The Jefferson County Post | Jefferson County, TN Newspaper

School Board Meeting Addresses Zoning, Policy & Budget

The Jefferson County School Board met for their Regular Monthly Meeting on Thursday, May 10, 2012 in the Media Center of Jefferson County High School. The Meeting was Called to Order by Chairman of the Board Potts.

Student Director’s Art Gallery winner Haeden Willis, (Center) 7th Grade, of White Pine School, was recognized. Pictured are Haeden, along with her parents (left), School Board Member Annette Loy and Haeden's teacher, Miranda Lewis (Right).

An announcement was made by Sherry Finchum that the White Pine Science and Energy Team had received National honors.

The Agenda and Consent Agenda were Approved upon Motions from Vines and Jarnigan and 2nds from Solomon and Vines respectively. Cynthia Jackson, candidate for State Senate, addressed the Board concerning her candidacy.

Policy changes for adoption and review on the first and final reading (policy # 4.406 Use of the Internet) were unanimously Approved following a Motion from Solomon and 2nd Vines.

Federal Projects and Special Education Permission were unanimously Approved upon a Motion from Vines and 2nd Jarnigan.

The Board was informed that, due to mandates, meal prices would need adjustments for the next school year. Cost per meal will increase .25 cents for a total of $2 PK-5 and $2.25 6-12 and the cost of ice cream will be increased to $1 per ice cream from the previous price of 50 cents. Per a Motion from Jarnigan and 2nd Vines the price adjustments were Approved. In a non impacting item the Board Approved and Amendment to the Commodities Portion of Food Service.

Jefferson County High School Athletic Director Rogers presented the Board with a Parent and Athlete Code of Conduct Agreement, which will be included in the student handbook at the County middle and high schools. Members of the Board stated that the document should become policy and be posted on signs at school athletic facilities in the County. Bradley made a Motion to Approve and was 2nd by Solomon. The Motion unanimously Passed. Director of Schools Edmonds stated that a document of expectations will be added to the Coaching Contract later this year.

Upon a Motion from Loy and 2nd Vines an Exceptional Children Budget Amendment was Approved. A policy maintenance agreement with the Tennessee School Board Association was Approved.

Director of Schools Edmonds presented the zoning proposal for the 2012-2013 school year. It became necessary to rezone to accommodate the new elementary school located on Dumplin Valley. He said that it would be impossible to satisfy everyone, however the proposed zoning makes sense to the County as a whole and recommended it for adoption. Board member Solomon stated that this will remove the need for portables in the overcrowded schools of Dandridge and Jefferson City elementary schools. Board member Bradley stated that he is certain that new elementary school Principal Austin will do an excellent job. Director Edmonds commended the parents and community for their cordial conduct when calling to discuss the rezoning issue. Upon a Motion from Jarnigan and 2nd from Vines the Board Approved the Zoning proposal as presented. Chairman Potts stated that 11 rising 5th graders at Piedmont School that are rezoned to the new elementary school could remain at Piedmont if they provide their own transportation. The Chairman’s suggestion was put into a motion by Solomon and Passed unanimously. Board member Loy stated that she is concerned that students that are relocated to the new school should be made to feel special. Principal Austin said that plans are being made to help the students with the transition and help them bond with their new school.

The School Board received their first look at the 2012-2013 budgets. Jefferson County Finance Director stated that he hopes to add to the School Fund Balance. Finance Director Helton said that he expects an increase in health insurance and retirement for classified employees. He informed the Board that the State has mandated a 2.5 % raise for certified employees. Director Edmonds stated that the Department of Education is within the $500,000 allotment combined for both new schools operational costs by the County Commission. The Board will begin budget assessments on Tuesday, May 15th.

Tony Petitt of Rentenbach addressed a change order needed to meet the stipulations of the Davis Bacon Wage Act. Director of Schools Edmonds recommended approving the change order for the Freshman Academy to include a $698,587 maximum guarantee for the Davis Bacon Act. Out of 31 trade contractors, 16 have requested additional wages for the Davis Bacon Act. The remaining 15 had met or exceeded the Davis Bacon wage requirements. Board member Bradley inquired if the amount included architect fees and was informed that it was not a part of the maximum guarantee. Upon a Motion from Bradley and 2nd Jarnigan the motion to approve the recommendation Passed 5-1 (Loy-No).

William Clampitt addressed the Board concerning salary increases for classified employees. He stated that he is in the process of compiling information regarding a plan to raise salaries for classified employees. Clampitt said that his information of bus drivers suggests that Jefferson County exceeds the pay structure for surrounding counties. He will return with a more comprehensive picture of options to approach classified salary increases. He recommended that classified employees receive a 2.5% raise to be complementary to the certified State mandated raise. The Meeting was Adjourned.

Click It or Ticket Enforcement to Boost Seat Belt Use – Day and Night

Motorists who refuse to wear their seat belts – Beware! The 2012 Tennessee Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization kicked off May 11 to help save lives by cracking down on those who don’t buckle up. It will kick off nationally on May 21, 2012.

The Governor’s Highway Safety Office is joining with other state and local law enforcement officers and highway safety advocates across the country to help save more lives by strongly enforcing seat belt laws around the clock.

In 2010 across the nation, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says 61 percent of the 10,647 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes overnight (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) were not wearing their seat belts, compared to 42 percent during daytime hours.

“Too many drivers and passengers on the road at night are not wearing their seat belts, and it all too often ends in tragedy,” said Kendell Poole, Director of GHSO. “Our goal is to save more lives, so state and local law enforcement agencies will be out enforcing seat belt laws around the clock.”

In Tennessee alone, 2011 preliminary data shows that 189 unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants were killed at night, compared to 160 who were unrestrained and killed during daytime crashes.

Seat belt use saves thousands of lives across the U.S. each year and GHSO is helping spread the word. NHTSA statistics show that in 2010, seat belts saved an estimated 12,546 lives nationwide.

In 2010, passenger vehicle occupants totaling 22,187 were killed in motor vehicle crashes, according to NHTSA, and 51 percent of them were NOT wearing seat belts. Preliminary data for 2011 in Tennessee mirrors the same percentage.

Younger motorists and men are particularly at risk. NHTSA 2010 data shows that among teen and young adult passenger vehicle occupants ages 18-34 who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes, 62 percent were not buckled up at the time of the crash. The number jumps to 66 percent when only men in this age group are included.

While this year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization runs from May 11 through June 3, motorists should know that officers are out enforcing seat belt laws year-round.

“We will be out cracking down on seat belt violators. Motorists should buckle up every time they go out, both day and night,” said Colonel Tracy Trott of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. “State troopers are prepared to ticket anyone not buckled up…no warnings and no excuses. Click It or Ticket.”

New Zoning for Mt. Horeb School

Board Passes New Zoning Plan

Map Provided by Jefferson County Board of Education

The Jefferson County Department of Education presented a proposal for new zoning boundaries to the Jefferson County School Board for approval on Thursday night at the regular monthly School Board meeting. A previously presented zoning recommendation was met with some concern by members of the Board and the community. The addition of a new elementary school on Dumplin Valley Road, which is close to the geographical center of the County, necessitated in the shifting of three current zones and the creation of a new zone. Dandridge, Piedmont and Jefferson City zoning limits were altered to accommodate the new Mt Horeb school zone. The new zone line for Piedmont School will be marked by a line from Underwood Road to Brooks Road to Hwy 25-70 and I-40. Students living West of that line will attend Mt. Horeb and those East will remain in Piedmont. The new Dandridge boundaries will include Goose Creek and all subsidiary roads off of Goose Creek. Those students living in those areas will attend the new elementary school. This will also include the Historic Hills subdivision and areas surrounding that subdivision. Students that live West of Ailey Road to Zircle Road to Hwy 25-70 and those East and North of 25-70 will attend Mt. Horeb School. Briarwood Subdivision and Smokey View Subdivision down through the Shady Grove area and beyond will attend Piedmont School. Dandridge proper and the Chestnut Hill and Swannsylvania portions of the greater Dandridge area will attend Dandridge Elementary School. There was no alteration in the proposed rezoning of Jefferson City. Chucky Pike to Tractor Supply (on Tractor Supply side of Hwy 11E) will attend the new elementary school. Flat Gap Road is described as the Western boundary for Mt. Horeb School. The School Board unanimously approved the rezoning proposal and hopes to have letters out shortly to those students who are being rezoned. According to Director of Transportation,