The Greene County Democrat

Tag: President Leo Branch

  • School Board holds FY 2026 Budgetary Hearings

    School Board President authorized to consult State Superintendent Mackey to secure interim superintendent for Greene County

    The Greene County School Board held its monthly meeting on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 4:30 pm, following the board’s second public Budget Hearing, FY 2026. Board members present were President Leo Branch, Vice President Veronica Richardson, Board Members Carrie Dancy and Robert Davis. The minutes of the August 18 regular meeting and the August 27, emergency called meeting were approved.
    When the board returned from executive session, President Branch noted that Dr. Jones’ resignation is effective September 30, 2025 and asked for a motion regarding securing an interim superintendent for the school system. Ms. Carrie Dancy moved that the board authorize President Branch to interact with State Superintendent, Dr. Eric Mackey regarding appointment of an interim superintendent. Mr. Robert Davis gave the second. The motion passes on a vote of 3-1, with Ms. Veronica Richardson voting no. The board did not discuss plans for a new superintendent search. In previous instances, the Greene County School Board has engaged the Alabama Association of School Boards (AASB) to assist in that process.
    The board approved the following personnel items recommended by Superintendent Jones.
    * Additional Service Contracts 2025 – 2026 for the following employees at Greene County High School: (Separate Contract): Asst. Football Coach – Zaddrick Smith; Offensive Coordinator – Devin Woods.
    * Update to additional services salary matrix.
    * Employment of Ms. Dorothy Powell as substitute cook.
    * Permission to pay the following for any approved College and Career Readiness (CCR) activities for school year 2025 – 2026: Hourly rate of $30.00 per hour for after school activities/events and $250 per day for all day college and industry tours: Pamela McGee; Victoria Moore; Tweila Morris; Lorissa Holder.
    * Employment of the following Teacher Mentors for the 2025 – 2026 school year: LaShaun Henley; Danielle Williams; Sarah Crawford; Annie Howard; Carleene Garnett; Kathryne Soule; Lorissa Holder.
    Social Studies Textbook Adoption Committee 2025 – 2026: Rebecca Coleman – Textbook Coordinator District Office; Barbara Martin – Curriculum Coordinator District Office; LaShaun Henley – Teacher-3rd Grade EPS; Sarah Crawford – Teacher-2nd Grade EPS; Annie Howard – Teacher-4th Grade RBMS; Demetris Lyles – Teacher-6th Grade RBMS; Eulas Kirtdoll Teacher – 7th & 8th Grade RBMS; Clifford Reynolds – Teacher GCHS; Patricia Maiden – Teacher GCHS; Akira Spencer – Parent EPS; Kadijah Hunter – Parent RBMS; Veronica Jones – Parent GCHS.
    The board approved the following administrative items recommended by Dr. Jones.
    * Out of state travel for Dr. Charlayne Jordan to attend the International Association for Truancy & Dropout Prevention Annual Conference Oct. 19-22, 2025, in Memphis, TN.
    * Out of state travel for the following to attend VISION Conference in Nashville, TN on December 9-12, 2025: LaMonica Little; Lorissa Holder; Shamyra Jones; Tamika Thompson. 
    * Out of state travel for 11th & 12th grade students and chaperons to attend Jackson State High School Day on November 15, 2025, in Jackson, MS.
    * Quote from Play & Park Structures for outdoor seating at each school site in the amount of $35,859.43.
    * Quote from RTI for the purchase of Chromebooks for Eutaw Primary School in the amount of $54,240 (Quote# tb 138302 v1), effective September 1, 2025.
    * Quote from RTI for the purchase of Chromebooks for Eutaw Primary School in the amount of $54,240 (Quote# tb 136625 v1), effective August 1, 2025.
    * Proposal from Criterion Consulting LLC for Administrator Evaluation Support Services for the 2025 – 2026 school year.
    * Permission for Sarah Foster owner/operator of BC Transport Services to transport individuals during sporting events.
    * Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.
    Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mrs. Marquita Lennon, CSFO.
    CSFO, Marquita Lennon presented the following snapshot as of August 31, 2025. Operating reserves totaled 7.50 months for combined general fund and 7.40 months for cash reserve. All bank accounts have been reconciled. General fund bank balance totaled $8,98,873.92. This reconciles to the summary cash report. Accounts payable check register totaled $947,357.49; payroll register totaled $955,620.51, with a combined ending fund balance of $8,216,111.40.
    Local Revenue reported as follows: Property taxes – $23,249.38; Sales taxes – $130,283.50; Other taxes – $9,849.11. Greene County Racing Commission distributed $210,000 for quarters 1 and 2 of 2025. Total local revenue – $373,381.99.

    Budget Hearing FY 2026

    The Greene County School System held the required public Budget Hearings for FY 2026 on September 10 and 12, 2025 in the Central Office. CSFO Marquita Lennon presented the budget report with projected revenues of $16,356,448.43 and total expenditures at $16, 882,284.32 and an ending general fund balance of $6,217,564.19.
    Ms. Lennon provided the following budgetary highlights:
    * Capital Funding increased by $6,234.
    * Mill local match decreased by $180,000.
    Insurance increased from $9,600 per year per employee in FY 2025 to $10,848 per employee per year in FY 2026.
    Transportation funding increased by $158,712.
    Student enrollment for FY 2026 is 831.5; in FY 2025 student enrollment was 855.7.`
    For FY 2026 State Foundation Program supports 59.14 Units; in 2025 the Foundation Program supported 61.90 Units. In FY 2025, the school system had 145.05 employees; in Fy 2026, the system has150.53 employees. For FY 2026, the State Foundation Program is providing $7,399,474; the local match is $1,571,466. Total for State Foundation Program – $5,884,054.
    The RAiSE ACT funding for FY 2026 totals $174,568, which will contribute support for the At-Risk Coordinator; Gifted Program; English as a Second Language; and Special Education funding.
    Additional State funding of $616,241 in FY 2026 will contribute to Alabama Reading Initiative; OSR Pre-School; State Special Education Preschool; Math Coaches; JAG; Career Coach. Major local funding for FY 2026 totals $2,675,000.
    Federal Funding, FY 2026, totals $1,856,274 with Title I supporting, at Eutaw Primary School, 1 teacher, 50% counselor; overage for Math coach and ARI Specialist; at Robert Brown Middle School – 3 teachers, 1 aide and overage of the Math Coach; at Greene County High – 1.25 teachers and 50% for Assistant Principal.
    Title II supports 1 teacher at RBMS; Title IV supports band materials, supplies & Equipment, Safety Coordinator training; Title V supports Peer Helpers, Parent Teacher Leadership Academy and truancy and safety. Federal funds also supports Career Tech.
    For more particulars on FY 2026 State Funds, Federal Funds and Local Funds and the budgetary allocations for these, contact Ms. Marquita Lennon, CSFO for the Greene County School System.

     

     

     

  • Greene County Schools Child Nutrition Program receives grants totaling $84,917

    The Greene County Board of Education held it regular meeting, Monday, February 20, 2023 with three board members in attendance, President Leo Branch, Robert Davis and Brandon Merriweather.
    As part of his report, Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones presented Child Nutrition Program Director, Ms. Shirley Stewart for an update. Ms. Stewart announced that Greene County Schools was awarded two grants from the Alabama State department of Education totaling $84, 917.66 for new cafeteria equipment. Eutaw Primary School received a grant of $70,066 for a walk-in cooler/freezer; Robert Brown Middle School received a partial award of $14,851.66 for a serving counter for cold foods. According to Ms. Stewart, the funds were provided through the National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant.
    Dr. Jones also resented Schneider Electric for an update relative to the HVAC Project at Robert Brown Middle School. Schneider representatives, Larry Perrin and Todd Smith, noted that Robert Brown Middle School is currently on a boiler/chiller system that is over 40 years old and the plans are to install an up-to date electrical infrastructure which will replace all existing systems focusing on energy and operations; technology & school safety; facilities and asset planning. A key feature of the new design will allow each classroom to have individualized control regarding heating and cooling; the kitchen area will have proper exhaust and circulation of fresh air. Schneider Reps also noted that the cost of the RBM Project is likely to increase from the initial proposal to the Board of approximately $3 million. They suggested that federal grants may be available to off-set the additional costs. No further determination was made by the Board.
    In other business, the board approved the following personnel items recommended by the superintendent: Resignation of Anthony Atkins, effective February 6, 2023; resignation of Shawnta Owens, effective June 15, 2023.
    The administrative items acted on by the board included the following.
    * Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.
    * Bank reconciliations as submitted by Ms. Marquita Lennon, CSFO.
    * Agreement between Greene County Board and Finalsite Internet Technologies Website * Provider, (This company purchased our current provider, Blackboard).
    * Contractual Agreement between Greene County Board and West Alabama Therapy for 2023-2024 School Term.
    * Contractual Agreement between Greene County Board and Andrea Williams, Holmes to Homes Health and Rehabilitation Services, LLC, Speech Therapy Services for 2023-2024 School Term.
    * Proposal between Greene County Board and HMH Professional Development Partnership, February thru December 2023.
    * Approval of Rebecca Coleman to travel to Jackson Mississippi for Classroom technology.
    Agreement between Greene County Board and Community Services of West Alabama, and Head Start/Early Head Start.
    * Approval of Zaddrick Smith to attend Glazier Football Clinic, Franklin, TN February 24-26, 2022.
    * Approval of Rodney Wesley and Howard Crawford to attend Basketball Clinic in Nashville, Tn on May 12-13, 2023.
    * Approval of Greene County High School Debate Team to travel to Mississippi to compete in MMSC conference March 23, 2023.
    Approval to terminate contract between Greene County Board and Helping Hands Therapy.
    The board tabled an action on an Electric energy services Contract with Schneider Electric.
    The CSFU, Marquita Lennon presented the following Financial Snapshot for the period ending January 31, 2023. Points of Interest: Operating Reserves reflect $5.19 M combined general fund reserve; $3.44 M cash reserve; m all bank accounts have been reconciled. General Fund Bank Balance – $4,129,273.25 ( reconciles to the Summary Cash Report); Accounts Payable Check Register – $661,672.40; Payroll Register $933,649.90; Combined Ending Fund Balance – $6,227,076.10. Local revenue: Property Taxes – $1,873,748; Sales Taxes – $154,561; Other Taxes – $3,828; Bingo – $55,839. Total Local revenue: $2, 087,976.