The Jackson-Madison County School Board met Thursday for their November monthly session.
Mike Nichols, Madison County Finance Director, presented the financial report. According to the report the latest sales tax collection is up by 2.01%. A school utility expense analysis was also presented. Superintendent Dr. Verna Ruffin said her team will explore those documents more closely. The report shows utility expenses based on amount per square foot. The schools’ utility usages ranged from .23 cents to .64 cents per square foot.
Jeff Davis, President of the Jackson-Madison County Education Association, addressed the Board regarding recent certified employee bonuses. Mr. Davis said a number of teachers asked him to look at why certified teachers were given a $200 bonus last month instead of a $300 which was planned in May and hoped the Board would reconsider the original amount.
Mr. Davis said it was confusing because the school system’s budget posted on the Madison County website still reflects some employees receiving a $300 bonus.
Dr. Ruffin explained that the amount of the certified employee bonus was changed in June based on requirements the state required on developing a new salary scale and differentiated pay. Dr. Ruffin said she was unaware of the inconsistencies of the online budget and the amount paid, and she would investigate it further.
A motion was unanimously passed to the change Policy 4.600 on first reading and to waive the second reading. The policy needed to be changed to reflect current grading practices as some elementary grade levels are moving to a standards-based report cards.
The Board approved changes made to the textbook adoption committee who will oversee the process of adopting K-12 Social Studies textbooks. Three of the teachers who had been appointed to serve on the committee didn’t meet the Tennessee School Board Association’s requirement of years of experience and will be replaced.
In her superintendent’s report Dr. Ruffin outlined the school system’s state report card grades. The grades show many areas of improvement, but many areas still require much needed work. One of the areas of concern is only 6% of students are college ready based on average ACT scores.
This weekend the School Board will travel to Pickwick Landing State Park for their annual fall retreat. School Board Chairman, Jim Campbell, said they will take a look at prioritizing the goals of their strategic plan as well as identify other goals which may not be considered immediate. Dr. Ruffin will also discuss her 100-day plan.
The retreat will begin with a Friday evening session and continue Saturday morning into the afternoon. Campbell said he was impressed with the Board’s dedication because this is the second consecutive weekend they have spent on school system meetings.
Last weekend Board members attended Tennessee School Board trainings.
