In its second Budget Hearing, held Tuesday, September 10, 2024, the Greene County Board of Education approved the system’s FY 2024-2025 proposed annual budget with projected revenues of $16,258,410 and expenditures of $16,151,057, which must be submitted to the State Department of Education by September 15. The budget decrease of approximately $5 million is due primarily to the exhaustion of the multi-year ESSER funds appropriated through the Congressional CARES ACT (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act) to support school districts in addressing the impact of COVID 19. Board members present included Mr. Leo Branch, Mr. Robert Davis and Ms. Veronica Richardson.
The system currently has 145 employees, a decrease of 20 from the previous year. State earned units support 82.33 personnel; other state funds support 31.51 personnel; federal funds support 24.49 and local funds support 6.72 – totaling 145.05 school personnel.
Greene County Sheriff Jonathan Benison has entered into an agreement with the Board of Education to provide $60,000 per month (Gaming Funds) to assist the system in the following areas: Teacher and student aide salaries and benefits; Classroom technologies and supplies; Teacher enrichment expenses; student enrichment activities including field trips. Currently 4.5 teachers are budgeted from these funds, with two position expected to be added.
Regarding investments, the system’s CD at Synovus Bank has a current balance of $2,547,420.76, indicating an interest growth of $124,562.78. Lennon noted that new negotiations are underway for a rate increase.
Budgetary Highlights for FY 2025 included the following: System average daily Membership (ADM) decreased by 2.90; Funded teacher units decreased by 2.07; Classroom instructional supply funds – $900 per unit; Technology support – $500 per unit; Library enhancement – $157.72 per unit; common purchases – $100 per unit; Foundation Program increased by $417,397; Transportation funding decreased by $50,987; Capital funding increased by$5,853; Local millage match decreased by $63,055.
The system’s Federal Funds for FY 25 will be allocated as follows: Title I – Two teachers, one aid, and the overage of the Math Coach and Reading Intervention at EPS; Four teachers, one aid and the overage of Math Coach at RBMS; Two teachers and 40% of the Assistant Principal at GCHS. Title II – Employ one classroom reduction teacher at RBMS and support professional development across the District. Title IV: Phase 3 playground at RBMS and support study abroad for GCHS scholars. Title V: Technology for Career Center and support of the Peer Helper Program.
Child Nutrition Program revenues are budgeted at $900,000.
Ms. Marquita Lennon also presented the FY 2024 Wrap Up indicating supplemental appropriations for the following: Alabama Reading Initiative Grant for After School funded at $50,000; Education Trust Fund supplemented at $861,900; Career Tech O&M supplemented at $19,938; Textbook supplemented at $47,704; Nurses Salaries supplemented at $26,468 – all totaling $1,000.601.
In other business, the board approved the following personnel items recommended by Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones.
Resignation: Jasmine Armstead, Science teacher – GCHS, effective August 7, 2024.
Employment for the 2024 – 2025 school year:Mary McMillian – Bus Aide – GCSS; Debra Waiters – Part-time Parent Facilitator – GCSS; Marva Smith – Long-term substitute (ACCESS) – GCHS; Carla Russell – Bus driver for mid-day CTE route from GCCC to RBMS.
Authorization of the following employees to work Concessions and Ticket Booths for the 2024-2025 school year at the Greene County High School principal’s discretion: La Tanya Cockrell; Tracey Hunter; Sarah Brewer; Twelia Morris; Sharon Washington; Mary Henderson; Wanda Gaitor; Jacqueline Edwards – Custodial Services; 3-year Contract for CSFO, Marquita Lennon, effective September 1, 2024.
Additional Service Contracts 2024 – 2025 for the following employees at Greene County High School: (Separate Contract); Patricia Maiden – Assistant Volleyball Coach.
The board approved the following administrative items.
* Travel to the 2024 CTE Vision Conference December 4-7, 2024 in San Antonio, TX for the following potential attendees: (pending budget approval):Teresa Atkins; Andrea Perry; Tamika Thompson; Angela White.
* Contract between Greene County High School and West Central Volleyball Officials Association for volleyball officials for the 2024 – 2025 school year.
* Contract between Greene County High School and West Central Football Officials Association for football officials for the 2024 – 2025 school year.
* Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and Integrity Event Security Providers, LLC to provide concealed weapons detection services at Greene County High School and Robert Brown Middle School for the 2024 – 2025 school year.
* Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.
* Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mrs. Marquita Lennon, CSFO.
* Purchase of a copier for central office from Dex Imaging in the amount of $14,590.
Tag: Ms. Marquita Lennon
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School board approves $16 million + for FY 2024-2025 budget; Sheriff Benison assists school system with gaming funds
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School Board hears plans for JAG project; receives State testing results for accountability grades
The Greene County Board of Eduction met in regular session Monday, August 15, 2022 with all board members in attendance. As part of his report, Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones brought on staff directors to give various program summaries.
Ms. Teresa Atkins, Director of the Greene County High School Career Center, gave a summary report on the Jobs for Alabama Graduates (JAG) project. The school system was funded $65,000 in support of the project.
Ms. Atkins reported that the Greene County School District is excited to launch the JAG Program at Greene County Career Center. Jobs for Alabama’s Graduates (JAG) identifies and provides educational support and success strategies for Alabama’s at-risk students. “JAG-eligible students have been partnered with our Educational Specialist, Mrs. Shamyra Jones who will mentor, equip, and provide the support needed to graduate and succeed after high school. JAG is unique in that it serves students often overlooked,” she stated.
Greene County School System received a start-up grant off $10,000 and a continuous grant of $55,000 to support the implementation of the program. According to Ms. Atkins, the system may request a larger JAG grant for next year.
Ms. Marshae Pelt, At-Risk and Testing Coordinator, presented the board with an overview of accountability regarding the State Testing results. The grades that are tested, referred to as accountability grades, include 3rd through 8th, tested through ACAP and the 11th grade utilizing the ACT Test. Ms. Pelt presented charts indicating student scores in Math and Reading from State Testing administered in March 2022.
Ms. Pelt presented an overview of the state assessments that at least 98% of students participated in during Spring 2022. Students in grades 2-8 participated in the ACAP Summative mandated assessment. At least 97% of students in the 11th grade participated in the ACT assessment, which included subjects: Math, Reading, English, and Science. Although various grades participated in the Science assessment, all students participated in the English/Language Arts and Math assessments.Superintendent Jones shared how instructional coaches should be an asset in ensuring that teachers understand the data and provide professional development and professional support as students continue to demonstrate achievement growth.
Superintendent Jones gave an update on the schools enrollments to date and in comparison to the previous enrollments at opening of school. Eutaw Primary has enrolled 264 scholars so far this school term compared to 296 at the start of the 2021 school term. Robert Brown Middle School has enrolled 342 compared to 321 for the previous year; and Greene County High has enrolled 261, compared to 253 for the previous year. This year’s total enrollment to date is 867. Last year’s opening enrollment was 879. Dr. Jones stated that he receives daily reports on student enrollment and expects enrollment to increase.
The board approved the following personnel items recommended by the superintendent.
Employment – 2022-2023 School Term: Sarah Crawford, 2nd Grade Eutaw Primary School; JaMiyiah Smith, 5th Grade Teacher, Robert Brown Middle School; Ephraim Russell, Band Teacher, Greene County High School; Howard Crawford, In-School Suspension Teacher, Greene County High School; Alanda McEwen, Counselor, Robert Brown Middle School;
Resignations: Leanita Hunt, 6th Grade English Teacher, Robert Brown Middle School, effective September 2, 2022; Monquelle Wigfall, Special Education Teacher, Robert Brown Middle School, effective September 9, 2022; Katoya Quarles, 6th Grade Math Teacher, Robert Brown Middle School, effective August 31, 2022.
The board approved authorization of the following employees to work concessions and ticket booths for the 2022-2023 school year: Latanya Cockrell, Traci Hunter, Sara Brewer, Twelia Morris, Sharon Washington, Mary Henderson, Wanda Gaitor.
The board approved the following administrative items recommended by the superintendent.
* Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.
* Bank reconciliations as submitted by Ms. Marquita Lennon, CSFO.
* Contract between Greene County Board and Criterion Consulting, Administrator Evaluations, Support Services for 2022-2023 school term.
* Contract between Greene County Board of Education and Southern Regional Education Board/School Improvement, for 2022-2023 school term.
* Contract between Greene County High School and Alabama High School Athletic Association Officials, to Officiate each football game; Approval of out of State Travel for Paula Calligan to attend Cosmetology Conference in Miami Florida.
* Contract between Greene County Board of Education and The Washington Consulting Group, LLC Training for New CNP Director.
* Contract between Greene County Board and Alabama Association of School Boards, Reorganizing/Reformatting of Policy Manual.
* Contract Agreement between Greene County Board and the Greene County Ambulance Services to provide emergency Medical Services during football Games.
Ms. Marquita Lennon, CSFO, presented the Financial Snapshot for July 31, 2022, including the following: General Fund Bank Balance – $2,936,667.68; Accounts Payable Check register – $854,065.40; Combined Ending fund Balance – $5,228,808.86; Total Local Revenue – $187,055; Operating Reserve – 5.14 combined general fund reserve; 2.91 cash reserve. All bank accounts have been reconciled. -
Superintendent presents spotlight on Career Center programs; highlights positive news in school system
At the Greene County Board of Education’s monthly meeting, held Monday, April 18, 2022, Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones, as part of his report, called on Ms. Teresa Atkins, Greene County Career Center Director, to present a comprehensive report on the various courses and programs available to students at the Career Center. Ms. Atkins noted that the most effective message of the Career Center is Preparation for the Real World. The overall goal is to prepare well-rounded students for college, careers or the military.
In her presentation, Ms. Atkins spotlighted the following offerings: Health Science, Cosmetology, Industrial Maintenance, Business, Career Preparedness, and JROTC. In addition to these, the Career Center offers Dual Enrollment courses in HVAC and Welding, through an arrangement with Wallace Community College Selma. She explained that the dual enrollment program gives students the opportunity “…to gain a jump start on the college experience.” This affords students the opportunity to receive the Associate Degree as well as High School Graduation certification.
The preparations at the Career Center emphasize real-world skills, mentoring, and internships. This includes a focus on preparing students to earn national credentials in various career areas.
Career Tech Student Organizations include active chapters in HOSA, Skills USA, FBLA and DECA.
Continuing his report, Dr. Jones highlighted more positive news in the school system. These are featured below.
The Technology Department has launched a new Mass Notification system with Blackboard. This system provides a more personalized way of communicating by sending messages to specific audiences. Stakeholders can receive messages simultaneously via phone calls, email, text messages and social media. The system also includes a feature to notify a parent once his/her child receives an unexcused absence in Power School.
The Special Education Department attended and participated in Noah J 2nd Annual Autism Awareness Festival, Saturday, April 16, 2022.
Eutaw Primary School completed ACAP testing on April 14, 2022. AIMSWEB-Scholars will be tested in various domains related to reading and math beginning April 25, 2022. May Day Celebration is tentatively set for the week of May 16, 2022. Scholars will be celebrated for their accomplishments during the 4th Nine Weeks.
Robert Brown Middle School (P.A.W.S.) Parents Always Willing To Support nominees will be highlighted in newspapers and will receive certificates and gifts. On April 18, Greene County High School scholars spoke to RBMS students to stress importance of the ACAP test. Test Taking Pep Rally Scranton Scholars and ACAP All-Stars will be recognized and GCH band will participate. RBMS P.T.A. meeting is scheduled for April 28.
Greene County High School Debate Team completed its final competition in Fairhope, AL. Jaila Brooks finishes her senior year with a total of four awards, three in first place. The GCHS Track Team is back. The boys competed at Central High School and performed well. The next track meet is April21, 2022. The Athletic Banquet was held April 14. Praise report from Program Manager from ACCESS: 30 students from GCH have a score of 70 or higher and is actively working in their ACCESS course. On April 15, Mu Alpha Theta (18 students ) traveled to Georgia to visit Great Wolf Lodge and Dave and Buster. Individual conferences have been scheduled with students to select courses for 2022-2023 school year. Eleventh grade students participated in ACT on March 29-31, 2022, with only two make-ups for 100% completion.
Dr. Jones also announced that the Alabama Legislature has passed a 4% pay raise for all employees, effective October 1, 2022. This is combined with a new salary schedule which will affect most school employees.
Superintendent Jones noted that the school system is coordinating efforts to assist the students whose families were affected by the recent tornado that hit the William M. Branch Heights community. He said buses will be re-routed to accommodate students who have been placed with their families in local hotels and other locations. Uniform dress requirements for those students have been suspended for the remainder of this school year. Other assistance that the school system can provide will be forthcoming.
The board approved the following personnel items recommended by the superintendent.
One-time supplemental payment for Janice Jeames Askew for additional duties Greene County High School.
One-time supplemental payment for Rosalyn Robinson for additional duties at Robert Brown Middle School.
The board approved the following administrative items:
* Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.
* Bank reconciliations as submitted by Ms. Marquita Lennon, CSFO.
* Memorandum of Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and Community Service Program of West Alabama, Inc. Head Start/Early Head Start.
* Resolution for Conveyance of Birdine Property to Town of Forkland.