Tag Archives: CSFO Marquita Lennon

School Board approves FY 2024 budget in excess of $20 million including remaining $5 million in ESSER funds

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The Greene County Board of Education met at its Central Office for its scheduled Budget Hearing #2, on Monday September 11, 2023, at 3:00 pm, which was followed by a special call board session at 4:00 pm. The Budget Hearing #2 provided FY 2023 Wrap-Up, Investments, Key Factors Affecting Budget Process and FY 2024 Budget Objectives and Highlights. The FY 2023 Wrap-Up indicated the supplemental appropriations funded totaled $935,656. Investments balance, as of September 30, 2022, was $2,369,225.75 at a 0.10% rate, however, CSFO Marquita Lennon indicated a new rate of 5% on investments has been negotiated for FY 2024.
The board’s proposed budget revenues for FY 2024, including the remaining the $5 million in ESSER III Funds, (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) total $20,405,939. Expenditures are indicated at $20,308,588.14, with a projected FY 2024 ending General Fund Balance of $4,746,747.09. The FY 2024 budget components reflect State Funds at 36% – $7,357,509; Federal Funds at 37% – $7,564,055 and Local Funds at 27% – $5,484,375. ESSER III Funds must be obligated by September 30, 2024.

Budgetary Highlights include the following:
* The System’s Average Daily Membership decreased by 30.65 (Pre-School class counts not included in the ADM); Funded teacher units decreased by 2.07; Foundation Program net increase by $140,631; Transportation funding increase by $46,041; Capitol funding decreased by $5,853; Millage local match increased by $249,870. (CSFO noted that the State Department will contribute $99,148 which can be applied to millage match).
* The system has 161 employees this year, a decrease of 3 from prior year. Current school enrollment is 858 students: Eutaw Primary – 271; Robert Brown Middle – 333; Greene County High – 254. The Budget #2 Report stated the following: “Out of the $1.82 million of local salaries budgeted, approximately $800,000 is budgeted for teacher salaries and benefits over the number of units that we have earned. This is equivalent to 10.96 (11) teachers…the system must streamline and operate within our earned units, due to ending of ESSER III Funds and possible reduction in gaming funds.” As of now the Greene County Board of Education is not receiving gaming funds.
* Major local funding for the system includes County Ad Valorem at $695,000; 4 Act 1999 at $600,000; Sales tax 2% at $500,000; Motor vehicles at $35,000; Helping Schools at $4,000;
Indirect Cost at $392,000. Totaling $2,261,000.
* The CSFO noted that plans are already in process for streamlining FY 2025 Budget.

Board’s Special Call Meeting
In its special call meeting, the school board approved the following personnel items recommended by Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones.
•Retroactively placing Ms. Barbara Martin on the salary matrix as Instructional Coordinator as of 8/29/2023 according to education and years of experience.
Administrative items approved by the board are the following:
*Approve Annual Budget for Fiscal Year October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024.
*Lowest bid in the amount of $824,500 from Stateline Mechanical LLC to provide HVAC equipment for the Robert Brown Middle School HVAC project.
* Educational Consultant Agreement between Dr. Lucretia Prince and Greene County Board of Education for consulting and coaching services for building administrators.
* Deposit of $50,000 to Synovus Bank CD.
*Contract between Greene County Board of Education and Greene County Sheriff Department for Resource Offices for the 2023 – 2024 school year.

Superintendent gives update on HVAC replacement RBMS; summer maintenance work; administrative contracts approved

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The Greene County Board of Education held its monthly meeting on June 12, 2023 with all board members present. Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones opened his report with an update on the HVAC Project commencing at Robert Brown Middle School. At a special call meeting on May 8, 2023, the board entered into an agreement with Whorton Engineering, Inc. for the replacement of the entire Heating and Cooling system at RBMS at a cost of $2.5 million. Dr. Jones stated that Whorton Engineering has performed onsite observations and documentations of all HVAÇ equipment located at the main building. The company has also done a 3D Laser Scan of the building to verify field conditions. Jones noted that this is critical since there are no existing drawings of the facility. The company also completed a scan of the gym. Whorton Engineering has submitted current delivery dates for equipment and materials from proposed vendors. Financial support for the HVAC Project at RBMS is secured through the ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund) – CARES ACT which is the Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Security Act, resources
In Positive news from Robert Brown Middle School, Jones said that students in the after-school tutorial program visited the Georgia Aquarium. The school held its fun day May 19. Summer Learning Program began May 23 with 90 students registered.
Greene County High Positive News included Ms. Victoria Moore, Physics and Chemistry teacher receiving a $1,000 classroom grant from the Southern Company.
Dr. Jones gave summer maintenance updates on the various schools. At Eutaw Primary School all tasks were completed except for installing cut off valves. All maintenance work at RBMS was completed. Maintenance tasks at Greene County High School will be completed by June 23 and tasks at the career Center will be completed by June 27.
The Board approved the following personnel items recommended by Superintendent Jones.
* Correction of name error for Summer School Employee for Greene County High School, Veronica Moore should be Victoria Moore.
* Amend Resignation: Shawnta Owens, Principal, Robert Brown Middle School from June 15 to June 30, 2023.
* Resignation: Ephraim Russell, Band Director, Greene County High School effective June 2, 2023; James Davis ROTC Instructor, Greene County High School.
* Non-Renewal: Maquavius King, 3rd Grade Teacher, Robert Brown Middle School; Jasmine Smith-Mental Health Coordinator; Brittany Jenkins, Math Interventionist, Greene County High School.
* Employment: Tina Cherry, as Janitor for Summer School at Eutaw Primary School, starting June 5 – July 3, 2023.
* Correction of name error for Summer School Employee for Greene County High School, Veronica Moore should be Victoria Moore.
* Supplemental Contracts: Greene County High – Spring Football, Corey Cockrell, Head Football Coach; Zaddrick Smith, Assistant Football Coach.
* Rescind Summer School Child Nutrition Program: Burenia Crispin; Sandy Wilson; Jacqueline Pickens; Rosie Davis.
* Summer School Child Feeding Program: Youlonda Coleman-Manager; Deborah Taylor – Assistant Manager; Romonda Askew – Frontline Staff; Mary Hill – Frontline Staff.
* Approval of Salary for Dr. Brittany Harris for receiving a Higher Degree.
* Proposed Salary Increase for Child Nutrition Program Summer 2023, for summer only. Manager’s Salary from $15.00/hr. to 18.00/hr.; Assistant Manager salary from $15.00 to $17.00/hr.; Frontline Staff salary from $15.00/hr. to $16/hr.
* Approval of FMLA Leave for Mr. Elroy Skinner, Math Teacher effective May 3, 2023.
*Approval of finance staff and secretaries/bookkeepers of the Greene County Board of Education receive a one-time AASBO certification supplement for FY 23: LaTanya Fowler – Payroll Certificate & Local School Financial Management Certificate; Sarah Brewer – Payroll Certificate & Local School Financial Management Certificate; Makane Morrow – CSFO/Professional Certificate & Local School Financial Management Certificate; Sarah Hall- Local School Financial Management Certificate; Mary Henderson – Local School Financial Management Certificate; Tracey Hunter – Local School Financial Management Certificate; Tweila Morris – Local School Financial Management Certificate; Marilyn Sanford -Local School Financial Management Certificate; Wanda Gaitor – Local School Financial Management Certificate.
The board approved the following administrative service items recommended by the superintendent: Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll; Bank reconciliations as submitted by Ms. Marquita Lennon, CSFO; Approval of out-of-state travel to attend ACTE Career Tech Vision 2023 Greene County Career Center (Angela White, CTE Counselor and LaMonica Little Career Coach); Approval of, Birmingham Restaurant Supply for Installation of Walk-in Cooler/Freezer; Approval of Disposal and Surplus of outdated damaged technology devices and parts; Approval of Extreme Patio Covers Company, to install Awning at Eutaw Primary School; Approval of Man for the Job Renovations Company to renovate Greene County Alternative School; A-Plus 1 Home Renovation Company, for the Painting of Robert Brown Middle School; Approval to move the Manufacturing Program to the former Automotive space at Robert Brown Middle School; Approval to move Computer Science and Business Skill Development to Robert Brown Middle School; Approval of Superintendent, Evaluation; Approval of CSFO Evaluation;Approval of Contract between Greene County Board and Walter McKee for Roofing and Flooring at Eutaw Primary School; Purchasing of Pre-K Playground Equipment for Eutaw Primary School.
CSFO Marquita Lennon presented the school system’s Financial Snapshot for the period ending May 31, 2023. The system’s general operating reserve is $4.8 million, with the cash reserve at $2.80 million. All bank accounts have been reconciled. General Fund Balance – $3,365,593.94; Accounts Payable Check Register – %500,892.62; Payroll Register – $922,710.53; Combined Ending Fund Balance – $5,885,721.40. Local Revenue: Property Taxes – $27,994; Sales Taxes – $116,208; Other Taxes – $12,587; Bingo Revenue – $55,839; Total Revenue: $ $212,628.

Board approves ESSER II Budget Amendment, Superintendent gives update on enrollment and positive school news

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The Greene County Board of Education held its regular meeting on Monday, January 23, 2023. The meeting date was adjusted to the fourth Monday since Dr. King’s National Holiday fell on the third Monday. All board members were present, except for Brandon Merriweather. Board President Branch explained that Mr. Merriweather’s work schedule could not accommodate the change in the meeting date.
Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones opened his report to the board with an update on student enrollment, comparing enrollment in mid December, 2022 and enrollment in mid January, 2023.
Eutaw Primary School had 275 scholars enrolled in December and 280 in January 2023; Robert Brown Middle School had 340 scholars in December and 334 in January; Greene County High School had 259 in December and 260 in January. Comparative totals for the two months were the same, 874 scholars enrolled.
In school positive news, Dr. Jones noted that new playground equipment for Eutaw Primary has arrived and installation is in progress. EPS educators and scholars celebrated Math Week and the 100th Day of School during the week of January 16. Seven scholars have obtained 100 or more Accelerated Reader points and are part of the 100 Points Club. Pre-K scholars enjoyed a field trip to the Children’s Hands On Museum on January 20.
Positive news for Robert Brown Middle School include the following: Parents are invited to eat lunch with their children on Thursday, January 26; RBMS Teacher of the Year is, fourth grade teacher, Ms. Vanessa Bryant; the Epsilon Mu Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority is sponsoring a Valentine Luncheon for RBMS staff and teacher incentive gift cards.
Positive news for Greene County High include the following: GCHS celebrated coming off the Comprehensive School Improvement List; ACT Prep is offered twice a month on Saturdays at GCHS from 9-11 and attendance is increasing; after school enrollment has increased from nine to 35 students;
In her financial report to the board, CSFO Marquita Lennon, presented a draft of the FY 2023 ESSER II Budget Amendment. She noted that there is a carryover amount of approximately $2.5 million and funds must be expended by September 30, 2023, with the budget amended by March 15, 2023. Lennon listed other elements of the budget amendment including the following: ESSER II Committee of school personnel and community stakeholders was formed; Capital expenditures capped at 50%; Learning loss must be 20%. Key items of expenditure will include Janitor salaries and benefits; Playground Equipment for EPS; Computer Lab for RBMS; Flooring for EPS and Peter J. Kirksey; Insurance for Chrome Books; Learning Licenses; ACT Prep; Transitional activities.
CSFO Lennon presented the school system’s monthly financials as of December 31, 2022. Her Financial Points of Interest and Financial Snapshot included the following: Operating Reserves – 3.77M combined general fund reserve;1.89M cash reserve; ( All bank accounts have been reconciled); General Fund Balance – $2,266,229.97 (reconciles to the Summary Cash Report); Accounts payable Check register – $181,347.67; Payroll Register $926,501.71; Combined Ending Fund Balance -$4,529,923.07; Local Revenue – (taxes and bingo revenue) $268,768.
The board approved the following personnel items.
Employment – Ms. Delois Powell Bus Aide, Department of Transportation; Natasha Lewis, After School Bus Driver, for 2022-2023 School term. The board also approved a Retention Bonus Agreement Contract for School Bus Driver, Natasha Lewis for 2022-2023 school term. The board approved a $500 stipend for Pamela McGee for Response to Intervention (RTI) Chairperson.
Resignation – Demilia Snyder, Robert Brown Middle School Teacher, effective January 31, 2023.
Supplements for Spring Track Team Personnel – Greene County High School, Head Coach for Males – Howard Crawford; Assistant Male Coach – Rodney Wesley; Head Coach, Females – Ralph Marshall; Assistant Coach, Females – Torethia Mitchell.
The board approved the following administrative items.
* Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.
* Bank reconciliations as submitted by Ms. Marquita Lennon, CSFO.
* Contract between Greene County Board and Ability Pilot, Student Intervention and Embedded Coaching, Kid First Education.
* Memorandum of Understanding between Greene County High School and Stillman College, Dual Enrollment, for 2022-2023 School Term.
* Amendments to ESSER II (4296) Budget to include: Custodial Salaries; Learning Licenses;
ACT Preparation; Data Processing Updates;
* Memorandum of Understanding between Greene County Board of Education and Advancing Evidence Improving Lives (AIR), CDC Youth Empowerment Project.
* Approval of Corey Cockrell to attend Glazier Football Clinic, Franklin, TN February 24-26, 2022.
* Approval of Greene County High School Seniors to travel to Destin, Florida for Class of 2023 Senior Trip.
* Bus Driver- Stillman College Upward Bound, Mr. Leslie Carlisle;
* Purchase of Computers for Robert Brown Middle School.