School Board Begins Budget Discussions
Members of the Jasper County Board of Education began their preliminary budget discussions during their March work session for the fiscal year 2019 (FY19). During their first discussion each of the schools principals were in attendance to give an overview of their “wish lists” for each school. After hearing from principals and faculty the board members added their priorities to the running list.
One hot topic amongst board members and school officials was that of safety. There were discussions during the board meeting that focused on school safety and the public buildings along with adding in a school resource officer or two for the system. All of the board members agreed that safety of the children was a top priority and that it would be visited further in the budget review.
Board chair, William Schilling commented that he’s heard a lot from the public on the new athletic complex and that the public wanted to be sure that the board was investing as much in the safety of the children as they were the athletic programs.
During the second meeting on budget the initial lists from principals and the board members was reviewed. Superintendent Dr. Mike Newton opened the FY19 discussions stating that the priorities will focus on the Charter of the school system. He said that the budgeted items would support the charter and would benefit the children in “our schools.”
Upon opening discussions Anne Harrison, Director of Finance, informed the board members that there were items requested in the initial budget meeting that could be taken care of in the FY18 budget if they approved of those. Some of the budget items voted to be paid for in FY18 included, interior painting in the Pre-Kindergarten student restrooms, adding two basketball goals at Jasper County Primary School (JCPS), doing a media refresh in the Jasper County Middle School (JCMS) library to include new furniture, technology, and online texts.
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The panic buttons system was approved for repairs at Jasper County High School (JCHS) along with a classroom set of graphing calculators. Transportation was approved for a new shop truck and a storage building. Finance was approved to purchase a PCG server for printing and processing payroll checks. A time management system for employee timekeeping was approved and overwhelmingly appreciated by the principals. Maintenance was approved to purchase a new lawn mower for the system.
All of the above purchases will come out of the FY18 (current) budget and totaled $114,700. The board also voted to approve new bleachers and ducts for the JCMS gym which is currently undergoing other extensive renovations. The cost for those items will also come out of the current budget and totaled $183,000.
For proposed items for FY19, Dr. Newton recommended that the board approve a balanced budget and that the target budget would be to add expenditures between $500,000 – $600,000. Those items discussed for budgeting included: Adding extended day for a Science Teacher; Adding a 49% English Teacher; Budgeting for EMR/EMT training costs and for hours outside of class; School Governance Team Training; Added technology; Supplement for a science teacher; An additional coaching position; additional security including a Raptop system, internal cameras, locks and buzzers at each door; additional Read 180 seats (currently applied for a grant for this); additional money for the expanding Biotech program; additional time for student health/counselor; support for emotional behavior disorder students – specifically at JCMS; nontraditional hours for staff with the virtual school (no cost to shift); and adding additional time/teacher for art and music at both JCPS and WPES.
Additional discussion regarding budget included, a science lab at JCMS; a 49% counselor at the virtual school; lead teacher supplements; all certified staff to receive a $500 supplement; move all paraprofessionals to eight hour employees; add an additional maintenance helper to be Perry Hyde’s assistant; add a full-time bus driver for a new route and talked over an additional coach or athletic director that would aid in the current investment in the facilities and the program.
Dr. Newton informed board members that with all of that discussion and to implement all of the above would be around $1.2 million and that they needed to aim for that $500,000 – $600,000. He also said that number did not include any resource officers.
The discussion on resource officers and the number of officers needed was then held. Board members were all consensus that more than one office for the system was needed, but weren’t sure that they could afford one at each school next year. There was discussion on startup costs for the officers as well as who they would report to, the system or the Sheriff, and what hours they would work a day. The board then decided to not discuss further until they had a number to budget and were more informed. RaNae Fendley, Director of Social Service, was to set up time with the Sheriff to discuss further.
The board will continue budget discussions during their next work session and meeting on April 19 and April 24 at 6 p.m.
