The meeting began with bad news, however. Superintendent Fred Marion said during his budget report that because of extreme budget cuts, the school would be taking measures to curb spending drastically. While the cuts won’t affect this school year, explained Marion, they will affect next year’s budget. He said that the board members are already looking at where they can make those cuts for the 09-10 school year and said that the Board has looked at ways other school have dealt with major budget cuts.
The Board passed a motion for early retirement for the 08-09 school year. It will be the last time early retirement is offered until further notice. “Some people have been holding on for this,” said Marion, in regards to the opportunity. The deadline for early retirement was set at January 10, 2009.
Board Chairman Bill Willis strongly urged employees to consider the opportunity. “This might be the last chance that you’ll get,” said Willis to the audience in regards to the budget cuts that will hit the school system next year. “We recommend... that you take advantage of it.”
The Board then recognized American Education Week as Nov 16-22.
Marion said that enrollment was currently 3,440. That number is down 16 from last month, and down 31 from last year.
Marion reported that the revenue for the month of October is 3,332,362.48 and the year is 12,110,937.37. Expenditures for the month were at 3,803,520.39, and for the year, 8,284,459.51.
The Board then hired the following Lee Co. Head Start Community Representatives for 08-09: in Dryden I and II, Angela Broadhuhm; Elk Knob I and II, Pam Reed; Ewing, Paul Rhodes; Flatwoods I and II, Rita Hensley; Home Base I, II and III, LeJina Alsup; St. Charles, Pam Derith; and in Rose Hill, Bobby Harber.
The Professional Development Plan that was table from Oct 14 until this meeting was tabled again for the next meeting Dec 9.
Marion brought attention to the board that officials working in soccer programs in Lee Co. have requested that the sport be incorporated into the school system. The Board approved a junior varsity soccer program.
“It’s a good thing if we can get our children out on the soccer field instead of somewhere else,” said Chairman Willis regarding the motion. “Lee County has shown great interest in the soccer program.”
The Board tabled their consideration of the approval of revised teacher and general employment applications until next meeting.
The Board voted to pay the bills and then went into executive closed session to discuss personnel issues with their legal counsel.
The following new personell were hired: Debbie Patterson, special education teacher at Thomas Walker High School, effective Nov 12; Melissa Tabor, special education aide at Pennington Middle School, effective Oct 1; Crystal Glass, secretary at Rose Hill Elementary, effective Nov 12.
Brenda Jarnigan was transfered from bus driver to bus driver/aide at Jonesville Middle School, effective Oct 15.
Lucy-Lynn Maxwell resigned as therapist for Lee Co. Public Schools, effective Nov. 30.
Crystal Ely was hired as basketball cheerleader coach at PMS, effective 08-09 school year.
Dora Fee will take a leave of absence beginning Nov 17 2008 and continuing through Jan 12, 2009.
Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.
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