School Board reviews numerous board policies

Lewis County Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, October 12, 2020 at 6:04 p.m. at the Lewis County Middle School Auditorium located on Park Avenue South. With the exception of Vice Chair Johnny Clayton, all members were present: Chair Glenda Atkinson, Derek Cotham, Cassie Couch, Paula Dyer, Blake Farr, Lindsey Himes, Jackie Holt, and Phyllis Townsend.

The approval of the consent agenda which contained the September minutes, adoption of the agenda and first quarter warrants were approved.

Director Benny Pace reported personnel changes. He also reported his discussion with Marty Spears about the funding of the new high school. The board has been able to save approximately $700,000 per year to go toward the funding of the high school. He stated that until he could get a good estimate on how much funding the school would realistically be able to borrow for the construction of a new high school that the board cannot move forward. Mr. Pace stated that Mr. Spears was working on options to lock the interest rate. Prior options were given for 20, 25 and 15 years without a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan. Mr. Pace indicated that he didn’t feel good about a floating loan because of the unpredictability of future payments.

Mr. Pace explained the budget amendments for funds received for the LEAP (after-school) program. He stated that the funds are decreasing each year, and with these decreases the LEAP will need to cut days of services to meet their budget. This will be days during holiday breaks and when schools are closed. He also explained the insurance recovery monies listed in the budget amendments. He informed them that this was for the repairs to be made to the high school gym floor. He explained to the board that OLG was responsible for obtaining the quotes for the repairs from the insurance companies. He stated that the reason for the add on to the agenda was so that the school can stay within this allotted amount of money for the repair and allow OLG to proceed with the repairs. “If we had to use the insurance recovery monies for the repairs we would have to bid out the job and this would create a delay on the repairs being made. This money must be amended into the high school repair project to proceed with this project,” Pace commented.

Cotham asked if there was an estimated time for the company to make the necessary repairs. Mr. Pace stated that he did not know for sure how long it would take to complete the repairs. He explained that he had met with a man from Chattanooga who works on gym floors recently who said the complete gym floor would have to be sanded down and then repainted and refinished. Mrs. Atkinson stated that she had some concerns about the floor becoming too thin after the floor was sanded. Mr. Pace stated he did not think this would be a great concern as this company is very reputable in their work.

The board approved to amend the insurance recovery monies received and allow OLG to proceed with the completion of the repairs.

Budget amendments were approved and were to be presented to the County Commission on October 19 for their approval.

Board Policies 4.205 - Enrollment in College Level Courses, Policy 6.319 - Alternative Education, Policy 6.309 - Zero Tolerance Offenses, Policy 6.316 - Suspension, Policy 6.317 - Student Disciplinary Hearing Authority, Policy 6.409 - Reporting Child Abuse, Policy 6.304 - Student Discrimination/Harassment and Bullying/Intimidation and Cyberbullying, Policy 6.305 - Student Concerns, and Policy 6.3041 - Title IX and Sexual Harassment (new policy) were approved. These policies may be reviewed on the school’s website.

Chair Atkinson informed board members that the next regular scheduled meeting will be November 10, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. She also reminded board members to keep board member Johnny Clayton in their prayers as his mother had passed away, also, Sharlene Hensley and Kelly Willis in the recent loss of their fathers.

The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.