A tight vote during the regular monthly meeting of the Claiborne County School Board last week made for a tense moment, as the new fiscal year budget came up for adoption. Despite the eventual four to three passage, it appeared to be too close a call for some in county government.
If the school board budget had not been approved last week, it would have thrown a wrench into the county budget proposal process. The sweat and tears currently being shed over the countywide budgetary numbers would have only increased with the threat of more delays while the school board decided an alternative budget.
The county is in the process of wrangling numbers to balance its budget, with hard decisions being made to either raise taxes or chop, in most cases, necessary budget items.
School board member Shane Bunch began the budgetary approval by asking for a roll-call vote. Board member Justin Cosby seconded the motion.
During his ‘no’ vote, Bunch said he was unfamiliar with the final version of the budget due to its not being handed out to the board until shortly before the meeting.
Apparently, the budget had been reviewed, in an earlier draft, during the annual school board retreat.
Chairman Neta Munsey, vice-chairman Shannon England and board members Michael Jo Gray and Linda Fultz voted in favor of passage.
Board members Justin Cosby and Wade Breeding agreed with Bunch and voted against the measure.
In other action, the board unanimously approved an updated version of the differentiated pay plan.
In previous years, the school system would pay teachers on an ‘as needed’ basis to cover duties outside the scope of their typical employ.
“We don’t feel that’s the best use of differentiated pay. So, we’re going to put more of the monies into the hands of individual teachers, that are prepared to teach in the hard-to-staff schools,” said Connie Holdway, director of schools.
According to the plan, these instructors will receive a one-time bonus of $10,000. The funds will be paid out in three annual installments of $3,000 each, for years one and two, and $2,000 for the third year.
Math, reading/English language, foreign languages, government and science are a few areas in which this bonus will be applied when staffing hard-to-fill schools.
Approximately ten positions will be available.
Those who previously volunteered their time and expertise in additional instructional support will now be compensated. Those who assist with ACT test preparations or serve as mentors will now be financially rewarded with bonus pay, Holdway said.
Additional duties will require all work to be done outside the contracted time for each employee. Those who may qualify are PLC leaders and those who handle data analysis, professional development presentations, common assessments and curriculum activities development.
The rate of pay is $25 per hour and the range of compensation will start at $200, not to exceed $2,000 unless otherwise specified.
A maximum 520 hours will be available to eligible professionals. Up to 15 will be hired in this capacity, based on available funding and priority of support, according to the plan.
And, those who agree to take ‘harder’ practice exams, such as high school math, will be compensated for the costs of the tests.
In another matter, the school board will be mulling a proposal to create a JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) Program within the school system. The proposed program could be used “in conjunction” with the current LEAPs (Limited Examination and Appointment) Professional Development Program, if approved.
The JAM Program is currently being offered in North Carolina.
The board unanimously approved another one year contract with Pinnacle Performance, to provide two certified athletic trainers for the various sports teams. The agreement is pending the actual hard copy of the full contract.
The new contractual agreement will include a ‘chain of command,’ and will allow Pinnacle Performance owner Heather Smith and her trainers to “sit down” with the principals and coaches at the beginning of the school year.
Smith said this should alleviate much of the “breakdown in communication” and will keep “the lines” open in case of any complaints.
In another matter, the board agreed to allow the removal of trailers on the Clairfield School campus. The trailers were estimated by security supervisor Bob Oakes to be at least 30 years old.
The trailers are now designated surplus equipment.
If all goes as planned, the school could be in receipt of a 2011 model trailer, for just the transport costs and clearing of the spot from which the trailer is moved.
The new trailer includes two bathrooms and space for two classrooms.
According to Holdway, this acquisition will save the school system some $140,000 in its estimated purchase price.
In another matter, Springdale Elementary, Soldiers Memorial Middle and Cumberland Gap High Schools were recognized for their respective Beta Club Awards.
Springdale Elementary earned the monthly attendance record, with a whopping 98.1 percent of its students in attendance for the previous month.
This is the second time in as many months that the school has attained the honor.
Kelly Pearman was approved as the CGHS dance coach.
The new director of schools, Dr. Joseph Miller, will be officially sworn into office during a ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. on June 19, at the Cumberland Gap High School. The public is invited to the event.
Reach Jan Runions at 423-254-5588 or on Twitter @scribeCP.
