Cody Tapscott, Jainik Patel, Melissa Epling and Gabbie Stout were presented certificates and recognized as HOSA state winners as the Hartselle City Schools Board meeting. | Randy Garrison

School board at $866k  revenue over budget

Randy Garrison

Hartselle Enquirer

Midway through the 2015-2016 school year, members of the Hartselle City Board of Education are $864,166 in revenue over expenses in the general fund. School Certified School Resource Officer, (CSFO) Jonathan Craft shared with the board the school system’s financial statement through the sixth month, ending March 31, shows the general fund at 54.69% of budgeted revenue and 51.25% of budgeted expenses. The general fund stands at $7.8 million or 3.82 months of operating expenses.

Reasons given for the numbers include, utility costs being down, ($53K) payroll expenses down ($7,569 for the month of March) versus last month, last year and keeping a close eye on expenses. Superintendent Vic Wilson also remarked that being very aware of spending and questioning expenses has helped in this situation as well. Craft also mentioned that half- way through the year he feels confident the end of the fiscal year will be better than projected financially.

The board recognized and awarded certificates to Easton Agee, Crestline Student for a winning paper, Hartselle High Health Occupations students Jainik Patel Gabbie Stout, Melissa Epling, Cody Tapscott and Krislyn Wood for the accomplishments each had at state competition.. HIS student Masyn Marchbanks was honored for her accomplishments in the Elk Free-Throw Competition at the national level.

In his superintendent’s report, Wilson recognized the Hartselle Junior High and Hartselle High School Future Farmer’s of America (FFA) programs for receiving perfect marks during a recent state assessment. He thanked principals Dr. Robbie Smith and Jeff Hyche, as well as teachers Kyle Woodard and Greg Adams.

Wilson also discussed the recent Pre-k drawing where 87 students applied. The four HCS classes are full with 15 students on the waiting list. He also mentioned the state has recognized the benefits of Pre-k and should be funding the program more in the future.

Dr. Dee Dee Jones, director of teaching and learning, talked about the increased and expanded AP/Dual Enrollment programs at Hartselle High School. Current HHS AP teachers are being certified as adjunct professors at Calhoun Community College. This means the HHS teachers will be able to teach the AP classes concurrently as a dual enrollment class, at no extra cost to the system. Also due to the great facilities at Hartselle High School Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) classes that will begin next school term will be taught at HHS instead of the students having to leave campus and travel to Calhoun. There are plans in the works to have all AP classes also qualify as dual enrollment classes. There are also plans to expand the health occupation academy at the high school. There is currently a waiting list for the classes. Information technology is also a dual enrollment opportunity that may be a possibility in the future.

Jones commented “I can see in the future that a student can graduate with an associate degree from Calhoun one week, and graduate from Hartselle High School with a diploma the next week.” This would occur, as more dual enrollment classes are available at HHS.

In board action, the following action items were approved:

•Approved the creation of the following new sports for students in 7-12 grades:

·      Bowling Team and

·      Dance Team

•Approved the varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams traveling to Gatlinburg, Tenn., on Sept. 9-10, 2016, to compete in the Rocky Top Volleyball Tournament.

In Personnel Items the board approved:

•Patrick Fairbanks, from the position of custodian, currently assigned to Hartselle High School, effective April 13, 2016.

Retirements:

•Shirley Harris, from the position of bus driver, effective May 1, 2016;

•Essie Harris, from the position of bus driver, effective with the end of the 2015-2016 school year

•Debra Pendley, from the position of bus driver, effective at the end of the 2015-2016 school year

•Laurie Lang, from the position of Kindergarten Teacher, effective at the end of the 2015-2016 school year

Transfers:

•Sarah Bragwell from the position of 3rd grade teacher at F.E. Burleson Elementary, to the position of librarian at F.E. Burleson Elementary, effective beginning of the 2016-2017 school year

•Jessica Halverson from the position of fourth grade teacher at Crestline Elementary School, to the position of third grade teacher at F.E. Burleson Elementary School, effective beginning of the 2016-2017 school year.

Employment:

•Keri Rodgers to fill the position of elementary teacher at Barkley Bridge Elementary School, effective beginning of the 2016-2017 school year;

•Will Lang to fill the position of science teacher at Hartselle Junior High School, effective beginning of the 2016-2017 school year;

•Ronald Wallace to fill the position of custodian, based at the Central Office (to be assigned to schools), effective April 19, 2016, pending background clearance

•Susan Wallace to fill the position of custodian, based at the Central Office (to be assigned to schools), effective April 19, 2016, pending background clearance

The next board meeting will be held May 24, 2016, at 6 p.m. at the Central Office.