School board votes for teachers’ raises, additional security officer School Board members and other school officials are aware that the county faces a sharp decrease in revenues in the next fiscal year, both from a decrease in state BEP funding and the loss of severance tax revenue as the coal industry continues an unprecedented decline. This is, however, an election year, so the prospect of declining revenues did not stop the board from voting Tuesday night to give teachers a 2 percent local raise to match an expected 2 percent raise from the state. Eugene Lawson, a frequent critic of teachers, made the motion and all nine board members present voted “yes.” The raise is contingent on convincing the county commission to provide more local funding for schools, as well as the projected raise from the Tennessee Department of Education. Commissioners, however, will have their hands full simply making up the revenue shortfalls. The board also voted to hire an additional SRO officer to provide needed additional security at the alternative school. That $15,000 to pay an officer’s wages through June will be taken from the fund balance, but the need to provide security officers at all of the county’s elementary schools still faces money restraints. Board member “Sarge” Collins asked how the current SROs are paid and Board Chairman Rector Miller replied that the school department pays $200,000 while the Sheriff’s Department provides $100,000 out of its budget. “If we hire additional officers the cost will be all on us. The Sheriff has funded the program as far as he can,” Miller added. One board member asked about the cost of vehicles for the SRO officers, Sheriff Goins responding, “I’d like to know how you can have a deputy sheriff without a vehicle.” The meeting started off with a presentation from a group of parents who oppose the Common Core curriculum being imposed in all state schools. Erin Cooper, mother of a first grader, served as spokesperson for the group, making a rather long presentation that left some board members mystified as to exactly what the group’s objections are, other than not wanting their children to follow a curriculum “designed in Washington.” “The reading assignments are full of negativity,” Cooper complained, adding that she objects to a tracking program that follows students through their years in the school system. “I don’t want my child tracked through a social security number,” Cooper told the board. Lawson, having heard enough, challenged Cooper, asking her if she knew how common core has impacted test scores. “I think it’s had little impact,” she replied. ‘Oh I think it’s had significant impact,” Lawson shot back, asking Director Donnie Poston what impact the curriculum has shown on scores. “Test scores improved significantly across the board,” Poston pointed out. With that, Chairman Miller told Cooper that she had used more than her allotted five minutes and the board moved on to other matters. The board also approved on second reading the drug-free workplace policy. Danny Wilson cast the only “no” vote without explaining his objections. Before adjourning, Miller asked the board to pause for a moment of prayer for board member Homer Rutherford, who is gravely ill and was not at the meeting.(03/12/2014 - 6:00 AM)
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 12:52:53 +0000
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