School Board Opposes Opportunity School District
The Jasper County Board of Education voted to oppose the Opportunity School District (OSD) which is a proposed constitutional amendment that allows the state to take over any school that it deems as underperforming or a “failing district.” This came as a result of much discussion during the board’s work session and the regular meeting Tuesday.
Board members were adamant that they did not want the state to intervene and voiced their concerns about Jasper becoming a “state run” district. Formally, the OSC is a proposed amendment that will be on the electoral ballot in November. The amendment allows the state to take over schools that have scored 60 or below on Georgia’s College and Career Readiness Index (CCRPI) for three consecutive years,” according to Superintendent Dr. Mike Newton. The board also received a fact sheet from the Georgia School Board Association (GSBA) that outlined options for schools should the amendment pass in November.
The board also voted on a budget amendment for the FY16 budget. The amendment was for $750,000 and included expenditures for the multi-purpose building being constructed at Jasper County High School and approximately $200,000 for teachers’ salaries that were higher than budgeted for initially.
In relation to the budget amendment, Anne Harrison, Director of Finance presented the financials for the end of FY16 with revenues showing 103 percent and expenditures 99.65 percent. Ms. Harrison told the board that they would go about $570,000 into fund balance. There was discussion about money led by board member, Lewis Rice, as to spending. He said, “If we keep dipping into what we have saved, we are eventually going to run dry. Why can’t we spend only what we have?” Mr. Rice was concerned that there were projects being done and money being spent where it didn’t have to be.
Ms. Harrison explained that for expenditures to come in at 99.65 percent the board couldn’t do much closer budgeting than that. She also explained that each year for the last three to five years the budget has balanced. She also said that 85 percent of the budget was people, leaving some $3 million to operate and do/pay for everything else.
Dr. Newton followed up that with the fact that in his tenure, the board has not had to borrow money to operate. Dr. Newton also said that the fund balance remains close to $5.8 million as it has for some time. As to financials for the current operating year, Ms. Harrison said that the board was expenditure heavy but that was typical for this time of year.
“Revenues are at 3.8% and expenditures are at 12.11% due to operating costs for the new year and tax collections have not begun to come in yet,” said Dr. Newton.
The board agreed to set up a time to meet with the County Commission of Jasper County to discuss and negotiate future tax revenue percentages to take to the Four County Development Authority on those taxes for Baxalta (Stanton Springs).
The board also by consensus agreed to move forward with Campus Benefits that provide additional fringe benefits for school employees. These benefits include flexible spending, short and long term disability and life insurance. Ms. Harrison was going to give the Campus Benefits personnel the go ahead to shop in the Marketplace for the benefits that are no charge to the system. Board chair, Dr. Shannon Barton said, “I am all for giving our employees added benefits, but if there is money involved on our end, especially upfront costs, then we need to have more conversation on that.”
There was also discussion as to a voluntary payroll deduction for the Jasper County Mentor Program presented to board members. Board member Bobby Norris asked “aren’t we opening a can of worms for other organizations to request the same allowance?”
Administrators in the audience said that this was currently being done for other organizations such as the Ferst Foundation and Seuss on the Loose. There was no vote as the board decided that since it was already being done, without voting previously.
The board went into executive session to discuss personnel and included a contract extension for Dr. Newton. The board voted to extend Dr. Newton’s contract through June 2018.
Personnel action included new hires of Andrew Rabanal, seventh grade teacher; Linda McClain, paraprofessional, Jasper County Primary School (JCPS); Deborah Edwards and Melissa Ryser, teachers for Pre-K and Priscilla Whitlock, school food assistant, Jasper County Middle School. The board approved resignations from Heather Bosnyak, Media Center parapro and Courtney Greene, teacher, Pre-K.
