School O.K.’s Personnel; Reviews 2013 Budget
Members of the Jasper County School board voted unanimously to hire 11 people at their regular business meeting Tuesday night. The school has cut 19 positions this year in order to absorb costs of instruction increases.
Those hired at Tuesday’s meeting include Tonya Newton, teacher for Jasper County Pre-K; Joyce Christy, teacher; Donna Kennedy, teacher; Diane Hannah, custodian, all for Jasper County Primary School; Lisa Perry, teacher at Washington Park; Carol Shell, teacher; Justin Hamby, teacher; Alton Standifer, teacher; all at Jasper County Middle School; and Zach Lively, teacher, Matthew Rider, teacher; all at Jasper County High School and Jasmine El-Jourbagy, tech service/summer help in the technology department.
These positions are replacements rather than new positions due to major budget cuts across state school systems for the fiscal year 2013.
There was much discussion on finances as the FY2012 budget is closed, and the upcoming FY2013 budget is being advertised (next week) and passed in August. There is an ending fund balance of $4.5 million. This is the total after the fund balance was cut into for FY2012 in order to operate. In addition the board voted to approve a Spending Resolution which enables Dr. Newton the privilege of spending of monies during the month of July, before the budget passes. The budget dates are July 1, 2012-June 30, 2013.
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The projection numbers look good, as the BOE is $800,000 in collections over what was initially budgeted. The board budgeted numbers at 90 percent collection last year, and this year the numbers will reflect a conservative 93 percent collection rate.
Supt. Mike Newton said, “we can’t keep going into the fund balance, because there will eventually be nothing left.”
Assistant Superintendent Eric Arena informed the board that “we need $1.3-$1.4 million in cash to make payroll monthly.”
“There is a need for the fund balance in the event that checks come in low or in an untimely manner to pay the bills, said Mr. Arena “otherwise you have to go to the bank and borrow.”
The board approved the final copy of the Student Code of Conduct and the Progressive Discipline that had been on the table for review for the last 30 days. These can be accessed on e-board and will be included in the student handbook.
The board approved a class size waiver that has to be submitted to the state each year, stating that the class size could be altered from one to seven students in various classrooms should there be a need.
They also approved various fund raisers, over night field trips for athletic teams, and one use of facilities request for Monticello Baptist Church.
The board heard from Kelly Schlein, Nutrition Director of Jasper County Schools, on the numbers of children that participate in the school lunch and/or breakfast program. All four schools, Pre-K-12th grade earned recognition for the high percentage of students choosing to participate during the 2010-2011 school year. There was a note to Dr. Newton on the recognition of the staff that they be “commended for planning, preparing, and serving the many nutritious meals that your students enjoy.”
Ms. Schlein told the board that Jasper County Schools are at a higher participation rate than that of the state average. She said that 90 percent of students at JCMS participate in lunch. She also spoke on the summer feeding program that is taking place all over the county to date. She told that surveys were sent out and that the program received an overwhelming response. She said that to date, the program has fed 2,200 students this summer in nine locations in Monticello and throughout the county.
The board also voted on more personnel including the resignation of Lauren Lewallen, bus driver; and Melissa Perez, Spanish teacher at JCHS. Also, Shannon Smith, a teacher at JCMS, was released from her contract.
Luke Jackson, maintenance helper, and Pamela Rooks, custodian at JCPS were terminated.
The board has a called meeting Monday, June 25 at 6 p.m. to finalize the millage rate. The July meeting date has been changed to July 10 at 7 p.m. as there is no work session in July.
