's virtual. Is that correct? >> For the most part. Yes. And it's tough when you're testing kids. You have to have a proctor. There's a lot of logistics involved. We make it happen, but we're not having to do that now. And and I'm thankful that we're able to have that person. And the thing about special education, you know, the legacy people are retiring and when we say that, we're talking about assessment specialists as well. And those people are hard to find. It's what we call unicorns in the business because they they're just hard to find. They're out there, but they're hard to find. >> Charlie, thank you for your leadership and your oversight in this massive program. >> Everyone involved >> and

058not saying old, saying legacy. Miss, did I answer question? >> Yes. And I think Did you have a question? >> Uh, just I just just asked April if we had any speech language pathologists at the middle school. But I was just curious if they were just scattered among the elementaryaries mainly. >> The SLP at the middle school is Miss Britney Ke. Okay. >> She's there and that's her school. She does all >> Okay. So, she doesn't travel. >> Yeah. I think she uh she goes to North Coffee as well. >> Okay. I know they're they're split between schools >> most of them. >> So each year it just depends on where the child is that needs the services. >> Anybody else any question? >> I do apologize for being late. I thought we met at

0594, >> so I was sitting in a doctor's office. >> So you get the casual. >> Well, that's okay. We knew that there was a reason because you're always here ahead of everybody. Glad you're here. >> I wasn't last to get. >> So, thank you. >> Well, I'm glad you did. Thank you. >> My stats are going up. Thanks. >> Moving to the next page. Page seven, um, starts our CTE section. And so this is 25 CTE teachers between the middle school and high school. There's a couple at middle school, but mo majority are at the high school. And then substitutes for those teachers, benefits, um any kind of repairs to their equipment, travel. We have a couple teacher teachers that travel between the high school and um middle school. Um high school and Raider

060Academy. Um I should have mentioned some of those teachers are at Raider Academy, too. Um and then classroom supplies, supply money, um teacher supply money, um travel for conferences or events that they may go to for like FBA or those kind of conferences. Um licenses for the teachers and then um replacement or new equipment for their classrooms. Um so this budget is 2.475 million and for 2% and then 3% would be 2.495 >> does this include like the furniture replacement? >> No. So furniture is in the in the capital part of the budget. >> Okay. But he I mean he he usually just gets equipment or like things he needs for his move. If they need furniture, usually they'll contact Kelvin and they'll go to that way. Okay. >> Well, that falls under >> on

061this 429 ISM instructional supplies and materials. We don't need anything in that anymore. It's zero. >> No, because that that >> brought that to my attention. >> The ISM grant. >> Oh, so that was a grant >> and it go this is the last year of it. >> Okay. >> Yeah, that makes sense. No, I was talking about the page before, Freda. Oh, sorry. Toward the top, the 429 supplies. >> That was the one you was you're always >> We're always concerned about, >> right? >> Yeah. Back to that section that >> Yeah, >> I think. Is that not the line for >> for teachers? So, if you're Are you talking about the sped part of the budget? >> Well, that might have been the >> Oh, I bet that was the sped. Yeah. Okay.

062So the spider get >> that might have still been >> and that's for the SLPs um or anyone that so like anyone only people in the classroom get um teacher supply money. So they don't have a classroom in the school >> and they travel and go to different schools they get money up here okay >> for supplies and they send those purchase orders up here for Charlie to review. >> So that's just money for the those um employees to have some kind of supply. >> I don't have any supply money. And then um I budget separately for the teachers that are in the classrooms. >> I think I skipped that on the first section. >> It's okay. >> It's zero on the front page >> on the 711. No, it's 200. It should be 200.

063And let me go back and look. >> What's the number? Uh second page >> 429. They have 244 543 and then that includes their teacher supply, instructional supplies, and then fee waiver, paper, >> but that doesn't go directly to teachers. >> A portion a portion of that does. >> Okay. How much do they get? Because I mean, we're always that's one thing that that >> we've been over that four, five, six, >> making sure that the teachers know that there is that there are instructional funds that they can utilize instead of go spend their own money. 200. They get $200 for their classroom and then they get an extra 75 that goes into a pool and they can go get like if they need additional things they can go to the principal and get out

064of that pool money. >> When's the last time that was increased? I remember us talking about it. >> Um there was it actually is already kind of a little bit inflated in here. If you look we only spent 186,000. >> We're going to spend 186,000. Um, we there was a bill that was that came across maybe three years ago that was going to require us to increase it and it it didn't it didn't um pass. >> I don't know. I think it's been $200 since I've been here. >> $200. Is that >> you said that's your 599 fund? >> But that keep in mind too those are just instructional items. They're not allowed to buy like rugs and they have to buy instructional materials with that their classroom money. >> If they need other funding,

065then we usually send um the instructional supply money, fundraiser money, >> all of that to the extra pulled money. So, if there was other things they need outside of that instructional money, they could they're ask ask their principal for funding. This is kind of off topic, but I've had a few teachers mention to me over the past year that we don't provide uh like Clorox wipes and stuff like that. Is that something that >> we do? >> Okay. I don't know where the >> And actually there's a a grant or or process that Tanya actually gets >> pallets of it. We could get a pallet of it. Yeah. and provide and and usually the way we go about it is get in touch with the principles if they need any. >> And so if this

066you need to let that teacher know, go talk to your principal and and tell them that you're needing Clorox wipes >> because we can get those. Yes. >> Okay. That could possibly help with >> illnesses. You would hope. I don't know. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. I Okay. I have I mean I've been told that two or three times and I'm like what? Like >> but things like that they're not allowed to buy with their And maybe maybe that's what >> it's it's audited pretty heavily at universal audit. He use what we buy out of those accounts to make sure it's instructional. >> He audit that $200. >> He does. >> He don't audit the other two. >> He looks to make sure it makes sense like instructional if it's an instructional. You know, we've

067had lots of things. Can I get tennis balls for my chairs? No. >> Can I get blinds for my classroom? >> No. >> Snacks. >> Um so there just lots of things that we have to say no to, right? But there is other funding available >> and I think that's important for the teachers to know that there's an instructional budget at every school that's that's to that can be spent for them. And I think a lot of the teachers don't realize that they can go to that principal and say, "Look, I'm needing tennis balls for my chairs or scraping the floor." >> Yes. >> And I, you know, I just want teachers to know that that there are funds there and uh don't be afraid to ask the principal. You don't have to do your

068own fundraising for that. >> We've got money hopefully. >> And then like Lisa also on top of the supply money. We also send like instructional money. So like kindergarten gets aotted amount of money to use on instructional material. So they don't have to use their their teacher money to buy instructional like books or >> whatever they need. Um so we do step we do send instructional money by grade. I think it's by grade. It's like lumped. um it's different by by uh elementary and secondary, but we do send instructional money that they can use for those things and they don't have to use their supply their teacher supply money on those kind of things. >> One more question and I'll stop. Do the art classes get a little more allotted to them? >> So, we

069we did that last year because it was startup. So, you can see we put 20,000 in the budget last year. We spent 11,000. I mean, we pretty much got everybody. They sent us a want list, a wish list, >> and um we pretty much capped it at a certain amount. >> Um and we pretty much met everyone's pretty much everybody's needs. >> And then we sent extra money to the school in case they had to um they needed other things that so they didn't have to keep sending up here. Right. >> This year we've included it in their allocation. We're going to include it in their allocation. So, they'll get based on their enrollment, they'll get a certain amount based on their enrollment at the schools. >> That surprises me. If I were an art

070teacher, I would be asking for everything. I've spent the whole >> We had very all over the place. So, we had, you know, we had one teacher that would send us a list of >> half a page >> and then we got another one that would send >> four sheet, four full sheets, you know. So, it was kind of all over though. I'm not complaining. I just I'm shocked. >> And then and then you'll have teachers that's not going to ask. They're they're just going to go spend their own money. And and uh that's sad because they we need to make sure that the classroom teacher knows if they need instructional materials that that should be our priority. >> Yes. >> And uh if they they they don't need to be afraid to go to

071the principal or I mean that should just be part of their part of their job. Yes. you know, and uh I don't think any teacher is going to be asking for something they can't justify. And >> I want to mention one thing you and I know we we can pick little things here and there on all through, but I'm going to use as an example. You'd say something like tennis balls and I remember being a teacher and and wanted tennis balls on the bottom of the chairs and so forth. That wouldn't be something that the school system would want to buy. We would want to take care of if the glides on the bottom of the chairs are not working or if they're worn out, then we need to replace the glides. We wouldn't go

072and buy tennis balls because of whatever other reason. >> We would want to fix what the problem is rather than >> Well, and I think such as a tennis ball. So yes, probably the noise probably say I don't know that we're going to buy a tennis balls, but let me throw this into the district about getting the chairs fixed. >> No, the tennis balls were used because they were scrap the making noise like when you pull up to the table and the kid the teachers were wanting to easy to glide. That's not the chair is broken. You know, we need to fix it. >> We need fix but >> I'd buy I'd buy tennis balls if they needed it because it. You know, I know what it's like in a classroom. >> It's two different

073things on the reasons why you, >> right? But I guess the main reason, the main purpose of us is that the teachers know that we want them to have what they need. And uh and I know as a teacher myself, >> it's it's um it, you know, it was dawning to have to go to a principal and say, you know, I need this. And some some teachers weren't, you know, they weren't like that. They'd ask every day, but there's some teachers and probably some of the best we've got, they don't ask. They just stay in their classroom. They buy it themselves and go on. And and I just want them all to know that that Yeah. feel comfortable that it's there. Are all the instructional money spent each year at each school? >> Um, typically

074yes, we do because So, if they don't spend their um instructional money, they have to send it back up here. >> So, it's >> they can't roll it over. So majority of the schools we may have two or three dollars returned because it's hard to spend 30 cents and >> but you know majority always spend down to the penny and I usually try to remind look in I go in their books and try to look make sure >> they're spending and if they're not I usually try to remind the bookkeepers hey make sure you spend your money >> right >> before we don't want we don't want it back. So >> and so it's by this time it ought to be already gone. >> Yeah. So, >> because you don't want to wait till the

075last minute and just spend it on anything when teachers need it through the year. >> Right. Right. And I just try to remind them a couple different times to go ahead and make sure they're spending their money. So, and keep in mind I say on CTE, we have a federal grant. It's the Perkins grant that also supports some of his expenditures. So, not everything you see right here is what the full expenditure is for CTE. April, you may have alluded to this, but on line 7:30 on vocational equipment, >> uh, looked like in our budget this year, we had an estimated 339,000. >> Mhm. >> And only 16. >> So he this coming upcoming year, >> that's his rollover >> roll. >> So he we're able to restrict what we don't spend in his area

076of the budget and we bring it back over. We bring it back into the budget. So if you look the budget, the original budget last year was 16,000. >> Um 332 is what amended budget. I think he had a few expenditures. He's not going to spend all of that. I'm trying to restrict as much as I can in that line. Um so he can buy large large pieces of equipment. Um a lot of his equipment is really expensive. Yeah. Yeah. >> And so he tries to keep that fund to in case something like a welder goes out or something and he needs to purchase a large piece of equipment for his CTE classes. So that's what that is. >> Okay, good. >> Do do we know how much is left in there at any time?

077>> Um, so he we we have let's see if I had look at I won't know until we close the school year because I can tell you what we started with the school year with. Um, but I won't know because he gets to restrict anything he doesn't spend in the budget. So, anything that's left over in the CTE CTE budget, he gets to carry over. And so, um, last year he his balance is 352. So, that's what he rolled over. >> So, we had 339. He's got 352 now. So, how did it end up $20,000? No more. >> I'd have to look. I don't I mean, are you talking about on the 7:30 line? >> It's based on if there's an expenditure in there that I need to adjust from the other part of the

078budget. So, I'm I'm saying that he's going to roll he's going to keep everything he's rolling over. Um, I may have used I may have used part of his budget, the 352 in other areas of the budget. So, let me look. Um, I used 200599. Um, >> I guess my question is is why would we why would we not want to show that >> his retirement was over? So I had used 20,000. That's the majority of where I if you go to back to page seven, if you look at 204, his retirement because the rates came in different and the mix. So the way I budget, the mix of the hybrid and the legacy employees was a little bit different than when I budgeted and I needed to add $20,000. So I take that 352

079and I spread it out where he needs it in the budget and majority of it goes to equipment because he needs to buy equipment for his classrooms. So, we're taking money out of equipment to put in his retirement. >> It's not just for equipment. It's his rollover. So, anything that he doesn't spend goes into an assigned fund and we can use it any we can use it anywhere in the CTE budget. But majority of the time we just use it on equipment, but also it can be used anywhere. It's his money. He can we can use it anywhere in his budget. >> But shouldn't we know where we're using that money at though? >> I did. I told you it's in 20,000 in state retirement. I put 20,000 in state retirement. I'm >> talking about

080in in in the equipment that we're buying in what we're using and the equipment. Shouldn't we know what we're >> Well, I'll also max that line out because I'm that also calculates your fund balance at the bottom. So, if I only put he's going to spend 16,000, it doesn't make the fund balance tied when you get to the bottom. So, I'm going to restrict that money. So, that doesn't add it to an assigned fund balance. that adds it into his restricted account. So, I make I show the max on here because I know we're going to restrict that money and roll it back into his assigned fund balance instead of putting it in our general fund balance. >> What's complicated to understanding it to CTE, >> right? So, he because he >> he knows he's

081got some older pieces of equipment that he's going to have to replace at some point. >> He's on the verge of that >> for next year. So that's one of the reasons why we have assigned funds because if he had a large piece of equipment go down and this was in we could pull it out of unassigned but we try to keep him and him transportation maintenance because we have large things that could happen >> and it it gives him some flexibility if I go ahead and put that in his budget. >> So what happens is I'll restrict it. I'll put it in its own assigned fund and then at the beginning of the school year, I don't know if y'all remember because we've had so many budget amendments this year, I'll do a budget

082amendment to bring that assigned fund into his budget. >> And that's why the original budget and the amended budget looks different in some areas because I've to taken that 352,000 and I've spread it out where we needed it and majority went to equipment. He's not going to spend $339,000 in equipment. I'm just saying that's what we're going to max it out because I'm because I'm going to roll that amount back over and then adjust your >> fun next year in the next budget and so forth, >> right? >> Whatever it I mean it's just stay it's staying there for him to use it. >> So if I didn't do that, it would look like we're we're going to add to fund balance at the end and we're really not going to because I need to

083pull this money out of our unassigned fund balance and put it in his assigned. So, I max those areas out of in the budget to make them look like we're going to spend all of that money because I need to >> to make your fund balance look right at the very end of the report. >> And as Robert was saying, ultimately what's happened is we don't want our our people to to feel like they have to spend the money and blow the money on things they don't need. If they can hold it to the next year to get a large ticket item, then if we can roll it to the next year, then they're able to use it on a large ticket item that they are needing at that time rather than blowing the year

084before because well, we we don't think we're going to have the, you know, it's got to get >> I've I've noticed and I'm sure Freda will too and in the six seven years here on the board, it's took a long time for CT to build up that kind of a reserve >> of their own little >> It didn't come at It didn't come all over. If you have to spend it, then you're going to blow it. Then next year, we're starting all over again. Then the next year start it didn't come at one time. He's built this up to where he could >> now he could do some things that really needs to take place. >> Real real fancy machine getting into a different kind of line or several of what he needed >> and

085that's what he's done. He's managing his own. He bought some downdraft I think welders that he put in and those were fairly expensive. he had the money to be able to do it this time. >> So, it works out really well. >> A couple years ago, he had a couple two welders that got hit by lightning. >> And luckily, we were able to send those out and get those um fixed and insurance paid for them to get them fixed. But if we wouldn't have had to, those would have been two huge costs for him. >> And so, those are kind of a lot of the things we we put it in there. >> There was more than two, best I remember. I think there was every welder that was in the weld shop. >> I

086think the one that she's talking about was two at the time they got hit. >> Remember, they got cleaned out. One final question for you then. >> Okay. >> You define legacy employees. >> That's those that came on 2014 prior. >> Yes. >> Okay. What's a hybrid? >> Anybody that was hired after that. >> That's what I thought. >> What we call a hybrid employee. >> Okay. >> And that's our classified and our certified employees. >> Okay. >> Legacy is prior to 20 2014 and before. And that includes >> classified and certified. And then hybrid is classified certified. Anybody else? to clarify that >> not old hybrid is >> younger legacy is old hybrid is little old young >> than a different mix okay >> move on to it >> that's the way I put

087it together >> yes and that's assigned fund balances and unassigned it's very confusing I get I understand it >> and that's all I was trying to do I'm not trying to get you upset I'm just trying to figure out >> what how that money was spent and where it >> you know because it's not showing The only person that knows that is you. >> Yep. He's not going to spend 339,000. >> Well, we don't know that though because it's not in here because that's all I'm saying. >> Well, if I didn't, I would have to adjust it at the bottom. Your your hit to fund balance would be um off at the bottom. Yeah. >> So, I have to adjust it in here >> to make your hit. >> That's all I'm trying to do.

088It's not It's not in the budget how you're doing it. All we're doing, all we see is one number though >> because he's probably spent, I don't know, 16,000. I haven't looked at it lately. >> Expense has to get director's approval signature and that's happening through the year rather than actually being on the budget. Uh it's actually being spent through the purchase order. So it it's being signed off by the principal, by the director. So there's multiple, but I wouldn't think it'd be actually on this budget here. That's your more detailed stuff that gets even further down the weeds on some stuff. Am I saying that right? >> That's correct. >> And I approved the Perkins basic this morning. >> If it if it's under 25,000, if it's 25,000, it's coming to us anyways as

089it always has. >> Right. And also too th that's probably the grant the ISM and the SPA RC that's zero. So that equipment they're no longer that grants those grants are gone. So >> and we used that it's a it was a three-year grant >> um and we used it to build the CTE building >> and then he's used to pay for some teachers >> and then um >> some pieces of equipment um a new lab at the Raider Academy, a new STEM lab at the Raider Academy. >> So I think it was um quite a bit of money when we first got it, but this is the last year of it. So >> So that's we're not going to have that anymore. >> No. And so he'll probably need to use >> the projects

090are completed. >> He'll probably need to use some of this money now because that those grants are gone. That's what I was that was my >> thinking was that that >> that's going to have to take the place of these grants that are >> already used up. >> I don't Well, you won't have to you won't have to replace those because they were for projects that are completed and paid out. >> But we we couldn't initiate any new things, >> right? He got so much for the high school, so much for middle school, and so much for Raider Academy, and we had to monitor how he spent those. And um he did very well. I mean, he was very strategic on how he used those those grants. >> I appreciate Skip's oversight and understanding of

091all that world. So, April, so she is a hybrid employee. Okay. >> I am. >> I'm not a legacy. >> Okay. Yeah. I'm not going there. Not face to face or I'm not going there. >> I feel like it. I feel like it because I'm about to hit a birthday number that I don't like. So, >> more of a legacy top number. >> Thank you for your service. >> Um, y'all just let me know if we need to take a break or anything, but this I I do feel like this is probably one of the this is most one of the most important topics we're going to be discuss today. Yeah. >> So, we do need to spend time on and I' I've learned a lot already about >> and we don't know unless we

092ask questions >> and it helps to just for us to be able to ask questions and understand what we're doing because that's one of the main >> absolutely >> uh requirements as board member is passing budget if we and you're making it clear to us on what >> I know that I did it last year and it worked really well and y'all really >> right >> had positive fees back. So, I wanted to be transparent again this year. Um moving on to page top of page nine. Um this is your student body education. So has a various um things in it. So we pay a lot of our extra labor that goes for our bus drivers and our um custodians for athletic events for field trips. So this is where we pay their um rate

093out of um it's got the benefit part and their um rates based on >> are you on excuse meage page n top of page n >> okay I >> okay page nine go ahead I'm sorry >> do you want me to start over >> no >> and then it also takes care of our elementary basketball league so pays for the stop-ins for our coaches for for that. And then um any at the bottom any fees, u referees and uniforms and supplies for elementary basketball. And that with the 2% is 157519. And it's the same for it's the same for both because it doesn't fluctuate with the raises. questions about that section. It's kind of our extra labor kind of area of the budget. Moving on to attendance. Right below it, this is your one district

094office supervisor um his admin, their benefits. Um this covers the synergy fee his that's his attendance software any kind of supplies or conferences for his office is uh his office >> who's the director Dr. Really? >> And for a 2% increase is 309,000 and 3% is 311,000. >> Page 10. >> Go back to that one just a second. So, Mr. Conne, our well, Mr. uh our attendance director So, we're going to give him a uh 200 or $2,2600 raise. >> It's a 2% increase. >> Okay. >> So, his estimate is on there and then the 2% increase is on and the 3%. >> Okay. Um next page to health services. This uh covers our district um health services coordinator. Nine might as well say 11 nurses split between the the special services and regular services

095substitutes for those nurses their benefits. um any kind of clinic supplies they need. Um mileage for um travel to the schools for our director um or not our director but our supervisor and then conferences professional development for those nurses and um the supervisor. We also have some 504 instruction meeting money in there that we required to have. With a 2% that's 1,88 and with the 3% it's 1 million 90. >> So on each salary line it's just 2% increase. Okay. >> Except for the director. >> Yeah. Your director is getting 5% here. >> It's a 2% increase. >> Not what I was going to tell you. >> Well, you have to think about the extra days and their supplements. >> So, she's getting a $3,900 rate. >> If that's what it works out to be,

096then yes, because >> she works extra days. So, goes on the base pay. So, 2% based on what's on the scale. And then if they have a supplement that supplement so like say it's 4% that 4% multiplies to that base and that's her new supplement. And then if she has any extra days it calculates after that. So when you look at these supervisors a lot of them are not working 200 days like t like they're here 221 257 211. So a lot of this extra is because the extra days and how those >> but their base their base is high >> because their daily rate calculates based on their base and their supplement and that's how we calculate their daily rate. So they may there if they get a 2% increase it increases the base

097and then that new that supplement multiplies times the base. >> I see what you're saying the supplement their their base increases and then 4% of that of that new amount >> right? >> So that's addition. So that makes it a little bit more because >> right because >> 4% of a higher salary. >> That's correct. >> I see. >> And then and then we calculate their extra days >> after that. >> So I mean I don't think any I think our lowest supervisor up here days wise is 221. So they work. >> So so anyone that's getting a supplement actually is getting a raise on their base and then they're actually getting more on their supplement because it's based on that new base amount. >> And that's what we do with all of our supplements.

098The same thing with our coaches. So like anytime that base increases, their supplement increases. >> So everything's calculated increases because their base >> That's right. >> This is where the the difference in the flat amount raises that we've talked about and percentage raises come in >> because then supplements are also increased by a percentage. >> If you're the peanuckle coach, year one, you're going to make 5% of what your base is, >> right? Which is very much. five, you're going to make 5% of what your base is, which is higher. So that means you're getting more, you know, the more you >> you got a coach or whoever anybody getting a supplement that's been here 25, 28 years, their supplements a lot higher than a coach or right >> anybody else getting a supplement that

099was five years, 10 years. >> Oh yeah. And that that really is good to know because when I think of supplements, I think every coach is getting the same amount. >> That is not the case. >> No, they're not. It's based on >> Yeah. >> Right. So, how long they've been here their salary. >> Well, and then depends if they're non-faculty, they don't get they don't get the step increase. They just get paid off of bachelors and zero every year. >> Right. >> Um but then those supplements are reviewed by the athletic directors and those change every year. So like they may get 16% for this next year and then coach may say I want to hire another one. I'm gonna split this job between two and he'll split that 16% between two people and

100this person will get eight and this person will get eight. So those change every year. We those get reviewed and changed every year. >> I have a question. um you know the health services you know I understand that it's going to be a overall it's going to be a little higher because of their step raises and you know everything that's added to it days of number of days they work you know stipens whatnot but does the attendance director work less days than than the help >> no he works 257 7 and she works 221. >> Okay. Well, it's still at it. I mean I mean they got a >> the attendance is at 2%. >> You know, give or take up, but a little bit, you know, we're up it's a 2% increase, >> but

101yet and they're working more days and this one here's a >> 4.98% increase, you know, a 5% increase. So, >> keeping that attendance director salary is a lot higher. Yes, >> that's that. >> So, I mean that's where >> that's where the discrepancy is coming in because you know basically the attendance director got a way Mr. Hansford said like a $2,600 raise and this one here is u you know almost a $4,000 increase. >> Your attendance director has also been here probably what 40 years. >> It gets into the legacy and the hybrid. He is a legacy. >> He's been here like 40 years. So his steps is put in >> pay scale. >> Yeah. On that step. >> Yeah. But that's 800. >> That's 87 $75. That that's $900. >> That depends on what.

102So like I should have probably when you said that earlier clarify bachelors is like 867. Masters you get a little bit more. >> EDS you get a little bit more. And doctorate you get a little bit more. >> I think the point is that he's he's only he's just getting 2,600. Yeah. Well, and probably because he's at he's paid at the highest amount we can pay him on the pay scale and he's not getting that step raise. >> Um he's he's maxed out. He's maxed out. I'm making sure. But I think he's maxed out and she's still getting that step raise. >> How many years does she have? >> She's on the EDS scale and she's 12 years. She'll be 12 years next year. >> And how many years does she have? >> I'm looking.

103>> Plus, you're already maxed out. after so many years you're u >> penalized. That's >> what it amounts to. >> Well, it's not that you're really penalized. It's that >> Well, you really are because you don't get that you don't get you're penalized. >> If you're up there, you feel like you are, but the way it's always been said and and most most systems do, I'm not saying all of them, they they'll make your last five your highest five. So you you want to go ahead and max it out as much as you can on that 25. So the next five is your highest five. If each time you're gradually still going up in 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, then you're not hitting that highest five, you want as an employee to start hitting

104that highest five at 25 so that when you retire, you're at that top amount. And that's the reason why most systems do it that way is you're you're hitting it at the 25. Now, yes, you're not feeling like, well, I'm not getting more. No, it was already figured in so that you're getting it at number 25. Does that make sense? >> Mr. Trust me, you can put a bunch more steps 25 through 30 because I would get it. But but I was glad that I started getting the highest at the 25 that I could get because from 25 to 30 I was getting that high number, >> right? Yeah. >> Throw it at the number 25. >> The legacy some of the legacy folks that are educ were educate or are were educators in here

105still are. But y'all remember districts used to go all the way up to steps to 30. reasons >> the systems cut that down was a monetary >> right >> they saved money without >> that's what that's what the reason was it wouldn't it >> because a lot of our pay scales uh went to 30 >> right so >> that's why there's a difference in 130,000 and 80,000 >> so she's >> attendance is making 130,000 Mhm. >> And she's at 80,000. >> There's the difference. And that's what she's still rising, >> right? >> And he's already there. >> So he doesn't get as much. >> That's what they're saying. >> And that would apply to anybody, not just >> he just gets the percentage because he's on the last year of the pay scale. So he

106doesn't get the step rate. He >> only gets the two >> where she's getting the step rates. And I think it's like close to $1,000 for EDS scale. So, and that that applies to teachers. Anybody anybody that's 25, that's already maxed out 25 years. They're these teachers aren't getting the same raise either. So, somebody that >> that's 26, you know, >> that's that's the reason why >> it's hard to hard to explain this on the hood of a truck to somebody that's paying taxes. >> Trying to explain our t our pay grade to the average person that's paying our taxes, it's a nightmare. Yeah. So once a teacher hits 26, they don't get the step raise either. >> The only way they would is if we changed it as a school, >> the board, >>

107right? >> Yeah. And and that's that's dictated by each separate school system. You know, we could we could change it if we wanted to, but it's been in place that way for a while. >> That would frustrate. >> Yeah. >> So like if you were in a year of no raises Yeah. And you had those teachers on that master and 25 >> they or bachelors and 25 they don't get their step raise they would just stay the same salary for >> yeah they wouldn't get anything I would not like that >> so some of us that remember those draw long five to 10 year periods without a raise period our only hope was in a balanced pay scale and getting that step >> raise right that's the only raise you ever got really ma you

108did at least get that Well, that explains the des, you know, because you're just looking at it. >> But, you know, but back to the back to those supplements, too. I remember, of course, this has been a long time ago. I had a supplement at junior high for being the girls uh sponsor, the basketball team, but that wasn't applied to my sal. I mean, that wasn't according to what my salary was. I just got a flat >> flat amount >> thousand dollars a year. Maybe not even that much. >> A lot of districts do that. Mhm. >> Well, almost all of them around us >> and that's, you know, when when we getting budget crunches. I don't think we're at that point now, but you know, sometime that may be what has to be done

109to keep our teachers salaries the same. >> One of the reasons why they switch and they use percentage over flat is let's say your $1,000 that you were given. >> And I don't think it's that much. I think it's like 500. I'm just going to use it. $1,000 uh in 2000 in 2000 isn't worth the same as what? It's a whole lot. It was a whole lot more than what it was worth to you than what $1,000 is today. Whereas a percentage will move as as inflation moves as well. And that's the reason why you move to percentages. >> When did we do that? >> Uh that we've been doing percentages a long time. It's been before I came up here. Most of your school systems around us though have flat rates. They they did

110away with the percent. >> I haven't called the others. >> I went back and looked at history. >> Well, some do. I'm sure. >> As far as I could find back, it was 2006. >> Really? >> That's as far as I could go back. And we were doing percentages then. >> But for for our coaches, it does reward longevity. >> Right. Right. >> Right. Well, I can see it on seasoned coaches and things. I don't know. We'd be getting that. And it it doesn't even have anything to do with how long they were coaching that that sport or that. It's just a matter of how long they've been in the classroom, I guess, >> or employed with us. >> So, if they just like if they're if it's a 30-year teacher and they decided to

111coach volleyball or softball or whatever, their percentage is going to be based off 30 years, even though they're a first year coach >> or 25 year, wherever our pay scale is, >> right? 25 years. Like it's not based on the amount of years they were coaching. >> A volleyball coach will be could possibly be making more than >> a basketball coach. >> Oh yeah. Oh yeah. >> Definitely based on how many years they even though they didn't coach. >> And that's something to look at because there's some sports that take a whole lot more >> Oh yeah. >> Uh time and and >> that some are some are almost year round. >> We just got through looking at some of that. sat down and looked through all the percentages and >> and as a district

112I mean costwise better have a bunch of young inexperienced coaches >> right I mean we come out we come out better >> but the major the major sports they're the ones that year round you might say and they're making the same supplement is that right as somebody else that just has a seasonal >> and and if you're a non-faculty coach you're really getting a chef >> you get bachelors and zero in your percentage so you get paid they get paid paid off. So like if they're that work for us, they get that top line on the pay scale for bachelors and they get a percentage based on what the ad assigns to that. >> So some of that's some you know some coaches might be a 15%. >> A higher percentage. Yeah. >> And the

113golf coach might just be five. >> Oh yeah, that makes sense. >> Yeah. >> Depends on Yeah. And the sports are split out the percentages. I think football is a total of >> Oh, it's 105. >> 105%. >> Uhhuh. >> So 105% gets broke up over >> 12 >> probably 12 13 coaches. >> And they can split it however they want. Like that's usually based on the head coach and the athletic director. >> They sit down and have those meetings and decide who who gets what and who want like what positions and percentages. >> They don't want a lot of coaches. They keep that for themselves. >> Won't work. theoretically. >> Well, thank you. >> Yeah, I think that's the biggest problem that we've got is how it explained to the ordinary person out here

114that somebody's going to get a $6,000 raise in a year or a $3,000 raise in a year. and trying to explain that to the average taxpayer. Pretty tough. >> Well, I mean, it's I guess it's it sounds like it's a step raise for some and some it's not. >> It's just like the that we're we're getting up here to build build up towards talking about here today on the director curriculum. >> Person coming into this job. I mean, we we spouted it out last time what they make in a in a board meeting, but the next person coming into this position is probably going to be >> 20s to 30s and thousands of dollars cheaper. >> They're not going to have been here 42 years and with a doctorate. >> I don't know what you're

115saying. >> All the things. You know what I'm saying? Yes. >> And that's, you know, I hire people fire people every day and qualifications get different different levels of pay. >> But when it's taxpayer dollars, it's taxpayer dollars and it's their right to know what everybody makes >> and they they can >> ain't none of this. >> It's public information. They can do a records request or they can call me and they we can I can explain. Yeah, >> I don't have a problem doing that. We get records requests all the time for salaries and >> different things. So, >> and basically what we're doing is cost of living increase is the step and uh that happens every year which is great. Uh and then I don't know if we're adding any too. >> I

116remember going back to look at pay when I was doing the little project I think for Mr. went back and look at some pay scales and I I remember a couple years in there where >> they they didn't even give a step. It was it was >> so tight that >> Oh, yeah. I of course that's been several years ago, but >> u hopefully we can keep this up. I just don't, you know, I don't want people to think or anybody that we've got to do this, but hopefully we can because teachers in the school system are the backbone of the community. And if if we can't support our teachers in our community, then I don't know what we're here for. And I'm for them to get as much as they can and for it

117to be equitable for everybody that somebody that's someone's not contributing making a whole lot more than someone that's grinding it out every day in the classroom. And I don't think that's happening. But back to what you're saying is, you know, a lot of people maybe don't understand the step increase and thankfully we have that for our employees >> kind of incentive based, >> right? And it it >> you just have a BA and you go out and you teach here for 30 years or you can want to better yourself even even as as a teacher, as an administrator, anything else just like we're trying to get our students to do. step up your education level >> and you you can you're sky's the limit. >> Do we have tuition and reimbursement here? >> I've been

118meaning to ask that for a long time. >> Um no, not for anyone but other than CTE that was approved maybe a couple years ago. >> Okay. >> Um but no, >> I've been meaning to ask that for the longest and you just dropped. >> But also keep in mind too, and I I haven't spelled out any of the benefits that we have, but we also have some really good benefits. like yeah >> our benefit package here is really >> we don't see it you don't see that across a lot of districts >> so just keep that in mind too that when >> I'd like to see that sometime >> the benefits >> yeah I'm just curious >> I understand I think everybody understands where you're coming from you know if you look at it

119individually some are going to get bigger raises than others but that's just the way it works according to >> according to their education and years experience and that sort of thing and once you tap out it's you're it's over in the as far as the extra being added the step >> and that's what makes the discrepancy. >> Yeah. What year is that per that it kind of tops out on everybody is it >> 25? So a lot of your >> So if he's been here an individual I've heard of recently 42 years he got a lot of time >> in almost 20 years >> but he's still been getting the week and that's why big >> you get a 2% raise at 131 or whatever >> I wouldn't be complaining. >> I don't think there's

120too many people complaining. Oh, there's no >> I don't think I heard nobody I don't think I heard nobody complaining other than we're paying for expertise and that has a huge value. >> I don't think I've heard anybody claim claim >> when that man leaves this place. >> There'll be a hole to fill that I don't know that one can fill it. >> Yeah. Nobody's complaining. >> No, no, nobody complaining here, >> right? Nobody's complaining here, but the taxpayers >> average taxpayers when you get pulled over at co-op or you get pulled over going down a grocery aisle or some place like that or somebody comes up to you in a gas pump and they go, "How in the world? It's hard to explain." >> And pay scales are really difficult to explain. >> They

121are. >> They're not like your normal pay scales like you would go to a job and negotiate pay. They're very complex in a school system. Right. >> Then I I think those those people ought to ought to go to school. They ought to get their doctorate. They ought to stay here 42 years and they ought to line our curriculum with state testing >> and fight for that every day among three other people working it down to all of our >> teachers and everybody else. I think they ought to come get a dose of that and see what it's worth. >> Well, 42 years. >> Yes, sir. >> And you know, not only that, it's the responsibility that that different positions have. You know, it go some people can go home and get what the day's

122work till the next till the next morning, but people that in that are in the classroom and above, you've got that on you 247. And and of course, they want that. That's what school hardly job. >> Yes, sir. >> Are we good to continue? Anybody? Anybody got more questions? page. >> Um, we're about to start on page well the bottom of page 11 into end of page 12 13. So the next part is our what we call other student support. This has your uh guidance counselors of 14 of those, your district social worker, your office employees at the high school and the substitutes for those employees to cover the office their benefits. Um, uh, we pay for some ACT retakes for our juniors and seniors. We, um, pay for sped ACT retakes out of this

123area. Um, we just picked up the raptor, a raptor of the system that we just um implemented this year for school safety and um some translation services, professional development, conference fees for the travel for those people. And then um so 2.2% would be 1.681 and then um 3% be 1.697. The raptor fees is that in line 399 the other contracted services >> is it 73,000? >> Yeah. Jump. >> Yes. And then there's some translation services in there. It's very minimal in case we have have documents translated for >> other languages. Just wondering you know when you go >> 4,000 to 73,000 there's got to be a reason why there's a >> Yeah, it's it's because of the raptor. Okay. 72 to10 on starts on page 13. Um, this covers four of your district office supervisors,

124nine librarians, um, part of one of your admin secretaries at central office and your HR specialist, one library aid at the middle school, I believe, and then your, it covers your CCVA coordinators and staff um, sorry, CCBA coordinator and two academic coaches. um their benefits, travel for academic coaches between schools, um travel for your district office supervisors, um ES ESL is covered also in this part of the budget. um homebound mileage. Um a lot of software we purchase out of here. Egeneuity library software, school messenger, elevation, ESL software, um professional development, travel for your um supervisors and then kind of any kind of miscellaneous supplies may need for the offices or for those coaches or anyone that's paid out of this area of the budget. So with a 2% um we're at 2.119 and then

1253% 2.136. >> You mentioned that two of the academic coaches are paid out of this area. >> The other are federal. >> The other come we're still getting federal money part for them. >> Yes, we're hoping so. So, title two will cover two of those coaches for next year and then we're going to get some title five >> funding that will cover the other. >> That's what we're hoping. >> Well, we we've been told we're getting the title five funding, >> but we don't know about the title. >> We don't know how much yet. We've been told how much, but it hasn't dropped into e- plan yet. But we've have an email saying this is what we're going to get and it'll cover that other coach. >> Hopefully, we'll know by the end of the

126month or the first of next month. >> Okay. I just I know I remember us doing an amendment I think last year to pick up where we'd lost federal funding for all the or for these two coaches and we had to pick up funding for those coaches. >> I remember that >> we did have to look back and >> see. So are you >> So we've always paid two out of here. I may have needed to adjust their salary line. may have been, but I I just know that um I remember us doing that. I just wanted to double check that we were still getting them. >> We've always paid for two out of here and then Federal has picked up. Um and Stephen did a really good job with his carryover in Federal to

127be able to pay for the other three coaches out of there for a good period of time. um his careovers just kind of dwindled down and so we're going to be able to pay for two of those coaches out of title two and then title five will pick up the third coach that so all of those coaches will remain those other three will remain federal police federal >> so they're going to get federal funding >> the three that get it now they they will remain getting federal funding >> right so we've gotten we've gotten notification that our title our CFA will remain the same we haven't gotten allocations yet to know that for Sure. Um, but then just doing the calculations. I usually always estimate what our federal employees are going to cost us to

128make sure our budget's going to federal budget's going to withstand that or we need to talk about possibly potentially adding a position in here. Um, but I did that and title two was not going to be able to cover the third coach, but then um we we are getting title five funding for this year for this next school year that will cover that coach plus some um so we'll be okay for the next school year. If that title five goes away that we may have like make decisions about how we fund those coaches. that title five is tied to poverty numbers percentage >> like economic status type stuff >> and it's I think from what Christa said it's sporadic on when we get it. We hadn't gotten it in several years. I've not we've not

129gotten it since I've been here and you'll get it for two or three years and then it'll go away again. So, >> but you can keep us posted. >> I will. Well, we haven't got allocations yet, but they've told us they told Christa how much to expect in title five and it'll cover coach. Obviously, if something changes with that, >> right, >> we'll let you know, but right now we have all that covered. >> Um, next page 15, um, we get down into another part of sped. So, this is mainly, um, any kind of extra services like the Charlie, it's Charlie's area of the budget that the central office supervisor and his admin half of his admin. The other half of her is paid out of federal and then um we pay for a district

130testing coordinator. Um she travels around to the school and tests our um kids and she's just 120day contract but we put extra days in there in case she needs them to get our kids tested and then um pays for some mileage for him. And then the biggest thing in this part of the budget is our um services that we have to provide. So like our OTP psychologist services, you see that look like we're going to spend about 428 this year and I've only budgeted 225. That's because in hopes that Charlie's going to apply for some grants that could cover us um on some contracted services and then we've gotten um a couple of high cost um students that we'll ask for high cost um reimbursement for. So, I'm going to bring that number back down

131to budget and we'll just have to monitor it if we need to increase or not um through the through the next school year. And then um travel and professional development for his SLP and um himself. So the 2% 716 3% is 720,000. >> So on these high cost students that's basically taken out the regular budget. Is that correct? I mean, in years past, the federal dollars, we had enough to pay in this the regular school system didn't fit the you know, I mean, they didn't have to take the bill for it because federal dollars paid for most of that high. >> RGP funding is funding more and more, >> right? And that's that's going to be a big expense. >> Yes, ma'am. as as if if this plays out, the funds for special ed and

132disabled, if that plays out, we're really gonna be hit. >> And it's it's already, hasn't it? >> Services are high cost, >> right? That's where vast majority of our money, >> right? >> And with the high cost when we have those students come district, >> very expensive. >> So that's going to be on the regular school. >> High cost reimbursement. >> That's based on per student expendure. still waiting on that number. >> But typically $100,000 request you may get 20,000. >> So it's something >> and then I also in here put like we've we've done for the last two years. He only had you have one psychologist right on staff and so we have to get services to meet requirements for the other. I think we have three three um that we use for contracted

133services. So I always budget in an extra psychologist in case we I think that position stays open in case we hire for it. Um and then that would obviously reduce our contracted services below because if we would hired one then it would reduce the services we pay for that those people. But if we don't use that um we don't end up hiring that person, I'll just bring down the money from the extra person um that I have budgeted in to cover. Are you saying our special ed numbers went up? We might be required to add >> another >> No, we all we've had we've had up to three before >> and now we're down to just one. So, he keeps that position open because we really need I mean >> it would cost you probably

134less to hire a person. >> There's just it's a hard position to fill. >> They're they're hard to find. >> Yeah. >> And so, we always keep that position open. >> Somebody spoke about the unicorn a while ago. Well, there's another unicorn. Mhm. >> And so that would help our contracted services line because right now we're paying for three people to do contracted services for those for psych for psychologist. Yeah. >> Psychology services. >> And so if we were to hire the open position, it would reduce our contracted services. >> Well, >> we can find one. I went wrong. >> And that goes back to the education and that is needed for a position like that and >> we were blessed for a long time to have three. And then >> because they have >>

135yeah they a lot of training specializes >> talking about federal funding. We our grant used to pick up around $100,000 of contracted services and it >> it just can't it can't anymore because we're trying to keep the people >> because it's just dwindled down that much. So um next page um this is CTE director and his benefits. So he's not in above in the above CTE portion. This is um his area of the budget and ma mainly this is just his expenditures and um his benefits. And then so with 2% 123,000 and 3% 124,000 >> that includes the step, right? >> Um I have to look and see what year he's on. Um so he is without a step. So he get he goes to year 26. So this will be his first year of

136not getting a step, but he gets a Perkins supplement and a supervisor supplement. >> How many years has Skipper been with us? >> Uh 26. He'll be 26 in the next school year. >> I thought you said >> 25 total right now. >> 26. >> Legacy. >> He started when he's 18. Yeah. M legacy. Okay. >> What is the is it super supplement and what's the other supplement? He gets like a Perkins director supplement that was passed by the board maybe two or three years ago. I can't remember. We've done so much to the paid skill, but it's one of those supplements we cleaned up. Um maybe three years ago. >> So that's paid with with grant money. >> A portion of it is and then portions paid portions paid out of Perkins and portions

137paid out of general. >> So glad we have that. >> So we have grant money going towards the salary. >> Yeah. So it pays for a portion because he he's over that grant. So it's just like title title one >> um pays for a portion of Christa's salary. It's because they're responsible for that >> area of the grant and so a portion of their salary is paid out that grant. >> He's getting So he's getting $6,388 raised this year. $6,388% >> I got 6436 >> roughly >> well his supplements are 13%. And his extra days he works extra days as well. >> What's the extra days? >> I think he's 221. He gets 21 extra days. He doesn't go home. We don't go home when summer when teachers go home. We anybody that's on extended

138days work the extra days either prior to their work calendar or after the school calendar. So a lot of times if they're 221 they work 10 days in front of the school year and 11 days at the end of the school year to open things out and close things up. So they're here more days than just a two day employee. >> The teachers don't do that at all. >> No. So unless you teachers are on a 200 day contract, >> he he is not on a 257. He's on 221. >> 221, >> but he >> doesn't work the summer. >> He has a 4% supervisor supplement and a 9% CTE supplement. >> That 9% >> that was all passed several years ago by the board. >> Okay. A lot of times too he'll have he'll

139go he'll travel he'll go to the conferences in the summer when he's not working >> and so that's what I think the n I don't I'd have to go back and look of why the 9% was presented but >> what' you say the 4% >> supervisor supplement so he's the supervisor of most that he supervises the CTE area at the high school >> 4% supervisor and n% say 9% >> CTE supplement of CTE Okay. He's getting basically a 7.19 7.19% raise is what it all comes out. >> It's because his supplements and his extra days >> supplements 13. Yeah, I think the head football coach is what? >> I didn't do I just calculated the 2% 3% like I I didn't do how you're calculating it. Moving on to technology. Remember what I said earlier?

140We took Mr. Co's question. I did reduce a few areas of this budget to use some of his assigned fund um if we need to um to try to lower that assigned fund just a little bit um to not raise any questions. Um so this technology budget covers the director plus any uh extra for meetings. So, his raise may look huge, but it's not because I'm including extra money for meetings because you guys are paying him a stop in to be here for the meetings after hours. So, keep that in mind when you're looking at his increase. And then um three texts, internet services, >> mileage and um the director's mileage and the text mileages to go to the schools, -ate consulting, um software for the district, Windows, cyber security, Google platforms, um any kind

141of supplies they need for the schools like um extension cords or whatever would be paid out their professional development, conferences, replacement equipment for classrooms and hardware replacements. So his budget total is 2% 832,000 and then for 3% 835,000 >> with a raise of $8,000 6.33%. >> It be more than that. Keep in mind that top line has his extra pay you pay him for meetings. >> Yeah, I understand. But that's still what he's making. >> But still paying we make the check to him, right? >> Yes. I mean like a monthly paycheck. Yes. >> With that that amount. >> I mean >> Yep. >> Yeah. We paid I mean >> everyone gets paid directly to theirel like from the district. >> That's the amount. >> Yeah. >> So he I'm calculating just looking off of

142what I've done here on the spreadsheet. He's getting a $2,300 raise >> on your 2%. >> He's going from 125 to 133. What what's on your former family? >> What did it cost the board last year for him to >> get audio in the filming? I mean, >> I can't remember right off. Do you remember, Randy? >> I don't remember right off, but I always I mean, it's not It's gonna be more than what we I I feel like it was around seven to $8,000. 8,000, >> I think. Something like that. So, >> I don't know. I mean, I just I remember that number in my head. I think that might be what I budgeted for last year. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> But I don't think we spent all that. So, I'll look at

143his salary. He's going to make 118 118,000. If you look at the estimated column, >> and then if I go over and look at my salary calculation sheet that I did, I'm sorry, he's going to make 116 because I added in I added in some extra time we have already paid him for. So his current salary is 116 with the 2% increase is going to be 118 and the extra is built in for meetings. >> Yeah, I'm just going off what you've got here. This that's Um, I see the 118 then the extra with the 3% for >> I mean we're not going to spend 3% >> unless y'all have a ton of meetings. We're not going to spend that 133. >> Right. But I guess what I was getting at was that 133 that

144includes what you have budgeted to cover all meetings. >> So, right, >> you know, if that's >> Yeah, that's000 $7,000. Yeah, this budget is put together from one end to the other as >> Yeah. >> estimated, >> right? >> Yeah. So, I mean that number is probably high, but I I try to not have to come back and do a budget amendment for, you know, try to expect high and then we probably won't spend all of that depending on how many meetings y'all y'all have after hours and how long they last. >> No marathon >> and if we want them filmed or not. >> Right. Under that top line, there's a line that says other salaries and wages with the 2% increase comes out to 18776. Who does that include? >> So that's your three

145techs. Okay. Um that work for Randy >> that work up here and they travel a lot to the schools to help with support. >> Okay. Do they get paid travel? >> They do. They get mileage. >> And then what about Donna? Where does she fall? >> She's up top in the um 711. Like if you go back to the very first page of the budget, she's up top and um >> page one, >> page four, she's not paid out of the technology budget. >> She's paid instrual, I think, because she supports teachers and um with programs and software. So, she's paid out the instructional part of the budget. Um she is line 138 tech on the page four. It should be about five lines down. So she's not paid out of technology. >> She has

146a tech call center. So when I run a tech department report, she pausing that. But she's pay out instructional because she supports >> The teachers, she'll go out the software needs or problems with their login. I I mean she's >> So how is that different though than what the texts do? I mean they don't they support the teachers too? They do, but they may go support like a hardware issue where she supported maybe a program issue. And I'm speaking for Randy >> Randy. When I took over, there were two people for the whole department. >> So, she was on the educational side and the tech director was the director and on the hardware physical network side. >> That's why it stayed that way. It is not, but she is more of a educational >> support.

147Not that she doesn't do hardware stuff. We all do everything. >> Yeah. >> So >> that's just that's just the way it's structured. >> Does she do a lot of that remotely from here? >> Software support >> some. But no, she's going out to I mean she was out at schools today because of the high school >> and working with Raptor and making sure all that stuff worked. >> Okay. I just didn't know, you know, >> difference in a way, >> right? But she is more on the instructional side than on the technology side. >> She's paid on paid on a teacher salary, right? >> Yes. Because she's certified. Yes. >> Because of the instruction on the class. I mean, what she does my text would not be >> they're not they wouldn't know how

148your text would >> she's working with teachers on how to develop their classes and instruction. >> Okay. The the text would not be going out telling teacher how to instruct students. >> When your computers don't work, they go. >> She's when you need to know how to get the program to operate. >> She she works with teachers how to develop their their technology or develop technology into their curriculum. That's not at all what >> what your texts are. >> They just mechanical. I just look at mechanical. I mean that would be that would be the same as if uh April had a a budget how to work a budget, >> right? >> You have the auditors or something help them. I mean, not not how to fix the laptop to make it the screen come

149on. >> That's the difference. Okay. >> Yep. Thank you. I was unclear about her how her position was different from the regular text, but explained it well. So, thank you. And in fact, she probably can do both where they can just do one. >> Well, she kind of does both, but she's also an assistant principal from a technology standpoint, too. I can't be here 100% of the time. >> And so, she also has the high admin creds >> and and we work together on on some of the administrative stuff on that way. Plus, she's also the student management from the record standpoint. >> So, she's your backup >> kind of. Yeah, she you can consider it a backup, but not necessarily. I mean, an assistant principal isn't always a backup. They have their roles, too.

150>> And but that's the way that I would look at her in that context. >> Okay. >> And April, how many years of service has Randy had in her system? I know he's a legacy. >> See, yeah, we know you're a legacy, but how many years? >> We're so thankful for your service, too, >> 42. >> Dr. blessing and I came at the same time. >> 42 years. >> Wow. >> And came up here at the exact same time, too. >> Thank you for your service. >> 42 years. If >> I'd hung in there with you, I'd be there. >> Thank you for your service. >> Okay. What is this 8,800 salaries and wages? That's just >> for my son. Go ahead. Answer the other question. We're at about 1,800 for my service for this

151year. >> You don't get this part. >> You don't get to. >> Is that what you're saying? >> No. No. I'm I'm No, I don't get I'm talking about the video stuff you were asking. >> Oh, yeah. Oh, >> yeah. I don't think we've had a meeting under 5 hours. It's only going to be >> right. I think they reduce that number down. >> I don't think anybody has a problem with that. >> Yeah. I mean, I don't think you you've turned in. So I didn't I just estimated as much as >> I've estimated based on >> it doesn't count. I'm call >> what on this um 8,000 other salaries and wages extra pay. >> Uh that was the extra pay we gave to everybody. The board voted to do um the $2,000 >> bonus.

152>> Oh, okay. Okay. So, that's that's their part. Okay. >> That was what we paid out this school year. >> Okay. >> Um going into the next part, there's no budget here because this is where um we used to budget the after school program, but it's not in there anymore because the state made me move it to a different account. So, you can skip that whole next section. Um page 18 starts the board of education section. Um this is where we pay for um your fees for meetings. We pay retirees insurance. The percentage that the board policy states we pay for retirey insurance, medical and dental vision. Um we pay for unemployment out of this section. We pay for audit for our schools for our uh just our internal school audit. The county pays for

153the district audit, but we pay for the school's audit. Um, your toss, your TSBA, um, memberships, legal services, um, your star physical therapy contract, cyber security insurance, property insurance, commission to the trustes office, work comp insurance, um, professional development for y'all's conferences. Um, we pay for bids out of here for anything we bid out for rec center membership for our employees. The postage machine out front. Um, athletic funding gets paid out of here. So, this is the parts that we send to the schools, uh, middle school and high school. Um, brings this budget to 1.5. Stays the same because there's no percentage increases. Um, there's no one in this area that gets a percentage increase in the budget. Okay. On this athletics, this is all we provide to the athletic programs. Um, that's what we

154give to the schools and then obviously we pay the stipens for the coaches and then we do other projects. So like the lighting project, we'll pick up other projects like that down in Capitol. But this is like the funding that we'll give to the schools and they split out for the minor sports that are supposed to get that don't get a lot of gates um don't get a lot of the gates that the major sports get. It used to be called system pass money and now we call it extra athletics. >> So that's not all that's budgeted for athletics. >> No other part. That's correct. That's this is this is just the part that we send to the schools. >> Okay. And who makes the decision on how that is allocated that uh among the

155minor sports? Is that the principal? >> Principal athletic director. >> Is that what used to be called the past? This is the past. They just changed it from past to now. This this is literally I mean obviously not certain big purchases things of that nature and supplements and all that stuff but as far as monies to go to the schools to the athletic departments this is it. Mhm. This is what we send to them and they're supposed to divide this out between their minor sports because those sports don't get gates, >> right? >> And then um >> but that's never going >> but we do things and like you know the lights are a good example of things we other things we do in the budget to try to help with athletic stuff. >> And

156this does not include the salary or the pay either for the labor. >> No, the coaching supplements are up top and instructional. >> Yeah, there there are other places. This is this is monies for equipment. If it's specialized equipment and stuff of that nature, >> whatever they choose that you know you have to use you probably have I think you've got 16 sports at the high school if I'm not wrong. There's 16 >> different ones maybe five or eight of them are capable of really producing some of their own funding with gates and things of that nature. So, >> you know, you take 10 10 of those and bust up that >> that's not the chrome. >> Well, doesn't the >> So, you got to have >> the gym floor come out of that, too.

157>> I think we moved that for But it's >> Yes. >> the the actual the refinishing does not as far as really going down to the wood, right? >> The each year doing the what they call a scuff and co that does now come out of it because that was added in as well for each year for the those schools to do. That's >> when the rate went up, they had to take on more by doing the floors. But there was also more money put in there other than just the floor. The amount for the floors. Since they wanted to take over the floors, we put in the amount for the floors plus added more. >> Not much more. >> Me and you will keep arguing over that one of the day. We >> The

158math is there though. The math is there. It's really nothing. It was swapping wallets. What does it typically cost the stuff that you know >> and I can go back to the elementary more because we're having to we take care of the elementarymentaries up here with the floors. It's around two to 3,000 I believe per floor for the scuff and coat. >> Now if you have to take it all the way down you're talking about gosh was it 25 or 40? It was way up there. >> I thought it was about nine grand every two years or every year. Once again, I'm talking about an elementary floor such as Deerfield, middle school. You got to do all of them. >> Now, the high school is is three floors basically put together >> about 20,000, isn't

159it? >> I don't think so. Once again, I I don't have those numbers in front of me. So, >> I I looked not too long ago and there was about from what Amy um Barard sent me >> about 43,000 if I remember correctly. I'm not looking at it right now. and about 20 of that was allocated for floor which only left about 23,000 split between 14 or 15 sports. I just and as >> I was just assuming that the 20,000 for the >> M was saying uh two or three years ago we went to the schools looked at it and and and he's going to say we just trade wallet to wallet where we did not there was some parts and I know you said we don't we're not going to agree on this side.

160>> Well, let's let's do the math. >> Well, I'd have to pull my paperwork up. One of the things we looked at was the floors and each school wanted to take care of their floors. They wanted to call their own people to to come in and do it. So, whatever it was costing, we moved over that much more. We did do that. Exactly. Another one was EMS. We were taking care of it up here. They wanted to take care of getting their own EMS for the games. So, whatever we were spending, we just move that amount over. Absolutely. Don't disagree. Then there was more money put into the that account as well. I don't remember how much it was right off. >> Yeah, it's like it's 45,000 now at the high school. It was at

161uh 30 I believe April or I have to go back >> and at that time in those meetings was uh the principal the ads and they were all part of those discussions when it was all taken care of. They agreed with it and felt like it was a good amount in what we were doing. Could there be a chance that it needs to be increased? Yes, that's something you got to look at from time to time. Uh, but at that time, everybody was in agreeance that that was a was a good plan. >> Um, and that's where we are. But yeah, the floors, they could be very well. It depends on >> who you use. If you use praers, it might cost more than if you use >> Coington. If you use this other guy,

162it depends on who you want to use to do your floors. and and you got to shop around to get the the lower price on it and to get the job that you want done. So So that that that does add into it as well. >> That did take roughly half of that 40ish,000 >> for the floors. >> And and it seems to me that that should be budgeted under maintenance because that that's not just athletics. The PE classes that are in there, they that gym that gy gymnasium is used by the students every day. >> A lot of those sports don't use that. >> And once again, that's the way it was set up. the schools asked for it to be them take it. So that's the reason why we move the monies into

163their coffers to be able to take it. I don't disagree. I mean we >> I mean to me we ought to have a separate budget. I mean a separate item that under maintenance or whatever to take care of the building. >> Yeah. >> And in that way the this money could be used actually for athletic program. >> Once again it was they asked for them to take care of it. So, we moved the amount that we did have set aside at the central office into their coffers so they could take care of it. I I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm just saying they didn't want us to be the one to take care of it. They wanted to. So, we took our monies that we had set aside for it and gave it to them.

164>> So, you added added to what we gave it to them to do it. Yes. So, in other words, the 45,000 uh >> it used to be way less. >> Used to be less than that. >> It used to be less than that. Yes. >> I'd have to go back. >> I can tell you how much it was around. >> Our minor sports aren't coming out any better. >> It was around 30. >> So, when you when it cost you 15,000 to fix the the court every year and they just move the money over there to it. Well, then we're at 45,000. >> Yeah. We're breaking. >> But why why would that matter where the money is? They want to take care of What do you mean they want to take care of it? >>

165They wanted to get their own people. They wanted to call praers and set up the date that they want them to come. >> Who's they the principal? >> The ads. >> Oh, the ads. >> I don't I don't know that a I don't know. >> Seems to me like >> I don't know that a >> that needs to be a separate uh that's maintenance >> would >> and you work with them on when you do it. >> Wood floor geniuses. >> And I I don't see why it couldn't be in any kind of line item. We're beating a dead horse here. It could be in any line item anywhere because we're going to notify maintenance when the field court's going to be available to do it. >> Right. Right. And my point is >> and

166even if they wanted it in there for them to make their own decision and go with whoever they wanted to, the fact of the matter is that we raised this the amount of money to cover the work for them to have to do that and worry about it whenever they wanted to. >> That's more. >> Well, my thinking is 45,000 is inadequate to begin with. And then if you're using that part to to do the gimmation floors, then there's not anything left much. And that's my point. It doesn't matter who orders it or who does what. That's >> comes out to about anywhere from 1,100 to 1,900 or 2,000 per sport. >> I can show you the break >> if that. Yeah. I mean it's it's >> and that it's almost nothing >> because it

167does that that is one of the biggest complaints we get is all these people asking for money for athletic programs and why in the school funding it more than and and what I'm saying is that gym floor shouldn't be a part of the athletic >> budget. I think it should be sitting somewhere else to use. And you're saying you added to it which is great but that needs to stay just for >> Yeah. that doesn't help your minor sports anyway. >> But I mean and if you take which I could go on and on and on about this and I won't and I have before but if you say how many player divide that number that that or 1200 1300 by players in that program you're coming out to anywhere from 30 to $100 per

168player is all the district is contributing. That's why we've got teams having 12 13 fundraisers. It won't be that much because you've got roughly 690 700 kids that are active actively involved in athletics at the high school. >> Uh take out football and stuff like that that's going to be able to support them. You know, take out >> like I actually figured it for say cheerleaders just as an example >> come out to $36 a girl >> kids $1,100 >> and then and then you parents pay 900 a piece. Just my two cents. >> We're not picking on you. We're talking about a whole grander problem. >> I'm not I'm not at all. I'm just >> I'm just telling you what we did and where it was set up and and how it was taken

169care of. >> Thank you. We're past that. >> And and that's that's the reason why I got quiet because I >> I'm not saying it towards anybody in this room. I'm just saying >> we got to look better. We got to look ahead. >> We need to help our families. >> And there and somebody asked, is there other money there? There's other monies. there's other projects that gets taken care of that are are are being done once again through maintenance. Uh we try to figure out ways to to take care of those. Um >> I'm going to ask the question. It's not trying to >> but however much money we do give, I don't see any of our sports stop fundraising. I just don't see that stopping. >> And I'm not saying I probably shouldn't

170have been brought that up, but I don't see the fundraising stop. Maybe we do need to add more money and and that's that's something for y'all to decide. >> And if if you want to, that's fine. But I I really don't see >> you open the door for more regulation of fundraising. >> Yeah. >> If until now, I mean, until we can show from this board that we're funding more to these athletics to where they're not having to fund raise much, then we don't have a doorway opening to come in there and say, "But we want to limit you to how much fundraising you can," >> right? Because they can't survive any other way. Mhm. >> But if we were to double or triple each program's funding, uh, you know, they might not have to

171beat on every door in the neighborhood. >> And we can literally legitimately sit in here and go, "Look, we're going to limit you to one or two different things. Really focus in on the approval process of what fundraisers are getting approved, that kind of thing. So that we can try to mitigate the pressure that is put on." But you can't you can't have one and not the other. You know, we can't say, "Well, we want to fund these athletics more and then cut out all fundraising." No, it's going to have to be a balancing act because it still requires so much. >> Yeah. I don't think anybody want to cut. >> You either got to fund raise or we're going to have to >> but but we could help and and then they might be

172able to cut back on it because we're funding it instead of their parents funding it. The other thing you got to keep in mind, and this has come up several times, >> you're we're talking sports. You're you're we haven't talked clubs and all the other things that are as well included in your fundraising and and all those different parts there. There's a whole lot of areas that that you you're getting into with it. Just be aware of it. >> That's a different beast. >> That's the normal that's the normal attack tactic when we feel pressure. >> No, I'm just Yes, I've been here for seven years and I know where this is going. The thing about it is we haven't been doing those anyways. That's another beast in it in its own sense. If we

173want to get into that market, that's another decision for this board to make. Right now, we're looking at the one that we are funding, which is athletics. And it's kind of not really I don't really consider that funding. Well, and my point was that that would help if the maintenance of the gym floors was put somewhere else in the budget and that stayed the same to you use just toward actual athletic programs because >> you know maintenance >> uh of the building should not be part of athletic program in my opinion even though they utilize those gymnasiums everybody does. I mean uh PE classes and that sort of thing. So it's just part of our school facilities, >> graduations and parents, everything. Yeah. >> So if that might help with a little bit >> on

174providing more money for athletics is by putting a maintenance out of it, >> somewhere else, you know, pulling that money somewhere else besides out the athletic budget. >> It would add a significant amount almost half of >> what they're getting now. still enough, but but it it would I mean it would probably almost double the amount for every minor sport. >> I still don't think even that amount full broke >> up is a hill of beans of anything to the requirements for fundraising. >> Yeah. Right. I think uh the best number I got last year I think the high school boosted almost seven six or seven I don't want to go there but I thought it was5 to $700,000 >> globally >> in the high school of all sports that much money was boosted in

175order to >> make shows go around equipment and everything else field maint and fixing fields and >> doing doing extra paint on different nights game nights things of that nature >> and and we're never going to be able It'll do away with that for sure with fundraising. I mean, it's just part of having to keep everything going so we can help more. I think >> uh I know it's time for a break if you want to finish this series and we'll have a break. >> Yeah, we got >> Do you want to do you have anything else on this? >> No. >> All right. And then we can just start back up. >> Okay. >> What in about 10 minutes >> and we'll just come. >> Lunch may be here. It should be here before

176long. >> Oh my goodness. We're It's already >> It may take them a while to set up. >> I'm sorry y'all. >> 11:30. >> Well, what we just continue to >> Okay, that's fine. >> Till lunch there. >> Yeah, that's fine. >> And if you need if anybody needs to get up and feel free to do that anytime. Okay, we'll just keep going. >> Okay, so next section is office of director, Mr. Mrs. Mr. Hardgro's section of the budget. Um this covers his salary, his benefits, um memberships, some of the stuff from central office gets paid. So like copier leases, um mileage for maybe the secretary if she has to go out to one of the schools or travel for like a board event, um and then some professional development conferences. Do I >> well

177I mean whoever the sits here after that if you notice the proposes nothing the contract probably needs to to state that moving forward. >> Yeah. So, I looked at the contract and it doesn't say one way or the other on um if he is participating in the percentage the increases each year that we give the other employees. So, there's nothing spelled out no or yes in the contract. >> So, I didn't know what to do with this line. >> Which line is that? >> His salary line, the top very top line. >> Okay. So, >> I kept it flat. Yeah. But I don't know because there's nothing in the contract >> that says one way or the other. So moving forward, whoever sits in that chair next, that probably needs to be addressed in the

178>> contract clean. It just keeps it clean, >> right? >> And I think I look back at previous director's contracts and it was written in there. So >> specified. >> Are you planning to go anywhere in the next couple of years? >> No, ma'am. I I I just wanted to explain. Yeah. Moving. So we may need to deal with that sooner. >> Sooner rather than later. >> So I currently kept it flat and like if the auditor asked me why I kept it flat, I wouldn't be able to tell him. Like usually they take the contract and look at it. So just keep that in mind. That might be something that might need to be addressed. Just >> Yeah. Because it could be a question. >> We we talked about a while ago. Go ahead.

179>> No, go ahead. or say as a hybrid you might ought to bump him up a little bit. >> I appreciate you thinking I'm a hybrid man. >> He's not. >> But I'm proud legacy here. >> Very proud legacy. I've been hybrid a couple of times. >> I'm just kidding. >> I got you. Thank you, Mr. Cordell. >> Well, that's even more. >> Yeah. >> I'm sorry. I failed to mention too the dis the central office secretary the front that's the front desk person and then the director secretary is also paid out this line. >> Okay. Is that a base salary for those? Is that how is that worked out? >> It's calculated the same as so there's a schedule for that position for like let's talk about just the secretary position uh just his

180secretary position. There's a pay scale for that position. like I think it's that position and maybe one other position that's listed on there and they it's it's calculated the same way. So there's a flat dollar per hour amount. >> It's it's per hour. It's not a salary. >> And then it's calculated based off to base salary and then you calculate the extra days. So that person works 257 days. So they get their basic 200 day salary and then they get the extra 57 days in their So it's not um it's not a salary, it's paid hourly. >> So it's 257 days >> based on 257 days. >> I didn't know that. I thought it was position. Is that the same as the secretaries at the at the school? >> So all of them are they're

181not salary. No, all of our all of our classified or hourly people are paid by their >> it's like a salary because we spread their pay over 12 months, >> but we pay them based on their hourly rate. >> So this >> So everybody make this so I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> No, no. So this salary that you've got down here, is that irrelevant or is that >> What do you mean is it irrelevant? I don't know. Which one are you talking about? Is that I'm talking uh Scott's secretary is she you've got down here that she's going to be making >> $57,000 this next year. >> Um so actually that is not her that is um the the admin assistant out front >> that answers the phones and takes care of >> there's two

182there >> and the first one is the director secretary and the second one is the central office secretary. So then she'll be making 60,000 >> and based on her years of service and um experience and pay scale. Yes. >> Which one is administrative clerical? >> Um that is should be right out front. >> Okay. Out front. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> So that's going back going back to what we talked about earlier. So we hire somebody and they've got less experience. That's what they're going to make. That's what >> Well, two, three, four years ago, we the board approved to give employees their experience classified people their experience when they came up when we hired them. So if they have experience in a similar job, they get those years of experience with us. So you

183could hire somebody their first year but actually be maxed out on year 25. And we do that with every position that's classified. >> Freddy, you remember that? We we had to do that out coming out of COVID. We couldn't hire nobody. >> That's basically that's what we do with the bus mechan exactly what we did with the bus. >> We do it with every position. And that was a project we did a couple two three years ago. We went through and we um contacted all of our classified employees and we asked them to provide years of service. letters from their employers, sat down in central office and went through all those letters and um gave them if they if those years of service met the job that they were in, then we gave those additional

184years of service to them. >> So your service is not >> uh correlating to our system. It's just in their career. >> We made it just like we do for our certified. So like if we hire a teacher from a different county, >> right, >> they get all of their years. So we made all of our classified positions the same >> as long as it was within >> the same job description or same scope. So like you know if someone's working at McDonald's Yeah. >> they may have experience in food service >> they don't come in at >> secretary right yes that's correct unless they truly don't have any we don't hire usually hire anybody at zero. >> It's pretty scrutinized. I mean when when we done this back coming out of co it was

185just for teachers but we we didn't have enough people in the classroom. We've always done this with teachers. teachers has always gotten their experience or what was it we done then >> the >> who did we bring into it back then >> the hourly teach >> it was all classif >> and your CTE and your CTE teachers >> back then or was that what we just did like a year or two ago when we got the >> it all started about two or three years ago >> of co because I remember we couldn't fill no position >> it didn't matter from the ground up custodians to history teachers we couldn't we couldn't feel or we're just paying for their their experience. We're we're getting more experienced >> workers in help. >> We have those discussions

186all the time and the majority of time they're awarded because it's applicable. But sometimes their experience doesn't translate into a position. >> And Robert, you're right. It's scrutinized. We we look at it and >> if they don't have it, they don't get it. If they have it, they give it. >> What is an example of uh when years of service wouldn't count? So like that example I use. So say they were coming to be a teachers aid >> and they worked at McDonald's. >> Okay. >> Or or like I'm not you know >> that's like one of the things that we would >> Yeah. I was trying to you know think of something >> or you know they truly didn't have >> two of them had no previous technology experience. >> Okay. >> But one

187did he got the experience when he came in the other one didn't >> and when you have somebody come in with no experience they have to be trained. >> Right. So, the base, what would be the base salary of those two positions? Uh, because, you know, right now that's more than what a a beginning teacher makes. >> I'd have to I'd have to pull them up individually. >> It would just be interesting to know what what the lowest salary that would be. You know what I'm saying? Because it's >> uh it I'm I'm looking at that and thinking, "Oh my goodness, this is more than what a teacher." Well, they also get paid for 57 extra days. So, if you take that out, >> right, that's probably what the difference is. >> Um, >> but

188still that's a yearly wage. A lot of people getting out of college. >> One of them is paid on um 17 years of experience at 26.90 an hour. I'd have to calculate it. And then because all we just split, we don't have them entered the same way we enter our supervisor. So let's see 26.90 and one of them's eight hour employee, one's a seven and a half hour um >> so like on a 200 day contract the first the central office secretary would be 43,000 would be what her >> without any extra day without any extra days. >> Right. Okay. >> And then the rest of that's her well that's for this year's salary. So she'll get that 2%. And so for like this year, she would make 43,000 if she just worked 200 days,

189>> right? >> A lot of their extra pay comes from those extra days. >> Are we good to move on? The next section is your um office of the principal. So this is where we pay for our principles. our secondary bookkeepers, AP uh assistant principles, elementary bookkeepers, uh middle school office staff, um any subs that we would need for those um office for the office and then their benefits. Um, I pay for the school phones out of here, travel for the principles, um, office supplies for the schools, and then professional development conferences. >> We pay for their phones, too. >> Uh, we pay for their school phones. The phones are at the schools. >> Okay. >> And there Yeah. >> Not not cell phone. >> No. >> Okay. So would that uh 2% be 4.156

190and then um 3% 4.191 >> across the board there teachers or principles are going to get 23,400 $23,500 right >> and there's a little bit extra in there because of um if there so say there's a person hired in the building like I have to do a salary comparison so you may have a teacher on a 200 day on a 200 day scale that might make more than a principal on a two-day scale. So, I have to do that um analysis. So, I put a little bit extra in there in case I have to do a a stabilization adjustment to their salary because the principal is going to be the highest paid person in the building. Sure. >> Based on a 200 day contract. >> How many buildings contract we have to give that compensation

191comp is it compensation stabilization? >> I think there's there two. >> Okay. that we currently do that for >> East Coffee and Raider Academy. Is that right? >> I think so. >> We have more budgeted for assistant principles than we do principal. >> Yes. Because you have >> more >> you have 13 assistant principles and you have one scheduling person, testing person that's paid out that line at the high school testing like scheduler. Yeah. >> Across the board though. >> Go ahead. >> How many assistant principles do we have in the system? >> We have 13. >> 13. Okay. Thank you. >> But across the board, they're getting about the same amount of raise between the system principles. And one of them's getting between all of them, I know, but one of them's getting 23,000.

192The other one's getting 22. >> Yeah. And they work. I mean, Our secondary principles work 257 >> and your elementary are going to work less. They're going to be on >> they are 221 and then our APs work um summer I think 221 and summer 211. So they all have extra days. >> So the assistants have extra days over >> but the principles have 200. >> No the principles. So our secondary principles are 257. >> Oh okay. And then our um elementary R221. >> I thought you said a while ago principles are two or day contract. So I wrote down down. Okay. >> Thank you. >> So why is there no bud no money budgeted for the principal's summer school? um because that's a separate state grant and we get it usually um in May

193and it's funded not funded outside >> Tissa get moving on to fiscal >> m I hate to stop your momentum >> miss Stephanie >> what do we do >> well I have the lunch is set up and set it So, it's ready if y'all are ready to take a break. Otherwise, you're going to have some cold food. >> Okay. I think and I would and I think before we go down there, if if we Gary, if you could lead us in prayer and include Thomas in that. >> Yeah, >> you would. >> Our heavenly father, we just thank you for this another beautiful day. This beautiful day to enjoy the beauty of your creation. Thank you, Father, for another day. Thank you, Father, for this team. Thank you, Father, for our whole system. all of

194our employees. And Father, at this time, we especially lift up Thomas to you. And Lord, I just pray that you touch him, bless him, and heal him. Father, and in your son's name we pray. And we thank you now, Father, for this food, the hands prepared it, and we pray, Lord, you bless this food and nourish our bodies. And again, Father, we thank you for this massive team. I just pray that you supernaturally bless and protect each of them. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. Amen. >> Amen. Okay, we'll get started again for the afternoon. Um, I know it's been kind of slow this morning with the budget and we'll try to finish that up because we do have several items left uh to go over before the day is up. And um items eight

195and nine, that's when we will discuss that privacy privately since it's going it's uh it's security of our school system. We'll be talking about some things of that nature and and uh it will need to be uh discussed privately. uh action items eight and nine. Um so we'll just continue with the budget and maybe we can uh get in getting all these items in before the day is over. >> April. >> Okay. So I'll start back with fiscal services. This is um my department and five employees and our benefits. um covers a little bit of mileage if we have to go out to the schools. And then um mainly our software that helps support the district like our main finance software um our payroll sub software and then our school bookkeeper software covers some year

196end um tax forms that we have to get some check stock um a couple of conferences fiscal workshops for me and then um scanners printers any kind of equipment we might need to replace in our in our department. So with a 2% 610,000 with a 3% 615 move on. Um next is operation of plant. This houses our custodians. Um we have 33 custodians currently and um this also includes some extra days that we might need for um summer cleanup or if we have someone out we have custodians cover other so this is a little bit of extra labor in there as well. >> Um is there benefits um we cover the um electricity, gas, water and sewer and then cleaning supplies and paint. um anything that the schools need for clean supplies, paint in this

197area of the budget. So with um 2% it's 3 um 113 and then 3% is 3.124. >> I have a question. Has there been any money budgeted in there for the custodian for uh the bus garage? I know that. >> Yes. So we have a part about a part-time person that does the bus garage. There's a part-time person that does cost center and as well as the bus garage and what we basically I g or what has been given to the bus garage for custodial is what the director of the transportation asked for. >> Okay. So there is someone that's regularly cleaning the bus garage >> that's regularly going over there for the amount of time that that the transportation director asked for. Yes. >> What did he ask for? I think it was one

198day for an hour or two. I I can't remember exactly what it was, but uh then he's supposed to if it wasn't enough, he's supposed to get with Mr. Johnson so that they could get that person over there for a little bit longer. >> Okay. I'm just hoping that they do make sure that that place is does have the the uh personnel to keep it clean because it certainly needed it. Oh, it it it needs it just like any place any any of our facilities. >> Uh without a doubt. >> Uhuh. So that's that's covered. Is that correct? That it will have regular scheduled uh janitorial service. >> We we have Yes. What was scheduled for them? Yes. >> So So basically nothing's changed. >> Depends on what you're talking about. Nothing. >> Well, nothing

199is what what's different than it's been for the past six months, I guess. How's that? >> Okay. Yeah, I can't remember exactly when the change took place. Uh there's a there's a story behind all that that actually came to where it's at. And but ultimately the director of transportation came to me and asked for what, like I said, there's a whole lot more to this, but I gave the transportation director the amount of time that he asked for. I don't know what else to do. I mean, I gave him what he asked for. And if he needed more, I asked him to to talk to Mr. Johnson or let me know and we'll see what we can do to give you more. >> Okay. So, he he doesn't think there's any need for it more

200than one day a week. >> That's what he gave asked me for. >> Okay. >> Um next section is maintenance of the plant. So this is all your um your maintenance supervisor, his non-maintenance um employees, their benefits, um the phones at their offices, um like maintenance at the school, so equipment, so like we have to do elevator checks, we have HVAC repairs, we have to do bowler maintenance. So those things are included in this area. We have to pay train for the pact agreement that was made back. It was before me on the uh efficiency improvements that we put on their HVAC units for savings. And so we have a yearly track uh yearly agreement we have to pay yearly amount we have to pay them. >> How much is that agreement? >> It's what's

201list well it's estimated based on um last year. So, what we're paying is 87,000, but it come it it fluctuates every year. And they come and present to us on the savings that we've potentially seen um for every year and how much the whatever the equipment they put on our HVAC to be able to >> um control temperatures are saving us way more than this 87,000. So, and that's is something the county entered into and we just had to follow along. I was asked what that was and I I didn't I didn't know I I was given the packet for it but >> that's >> basically it's a it's a percentage right >> that we have to pay them based on what they save us so it fluctuates each year and we have those meetings

202with them usually in March or April May sometime in that time frame and they go through the results with us. >> Thank you. >> Which that meeting is coming up in the next few weeks. So in other words, we're basically piggybacking on the county because the county agreed to this for the county building. >> Well, it actually started with the school system and then the county a county had to agree for us to join in with it. Then I think the county actually has jumped in and done their own after the fact after we had done it. So we actually were the ones that started with it and I think that was back in Dr. McFall and Mr. Joe Petty goes uh days whenever they got started. So >> So we get through it quite

203a while. >> We have that meeting and then they invoice us after the meeting. They'll invoice us for the amount that um if there weren't any savings and we had those in the first several years, they don't invoice for anything. But if there's savings, then they potentially invoice us for the a percentage of those savings. Um, this takes care of all the paper products at the school, like having toilet paper, all the paper goods that they would need at the schools. Um, pest control, professional development, equipment, uh, safety equipment. So, anything we could always put money in for safety, um, things that may may need to be improved at the schools. Um, we put money in for equip uh, maintenance equip other maintenance equipment like if we need to replace a lawn mower or a

204truck or whatever, put that in there. And then um we pay for a lease for the painter that we uses that we use to paint the field um for the athletic fields. And so with this budget at 2% is 1.120 and 3% 1.127. >> With that director there, I'm I'm trying to grasp again how this how this works. And forgive me, but how long has he been here? Um, I have to look it up. >> Who's this? >> Shay. How long has Shay been with us? >> He's paid he's paid on 27 years because he got years of experience. >> Yeah. I'll talk about the position he's in. It's been about four years, I think. >> So, but totally he's been here 27 years. >> Well, he could could have been here. We gave him

205years of experience. I'm I'm assuming. I don't I'd have to go pull his file to see how many years actually he's worked here, but >> Okay. He probably got some year I remember giving him some years of experience back when we did. >> So according to this, he's going to get $234 raise. That don't seem right to me. >> That's what's on the budget. >> In what aspect is that not seem right? >> Everybody else we're giving 6,000. >> I don't understand what I >> I don't either. So the estimated amount is 83311 and he's going to 84982 >> and that's >> or85 815 >> or 85815. >> Yeah. >> So that's about $1600. I don't know where you're getting the $200 from. >> Well, I mean what I've got >> what was budgeted. >>

206We're talking about what was budgeted for $749. That's what was originally budgeted. And I'd have to look back at why >> what I did there. I don't last year's budget, but he hasn't had any leave without pay. So, I could have calculated his budget. I mean, I could have been rounded up or I could have his budget for last year could be wrong, but this is actually what we'll pay him for this year. >> What? So, he's at 84,000 now. 84749. The estimated column is what he should be at right now. I'll look him up, but that's what I've estimated based on what we paid him all year long and what we'll continue to pay him for the rest of the year. >> 83311. >> Yes, sir. >> And he's going to go up to

20784 982. >> Whatever's in that. Yes. I'm not on that screen, but whatever's in that >> or the 85. >> But that's not He doesn't get a step increase. No, he doesn't. >> That's the difference. Stepping. See? >> Yeah. That's what I'm That's kind of the point I'm getting at is as much as he does for us, why didn't we not have him have him on the same program? >> Well, he is a um non a non-certified employee, but we give him a 30% supplement um to make up for that. That was put in place what a couple years ago, three years ago when we were doing all the salary and scale changes. But yet he tips he hasn't broke the $100,000 mark for all he does. He's a supervisor over our maintenance over our

208whole school system. >> Okay. >> He don't Oh, I know. I'm just I'm just >> doing what the board approved years ago. >> No, I I know. I understand what you're saying, >> but for him being over our maintenance or this position being over our maintenance, he's not going to make but 85,000. And he's been here 27 years. Well, he has 27 years he's paid on, but I don't know how many years he's been with >> going by experience, right? >> Yes, sir. >> That don't seem right to me. >> Well, professional employees are paid on their education. >> Do what? Our non-certified, they're not going to get that pay. >> That's my point. Exactly. Thank you, Mr. Fargo. That's exactly right. >> I'm just telling you I am. And it's that way in in

209every district. It is that way. And it doesn't mean we don't value those people. >> It doesn't mean that. But what is the bottom line and our purpose? All of these things we're talking about should support our children. We're here to educate. >> Absolutely. But they but everybody is is the same have the same equivalency of importance to our school system. >> Would you agree to that? >> In what aspect? >> There is but one. >> No, no, no, no. >> We're all here for the same reason. Our kids is the kids. Right. >> Right. >> So we're we're going to we're going to hold it against him because he didn't go to to college. I don't think anybody's holding it against you. >> We are. >> We We had a pay scale that was

210published when he signed on. >> I mean, it's not >> our certified employees are paid on a different pay scale than our classified employees. And I think that's why the difference you're looking at his salary. His salary is paid on a classified pay scale because he doesn't have a certificate. So, we we cannot pay him on a on a certified pay scale. So, we gave him the 30% because it used to be less than that. And we we fixed that because it makes sense to give him a supplement because he is not paid on the certified pay scale. >> That salary has really been increased. >> But so is everybody else. >> But in the past that one wasn't. >> What are you getting at? What are you getting at? Because I've sat here and

211listened to three different ones. Too high. Too high. I can't believe this. This is ridiculous. This is this here's one that we're down here. We're talking about that if you look at it and you do the math is around 14,000 difference. All right. Around 14,000 difference from the other two that seems to be too high. This one's too low. What do you want to do? Match everybody? The maintenance director makes the same as the guy that puts every bit of our curriculum together >> or the guy that keeps every single electronic piece of equipment in this entire school system on task and on point. I'm I'm trying to figure out where we're I mean I want to help I want to help or or either get on the board with you or get >> but

212if the if our maintenance guy is over keeping our electricity going our our rooms cooled heated our electricity going is that not worth >> you're you're comparing that point. It most certainly is. It most certainly is and a very bright individual. But but again, we're we're falling back here. We're talking about different levels of of I guess in our e industry of education of of people that sat here and spent 6, 8, 10 years of actual school outside of this school to get their accreditations and everything else they have to be at that 100, 120, 130 range and 42 years. We're talking about 27 years. And I'm not I'm not saying that a trade, which is more along the lines of what this individual's in, is in a trade rather than in ed educational with

213doctorates and masters and all that good stuff. I don't see where that would benefit there. And I'm not trying to drive a spike between the two, but we're not that far apart when you start talking about years and you start talking about monies. Well, we're >> and I and I'm not I'm not sitting here saying that I'm agreeing that $89,000 or whatever it is on the paper or whatever is too much or not enough, but >> it's a whole lot better than it was. I can tell you that much. >> Mhm. >> I mean, I I I don't know what uh >> the HR director >> on over all HR. Do you mind speaking about where what position you're in? I'm happily, you know, I make about 60. >> And here the states making us

214come in here and and and start teachers out with a bare minimum of no experience at 50. >> I mean, yeah, there's there's >> I'm sure we compare. How do we compare to other school systems in this category? I'm sure we're above. um in his position. I don't know that we've >> I think we >> we looked back when we did this and we tried to make it comparable with a supplement. I think maybe other systems have a certified person maybe >> back where we tried to make it as comparable when we went back and when we did this >> we tried to make it I remember um call Dr. also calling around and other districts to see how they pay their maintenance supervisor and we tried to make it as comparable as it >>

215come as the hiring >> I don't know but at the time we changed this it was I want to say pretty comparable because he did call around when we made these changes to make sure >> we were comparable to other districts >> it was a two two-part thing then that's when one was going out we had to hire one and we had to look pay to hire one make >> if I remember correctly, this position used to just get the 4% supplement >> and went to 30 >> and we went to 30 to make it more Yeah. lucrative for >> complaint. >> I mean, what I'm saying is >> Oh, I'm sure >> if if this, you know, usually if somebody's not getting paid enough, they move on. >> Compared to other call around call

216around other school systems and see I did and they're up close to 100. That's what we make for this. Yes, sir. >> Example called around. Give us give us an example. >> Who? >> Warren County. Uh >> Warren County. >> Mhm. >> Rutherford County. >> You know what? >> Rutherford. >> Okay. >> Well, that ain't even no discussion. I'm I'm going to interject there. That's not even a discussion with 35 schools and >> 10,000 kids and >> see what Jacob See what Jacob says in in Lincoln. >> I'm not even going to compare. >> Okay. >> I mean, I'm not We don't disvalue our maintenance folks. We don't make it without them. We don't make it without our bus drivers. We don't make it without >> custodial. >> The custodian. We don't make it without

217any of them. But you also have a group of people that took that financial risk and that uh workload to go get an education to do things and the field of education all districts and I we're paying them $50,000 and I my heart says we're still not paying them what they're worth. >> But I guess they took they took that risk. They also hold the accountability. If we have poor test scores at an uh at one of our schools for five years in a row, we're not mad at our maintenance guy. We're trying to do change something within that school administration, right? They bear the accountability. Our teachers bear the accountability of of those outcomes. Now, >> I don't I don't think nobody that I've talked to is is holding that against that a teacher

218shouldn't make more, but we're talking about $50,000 here in some cases 10,000 20,000. Your workplace, how is it distributed? When you look at your organizational chart and you look at pay from top to bottom to that pot fitter, how's that run? Are they all about the same? >> It's not. This is a tax. Our taxpayers are paying these salaries. >> Well, guess what? Still a business paying employ. >> What are are are there are there breakdowns? Well, sure they are. and an electrician >> too many you know to how many but we're going by what we were saying while ago is we were going by how many years of service that they've got >> right >> so I'm hearing you say that you you as board member would like for him to make $100,000 >>

219yes >> and okay so according how would you justify that with >> his years of service and the amount of what he's doing for the he's over maintenance And uh uh >> I'm just saying I don't know what the if he should make $100,000. I mean, but he's over our maintenance for our whole school system, >> but that's where he's at based off of his years of experience and the base paid started when he took this job and come into the maintenance department. >> And it's and granted, I mean, I'd love for everybody to just be able to excel excel excel in life, but you know, and and and like I say, Miss Breeda, the way this I do believe that situation like this, if somebody's requested to change something, it just basically has to

220come to you from this the information and the executive committee gets together on development of the budget. So if there's something that somebody want to change, then it would be you getting Mr. Hardrove about looking at a line and changing it back. >> Okay. >> Well, it would go to the compensation committee, >> right? It'll go to compensation. >> I want to know that >> these discussions will go to compensation committees where it would go, right? >> Uh the the thing is and Shay Turner is one amazing worker for the C County School Systems. >> I I mean I will stand up for that guy anytime, anywhere. >> And and if you know me, you know I've already done that. But there's people that have gone through to get certifications, went through school, spent thousands

221and thousands and thousands of dollars for extra education to go into the fields that they went into to get the pace where they are. Mr. Turner didn't do that. And it's not that anything I'm not saying he's that makes them any worse than anybody else. He just he didn't do those things. And and he and I talked about it. He understands that even. But you you got to have a a level with it. And you start looking at the different pace and where everybody's at. You start looking at our coaches or and I'm talking about academic coaches, your assistant principles, your principles and so forth. They've done a whole lot to get where they are in it. And Shane did too. I'm not putting him down at all because he's he's great. But I don't

222know that he's going to be making more than what our principles are making that wouldn't I don't know that make sense. >> Does Shay have certification? He had I don't know if he's kept it current, but he I think he had electrician. >> Okay. >> And he did have HVAC. >> Well, like you said, that that would be this would be something that would have to be taken up by the salary. >> We're just talking here. I'm just, you know, we're going down the budget and >> each time we go to something, you know, It's this is the time to bring it up. As you said at the beginning of the meeting, this is we're talking at free will here, right? >> Right. >> April, what day contract period is he on? >> He works

223257. >> Any other questions on this area? Move on. >> Okay. Um, next to our transportation area budget. Um this covers one the transportation director, three mechanics plus their overtime. Um I have 53 bus drivers in plus the route supplements that some of them get for um going to two different schools. And then um we have some midday bus drivers that do midday routes. And we have an admin assistant that helps in the office. And then we have some extra labor for training to help train our new bus drivers. their benefits all the way down to um the phones at the transportation garage. Um repairs to the building um if it's needed, mileage for timber mat if it's needed. We have a truck they use most of the time. And then um fire extinguishers, drug

224screens, fuel um gas for the maintenance and mechanic vehicles, um supplies for their office, new tires, bus parts, cameras for the bus, gravel, mailbox replacements if we tear someone's property up, um professional development conferences for Matt or Tim, and then um MBRS for drivers. and tow bills. So, kind of just covers all the different aspects of what could happen in transportation. Um, this is one of the other areas I did reduce the budget just a little bit to take care of that restricted fund that was growing. So, I still think I mean I probably will have to dip into theirs because diesel is really is when I hit pretty good. So, we'll probably um have to dip into their restricted fund balance when we get to that point. I'll do that. Um, also if revenue

225I didn't didn't mention this earlier, but if revenue comes in higher than I've budgeted, then I can put these restricted funds back to where they're at, it just made sense for us to try to reduce a couple different funds because they were growing pretty large. Um, and then so the 2% increase is at 3,71 and 3% 3 million 89. Yeah, when I was looking over this, I I was really curious how was uh going to run all the buses for $135,000 worth of diesel fuel when we've already spent 231,000. >> I was going to and the price of diesel is skyrocketed. >> Well, the 231,000 will finish us out for the school. That's like my estimate for the So, we won't 135,000 won't get us there. Yeah, especially at $6 a gallon or do we

226get a does the county get a better price from co-op than what an individual does? Do we have a a contracted price >> with co-op? >> Yeah, >> I think so. I think they do. I think Tim maybe negoti I don't know if he negotiates that or not but we a couple years ago or maybe it was last year we had trouble getting what we needed from co-op >> and we went to uh one of the >> stations down the road just one of the stations and >> talked to them and asked them if we could fill up there because it would be a lot of buses coming through >> and it was significantly lower at co-op than it would be at >> I think there was a discussion back when the county moved from

227behind the office buildings because they lost their tanks to over where they are now with behind cost and there was some discussion and I think there was a a deal made with co-op at that time so that we could actually use their filling stations to to to take care of our buses and and it was decided at that time what the rate would be. I didn't I just wondered because if I'm not mistaken I believe like the fire departments and EMS have a little better rate than what >> you know >> we can check on that >> then I mean I'm just I was just curious >> yeah I think there's there's probably many opportunities that we could look at bulk fuel and stuff of that nature because I mean I I just for me

228for example I use one that they brought the tanks in they're all EPA certified everything's good to go all this and they keep drilling there and it's always a cent gallon or more better than anything we'll find. >> Might be easier for them to get in and out of too. A lot of the bus drivers complain about pulling out on the fourlane road >> very dangerous. >> So there's there's possibly some better things than that. >> Might be something looking into particularly with diesel getting so high and and we providing bus services. that be something. >> But I'll have Stacy call um co-op and see what kind of if we have something going on. I I just was just curious cuz I mean, you know, if if I was selling diesel fuel and somebody come

229to me using that kind of volume, you know, I'm going to give them a little extra discount to keep their business because >> I think we were able at that gas station that we went to, we were able to he gave us a little bit of discount, but it wasn't like we were paying at Co-op, but we didn't really have a choice because co-op couldn't supply us for a little bit there. So, we had to do >> they were down or something. Do you know why we didn't have keep our tanks when we moved or anything? I mean, >> well, there's a lot of regulations when you start getting into actually on your own tanks um having start >> other than depth to say that. That's about all I could really tell you. Mr. Gilly

230may know a little bit more information on how that works. >> The group I the group I use, they come in they come in with the certified tanks and they maintain the tanks. They own the tanks, keep the tanks. If your deal ever ends with them, they take the tanks back. uh monitor systems on them and everything else because all the fuel we use it comes straight from the tap in Chattanooga off the pipeline and uh that's where everybody and that's what gets me about the gas prices being dipping around town that's all every everybody it don't matter what blend what company who it is it all comes out of Chattanooga and Nashville off of this picket >> Robert do those individual tanks have to sit on certain certain type slabs >> no they they're

231they're self-contained basically there's a double wall that the tank setting down into so that if the tank ever starts leaking, it's still trapped into this cradle and all this good stuff and the pumps are mounted to it and everything. All you do is put fire to it. >> I was just curious is can they sit on regular asphalt or they have an actual >> asphalt? Gravel. Mine's on gravel. But your your question, Miss Jones, I that was something that was done many years ago >> and and I'm sure things regulations may have changed that they can actually do and and just being able >> that might be an option to check and see >> all the binning everything. I mean, they'll bring it in. Rogers Petroleum, I mean, I'm not talking about dealing with just

232one of the local gas companies. This is Rogers Petroleum or DND or Great Lakes, those those people. Kimbro and uh those people and they like I say they supply the paints and everything. So they did for us. I mean that's just one of their selling points and like I say we stay we stay 50 cents usually on average because that's usually what gas stations and everybody else marks up and same fuel. I mean there'll be a co-op truck behind a Rogers truck behind the Kimbro. And >> is there any insurance involved? >> All waiting to get in line to get off the same spot and judge. >> Is there do you have any insurance involved in that? >> Nothing. They take care of everybody. >> Well, I don't I mean I'm just under my liability.

233I mean, there's no clause in there that my liability is any different if I have bulk fuel on site or not. >> Mine ain't I don't know how it' be in the school world, but there might be something there, but Oh, I'm sure that that >> opportunity is something like this. >> And like I say, their tanks, I mean, they just they basically set up an app. >> We know we get a notification when their tanks are getting low. They already know and they're already on the road to fill them back up. And the price changes daily. You you literally get the daily market trading price rather than >> and it goes down whenever >> if it goes down three, four, five, six, eight, 10 cents. that day was and they have to fill you

234up that day. Well, you get that 10% or that 10 cent bump. So, you can actually sit there and study the fuel prices and watch them just a little bit and feed tanks back up. I run four or 5,000 gallons. So, >> that might be something to look into because it might save us some money. And I've I've changed companies >> four times in three years. Just how it works. >> One gets a little greedy, you find another one. >> Thank you for bringing that up. >> Looking for, you know, if we can save money, we can save money. Going to the next one. Um, it's the reason food service is on here. Carlin will talk about food service in just a little bit, but we paid them the extra pay out of general budget

235when we paid out the $2,000 bonuses. So, that was paid out of our general fund. So, that's why they're on here, but we actually don't budget anything. Um, she'll take care of that part of it in a minute. Um, community services. So, this is the area that on page 26. I'm sorry if I'm going too fast. Um, let me get down to it. So, this is the area budget that we pay the summer, not summer school, after school program, both the tutoring and the regular afterchool program. Now, if you look at the first three lines on here, it looks like we've spent that much money, but we actually have not. That is the budget amendment that you guys approved in the last meeting. So, we'll be able to restrict that money. I'll be able to

236put it in a signed fund at the end of the school year. Um, so those are not the actual number we're spending. That's the number that I'm going to restrict, the total number I'm going to restrict. Um, plus what we've spent for the school year so far. Um, this also pays the um the anything that anybody goes on a field trip for city, if they borrow our buses, we we pay pay our bus drivers out of this um out of this area of the budget. Um, this pays for our F FRC coordinator. It pays for our traffic employees that run um the traffic in the morning and the afternoon. Not sure if they do both, but we pay them extra labor for the traffic. Um, this also pays for Manchester City. So, the one of

237the the police officers that's stationed at the high school for traffic, she's a Manchester City employee and we have to pay them at the end of the school year for the days that she worked. So, she's not included in that traffic amount. She's down in the budget in the um 8500 that you see on the 399. So, that's what that contracted services is for. Um and then all the benefits for Miss for the F FRC coordinator professional development conferences and then anything that um we need for our students in need will be covered in this part of the budget. And she does have some grants that we don't currently budget in here, but we have some rollover. So the students in need section doesn't look like it's a whole lot of money, but she has

238grants that will help take care of that. So 2% would be um 135,024 and 3% would be 135,970. And I didn't budget in anything for after school program because I will use part of I will use what I've assigned or restricted to pull it back into the budget like we had decided like y'all had voted on. So that's why the afterchool program looks like zero at the top of the page. go into um early childhood education. This is our um prek part of the uh budget. So we pay seven teachers out of this um area of the budget, eight aids. Um, this is also part of our our central office part of our central office supervisor is paid out of here. Her salary split between K K5 and um preK um because she handles both

239benefits for those employees and then um curriculum instructional supplies, the teacher funds for these teachers that we give out to each teacher every year. um any kind of supplies or curriculum or um instructional materials they need and then professional development and conferences. Um part of the grant that we get the prek grant covers this. So we get the back on the revenues page um you go to the VPK grant we get 659,000 to help support our prek program. So um part of this if you look at the total that we spend on this area of the budget 2% would be a thousand a million79 3% would be a million88. So we get about 659 from the state to help with that prek >> and those costs continue to rise and that funding has stayed the

240same. >> I will mention too that we have to match a certain percentage. So, we have when we apply for this grant, we have to prove that we're providing a certain percentage. Um, that percentage kind of fluctuates, but we have to before they'll release the fund or award us the grant, we have to provide evidence that we're helping support the prek and they're not we're not totally using all of the grant money to support it. So, >> what is that bonus payments 18? Is that part of the grant 188 bonus? Um, that is No, that was the the teachers bonus, the state bonus that was given out. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah, >> that was that $2,000 that the state gave to teachers who qualified. >> Okay. >> Or certified employees that qualified. >> Um

24176100. Oh, I'm sorry. Did have y'all have any questions on that one? 76100. This is our capital outlay section. It covers our furniture and capital needs. And so there's not really any list or projects. We just put usually about $600,000 between the two accounts. And I usually split it evenly based on um what our needs are. And I can move those back and forth. We can move 200 in furniture or 400 in furniture. Those two can be moved fluctuate back and forth based on what Mr. Shores needs. I will mention that you see if you look at estimated this year we had some contracted services that was for um some W services that 40,000 was for W services so that would be something I would budget every year and then um we did the lighting

242so that's why our capital budget looks higher than normal for this year 80 uh principal on debt this used to be um debt service that we'd have to pay to the county for that the train the train improvements we made. But the county, if y'all I don't know if remember we talked about it um last year after they took our TVA revenue away, they decided to absorb this part. So we no longer have to pay that to the county. So I didn't budget it in there until they decide we'd have to pay it again. Then they decide to give us back the TV. Oh, now go to the very last page. Um, so if you look at the estimated column, don't freak out. Don't panic. So it looks like we're going to hit fund balance

243for 2.7, but if you go down into the bottom section where it says total unassigned fund balance, um, it accounts for all of these budget amendments that we did. the the hit fund balance. So like for the extra pay, for the security improvements, for the after school program. So all of those things are included in that $2.7 million. All that adds up to about $2.2 million. And so what we're really going to hit fund balance for my estimate outside of those things is about $528,000. And that's what you see right there on the bottom page. So if you look at it, this is just really estimates because we still have four months of revenue to um book and then three months of expenditures. So estimated fund balance at the end of the school year will

244be around 12.2. And if you look at what the 2% will cost us to give um the orange line going across the 2% will be 877,0004 496 and then the 3% will be 1,267 940. Keep in mind I was very conservative on revenue. So revenue numbers are likely to be more for local. And then also we have those additional teacher positions that we budgeted in for for um kindergarten that we may not use. So >> April, will you share kind of your as we built this budget and I really appreciate because you've worked extremely hard. I've learned a ton. Our philosophy is we're going to budget this what we're going to over budget underestimate revenue >> and we're going to overestimate cost >> and hopefully we land in a good safe solid place. >> Yes.

245I mean I'm very conservative on revenue because I I don't I don't know what local's going to do. Sales taxes up in the air. Property tax is pretty given but you know there's people that don't pay like you know that won't pay. So, it's not always we're going to get 100% of property tax, but I'm very conservative as far as revenue. And then I like to be in most scenarios. I know I've ever I've reduced some expenditures this year to take care of some of that building assigned restricted funds, but most in most situations, I'm very to the max on the revenue on the on the um expenditures. So, you're looking at, you know, worst case. Last year, I think we said we were going to go into fund balance a million dollars to give

246the 4% raise. And if we wouldn't have done all of these other things, we would have hit for 528,000. So, it was less. We're going to hit for less than what we actually said we're going to do. I will say this is the first year that we've hit since I've been here. We've always added to fund balance, >> and that's been incredibly difficult for me to build a budget knowing that. So, um, yeah, uh, >> that was fixed to be my question was are our our fund balance is really not >> outside of the things we're >> really not changing our fund balance because we're making more back. Even though we're trying to spend some of the fund balance in the right places and good things, we're still gaining back and adding to the fund

247balance >> just as much. You know, like I said, in the past few years, it's been better. But even if you break >> we break even, even though we hit it last year for I think last year I estimated we were going to add to fund we were going to add to fund balance and I think it was 1.4 four or five. >> Well, we had a couple really strong revenue months and I think we ended up adding almost two million to fund balance. >> Yeah. >> A lot of the things that was concerns of stadium lights, things of that nature >> kind of alleviated themselves, but we're adding back to fun. So really we have it >> outside of outside of the things that that have been done like the extra pay and the

248pretty much the high school security improvements and the after school program. I mean if we wouldn't have done those things we would have hit fund balance for 528 for a 4% raise this year. >> So if we >> and that's just my estimates. Now revenue could come in lower from what I've estimated. I have four months left that I haven't because it's two months. It's always book revenue into August for this school year. So, it takes a little bit for me to know that, but I'm doing my best estimates right now to know what we're >> So, if we approve this budget on a 3% increase, we're looking at 1.267 of a fund balance hit >> right now. >> Yeah. So, that's >> But then come next year, this time next year, that may not

249be near that much. No, because if you think about it, my my local revenue was flat. >> Yep. >> We didn't have Bonnaroo this year. Um, >> we're probably going to have Bonnaroo this year. I mean, it's hard to find. >> So, you're going to you're going to you're probably going to increase revenues that you have. >> I don't have Monoo in the budget >> and we've got a proven track record of throwing monies back to the fund balance. I don't put monitor in the budget for that reason, but it's usually um makes a difference around 500,000 four to $500,000 in revenue because it gives us that much sales tax. So, it really sticking to me that we didn't have it this year. >> So, we're we're really I mean, like I say, if even

250if you looked at the 3% increase at the 3% increase, I mean, we've got a proven I mean, I've been here for six and seven and that's what we're intended to hit the fund balance every year and we haven't done it yet. And this is the first year I think we will hit fund balance this year unless >> I bet I'll I'll bet I got enough faith in you. I bet it's not that much. >> Well, we'll we'll see. But it depends on um >> just because I've seen it because I'm not >> It's really hard. Revenues are really hard to judge what they're going to do, especially your sales tax. It's just you don't know if like with the gas prices if people are going to continue to spend like they are. I mean,

251if you buy from if you order from Amazon, you live in the county, the county gets all the credit for that. It's just how people are shopping. And so, it's just it's just hard to judge on what people are going to continue to do. But we we finished we'll finish the year over budget, I think, with sales tax, but it would have been if you look at the first page, it's 7.4 when I'm estimating. We would have been 7.8 or 7.9 with Bonnaroo. You know, that is good to know though because I've had people ask me, "Does Bonnaroo help the schools?" I say, "No." And I'm I'm finding out that's not true because we we benefit from the sales tax >> for what they buy. >> So, so that's what a half a million dollars.

252>> So, that's good to know. >> We get I think we get I mean get sales tax on everything that gets sold in there. >> We get, you know, they're shopping, they're going to Walmart, they're getting I mean, we get all that sales. It's a lot. also pay to use the high school cafeteria. >> Yeah, we we get that >> and parking lot. >> And see, I was just thinking that's all I wasn't thinking beyond the sales tax part. That really makes >> Yeah. Usually my typical like sales tax month is about 550. Um when Monoo's in town, it's upward almost 900. >> It's It's a lot of revenue we lost this year for that. And then you take that and then the TVA money that was the guaranteed 671,000 >> over a million dollar

253that's your bal that's your fund balance hit >> right >> and so >> thank you very much this is I know this took a long time but I think it was good for everybody to be able to see >> this these specific areas and ask questions >> thank you for your patience >> you did Anybody else have any other questions about anything on that? >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Can people get this? >> So, I haven't put out there. I haven't put it out there yet. I will after we I'll get with Miss um Shannon and we'll get it put out on the board documents. >> Okay. >> Um >> just if if people in the community are really curious about where the money is going. >> Yeah. And then I mean

254it's usually published in um e plan too. I know a lot of people don't know that, but it's you can anybody can go into e plan and look at our budget >> once approved. >> Once it's approved. Yes. >> Before Miss Cotton present, I want to plant a seed and then get away from it because Mr. Hanser kind of brought some things to my mind outside of pay. When you go to interview for a job, pay is one just one part. Another huge part are our benefits and and and we really do a good job I feel like of treating our our employees with good benefits. If I mean currently they're paying nothing if they just are their own insurance. If they're just covering themselves, we pay for that. Um and and just kicking that

255around. But it came up the other day in a CATAC meeting. If you know when some of our pay increases that you all have voted in, well, our insurance continues to grow. That's not a Coffee County thing. That's a state, that's a nationwide thing. Our insurance increases are eating up a lot of those raises. >> Kind of speaking to what you were talking about, but we do a good job of that. A lot of school systems are getting away from the paying their insurance for an retired employee until a Medicare. We still offer that. If you're here 15, your last 15, we still do that. And that is a huge benefit for our very >> our legacy, our legacy folks that are doing that. That is a huge benefit. So there's another side to that.

256Do what? >> I've never had that in my job. I got in my line of work ever. >> Right. and and that's another part of >> or >> yeah or or pay part of the the package that we offer and we have a lot to be proud of there because it's not that way in a lot of systems. A lot of systems are getting away from paying that. Um it kind of changed a few years back because we're all on a state plan and that's when systems started dropping off because same Mr. talk uh welding out or metal shaping out in CTE for 30 years. You uh you didn't get any insurance help after that unless you taught in one of the systems. Now in the past six seven years the state will give a

257a retiree a reduced >> reduced amount of insurance >> until that come until it kicks in at 65. So, we're paying for all of it. So, good thing is the state's still paying a portion of it, but we're paying the rest of it. >> A lot of school systems don't do that. >> No, ma'am. They don't. >> No, ma'am. >> And I didn't Other states aren't that good either. I know in Kentucky they they got a good program there, but they don't even pay in the social security for the teachers. And so, when they retire, they don't draw social security. And it's one of the things that we do, but whenever you look at the pay scale, >> it's not reflected on that pay scale that we're paying all this extra on top of it.

258>> So it it might look like and actually we're in really good shape on pay scale even, but it may not look like we're paying quite as much, but actually they're not paying their insurance. We are. >> Right. Right. >> And you throw that on it. >> Well, we all know what insurance is like when you pay for it yourself. Well, I done after meeting with Miss Smelson earlier in the year, you know, she gave me what the insurance was and just running some rough numbers, you know, you're basically looking at somewhere about $6 an hour benefit just for medical insurance, >> you know. So, I mean, that's the benefit cost, you know, >> and it doesn't show up on that pay scale. >> No, it don't show up on that pay scale. >> Makes

259a difference. You know, that's what it's good insurance. Yeah, I mean it's good insurance and >> mine is not and I'm still paying for it. >> And my last little fertilizer of that seed is we're looking at cheaper ways. We're exploring cheaper ways and in my household I'd much rather watch my brother get a beaten than me. So we're we're learning from others and seeing and if they don't they're successful. We may explore some things that >> hopefully lower our insurance costs, but if if it doesn't go well, we know to stay away from those things. But we're still trying to find ways to cut those costs for all all our employees, certified, non-certified. Well, I always felt the benefits for of being an educator out kind of outweighed the salary part in a way

260because you got a career you you're going to re you're going to retire with retirement if everything stays the same hopefully and uh you get insurance all your you know all the time you're working. >> Sure. >> And then a reduced amount for your family. So, >> and that's for all >> I hope we keep that up. Yes, ma'am. Sorry, Miss Thank you for that update. Thank you. Yes, sir. You didn't ever get to you, did you? >> All right, I'm handing out my budget. It is two pages. >> I got plenty. I can't wait to calc. >> Okay. >> Only two. >> Yes. Don't y'all think she needs some more experience? >> Don't you think she needs to do mine for a year? >> I bet you'd gladly. >> Well, I would. I try

261to every year. She tries to get me every year and I say no. >> No. >> I'm okay. This is enough. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Wow. >> And this year is a better year than last year. C I was going to say has been wonderful. >> And it's stapled on the wrong side. I I put it in for some reason. I didn't change it because I figured it Oh, I need my >> Sorry. Um, like I said, we have done really well this year. The C program has been a blessing. Um, and the summer school program has been really good. the summer school program, even though it means we work all year, has I mean it it just was a wonderful program and we really made some profit off of that, too. But so

262I'll start with revenue and I'll just real quickly show you some changes. Um if you look at the top lunch payments, children, you see it says zero and income from breakfast is zero because this year we collected no money because it was C. They ate for free. So, I did not know that when I did the budget last year. We had not approved C. So, that's why it looks like, you know, we didn't make the 315 that I thought we would make. But, um, we did make more off of, um, adults. I think that was I increased the price some and, um, people are still eating. Um, all cart surprisingly has not sold very well this year and I think it's because kids don't come with money in their pockets. That's the only thing I

263could figure. We haven't changed anything. I'm going to work on that. See if we can get it to improve. But I think before they had money in their pockets, they might just buy chips instead of the meal, >> but now you get the meal for free. >> So, >> you know, we we pushed that a little bit because I'd rather them get a whole meal than I would the chips or >> beef jerky or whatever they buy. But anyway, we have looked at that and maybe changing it around. Um our investment income um we got a little bit more this year. We have a a CD. I think it's $100,000. So depends on and the trustee invested every year and he does a great job with it and this year we came out really well

264on that. Um let's see. State educated education funds. It's a state matching funds that they send it to me every year based on our our um meals sold or meals the kids ate every year and it's always around 22,000. It was 22,271 this year. Uh federal revenue now this did go up. Our lunch program since it was free um increased significantly. So did our breakfast. So that was good. You can see that we got a lot of federal funds coming in due to the C program that made up for the lunch payments and income from breakfast that we didn't get. Um USDA other is actually our fresh fruit and vegetable and our summer school program. Any summer school instead of breaking it down into lunch and breakfast, the state requires me to put it in

265that coding for 7114 USDA others. So, um, there was about $400,000 that was put in from the summer school program. It was huge. So, our revenues so are estimated at 3,956,6153. And you can see it's significant from last year. Okay. Revenues or expenses on the next page. Now, I know um April mentioned something about that she used to pick up something for me. It was part of my salary and it goes back to when Dr. McFall was here because I'm in the legacy program. So, >> your number >> I've been here a while. >> Yeah. And so what happened was um we came to a point when she was here we did not have a director of health services and instead of hiring one she decided to there was three employees and she decided to

266put them underneath me instead. So I picked up the family resource coordinate school health and social worker and she did that because it was three employees. She did not give me extra pay and that's what we do in education. We do that. I mean that's just what you do. you pick it up and you go on, you know, and I was fine with it. We were fine until we checked with the state to make sure that was all right. And the state said that was fine except that um you could not pay my full salary out of um food service because food service is for food service. And if part of my time was being spent on another department, that percentage of time that I felt that I would spend had to be spent out

267of general fund. So, we took 10% of my salary out of general fund to to and it same salary, no increase, just a realignment of it. >> Well, this year, um, Mr. for Hard Grove decided that he felt like that I probably was really not doing him justice and that I needed to just do food service, which I'm so glad he did because 50 employees and nine schools and year round feeding it. It just it was a lot. And >> that's why not only are we feeding children, you know, for breakfast, for lunch, we're feeding them in the summer. Uh we had a day where we let out for snow. Boom. She's on top of it. Her she met with her staff yesterday and they are some of the best ladies on the planet. They

268are amazing. And as I visited schools, they do such a great job. But her job is growing just with all the additional feedings. >> Well, I' I've never known the food service record to be anything other than food service until you >> right >> until they put that on you because it's always been just food service. That's all they did. It is rare unless a school only has two or three schools, you know, or a district has two or three schools. In that case, they might have several other duties, but anything with nine or above. I mean, something like that. >> Well, I'm thinking about here in our system. I've never known the food service director to ever do anything other than food service, >> right? And like I said, I did not mind. I

269did it did it all those years and was fine with it. But when Mr. Hardgrove mentioned it and said that he was willing to free me up that time, I I jumped on it and said that was fine. But I had to move that 10% back. So it looks like I've got like some big raise. I did not. I'm making the same amount I made all these years. It just all now is back in food service. So I wanted to explain that and that way um it it's really the way it's supposed to be. It truly is. So and I can devote more time to this which I'm very excited about. >> So the general school's not paying >> or your the general school budget's not paying. No, we just moved it back. All we

270did was move it once, now we just moved it back. But I wanted to explain it. Um, other things on expenses. Um, of course there's all the social security, state, retire, all that. Um, food supplies did go up significantly this year because we fed so many more kids. I mean, not only is it more expensive to feed to feed kids, but we fed a lot more kids. So C has allowed us an opportunity to feed more kids. And, you know, it's great. That makes me happy. >> Yes. So, I'm fine with the food costs going up and we increased our summer program so drastically last year that I was spending in the summer, you know, two or one or one one or $200,000 on groceries to to get that much food out. So, that increased

271it significantly as well. But that's fine because it was a great program. Um, let's see. So, food supplies did go up. Um, I've had to buy some equipment. I am going to be buying more equipment, but you can see my final expenses for this year is 3,811 U508 and that leaves me with an increase in fund balance of $145,9353. So, we came out ahead. I, as April does, I always am very conservative. So, on my revenue for the next few months, I went with lower numbers and expenses, I went with higher numbers. So, I look for our fund balance to even be a little bit higher than that. But, um, much better. Last year, we we lost money. This year, we came out ahead and I'm very excited about it. Um, I'm going to try

272to put some of that back into the schools because I think there's definitely some need at the high school, some improvements. So, we're going to probably spend it on that. And I have that coming up at the next board meeting. Um, are there any questions? And my fund balance, if you look, is currently $1,966446.17. So we've we've got some fund balance. So we're in good shape, which I like to keep because if C, if we reach a point where it's not doing as well, I'd still like to keep it for the four years and have some cushion there to cover it. >> I just have a question on that 100,000 CD. That's very interesting to me that, >> you know, I think Chanel did that when she was here. I did not do that. >>

273I really >> that was here when I came >> and so um I'm pretty sure it was Chanel that did it. >> Yes. So she did a good thing. >> Yeah. And it's really great. I mean some years I don't get much but every year I had to do a thing for um that says that I will allow I have a letter I do every year that says I will allow the trustee department to reinvest it. So every year I I do that, sign it and take it over there and they reinvest it for me every year. >> Well, I didn't realize I mean I had no idea that I've just >> I just kept going. >> That's a pretty good idea. >> Yeah, it's great. I haven't needed it. So >> I'm glad she

274worked for me. >> I know. She's pretty smart. >> No, I didn't know we could even do that. >> I I've just kept it. I mean I mean I guess we can do that. So I haven't changed it. I saw no reason to take it out. I've just always >> I think that's good because it's making money and you you've got that cushion. >> Yeah. I meet with him every year. We talk about it and he >> he does. Some years it's like that. Some years depending on >> he tries he he shops around and gets the best rate for me and we talk about it and that's what we do. >> Yeah. >> That's very >> Yeah, that's the way I say it. So I have the letter that states that we talk about

275it and you know until they do I guess >> It gets reviewed every year so I don't see a reason to change. >> That's good. That's good. >> So I got 9,000 off of it this year about so yeah it's really good. Some years it's that some years it's five >> but >> the C program is it something that got to reapply every year? I do reapply every year and if my numbers are better or I want to reertify for that year, I can um they're not going to be as good as what they were last year. You're automatically get it for four years. >> Okay? >> So once but those are the numbers that carry with you. At the end of that four years, you have to reapply. So I would be smart to

276if a year we get like really good numbers with all the guidelines, go ahead and carry it. Say year three, you you go up 10% on the numbers, then you want to reapply. >> Yes. Or if I'm down just a little bit, right? >> You know, but um from the look of this year, I don't think it's going to be a year that I do that. I don't know that it's going to get higher. A lot of us are concerned that we're not going to ever >> There's been some flip-flop in in Washington, >> and she >> she has uh she has adapted. We've talked quite a bit about it, but she's on top of it. And >> it all depends on um like uh the SNAP program, food serve, you know, all these different

277programs that they have and how hard they make them to get, how many people are getting them, and that's really what drives it. Or if or if the government says, "Hey, we're going to make the restrictions this, we're going to give that." You know, they they might change the whole program if they would do that. they may have to because nobody will qualify >> before long. So that's my hope is that they change it between now and then because so because so many districts now are worried. So there's going to be a lot of people have to give it up. >> I think that we can we can offer that. >> Oh, I think it's wonderful and it's I think my managers have enjoyed it. Um I know they are this time of year. Usually

278we're begging for money right now. Students couldn't pay their bills. And um you know I'd have a lot of donations from throughout the the community. People would come and give me a thousand or this say can you pay off all the debts you know and I was doing that and that was really working well but I was stillounding people for money and we don't have to do that anymore. They don't owe anything. >> You were fundraising. >> Yeah. Oh I mean it was crazy. And there are some districts in our region that are getting having to get out for a >> numerous reasons. >> And I'm proud that we can stay in it because I think it serves our kids, our cafeteria folks. I mean, everybody wins. >> It's a win-win for all of us

279as long as we keep it up. >> I I forgot. What does the C stand for? I forgot. >> Community Eligibility Program. >> Okay. >> Yeah, that doesn't really make sense, but I guess it. You know, I had to say it, look at it many times. I kept forgetting it because >> And so what you're saying, a lot of them might not be eligible and that's what's going to >> Well, that you know, >> like I get 81% paid back free >> based on my numbers. Some places get 100% paid back. Some of them get 90. Some of them get 70. >> The other percent you have to pay they're going to give you very little money for like in less than a dollar. So, if you can't cover those costs, you don't make enough

280by keeping your cost down and keeping it below that amount you're getting back, >> you can't cover it. >> Um, so, and I have been able to cover it this year and maybe cover it a little bit more, but and I know um there's I think it's Hickman County. Uh, what's happened is she's have struggling, but they're they're they've gone up so much on their salaries. I mean, she's even way above me that she can't cover her salaries under it anymore, you know, because I mean, everything weighs into that cost. It's not, you know, it's the food and everything. And so, I think they're getting out of it next year. And >> she's had to have the state come in and help her with >> finances. So, >> so it's a fine line there. You

281just got to be careful and try to keep your cost down as much. We really redid our order guides and um I've reorganized everything this year to try to keep our cost as low as we could. >> Thank you. Because I'm sure all of us still want that to continue. >> I know. >> Well, I hope so too. My managers certainly like it. We like it this time of year. We really like it. >> Thank you for your turn. >> Oh, thank you very much, >> Miss Freda. Before we move on, can we take about a three minute break? That would allow Miss Cole to set up for the next >> Yes. If you have any questions, call me. >> I mean, I'll be glad to tell you, help you anything. >> Thank you, Carla.

282Thank you. Thank you very much. Miss Cole, are you ready for us? >> Yes, ma'am. Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Chris Cole, director of federal programs and secondary education 9 through 12. And I want to talk to you a few minutes about summer school 912. So, summer school 912 is a little bit different than the other camps in the district during the summer because K8 is mandatory and 912 is not. We get funding for K8 for the summer learning camps and the learning loss bridge camps. We do not get funding for 912 and it's optional. So, it's at the LEA's discretion. And we have chosen the past, as far as I can remember, to offer summer school. And by law, students can't enter credit recovery because that's why students are going to summer school to recover

283credits that they're deficient in. If they fail with a grade below 50, they're not eligible. So, if they get below 50, they have to go through the entire class again. They do not have a credit recovery option. I want to share a little bit about funding. So, as I said earlier, K8 is funded by the Tennessee Department of Education as appropriations allow, but 912 is not. What's happened in the past is we've had ESSER pay for summer school. We've had Title 4 pay for summer school. And then a long time ago, uh, many many years ago, I can remember when students paid $50 per semester course to attend summer school. And that's been a long time. And so we didn't all always offer it because if we only had one or two students sign up,

284there wasn't funding to pay a teacher. Um, and so those days happened many years ago. But uh for the last I don't know probably over 10 12 years um maybe even longer than that summer school has been free for our students 9 through 12. All right. This is why it's coming up now. So in the past it's just been free. Um, and we have considered charging tuition for summer school 9 through 12 students. And this is why. So, we had a leadership meeting a few months ago and I talked about the rising cost of summer school and summer school cost. It's going up because we're shifting to another program and we're using a more rigorous program. We're just moving it up a notch so our kids will have a better learning experience. Um, and so

285in order to adjust for that, it's going to take students longer to finish summer school. So now it can take a full month for students if they need credit recovery to complete summer school. So instead of having maybe a teacher or two for two full weeks, it may now need to be four full weeks. Plus, we're using this new program, so students will be in summer school longer and the costs were going to go up. So when I mentioned that at one of our leadership team meetings, they asked why students didn't pay. Good question. Or if students pay, why don't students pay? Could students pay? Yes, they can. Students can pay um under the approval of the school board. So that is an option, but we haven't exercised that option in a long time because

286we've used title four and ESSER. So that's where we are um and why it's coming up now. So this is what I did and this survey completely took me by surprise some of the results. But I decided to develop a quick survey and send it to our secondary uh Raider Academy high school administrators uh people who are most closely associated with summer school because I wanted to know what they thought. I had heard bits and pieces but I just wanted in a ser a survey instead of me just going by different conversations. And so I did. I sent it to nine of the closest people related to summer school. Um, and eight of the people completed it just recently. And this is the most clear-cut response I got. Um, of all the questions and I

287didn't ask many questions, but of the questions that I did ask. To what extent do you support the implementation of the tuition fee for 912 summer school? And as you can see, over half the people supported or strongly supported. And um, I think that's three people were neutral. So that's that one's the clearest to see of the questions I asked. From there it gets a little muddy. And then I asked, well, how do you think it would impact student attendance and completion? And that's where we had about half say um tuition would have a positive impact because they now are accountable. there's there's a reason to be accountable. You have you have to pay for it and so it means a little bit more when it comes out of your own pocket, right? But there

288were also three that said it would be negative and one person was unsure. So there's that question. And then I asked, well, what do you think if we did have tuition, what do you think would be a reasonable fee? Half the people said $50 for a semester course. And then we had basically one person say 75, one person say 100, one person say none, and then one person say 75 or 100. So what I can glean from that is if we offered it, half the people said $50. If we if we required it, half said $50. And then I asked, so if we're going to have like a fee waiver, what else should we consider? And half the people said it's situational hardship. We had one say nothing, just economically disadvantaged direct. Um, and one

289say IEP requirements. And this one was all over the place. So, I asked about the level of concern when it comes to bookkeeping and refunds and and all the the things that go along with it. And you can see it was from one to 10. one very little to no concern. 10 being um a great concern because of the the time involved and the extra things that would be associated with it. And what I did was I asked just elaborate if you have any thoughts or concerns like anything else. And I summarized this and kind of grouped it into categories so it just would be easier to read. Um but the negative was the financial barrier maybe preventing some students from participating. Um and the positive was accountability. Our kids need some accountability. And then

290with the long-term effects of charging a fee, you know, the positive is it says giving students skin in the game, maybe increase some more support, um taking it more seriously and those kinds of things. the short-term concerns, immediate negative effects could include um increase in graduation failures, parent frustration directed at the school uh for implementing tuition, which we haven't done in many many years. So, after I have looked at these responses and kind of gone back and forth with everything I've read, even though the majority supports tuition, the responses on are split on the impact. Um, I thought I was going to come to you and say, "Do you support tuition for summer school?" But after looking at all of this, I'm at a place right now where I don't think that's what I'm I'm

291asking. Uh right now, I think it would be in our best interest to move forward with this new program and see how this new program impacts enrollment and participation and completion. instead of doing this new program and putting tuition, if our enrollment drops, why will is our enrollment dropping? Is it dropping because we're using a new program or we're implementing tuition? And I think if we have two new variables at the same time, we'll never know. So, I thought I was going to come to you and say, would you support a tuition? And my recommendation was going to be $50 per semester credit based on what we did many, many years ago. But that's not what I'm asking. I'm just letting you know and and my uh experience and my recommendation based on this feedback.

292I don't think that's what we need to do this summer. It's a new program. Um it's going to be tougher. It's going to take them longer. It's they're going to have to buckle down and get serious. When I have visited summer school the past few summers at the high school, I'll usually go to students and ask why why are you here and what happened? what caused you to be here? Um, and students are great. They'll just be honest and most of them tell me, "I just didn't do my work. I didn't do my work." And I'll say, "Well, did you ask questions? Did you try to get help?" No. And they will and some of them will say, "I was lazy and I didn't do what I supposed to do." Um, they don't blame anybody

293but themselves. And so, um, anyway, we have provided this opportunity. We haven't been obligated to do that, but we've done that because we think it's the right thing to do and it helps kids. Uh, but at this time, I'm not going to ask for your support for tuition this summer because I don't think we need to do that in a new program at the same time. So, looking at all of this holistically, if I would have known then why what I know now, this probably wouldn't have been on the agenda. But I didn't know it until I got my survey data back and I've really started digging into it. So, do you all have any questions or thoughts or comments? >> How many kids go uh 9 through 12 sign up? >> It's it's all

294over the place. Like when I see the enrollment sometimes there may be initially 30 40 kids and then when I show up there aren't that many. Mhm. >> Um even under the old system and Mr. Damewood had been g telling me to use caution with using the old program that we've been using. Um it was fiscally responsible to use that program. However, it had run its course. It's antiquated, outdated, and he said when it crashes, it crashes. There's there's no support for it. Um and we rode that as long as we could. And it's time. it's time to move on. But there are times when I'll go back in the afternoon and there may be three students left. I've noticed the majority who'll come to summer school, they'll come in the morning and they will

295not stay past lunch. >> So, it's an all day thing. >> It's an all day thing. >> So, years years and years ago, my dad taught summer school at the high school under Carl Russell. Remember when >> uh my dad and Richie Clark >> did English classes, but it was just 8 to 12. >> It was just half day. This is all day long. Not to say most of them take advantage of that because they don't. But it is offered, >> right? >> And so, you know, if there are only five kids, we don't need three teachers. I usually budget for three teachers. Um, and so I let people know upfront for those who are willing. Like this, it really is based on enrollment. So, um, anyway, >> yeah, >> fair to assume that we

296may have this same conversation next year with more information. >> Yes, I I think so. We haven't had this conversation in years because it's been free. Um, but you know, you start looking at funding and funding sources and I think if I didn't use title four because this is impacting our federal funding. Um, and we kind of know how how that works. And so in my mind, I I'm envisioning more Title 4 to transfer to Title One to make that program work longer if we had a little bit of support from parents and students. But this isn't the time to do it, I don't think, with the new program. >> What is the cost of that? I mean, what do you have to spend out for the summer school program out >> in the past

297under the old system? Um, it was based on teachers stopping alone because the program had been built by the teachers. >> So, we were using um like an empty vessel, but it was called Moodle and teachers built. And what I found myself doing, which seems smart, but I found myself paying stipens for teachers to um align the standards and update and revise and we were sinking this money into a product that's not going to exist very long. >> Um and so it was just costing stipen money at that point. But where it seems like we're always revising, the state's revising ma if it's not math, it's ELA. If it's not ELA, it's science. And then I started struggling to find teachers willing to work in the summer and to work do extra work to to

298these courses because by the time they finish the day they want to finish the day and they have other responsibilities. So I was struggling to find people um I think the latest one was science with the new science standards I I couldn't find enough people willing to update the courses and the courses need to be aligned. So with this product they're automatically aligned. So Christie, >> the teacher who comes in for the summer school, they teach all these different courses in >> No, it's they are facilitator. They're more of because it's online. So they are facilitating. They're encouraging. They're tracking progress. They're calling parents because we got to a point a few years ago where >> some of the parents thought their students were at summer school just like the regular school day, but they

299weren't. And we had some parents who thought their kids had finished summer school and they hadn't. And so we kind of tighten tighten the reigns there to make sure that uh they do those things like they do in the regular school year. Just staying on top, encouraging, tracking, intervening, just giving them support. >> How many kids do you find complete the that come in the number that come in? The number that >> Oh, that's a good question. And I could if they don't drop within the first couple of days, I would say the majority of them complete. >> Okay. >> But I can't I can't give you a percentage right off. I would be wrong. >> Would you get a better persist participation rate and higher percentage if the program just went from 8 to

30012? >> Well, it with new curriculum. >> So, that's a good question. And I think I I probably didn't explain that at all. they can leave after half a day. It they are not mandated to stay all day because some students work. They, you know, they have jobs and they have responsibilities. That's a great question. They are not mandated to to stay all day long. They can leave um at the lunch break time, which is around 11:30ish. >> That's a great good question. Do you have many students, Christa, who come in who want to complete high school early so they'll take these courses? I know my daughter did that. >> So that's different. That's not credit recovery. That would be completing the comprehensive course itself and right now we limit it to credit recovery. >>

301Okay. All right. So you don't have that program anymore. Okay. >> Anybody else? So, if you have any other suggestions other than I think it's it's a good idea just to start this new program and we'll go from there um at this time. >> All right. Thank you all. >> Thank you for presenting this to us. >> Okay. The next item would be the tennis courts and u it was you know >> it was me. Okay. I think we all got a couple emails about the tennis courts. Um, I emailed back and had to embarrassingly admit that I myself have gone past those tennis courts hundreds and hundreds of times and never once paid any attention to them. And shame on me for that. But I think that goes to prove that tennis does get

302overlooked a bit. Here's some pictures they sent me if you want to pass them around. So, I'm going to read just a little bit of one of the emails and basically I wanted to just bring it to our attention and see what Mr. Shor's thoughts were on this because I don't know anything about tennis courts. Um, we are writing to express serious concern regarding the condition of the tennis courts. The current state of the facility is not only embarrassing for our school system, but it is also unsafe and completely unsatisfactory for the student athletes who are expected to practice and compete there. Um, it goes on to talk about the deteriorating surfaces you can see in those pictures. We also believe that if the facilities used by other sports programs were in similar condition, the

303issue would be addressed far more quickly. We do not believe either of our athletic directors would allow their respective team teams to compete on fields or courses that resemble the current state of the tennis courts. Unfortunately, the message being sent to our tennis players, coaches, and community is that because tennis is a nonrevenue sport, it receives minimal attention and resources. Our student athletes deserve better than that, they represent Coffee County with pride and should have facilities that reflect the same. And I know that we all agree with that. So, I just wanted to ask Mr. Shores about tennis courts. >> Tennis courts. Okay. Uh I got a message about tennis courts. Gosh, this is the week before they had their first match. And basically saying that the the tennis courts were in disarray. They were

304in bad shape. They were not safe. Uh I end up going ahead and going over there and meeting with uh the AD and the principal at that time. and the person that they exactly right. They were very unsafe and they were not fit to be playing tennis on. Uh the the courts we we had gone through and redid the courts about two years ago and completely sealed or filled all the cracks. Uh repainted the entire courts, everything. Completely redid the courts. Uh since that time, first of all, you got to realize tennis courts are are pavement. Um, but for whatever reason, pavement starts to spread on you. It starts cracking and it starts and they were in awful shape and if anybody played on them, somebody was going to get hurt and the ad and

305I said, "We're closing these courts down because they are too dangerous uh till we try to get something done." So, I went and got brought in two companies. Uh, one of the companies told me right up, he said, "I can give you some ideas." and he said, "This is too big of a job for me." The other one gave me a price. Uh, one of the prices was around right at $10,000, just shy of$10,000, uh, to fill some of the cracks. And he said, "I will not warranty it because it's going to happen right away again." Uh, the other price that he gave, which was the painting and filling the cracks and doing was $44,000. Uh, I I didn't feel like either one of those was good to go with. I mean that that's it's

306a it's a fortune. So I got with our maintenance and we started tackling it to make them playable and that was my whole goal was to make it playable for the the tennis players. Uh they started working and filling cracks. Went to Home Depot, went to to Lowe's, bought material, used every bit of the material fill in cracks and it still did not finish the the job. So they well we went to Home Depot first then I said go to Tahas see what you can find go to Winchester see what you can find. So they bought the rest of what they could get there started filling it up. Did not finish it. Um it did create a little bit of a a ridge for the uh where the cracks was filled with pave paving stuff.

307So they found some mortar type material and finished it up with the mortar material. I thought we were in pretty good shape. I met over there again with the coach. He looked at it. He said, "I was over here and and the the material that we that had the the the mortar when you rubbed your foot across it, it actually made a powder." And I was like, "What can we do? We're" So, we went ahead and we had some paint left over from the previous two years ago that we did the work and we painted over those areas. So they would not my thought process was it would keep it from it would seal it and actually it didn't uh some of the the higher areas of the paving we pulled our grinders out of

308the truck with a grinding pad and they got on their hands and knees and ground on the the areas that they had fixed. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. Is it playable? Yes. Is it beautiful? No. But our job >> is it on capital projects? >> Is it on capital project radar? Yes. >> Yes. We we worked on it. We put many hours into it. We made the plan surface. >> How much did that cost? I mean, >> the exact cost that we did now, but it wasn't close to to the the charge or the the quote that we got. And and and we got it playable. Is it still not great? Yes, I I agree. It's not great. We didn't have white paint. We didn't paint the lines. They're not in awful shape. Um, if

309you've not been over there to look at, please do stop and look at it. Even the person that put it out there said, "Please look at it. Look at them." I I agree with you. They're not great, but they're My goal was for them to be to play play tennis on it. And last week they played three m or three different days they played tennis on it. So, it is playable. Is it perfect? No. Could somebody get hurt? Absolutely. I'm not gonna say it can't. But it is in playable shape. Do we need to look at doing something else with it? Yes. And I'm gonna take it to the the capital projects committee at the beginning of next year. There there's problems with our courts. I truly think that there's water coming off of the

310building off of the uh Raider Academy. It comes down a hill, hits the parking lot, then it drops underneath that court is what's happening, I think. And and what happens is when water gets underneath it, then it freezes. It just is it spreads and it's it's cracking apart. The parts that we even fixed, you can't even go out there right now and see another crack all the way down every one of them. So, that what we fixed is is truly doing what the guy said. I won't warranty it because it's going to break again. The only way that I know how that we could go through and fix it is is to possibly completely redo the courts and tear them out and build new ones. Uh am I saying that's what we need to do?

311No. Can we go this other direction? Maybe. But that's that's where we are. I agree with the guy the person that that sent the tech the email. They're not perfect, but they are playable. And that was the goal. We had a week to get it done and we ran out of materials. I even got in touch with uh volunteer paint and asked them to get the same material that we used before to fill the cracks and I called them. I was at the TASA meeting with u Stephanie. I'm like do you have our material ready? He said I just found out they will not send it. I was like what? He said they will not send it because if you put it in right now with the chances of freezing it will not set up

312and it will not work. It will fail. you know, make our product look bad. It's like, what do I do? So, we we did everything I felt like we could at the time and that's where we are. Um, and I think it's now up to, you know, when we meet as a capital projects, that's direction everybody wants to go, we'll take off and we'll tackle it that way. Um, and there's a couple ways we can do it. Like I said, tear everything out, put new drain lines in um to to drain the water away from it. that might prevent them from from cracking up again. Um or or bring somebody in to repair them each year right before tennis court or tennis matches. I'm I'm I'm to that point of that's all I know to

313do. >> Well, maybe the capital committee can come up with something. Might even new location. I mean, that doesn't it doesn't have to be there. I mean, if you're going to build new tennis >> court realize we just put in uh $50 $60,000 in lights at the tennis court. >> Uh so those are all installed and just got finished and installed. >> New lighting uh must go lighting which is very nice there. They as I told somebody all they're doing is showing our bad tennis courts in Nevada. Um I'm not happy with that. It's just that's what it's done. It makes our tennis courts a little love worse. >> Yeah. >> Uh because you can see it better. >> It says that we >> that's that's what what we've got. And and and I did

314talk AD went over there with me and and he he said that our courts are actually better than a lot of the ones they actually play on. >> Oh, that's sad. >> That's not saying something good. That doesn't matter, y'all. It's our teams. It's our kids. It's our families. It's our community. We want the best for our kids. >> Yes. >> And it doesn't matter what everybody else has. We We want the best for our kids and >> but it's playable. And he felt like it was playable as well. >> What is the timeline like tennis season? And this ties in with you, Miss Holly. >> This is if we decide it. It will be an investment. I promise. A new redoing. >> It's going to be a will be an investment. The other time

315is we're on a shorter leash timewise. >> Yes. >> Because you don't want to do it in the fall or in the winter because the weather >> weather starts >> March >> and even if you want it there >> the end of April as wind starts kicking in. >> Exactly. >> Right in the middle of a great parking lot. the the timing is awful because we're still having freezing weather sometimes in in April >> and we're trying to get them corrected and get it all fixed >> before the season the season starts and it could still come a hard freeze >> and create the problem. So >> soybeans, I hope not. >> It's just a bad problem there of of the timing of making it happen in and actually fixing it now that that's where

316we are. >> But >> that's what happened. >> I wonder what other schools or districts how they what they do. Just curious. I don't I have no idea. I know nothing about tennis or tennis courts or >> that was me. >> It is an investment. Oh, I'm sure. Yeah. >> And the other end of it, for the folks that like to play it in the summer, they're not going to be able to, >> right? >> Because you need, if we are going to make that investment, that's why we're on a little bit of a short leash in my mind >> because with this project would need to be done with the heat. >> We would we would need to start doing during the summer cuz >> most of your paving is preferably is done during

317>> summertime with the heat so that it all works better is what though I've been told by pavers before. Uh, so you do have a problem some problems there. Some things you can't do it. It's just >> if we put it in different location, they could use it until that was I mean I think we need to look at all options because like you said that's that's uh good space good real estate over there where those tennis courts are for parking and we've got a high school that that maybe have space for it there. I just hate to see everything pulled. >> Well, what's the problem with our high school and where it's been located? Everybody knows it's in a white wet area. It's It's wetlands. >> Yeah, but you don't have to have a

318septic tank for a tennis court. You >> Well, you got to have a good base. Your your base and your foundation is going to be there's a lot >> majority of it holding together as well as the drainage to pull the water away. Once again, I'm talking of the knowledge and things I've heard over the time. Uh Mr. Hansen, Mr. Gilly may know a whole lot more about that part of it, but that's the things I've >> So, you're telling me it needs to stay where it is? >> Most people. >> No, I'm not saying it needs to stay there. I'm just saying >> build a new high school over there and solve it all and build everything out there. >> It's just not out there. >> I'm not saying that's where it needs to

319stay. I'm not trying to say that either. But the other thing you got to realize, our tennis course gets used by our middle school and our high school >> and truly the Raider Academy is the central location. >> Yeah. >> For both of those to be able to use it. best place for high school, too. >> She don't like it. >> Well, it looks like you tried to get it fixed. So, maybe Jennifer, that's you can >> I just wanted to address it. They reached out and I felt bad that tennis has never been on my radar. And as someone that appreciates our sports in this town, I feel like I should have done better. So, I wonder if they would be willing to give up summer tennis in order to have a better >>

320I don't know that there is summer tennis. >> I thought I heard you said that. >> I mean, a lot the community >> if we were working on it. Could they use for like one season those courts over at the park? >> They used to always do that. >> I know. I mean, until we could get ours finalized the park for a little while, but what they're running is double booking or so many people want to use them. They've changed one of those into pickle ball courts. >> Oh, I didn't even know that. >> Okay. >> And everybody. >> So, so there's other problems there. They were running into even using it for us >> to go over because they did use it. So, >> yeah. Okay. >> Well, thank you everyone for >> We

321could just keep it on our radar. >> And two years ago, what we did, we were able to to plan it ahead. Yeah. But literally it was a week before matches supposed to start in the next week >> and they end up calling the wherever they were playing and said can we come to you and make it a away games instead matches >> and they went there instead and that gave us a week but still >> it's just it just got away from it would get it fixed. >> The la the last tennis courts that I built at Hillsboro High School was about three years ago and they won't even do them in asphalt anymore for that very reason. Most of them are are in concrete >> for that very reason because they split so

322much and they reinforce them and you can put reinforcement in the concrete and stuff that you can't put in asphalt. That's the ones that I built in Hillsboro High School. >> Gotcha. >> Green Hills. So, >> it's just I found out that a lot of people say tennis courts is just a they're really a trying to keep them together and and in good maintenance is very difficult. And I'm finding they're right. Thank you. And thank you, J. >> Thank you very much. >> Okay, the next one is middle school supervisor curriculum. I made the motion. >> I don't know if it all me. Somebody else wants to start out >> the uh middle school supervisor curriculum position >> reviewing. >> Mhm. >> I thought me. >> Yeah, that's you and Holly. So, you want to

323start it? >> Let's go ahead. Well, I I think some of the issues that that I've, you know, heard and is is this really a position that we really need uh and you know, if we're trying to uh tighten our belts and we're wanting to build a school system and you know, want to build some new schools and uh Holly may have gotten some more information on different schools around us uh that only have two positions uh for schools that are our size. Is that right, Miss Matthews? >> Um, I mean, not even our size. Even districts bigger than us typically only have two directors of instruction K through 8, 9 through 12. >> Where did their federal programs director? That was a whole different position. >> Yeah. Right. I don't know. >> And I

324think >> and I know that there's >> Yeah. Dividing that out. What what we see is everybody's going to be configured different. There's a system that butts up to us >> that has four in HR. Well, we have two. >> You know, we're all configured a little different and the jobs are all spread a lot differently as well. If that makes sense. >> Well, okay. So, did you have something you >> No, I'm sorry. Okay. So, um, one thing I wanted to ask was when we post a job here, who makes that job posting? Is it just is it HR? Is it is it somebody else? Is it out front? Is it >> as far as posting it online? >> Online. >> HR. >> Okay. So, is that when it's posted, is that date that

325it's posted automatically populated or is that a date we put in? >> It's the date from whatever day I posted. >> Okay. So, it can't be edited. That date can't be edited or it could be >> not the the date that I the end date can but not the date >> that it was posted. >> I was back. >> Okay. Well, there was some confusion about when it was posted because apparently it wasn't posted till the 3 of March, but it was showing a February 27th date. So, I didn't know if that was a field in that I don't know if you I don't know what program you used to post it, but I didn't know if that was a field that was automatically like it couldn't be edited or it could be edited. But

326that was the first point of confusion was that the job was posted on the 3rd of March, but it was actually date backdated February 27th. So I just wanted to clear that up because I don't know how that works when it gets posted. I've never seen it. >> Okay. >> Oh, yeah. I mean, you can later. I just that was one question that was asked to me was why it was backdated. >> No, when when I post a position, it's posted for that day. >> So, you couldn't change it if you wanted to. >> I honestly don't think so. >> It's posted for April 9th. I'm posting it. It's April. I guess I've never >> tried or wanted to. Okay. So, all right. >> Okay. So, that that was just one thing, but um I

327mean I'll just say, you know, there's a lot of different opinions on it and I've listened to so many people. Everybody has valid said very valid things. And I think the last thing that we want to do is make a decision that negatively impacts our students. I don't think anybody in here wants to do that. I definitely don't want to do that. Um, but there's two sides. I mean, over the last for sure or five months as a board member, I mean, I don't know. I I know some of y'all have said you have, but I have just been railed with taxpayers about spending and I mean um the afterchool program I got a big you know long thing from a citizen taxpay citizen about you know they did not feel like it was our

328responsibility to pay for after school daycare. there taxpayers is you know we provide all this and we don't as taxpayer we don't want to pay for after school daycare and when are you going to cut back on the spending and is this a you know so when Mr. blessing announced his retirement. That is a position that if we cut it, and I'm not saying that we should, so please don't think that, but nobody would be we wouldn't be cutting anybody necessarily. You know what I'm saying? That had currently >> nobody would be losing a job necessarily, but duties and responsibilities obviously would have to be shifted around. And I don't know if that's a feasible thing to do or not. So, I think the motion was made because we just simply wanted to learn more

329about it. >> I'm not saying cut it. Um, I've gotten some feedback that would totally make you think that was the dumbest thing you could ever do. And I've gotten some questions and constructive feedback about spending. And is this an area where maybe we could shuffle duties around a little bit and maybe do things a little more efficiently and could save that yearly salary or allocate it differently to I know at one time Mr. Ballard talked about a grant writer for the system. Would that be better use of our funds or there's a million different things. metal detectors. I mean, the list goes on. All of our wants, but we don't want to make a decision like that where um the students needs are not met anymore. It's so, you know, we're just trying to

330find that balance. And so I think we just want a a good healthy discussion of is this something that we want to want to keep and maintain and do as we've been doing? Is it something that we can allocate funding differently towards? What do we want? What do our taxpayers want? How do you taxpayers want us to spend your money? You know, um there's a lot of complaints about it. Is this an area that we could kind of mesh in with other people's stuff? You know, years ago, I talked to Miss Judy Jones and she told me that she did instruction uh director for K through eight. Um, and I don't know what Miss Brenda Brown did, but um, is that something that we could kind of go back to? And just because we've done

331it this way for the last 10 years, I think it's worth reviewing to say, do we want to keep doing it that way or do we want to shift some stuff around and change it? I mean, I don't know the answer. I just thought it would be great for us to have a healthy discussion to decide, is it worth keeping? Can we do something else? >> I'm just open for discussion and I know a lot of people have things to say. kind of the same thing in in lie of Manchester times posting that, you know, his salary, which is is public knowledge and and I've gotten these people that that came to me kind of the same way they are with with Holly is just, hey, look, you know, we're trying to build a school.

332You want not you wanting to We go down there and we ask for $70 million and we have two county commissioners that ask us what are y'all giving you. We wasn't prepared for that. And we go nothing. We're not going to give anything. So, and they're wanting to know. And people now are wanting to know. mayors that are running for office right now, they're getting bombarded by questions. What are we doing with the school system? What are y'all wanting to do? And in lie of the Manchester Times coming out with that article is like, well, you know, what do you mean y'all not going to give any money? So, our response or my response is or most of your response are from people that I talk to is sounds like to me, y'all going to

333y'all need to tighten y'all's belt some. Everybody's wanting to try to get something and if you're trying to get something and you're especially if you're going to come and ask us for $70 million. Sounds like y'all need to tighten your belt a little bit. >> So, this is an opportunity as as Miss Matthew said, we're not letting anybody go. We don't want to let anybody go, but this is an opportunity for a position to come open where we could save $130,000 a year. and in and in to in to be in good, you know, resonance for our taxpayers and trying to show with taxpayers that we're trying to to be do the prudent thing here and save our tax dollars, you know, and but I'm like I'm like Holly, I think it's just something that

334that's that's what what I've heard and reason why I I second Holl's message. heard. I want to thank you for >> allowing us to kind of pause things and give us a chance to talk about. So, thank you for >> suggesting that we use this time to do that and kind of just hold off. I don't think anybody is suggesting eliminate anything. Just talk about learn about it. >> Sure. >> Tell us tell us what >> Well, on on the tax end, can we be better stewards? We could butcher. And I tell you, I've got a wellgroomed carver right here. We can cut we can uh we could if we if we're about saving tax dollars numbers, we can cut buses contract with Durham. You can save a boatload of money. We can cut our

335teacher staffs down to where our kids have the maximum amount of students per classroom. We could cut staff. We could do that. We could cut a bunch of things. But is that's what's good for our school and our school system and our children. What's good for that? You know, you said you talked to a ton of people. You're looking at the people that is affecting back there. Two of them. >> Two of the three. The the one gentleman is on his way out. We could we could pile things on their plate that are already full and just schools have changed dramatically so much in the last 10 years with the compliance with what all's expected out of our folks. He's not just the middle school advisor >> and that's and and go ahead if you're

336not finished. >> Well, Dr. blessing. The up just perus through the other items that you deal with from day to day. And I'm going to tell you what, he's not helping our cause because he is so smart and intelligent and he makes the job look easy and it's not >> okay. I think all of us all of us have gotten all of us know what Mr. Blessing does and we all appreciate it. And uh I think what the purpose of maybe I'm wrong, but the purpose of this is to >> re-evaluate the position and make sure that the priorities of what this person does is for grades six through eight. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And I'm I'm going to be an advocate of this position because every child in this school system goes through the

337middle school, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. and that that age child needs more attention and more help than than than any other uh section of the whole school system. But we're going to have to make sure that the person that takes this job realizes that they are going to be responsible for working with middle school kids, middle school teachers, and the test scores, testing, and all that is part of it also. And I think that's what what the focus is. Dr. Blessing has worked his tail off. He makes this much money, but the next person coming in will not make that probably unless they're a legacy person. And I don't think >> I'm not going to hire >> I don't think a legacy person's going to want it. >> A great point, Miss Freda. We've

338got to hire somebody for tomorrow and the day after tomorrow >> and for somebody that has the passion, the energy. >> Yes. >> And that will will and and I understand the cutting part of of our budget. And I see I mean I I'm not going to name it, but there's a lot of things in here that's might could be considered fluff that we could do away with that would cover that salary. And u it's just that I my it just myself uh I just feel like that it's got to be the right person for that right position. And if that's the case, they're going to be worth as much as M as Dr. Blessing was. But they probably won't be making that because And uh but all of you know I'm an advocate of

339middle school education, but you look at our bus reports. Uh it's sad, but that's where most of the bus reports come from, that age group. And you look at our middle school, it has dropped from 1,200 enrollment to 700. So, we've got to and we're we're improving, but we've got to make that a priority because uh it should be increasing in enrollment, not not falling back because we've got the kids coming from elementary and we want them to come to that middle school, not go to private school, not go to home school, not go to Manchester City. So that's just my opinion on it and and my opinion is no better than yours or Hobbies nor mine. But I guess my point of talking about cutting different areas, we can make cuts if we want

340to do a budget, but it might not be good for our kids, might not be good for our community, might not be good for our team. >> I'd like to part that we're >> Go ahead. I think the biggest part that our our taxpayers and and our constituents and our our co-workers on the other end of the building is people's going and and our tax our guys that's running for mayor right now and the commissioners. They're asking questions. Hey, look, this is this is an issue now. $70 million is a lot of money and and what are we doing to improve this down here? and and the people out there that's that's paying their taxes and worth going to work every day and they're wanting to know what we're doing to to cut make some

341cuts down here because we're not we're not bringing anything to the table. We're just asking for all the money and I think that's the biggest thing that I've heard >> and that perception is going to be hard. You know, one of the things that that I've heard from several you all over the course of us talking about building, they don't want us to get racist. where we've been mandated for the last seven years to get raises. That didn't come from us. That didn't come from anybody within our school system. That was mandated by the state. Five 50,000. And we've done a pretty good job, I think, of providing increases in pay, not only for our classified, but our non-classified. I know that's been a talking point. next year. It may sound our conversation about that

342may sound totally different, but I mean, >> yeah, >> we we we could we could cut that, but I believe we're going to create and provide an inferior service to our administrators and our kids if we do that. >> I have to agree. Um, our most valuable asset in this school is our teachers, our our staff. Um, if we have to cut places, I don't think that our staff and our teachers are the place we need to cut. >> Well, this isn't a teacher. >> This is a direct >> position. I know it's position, but it's >> I I want to read something that one of our um legacy people in our system sent me >> presently still hired as legacy in our system. They sent me this text and they asked me to bring

343up their point. So, I'm going to take the time because I think they're valid. um they have a relative in adjoining district that makes more than Stephen as an AP and wouldn't consider coming because of our low pay and how high amount of job elements. So see some districts pay more some pay less and so they're going hey I'm not going to work for what he works for and do what he does. Um, she has another relative that has six people at the Rutherford County Administrative offices that do Steven's job. And she said, "I know firsthand how hard Christo Cole works. Way more jobs than most people in other districts, too." So, look at our Christa and our Jonah. And that's what we're going to put it on top of. And these people are so

344busy as it is. These are our people. So, we don't take a heavy load and say, "Okay, we're getting rid of this position and we're going to split it up and it's going to go on you." That's not fair to the people who are hardworking in our system. Um, yes, I know we've got taxpayers out there, but until I came into this position, I had no idea what took place. Even though I taught in the system, no idea what took place, no idea of all the hats that have to be worn, no idea of the responsibilities that people had. It's been eye opening. Um, and most people out there paying taxes, honestly, they have no idea of what our people are doing in their positions. Um, she said no one would leave. I don't not

345saying that anyone leave if you eliminate his position, but it is highly probable because we shouldn't be taking advantage of our people. They wear more hats than most of the administrative office people in many of the districts around us. Just even the part of his job that includes textbook adoption is a massive job. He had to get me into the computer since I was on the textbook committee. If Stephen hadn't been there to help me figure out what I was doing, I never could have done it. So, I took up a bit of his time. So, it is important. She said, coordinating the process of selection, ordering the books, budgeting for this, doing inventory when they come in, and getting them to deliver to the schools each year, shuffling books from school to school based

346on number changes. This alone is massive. Another part is supervision of the EL. Many districts around us have a person that only does this. E is growing every year. This is additional testing because of EL. Additional budgeting, hiring, and evaluation of staff. It's just bigger than people might think. One example is Bedford County. They not only have a person over this, but also an academic coach that oversees these teachers, too. And I'm not going to bring up their name because I told them I wouldn't. But it's an important position. And it's important because I don't want to see our our beautiful people we have back there given a heavier load than they need to be. So that's just my position on it. >> Made I want to say something. Jennifer, >> just observing, and this

347is not against you, Miss Beth. I feel like in bringing this up just to learn more, Holly has gotten a lot of backlash and unintentionally hurt feelings when really all she was doing was looking into it. And it's being made into her trying to get rid of a position or us wanting to put more on people. And I don't think it was that. But I think it was just an opportunity to learn that has just grown a lot in my opinion. >> Thank you, Jennifer. >> You're welcome. >> If if someone's hired for this position, you know, Dr. Blessing at the last board meeting had sent us a eightpage list of all his duties. Next person that you hired for this, are they going to assume every one of those duties? these ladies here, if

348if we continue on the route, these ladies here will still have to mentor and help and walk side by side with the third, whoever that is. We always bring up Dr. Bless and he's so much fun to talk about and we have begged and begged and begged and begged to keep him till December. >> But this isn't about Dr. Blessing. This is about the physician. >> Right. Exactly. >> And and there'll be a lot of talk and mentoring from those two already. >> Well, but what I asked was, will they be responsible who you hire? Will they be responsible for every one of those duties that he had on his list? >> Yeah. Going to have to >> What What is your What do you feel like is your priority duty? >> Priority? >> Uhhuh.

349>> Oh, boy. >> I mean, what what is your your priority? Is it the middle school or is it testing? >> When I was hired, it was 912, >> but at the same time when I was hired, it was district testing coordinator, textbook coordinator, student teacher placement, title 2A program, title three, which is the ESL, but it's also migrant and immigrant. Uh, and other duties as sign and they seem good. >> That's like right now the big focus I have is tested. >> So, and and that and that's what I think that's what we're talking about is that you got shuffled around. You got put in a position >> that was not your expertise as far as middle school. And that is not any not saying anything against you. you knew everything about testing and

350all this, but you were put in a position that'd be like somebody putting me over here at the high school. I wouldn't know what to do. And I'm not saying that you didn't know what to do, but what I'm saying is this position is for middle school and six through eight working with the teachers and the kids and making making that those grades those kids in those stu in those grade levels excel as much as they can. and you have so many other duties placed on you that that's not your priority. >> Well, first of all, I do not work directly with the students. >> I do not go any of course you don't. You you work you should work directly with the teachers >> to support the middle school in their endeavors. For instance,

351grant that I had a conversation this week with Dr. Anderson and Mrs. about, okay, you've got these funds to spend for instructional materials. We've got to decide what's going to be available. How much is it going to be? Prioritize because you may not be able to get everything that you would want to use to help in the various areas that you listed. But again, I did not go to a teacher. I went to the principal. >> Right. And that's what I'm Yeah. But I think everybody I think the majority of us agree we need this position and uh but it's a time to kind of shift focus on what that position is because we're needing someone that is more aligned with what Jonah does because these are elementary kids. I'm the one that had to

352go out in the county and persuade everybody to let their kids go over there in sixth grade. And we promised them that they would be treated as an elementary student most of the fir most of the first year of six of their sixth grade most of the high. And I think we've gotten away from that and we're going to have to whoever takes your position that's going to have to be part of their duty is to see that that is an actual middle school and that we are doing what we promised the community that once those kids get into sixth grade that they're still elementary when they enter that school. They didn't change when they left. Say when they left Hickerson, they're a fifth grade student. When they enter that sixth grade, they're two months,

353two or three months older. And they don't need there shouldn't be that big a difference in the way they are instructed. And I'm not saying that that's not happening, but we need a pos someone in this position that understands that and can support the teachers in that endeavor. And it may be hard to find somebody that can do everything you did as far as testing and do you know because I think what happened in in the shuffle of things it would all this was thrown on you and we got away from what that actual position should be of middle school supervisor and that's that's just my thinking and that's that is that that's what I think this position should be the priority should be on instruction at the school level and then the testing and

354all that is part of it also. >> I agree with you Miss Freda on a lot of that because >> they are babies who were thrown into being a teenager and we did away with the sixth grade athletic teams and a lot of other stuff. So, >> and we're going to have to get back to that. >> Absolutely. And that's when our that's when that enrollment will start going back up. >> And uh whenever we we start doing that for those children, there's a big difference between sixth grade and eighth grade >> very much. >> And you can't treat them all the same that they're different ages. They're they're different emotional levels, mentally, everything. And that's got somebody that takes this position has got to understand that. help me understand because I do not know.

355Um, so we have our two directors of instruction. Well, we have three. We have two, you know, after he leaves and and then maybe a third. But, um, Dr. Cornelius, how where does he come into play? Like, how does he does he do any of these? doesn't he's in fact he's at an attendance yearly attendance conference this week >> okay >> he works with the tendencies consider office >> yeah I knew that >> is our used to be called the EIS but now they call it test >> that's all the information that the state requires from us >> concerning enrollment concerning attendance >> all of that good stuff >> has to be transmitted to the state on a regular basis >> and he's in charge of that. Okay. >> He's also in charge of they

356handle home school registration. >> They handle the things the foster board. They handle things court. I mean he's he's got a full slate, >> okay, >> with things, but it is not a curricular position. >> So none of these duties could be shifted around. >> You could always We can always shift things around, but >> I mean I >> I mean you just take like he he he's been working on testing. Dr. Cornelius hadn't been here all week, >> right? >> But typically he is. >> I know. But on this >> time of year, he usually goes to that weekly >> attendance. It's a week long. For this year, we've encountered some difficulties with our test materials being shipped to us. >> We still have not received our back order materials. We have not received

357our large print kit materials >> and testing starts Monday. >> Okay. >> And I'm in I'm in contact with the state shared my concerns. They said, "Oh, it's going to be shipped next day." >> Yeah. >> That's nerve-wracking. >> I mean, I still I mean, I think somebody can handle both positions. I mean, you know, testing, but but this time of the year, >> you've already gotten the school, you're gone. You might say whatever needed to be done in the classroom has been done. And uh and I know testing is periodically throughout the year, but this is the biggest uh takes up most time right now. So, it's not that. It's just finding the right right person to fill those shoes you wear. >> Make sure we have the right mix and and if we

358go forward like we have and it's working and you know that's wonderful. We just want the best outcome for the students. >> Now, >> is there an assistant? Do you guys have an assistant that works for you? >> We share an administrative assistant. >> Okay. So, the three of y'all share an administrative assistant. Someone presented this to me that it me too. >> Would it be would it be more helpful to hire another assistant with some of these renewal subscription type stuff or does it need to be someone with a doctorate or at the director level? >> The doctrine is not as fun. >> Okay. Um, to be honest, I don't know why I got my >> Well, it's worked out well for you. >> You got more money. >> That's why I did. >>

359At that stage, the only way to advance and pay Yes. was to earn an advanced >> conver. I don't blame you at all. I'm just saying, you know, as far because a lot of your or some of your duties were renewing subscriptions and that kind of thing that really are kind of a little bit you could consider maybe clerical or software, you know, type stuff. And would an would an assistant another assistant be more helpful or not as helpful? I'm just asking. I'm not I'm just asking. >> One assistant can take care of We are the ones who realize this needs to happen, but then we turn that over to our administrative things. >> Okay. >> In my world, >> there's not a critical and I do all I can and I'm sure all three

360of us do. >> Yeah. There are just things that require us to do them ourselves. >> So, one assistant is working out well. >> Okay. >> I just, you know, I just want us to explore all possibilities. And if the way that we've been doing it for the last however long, 10 or 15 years, is the best way, then let's keep on. If we if we want to talk about shifting things around, we can. That might not be the best way or it might be. Miss Kristen, Dr. Bing, how many years have you been in this position >> up here? This is my 21st. >> Thank you. >> You have you have been 21 years up here? >> Yes, ma'am. You've been retired from your 21 years. that goes in my back. >> Well, one

361thing I want to comment on again, um, Mr. Hardrove was an elementary principal, so he has a heart for those elementary kids and and I feel like he has a real heart for those little fifth graders coming up into middle school. So I believe he would be very conscious of that in his position of hiring which also I believe that he knows as the director what the system needs and he knows how to shift that position around to where it's best for what our system needs. And so for us to try to figure out what that position needs to look like, then we didn't really need to hire Mr. Arrow in the first place because those are his jobs to do to look at that position and say this is where we need this person

362to fill in this or to take on that responsibility. And as the board, our job is just to say yes, we need this position, but not to dictate what the position would be. That's the job of the director. >> And so we just need to look at it and say, do we position 5.116 4.2000 5.103 5.100 5.106 5.101 101. Mr. Director, you've heard concerns about this position. Will you take that into advisement, everything everybody has said in your decision because every policy that if anyone will look at our policies down at the bottom reference to state law, this is your decision. If we are not or you are not or anybody's not exceeding that budget item, it's your decision in aligning staff if this position stays gets filled. All of that good stuff. This this

363all goes back to the point that we hindered your hiring process that you were in the middle of to begin with that I've voiced. Everybody knows that I I had reserves about that. But bottom line of every bit of this that we'll all soon learn here the actual legal recourses of it will you take this in advisement of everybody's concern about this when you're making your decision if you want this position or not because it is an already ongoing established current position that the budget has not been asked to be changed for. by all means. Um, we're we're gonna play our lineup to our strengths and I I want to think that's how y'all if I and another thing we're we're losing with Dr. Bless. I don't want to harp on that because we're talking

364about a position. This is our this is my historian. This is our historian. I can tell you he he could spurt it out what happened then and what was the prompt and how we got to where we got from a toz in education. We'll miss that. But I believe whoever was when you all were united did the same thing. They played their cards to the strength to the strengths and there was some adjustment on some of the duties and I'd be crazy not to. We're gonna play our lineup to our strength that helps our team the most, serves our kids the best with the stren with the strengths available. >> Yes. >> I just wanted to take a minute to talk to I guess those of you who are on the fence and you think

365this position is questionable and may not be worthy of taxpayer dollars. Like I haven't tal spoken with any any one of you about anything. Nobody's contacted me and that's fine. Uh, nobody's asked my opinion and that is fine because I'm in that office and I don't even know everything Dr. Blessing does, but I do know some of what he does and I've worked with him every day for many years. And so I guess for those of you on the fence, I want to share a few things and I'm probably going to read to you. This is too important for me to mess up and I want you all to hear um my words just to help you. If you've gathered some opinions, then you need others opinions, especially those of us in the office. So,

366I want to share with you um and you've heard some of this already, but you know, as a manager of federal funding, one of my primary goals is to be fiscally responsible. Like, I I am budget oriented. Um, most of you don't know me well, but I want you to know that I value efficiency and most importantly the effective use of time and people. I invite you to look at all my past budgets and all my budget requests so you can see who I am. I'll share upfront I'm approaching 28 years with this school system. This is not about me. This is not about Miss Seismore or any one person. The impact of this decision, if you decide to um eliminate, will impact this district for years to come. As you know, most of you

367know, the demands of accountability have greatly changed over the past few years. Instruction is part of our work. It's not all of our work. It's just it's part of our work. And while each of us have a specific focus, we do carry a wide range of responsibilities. In 2005, there were three distinct positions. Director of federal programs, director of K5 instruction, and supervisor of 612. This board has hired amazing directors in the past. And I truly believe that with unique strengths and unique perspectives. Every one of them have been completely different. And I have fully supported each director that you've put on on board. They've all had the authority to evaluate and to reorganize staffing needs. Yet, these three core positions have remained. That's not an accident. There's a reason for the consistency. It proves

368that these roles are not just reasonable, but necessary. In the past several years alone, you may not know this, but the three of us have written several competitive grants, and we've been awarded around $900,000. We don't need recognition. We don't want recognition. But we have done this in competitive funding. I'm not talking about ESSER funding. I'm not talking about title funding. This is outside of the scope of those those funding formulas. The funding that we've been awarded has not been for central office use. It hasn't been for trips. It hasn't been for equipment or furniture or anything for us. It's been directly to support teacher training. professional development and resources for schools. We pursue these opportunities even though it means more. It means more work. It means more time. It means more accountability. And I

369have told principles in the past, it's we do these things because it's the right thing to do, not because it's easy. It's just the right thing to do. A lot of work happens behind the scenes. And as a result, you you don't know what all we do. And you you shouldn't know. That's not your role to understand each and every decision and and thing that we do. Um, that's what the director does. But how you perceive our positions depends on where you sit. And Miss Beth talked about the textbook adoption process. And that's exactly what I was going to share. From the outside, it looks easy. It looks straightforward. You know, committees are formed, presentations are made, teachers make decisions, it goes to the board, and there's approval. But there is so much more that's

370behind the scenes that you never see. And Miss Beth mentioned some of that. Dr. Blessing doesn't just manage committees. He coordinates with publishers, secures quality and pricing, and manages all vendor presentations. He is personally responsible for the entire logistical chain from the budget to overseeing ordering, shipping, inventory, and making sure materials are accurately distributed. Every single school every applicable teacher and every student. And then there's the troubleshooting, ensuring accurate delivery, handling replacements. These things happens on happens on nights, weekends, and all through the summer when nobody's watching. I've worked with Dr. Blessing for many years. He's good at what he does. He makes complex task look simple. He makes it look effortless. That's just one example. I think of our jobs kind of like building and buying a house. You know, the average person sees

371the paint on the walls. They see the cabinets. They see the flooring. They don't see what's behind the sheetrock. They don't see what's in the attic. They don't see what's under the the crawl space. They don't see the wiring in the plumbing, but we do because we're the contractors. And so, you're not expected to know all that. But just know behind the scenes there's so much more than what a piece of paper can capture. Before I was hired in this position, I attempted to negotiate my calendar down to 11 months with the former director of schools, Mr. Kenny Castile. If any of you remember Mr. Castile, I honestly thought, I know my work ethic. I can do this in 11 months. It will not take me the entire school year. In Mr. Castile's fashion, he

372professionally and kindly said, "No, absolutely not." He said, "Once you lose those days, by the time you realize it's a mistake, it'll be too late and it'll be difficult to get it back." He was right. I was only talking about 20 work days. And losing those days, that was not in the district's best interest even many years ago. It was in my best interest. That's what I wanted. But I really didn't know what I was asking for. Today, you aren't talking about 20 days. You're talking about 257. And that's many, many years later. I ask you to not ignore the same wisdom. By the time the data drops, instructional gaps widen, deadlines are missed, supports lessen, the damage will have been done. I would not advocate for an unnecessary position. I promise you, I think

373too much of this district and taxpayer dollars to ask you to support a position that is not worthwhile. I would not do that. I am strongly advocating for one that's vital. The question isn't whether this district can survive without this position. The question is why are we here? Are we here to survive or are we here to excel? Removing a role like this will weaken this organization. With all due respect, this position is just not only reasonable, it's essential. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And by the way, you you don't look like a legacy. legacy. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Does anybody else have >> No, you want to take on the middle school? >> I got I I got I I do want to say that, you know, there's several times we

374and that's the classic politician thing. back to the taxpayer stuff. But, you know, we're in we're in the only government funded business that, you know, and and I tell I don't I don't know about all these calls everybody else gets about taxpayers concerned about the taxpayers dollars because they know we're in the school business and we're supposed to be investing every single dollar we can possibly get our hands on into our students, our infrastructure, anything we possibly can to attempt to better the education in C County. We're one of the only government agencies that that's pretty much our requirement is to get our hands on any dollar we can and spend it appropriately the best that us can come up with to spend it to better the education and that that's an investment. I mean,

375we're investing in our students and our children of Coffee County. And you know, I have to pay taxes. I probably pay more taxes than anybody in this room. Can guarantee it. I don't know about that. But but uh but I don't mind that. When I when I know it's it's coming to benefiting generations to come, I'm okay with that. A lot of the other things you know, and I I like to stick my nose in those and voice my opinion, but you know, here for our students, I just uh this is this is an investment uh and and and part of our investment and part of our spending of money is getting our pay pay scales up. like Miss Beth like mentioned as a couple people. I've heard that out of a couple people and

376I I know I know we've lost secretaries to go to Colon because it's $20,000 more dollars a year just to be a secretary of the high school. You know, I you can pull it up on Warren County's website right now. The uh 2025 2026 top out number for maintenance director in Warren County is 61,400. $20,000 less than what we pay all our directors here. You know, that's an investment. We're investing. >> Robert, I agree with you about investing into the students 100%. And I think that's what that is what all of our our goal is or should be to invest into the students. And if this position is the best investment for the students, I nobody wants it more than me. And and I think Mr. Hardgrove is well capable of doing his by policy,

377by law, by job description, his job of making sure this is a good position and it doesn't come to the board with a recommendation to remove it because that's how it has to happen. >> Okay. There are other investments that could be really critical. Someone mentioned to me, what if you allocated that money for that position to start working towards providing a Chromebook to every student so that they could take them home when we have inclement weather or we have a week where the flu has hit us. You know, we currently we don't have that, right? We don't have enough Chromebooks for that. Well, all but the foundational part >> that that could be >> the K through one I but to I mean I could be argumented >> we prepared oursel years ago I

378reckon after co >> but I have a hard time teaching >> kindergarten first and second grade and the amount of screen time we already are receiving. >> Yeah I'm >> well they don't they do that over in >> Grindy County does it. Gr County, everybody, >> Cumberland County does, Oklahoma City does. That could be huge for our students to be able to continue that learning during four days of the flu e epidemic. >> You know, how do I think the point here is not that the position is not needed, but how can we best allocate our taxpayers monies to be the be very best investment for our students? How do we want how do we want to do that? And it's not just 130,000 off the top. It's every single year. That's significant. It's not

379frivolous to me. It's not frivolous to other taxpayers. It is that's a lot of money. And how do we want to invest it? If the position to to just be director of instruction for six through eight is that vital and that critical that it it would completely negatively impact the students. Although that position does not directly work with students, it just it works with teachers who you know it trickles down. But if that is the very best investment for our money, I don't think anybody in here would argue it and that's your decision. And I think we just wanted to discuss it, talk about it, learn more about it because that position is part of the budget. and and if we're going to approve a budget with that position in it, we want to know

380that we've made the best decision for our taxpayers dollars and we've invested wisely at or as wise as we can at the time. Five years from now, it may be different. I don't know thing with this. You know, our enrollment numbers for 638 are dropping rapidly. So, I is it still that important to have that position for 6 through 8 with our numbers falling so fast? >> I don't know. >> Just remember that's just one smidge of what he does. >> Right. Right. But that's my point. That that one smidging. It shouldn't be one >> smidg on what in the in the vein that I would like to see hired. >> Right. that and that that is my thinking on it is that we've got to concentrate on that, >> right? But whoever steps in

381those clown shoes that he's leaving and I'm not suggesting Dr. Blessing's a clown, those are big shoes to fill. >> I I agree. >> And the experience and his knowledge and historical knowledge, we will flat miss it. And >> even if we find the very best candidate, there'll be a huge learning curve. That's just me bragging on him. And I think I think too it u it needs to be more considered more of a instructional person than an administrative person because I think that's the and I know exactly what y'all are talking about. Nobody has a clue what y'all do. And they think all you do is just sit behind a desk. And uh and but you know, you we've got to get the point across to to the schools and to the community that

382this position is worth it and that it's not an administrative. I mean, they're they're supervisors. They're instructional supervisors. And that's the key, instructional. And uh sometimes that gets lost in the mix. And uh that's that's just my point because there's so many things that can be piled on to people that's not instructional that it's got to be done and you don't have time for the the real stuff that needs to be done and it's not not to anybody's fault. It's just so much gets thrown on them. >> Well, our middle school teachers, I mean, I'm proud of our elementary folks, our middle school and our high school. They all rushing their tails every day trying we're people and we're going to make mistakes but they're getting after it and a middle school support person >>

383and and I go back to my point again and this is for the people that that not maybe thinking this is an important position every again every child in this school system goes through that school if they choose to go there and what what is more important than affecting every child in our school system and uh it it's such an important age that it's a it's a that it's got to be prioritized. >> I think one thing that kind of threw a little bit of a red flag was that no district around us this position doesn't exist. Now I know that we may be configured differently and they may be configured differently and they may have two assistants and two directors or three. You know, there's obviously more than one ways to skin a cat

384and and and that, but I think that that visibly on the outside, this position doesn't exist in any district around us. What are we doing? You know, is this something that we want to keep investing in or do we want to look at something else? >> Metal detectors to save lives >> from other places. But I want us to be the very best coffee county we can be. I they need to worry about being them. We'll worry about being us in the very best. >> And if we've got the extra money, >> okay? You know, >> I just want us to to make invest wisely as wisely as we can. >> And so, thank you for giving us an opportunity to, you know, to hear us out just to hear our concerns or inform us

385what the position. And Christa, thank you. Um, another thing is, you know, I I think he is planning to not leave until the end of June. So, I, you know, I felt like we did have time to talk about it. So, that's really all I have to say about it. Thank you. >> We interrupted the director in his hiring process that should have been completed and I hope he could still get some of the people. >> Well, I did. We did talk to an attorney >> and our attorney told us that we have the opportunity and we can do this. >> I don't care what attorney you talk to. >> I don't know what school you >> need to stop talking about attorneys because you're fixing to get a dose of good. >> Okay. I

386c I called TSBA myself because I felt like that I was the one that uh was responsible that night for this. So I called TSBA and uh the attorney there told me that what we did was proper that when there is a position that someone >> talk to our attorney >> but but what I'm saying is that he said that we do have the option of seeing if that position can be funded with for instance if our budget was tight >> and we were having issues with funding our entire program we do have the right to look at that and not fund that position. But that wasn't that was not uh my purpose in calling him >> recommendation the same as those policies I noted. >> See that's that's what Ben Torres didn't know. >>

387But I mean Ben Torres knows more than I do. So >> for us is >> Ben Torres everybody. He's an adviser. >> But I think we accomplished what what everybody >> wanted done. We discussed this. I think I think Mr. Harrove understands our thinking and whenever you hire someone, >> you will hire the best person for the job and I'm sure that that uh will be pleased and uh and that Jonah and Christa will be too. And y'all three work together for the betterment of our school system. And Dr. Blessing, you will get a reprieve from this. You'll be happy in June. Well, Stephanie told me she's going to keep my number on speed and I said, "But if I move to Belvadier and change my phone number, I might be incognito." >> But uh

388again, I don't think anybody in here meant for this to be personal toward you or anything. And uh so hopefully everybody has >> aired their yes >> concerns and uh we'll move on. >> Um and the next and and also speaking of I've got to make a call at 4:00. So um the next one would be the East Coffee and Hickerson renovation building. >> Um >> yeah. Oh, how how long are we supposed to >> I have to leave at 3:30. >> Oh, okay. But I got 10 more minutes. So, >> all right. Well, let's >> We'll have a break at 3:30. >> Um, a couple weeks ago, we we u Mr. Von Dirks was I had a set up so you all could come meet with him individually um individually and discuss. That way

389we were in compliance with the sunshine law and us kind of get a plan together on what our next steps are as far as approaching that. >> Kelvin, you mind taking over? I'm going to go to the restroom. >> Yeah, be glad to. Uh, as as Mr. Harrove said, uh, we we were trying to get Von Derks in so that we could kind of figure out our next steps, where we need to go next. What do we need to do? Uh, we had the the tours of Hickerson and East Coffee. Felt like they went well. Some of y'all attended those. U I felt like we had some u momentum with a few of our part of the commissioners that went they saw the needs that were needing that something needs to be done. So we

390now need to move to their next step. Um same thing as what uh Mr. Hansard said $69 million is a lot of money and we're we I'm sure some of y'all have heard that. I've heard it from different ones. Uh the board voted um a few months ago on what direction he felt like was needed. Uh and that was that Hickerson need a new building, need to go up to to four sections in the the new the new building at East Coffee need to do the renovations, do the addition, go up to three sections. That's what we took to the the county commission and uh and that's what like I said, you felt like that that's what we need. We need to continue. The thing is $69 million is a lot of money. It's a

391lot of money for our our county. U saying that what's our next step? We were hoping to meet with with Mr. Dirks and and each board member to kind of get some possibility of options. Uh one of the things that he brought up was maybe is that we need to look at going different a different go in phases. What do we need immediately for our buildings, for Hickerson, for East Coffee? The immediate needs and then get those taken care of. That might drop the price down quite a bit more that the county commission feels a little bit more comfortable with. Then after that point, if it hits that Hickerson blows up and I say blow up, they get much larger and we we need more space, then we go back to the county commission say

392this is the reason why we had asked and we need to continue to move forward with another part to it and add in another set of classrooms and and grow the school that that way. Um it it's just trying to come up with what direction does the board want to go next cuz we don't need to stop the momentum that we have. Um it's where we are. Uh Mr. Hanser said that, you know, he's he's hearing some from down on the other end and completely understand. We want them to ask questions. That means they're thinking about it. We need to have answers to be go to them with. Remember, now I can only really speak for the last seven years I've been here, but we've not been to the county commission asking for money in

393the last seven years at all. We we have worked within our budget and within the money that we have received in those years to run a school system and to increase and build a uh fund balance the way we have. Our goal is to not have to go down and ask for any little thing that pops up. we have the funds to be able to handle it and take care of it. This is a really large thing. So, this is this is this is providing the buildings. That's the reason why we went that that direction. It's up to this board what you want us to go with and go next with uh the county commission and we need to get that input from you. But like I said, I think right now you already decided

394kind of what we need. Do we want to bring it back into doing it in a phase setup? Uh and and Bonds had came up with some ideas and some options. And I'm going to suggest once again, let's try to set up some meetings and and talk with them so that you can look at those and see more detailed without it, you know, not getting us in trouble with the sunshine law as well. So, that's kind of where I'm at. Any questions? I'd be glad because I need to take to them what you want. you are the ones making the decision. I will take to you take to them what you asked for and and go from there. And if it's saying, "Hey, we want the $69 million and that's all we're going to do."

395Okay, that's what we're going to take to them. Uh I don't know that that's what we need to the direction we need to go right now. We need to figure it out. We need to talk. That's up to you. >> Kevin, what ideas or thoughts did he have on phases? Did he share any? Did he go? >> Well, he he did and and there's a bunch of different things and I I prefer not to just go start getting into all the different ones. Uh some of it, you know, the saying, you don't want to show your cards. >> You you you want to kind of talk through some of the things. It's not that we're trying to keep anything from, but we want to talk and decide what is the best direction and then go

396that direction. And we might have this is one direction, this is another direction, and and go with them that way. But I don't want to just say it out loud right now. I I think it's then if you have questions about any one of those options, you can ask, you know, Von or myself or Mr. Argo, we can we can discuss that some and then come up with a plan. >> I'm sure everybody in here is we we round robbing this even if right now we just started at the end talking about things. We >> you know, we we've done that so many times of well, what if we just done a gym? What if we done a couple classrooms down here? What if we done this? But the pros and cons of all of

397it, the cost of all that, even just the minimal renovation at Hickerson is going to be so expensive. It's like the school be done >> and get where you are because it's kind of smart. Even though you are spending more, it's kind of smart to spend it now than later >> to step it up, you know. So, we've kind of been through that. So, >> I I you know, we I think we've already settled. Of course, others speak up. had a change of heart, but I think we already pretty much when we finally told W to go on with the concept that we initially presented to the county of a school and then renovation. That's kind of where we needed to go smarter with the money anyway. >> I think that's why we didn't sign

398up to talk to W. I know that was one I didn't sign up. I didn't really have anything else to say personally and I appreciated the opportunity, but I thought what would I say that I haven't already asked. >> I think right now I'm waiting on a plan. Well, >> what show me what it's going to look like. >> Well, we we have kind of the plan, but you can't go through completely designing a building until you start getting, you know, that you got some funds coming that's going to be there. I wouldn't >> I think that's one of the biggest things that that I've got from them is we haven't got any estimates from anybody else. And I know we've talked about using world, but you know, I think from what I'm hearing from

399other people too is maybe getting another architectural firm to to give us some other estimates too. >> That's this group, this board two years ago. >> Understand that, but that was two years ago. Reckon we are to re revisit that and maybe look at another architectural firm >> and get some more estimates. I think even Mr. waste the money that you already paid and obligated contract to pay. >> Is there a timeline for the commissioners to decide >> or we're just at >> I can imagine that they're going to do anything until we come to them. >> And I will have and I will say this uh >> I'm ready >> after those visits. I had one commissioner that I was that I was very surprised told me said, "Look, y'all got to do something

400at Hickerson. >> Something's got to happen." I mean that I think that's that's a priority for the commissioners for sure. >> They're using this in their campaigns to run. They're using >> I think they want to see I think they want to see what what we're asking that much money for >> and ultimately see a drawing of it see where it's going to be. >> You remember I >> and I told I told somebody the other day I said look most of the people here on the board until you lay a plan out here and show a schematic they're not going to be able to speak up and tell you a lot of things they might like or don't like. Well, the thing about it, that right there, that package there, that was okay. But

401really and truly to go to the commission, we should have had some renderings of actually what they're going to be looking at because most, you know, walking in the front doors. I'm not saying that, you know, that they're clueless or anything else, but a lot of them, you know, cannot visualize, you know, I mean, you you look at a with the boxes and whatnot, you know, >> I mean, I have an understanding of what those each one of those boxes was and and the way it was laid out for the >> somewhat of a floor plan, but, >> you know, we didn't have any type of rendering. >> Yeah. to show them that it's like, okay, this is what we're proposing. You know, when you walk in the front door here or, you know, when

402you look at the front of the building, this is what it's going to look like. You know, a typical classroom is going to look like this. You know, the the new cafeteria is going to look like this. you know, and it doesn't have to be that it's exactly what is going to be there, but a good rendering that gives them a visual a visualization of what they're what they're going to be voting on. I mean, I feel like that that we were short, you know, very shortcoming in being able to present a good picture to the commission. Yeah, >> just like asking this board, >> what do you want to see in front on the front of this building? Unless we had some kind of conceptual idea to look at, most people say, "Well, I

403want to see flowers. I want to see brick. I want to see some glass. I want, >> you know, structure, I think. Yeah, we Yeah, we do need to be more specific like the where the location if it's a new school, is it going to be on that site? Are we going to look at a for a different site? uh and what the building's going to look like, how how many kids it'll serve and and uh because I do think the uh I think they'll be on board because I I think anybody sees if they go out there what's going on at Hickerson what a great school it is and that the facility just does not match what's going on out there. >> Okay. So, what I'm hearing from this board, because it's not a

404vote, we can't vote today, this, but what I'm hearing from the the board is >> you have made a decision. You want to stay no matter what with the $69 million with brand new building at Hickerson. Four four sections addition, East Coffee, three sections. That's it. No other cards on the table. There's that's it. >> That's what I thought we' good with that. I just want to make sure that's what you're telling me because >> that that's help very helpful. >> That's that's helpful for me. >> I thought we worked that out in about four meetings between last middle of last year and >> well there was discussion about firms switching firms. I mean, we >> before we move on, I mean, I got you. Well, it >> Well, I think you even had somebody

405had a commissioner come up to you at the CT meeting and said, "Look, what kind of >> you know, one of our lady, you know, I think she said she even come up to you and mentioned it to you about getting some more some extra some more different uh >> Well, I got you. But, but when we do that, when when we do that, we're throwing our parachute out and it's slowing things down. Because if we're going to switch firms, >> you're getting ready to go through the pricing. You're getting ready to go to the full presentations to figure out who which is the whole purpose of what we did two two years ago >> when we chose W. I remember us saying that we wanted to step outside the box and buy the Cadillac

406instead of the Buick or whatever it was. Yes. Like we wanted to do something shiny and sparkly and give our school system a big upgrade. and Wold was the company that that offered that to us. It was shiny and beautiful and that's that's why we leaned towards that. So, I would hate for us to go back on that >> when that's what we were all excited for in my opinion. And I think Chris is right that if we could show them, you know, they've got all those programs now where you can actually walk into the rooms and >> the virtual >> and then we could show them that room at Hickerson, I think it would make a huge difference if they can see the contrast of what they're having to try to live with now

407compared to what we want to see for our county. >> I think >> well enough. That's very helpful. >> You're giving me information I need and and I could definitely go to them and another direction >> another aspect that that I've thought long and hard about you know because being somewhat in this industry you know being around it for 35 years is you know I know somewhere we have to come up with a number but then we take that number we set a number to what we want to spend and you get a you hire a general contractor and they work with the architecture to make sure that everything comes in within that budget. Basically, all we got to do is present a budget. We're willing to spend this amount of money. You know, this

408is what we want to see. I realize somewhere we have to come up with that budget, but that's, you know, then we basically turn it over to a general contractor. you know, we put it out for bid for a general contractor and then they work with the architecture to make sure that we come within that budget. >> Yeah. >> Because the thing is if if not I mean you run I mean I don't know how many people know but you know architecture you know a lot of their fees come off of a percentage of the total cost of the job. >> Well pretty much the whole thing is >> Yeah. Yeah. But the more elaborate that they make something, the bigger their fees are going to be. So I think a lot of people and

409I know some of the commissioners, you know, come from a construction background. And you know and matter of fact one of them I talked to that's you know told me that you know typically on something like this he said y'all would set a budget to what you want to spend and that's what you would ask for and then you'd leave it up to the contractor to work with the you know this is what we want and you know this is how we need to approach you know let the general contractor work with the architecture the architecture to get you know, I mean, we we'd give them a budget and a list of needs. You know, this is what we need, what we want, and work with them. I' I've never done it that way from

410being up here working with OG and so forth. It's it's always been OG or the architect uh with W is to actually do the drawings, come up with plans, and then put it out to bid. And then you have your general contractors actually bid on what you're you're wanting to build. Um, as of right now, the way I'm understanding the what you have said as a board that you want is those things I just mentioned earlier, and that's a new building at Hickerson up to four sections and the addition and renovations at East up to three sections. They then worked within their company and third cont third third are they called estimators on figuring out how much that would be and that's where they came up with the $69 million. Now I would agree with

411you if we can't get the $69 million and say the county commission says you only get $40,000 then you got to go back to the drawing board and figure out well board what do you want to draw? What do you want to leave off? Which direction do you want to go? And then you start figuring out because ultimately we can only go with what they end up giving us, right? If they give us $69 million, we can go with everything that that was put out there. If they say, "Here's $40 million." Y'all make it work. Now, we're going to have to get together and say, "Okay, what do we want to cut off this project? What can we not do? What can we do?" And start narrowing it down to to where it's doable. And

412and they're going to be the the architecture architect as well as the engineer or the estimator to figure out what that's going to end up being at. Uh, but the contractor is usually the last person that's going to give you the price. I would think they would even be with the house, wouldn't it? Uh, Miss Freda, if you are building a house, you have the plans first, then you ask contractor what they're going to be. But this is a lot bigger deal. It's different than that. >> Yeah. You you know, but they do have a budget. You know, usually when people come to you and they're building a house, they've got a budget and this is what they want. And then that then that contractor is going to say, "Well, you know, I can give

413you this, this, and this, but I can't give you that that for that amount." >> But but you're right as far as they get paid off of what their percentage is. They're going to ask us, you know, you have flooring, what kind of flooring do you want? Do you want this kind floor? Do you want this other kind of floor? Uh different kinds of lights, different kinds of, you know, and as an architect, they see it one way. We don't have the money for that way. We got to bag it off a little bit. But then also, you might be losing that Bentley that you're talking about, Jennifer, as as well. You get where I'm going, though. >> Basically, >> but that's where we are. But what I'm hearing so far is we know what

414we want. >> We want to go for the the full $69 million >> and you would like to to get a drawing or rendering of what some of the things would look like. uh the possibility of the the virtual walkth through on some stuff. Once again, I got to talk to Walt. I don't know where that is as far as what they would have to do, but I I don't know why they couldn't if that's something that's >> I mean, I just think if you going to go back to the commission, I mean, you'd be crazy not to have some kind of rendering. >> Much more detailed. It is. Hey, and today was really good. This is good. will that >> well and if you could get them to do those renderings in case they

415say we're only giving you 40 >> right >> then if they could do it where it could be done in phases and we could say okay we can build the three for Hickerson brand new I'm still wanting the brand new because that's such an old building and then have it where okay then we can add this four stage as it proves to be a bigger area than they thought possible That's kind of what I was going to ask for. Like I wonder if we could >> ask for the new and then if they say no be like, "Okay, well fine. What about this?" And >> and remember, you're talking about two completely different renderings. >> Just something, you know, just >> a new building and a and a remodeled old building is two completely different

416looks. >> Yeah. But we want to leave with something and I'm willing to negotiate. >> Well, right now I'm hearing no negotiation. It is $69 million. >> Yeah, I think we need to start with that. I mean, you start saying, "Okay, we're going to settle for this or that." I mean, >> once again, that's one of the reasons I wanted us to kind of talk >> with individually oneonone. >> We're not going to give up. If they say no to the new then we might reconsider like we're not >> this way or absolutely nothing. >> Jennifer still wants the bench. I really wanted glitter and sparkles for this school that I love so very much instead of the shabby weird creepy follow what you want but something needs to happen at Hickerson in East Coffee

417>> and and that's for the future. I mean that end of Coffee County and Toma is where all the growth is coming now. I mean, there's developments going up out there all the time and uh that's the new growth area and and it's it's not that we're doing something we don't need. It's that we need it now and for the future, >> which is the reason why I said if they're not willing to give us the amount of money, we might need to look at phases to get to that point. That's the only reason why I >> I'm with Beth. It needs to be new phases. >> And Robert was exactly right. It's better to do it now because the price is going to be cheaper now than in 10 years from now. I I

418completely agree. I'm not the one got to be convinced on that. It It's the ones on the other end. >> Right. >> And Miss Beth, maybe we build the three because they're not give and then we tack the four on a few years later. >> Exactly. >> Right. >> But have a plan where >> No, ma'am. Piece them together. >> Give us less. >> And if not, right? Then I hope the exterior of the school matches that feeling that at that you know I've go all these schools in different counties and some of them are so beautiful and then seem like we build institutions >> ours are drab >> they they have no curb appeal. I want something with curb appeal makes people cascade that for instance that school there and it's not a a

419a it's a simple floor plan you know but it's got so much curb appeal it looks so inviting and it doesn't look like a prison >> they do look like prisons >> you know gave me some a direction I need to go with it and I will I will go with it that direction >> well Tim we don't want we don't want a prison institution building >> and when I walk in the door, I want it to be at least as pretty as um >> Deerfield, thank you. >> Right. That's a really a good It's really a good plan for school. >> All the colors there. >> It is. It's very It just makes you feel good to walk into that building >> and the kids I think the students feel the same way. Well,

420is that did that set? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Um, >> you sound happy, Mr. Shores. And I >> All right. The next thing is the college ready grants, but I see uh I see Mr. Parsley's here, but Holly had to leave and she said that she can send all it. It's probably something you already know about anyway. It's just some grants and things that are available, I think, to our school systems that you apply for them if you're eligible for them. And I think Warren County has I think they have uh uh two counselors there that they got through the grants and that's you may can tell us more about it. But Holly was really interested in seeing if that's something we can pursue because I do know that uh you remember Miss Rogers

421that came and made that presentation at the board about uh what was available that we could get for kids to help them understand what was available to them after even after they graduated. And I think that's what it was all about. Do you have anything else? >> You can come right over here, Mr. Parson. Yeah, >> we've been saving a seat. >> I like the >> Well, thank you. Thank you. Well, you know, I'll say briefly that any uh any sort of grants that we are eligible for at the high school, we'll be willing to apply for and uh do our best to get those. Um I wonder if possibly you're referring to the heirs grants. Well, well, see, it wasn't Holly is the one that wanted this put on and so I really can't

422answer that. It's uh it may be called that and she said that she could just send it out to us an email where we could see it and probably bring it back up again. >> That would be fine >> or talk to you individually, >> right? I will share this. There's there is a grant that Warren County High School has had for I know for at least two years because when I visited there last school year they had it >> and they that grant allowed them to have I want to say it was two >> extra uh staff there that were that were basically in counselor type roles working with you know scholarships and things like that. Now, there are criteria to qualify for that grant and uh part of that criteria would be the

423poverty rate in the area >> and I think we probably qualify since we do since we qualified for the free lunch. I think it kind of goes along with that. So, that's a possibility. >> It might or might not be that grant that that Miss Matthews is referring to, but >> I think she she did mention Warren County. I know that last and I hate to I'm gonna say this and Miss Garner may want to add on. I know that Miss Garner looked into this grant last year and uh there was quite a bit of interaction about it and we did not qualify for it due to the poverty rate which might surprise us. >> Um maybe it's changed. Um, if I recollect, they said that they would make us aware if and when we

424became eligible for it. >> We We can look into that. Maybe we are and just haven't been notified. >> And I think that's I don't think we probably need to get into a lot since since Miss Matthews had to leave, >> but if that's the case, you know, there's and maybe just look into it and see if we are eligible. >> We're glad to do that. We're glad to do that. I I I tell we're glad to look into it. Okay. And >> that way you won't have to be sitting here for another 30 minutes. >> Thank you. Thank you for coming. I'm sorry. I'm sorry she had to leave. We We're run we run overtime today. >> Okay. And this is the last two that Okay. >> Mr. Do you want to make an

425announcement? This is the end of the video. >> Okay. Uh this is the end of the video and uh the public portion of our board retreat.