1 Lee County Board of Trustees Called Board Meeting Lee County School District 521 Park Street Bishopville, SC 29010 Meeting Minutes Meeting Called to Order By: Board Members Present: Chairperson Sanya Moses Vice Chairperson Nathaniel Brunson, Secretary Queenie Boyd, Don Bowen, Graham Drayton and Valarie Haywood Board Members Absent: Public Speakers: Board Members Arriving Late: Jessie Belvin Media Present: In accordance with the SC Code of Laws of 1976, Section 4-30-80c, as amended, the media had been notified of the date, place, and agenda. ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM Chairperson Moses called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Chairperson Moses stated that a Quorum was established; the media had been properly notified of the meeting and no one was present. Chairperson Moses asked everyone to join her in a moment of silence. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Chairperson Moses stated that without objection the agenda would stand as approved. BUDGET WORKSHOP Ms. Stokes shared with the board that this evening s budget workshop is based on the House Proposal. The following are the budget assumptions based on that proposal: BSC of $2101 One step increase for teachers One step increase for support staff Increase in retirement costs Increase in insurance costs
Called Board Meeting 2 Expenses Salaries & Fringe Salaries and fringe $14,174,246.04 Bus Drivers salaries and fringe 896,451.82 Subs 25,000.00 Total Salaries & Fringe Expenses $15,095,697.86 Expenses Offices Board $ 199,437.00 Superintendent 33,925.00 Workers Comp/Unemployment 256,000.00 Maintenance 1,259,861.00 Human Resources 14,814.00 Public Relations 5,000.00 Transportation 22,600.00 Instruction 15,400.00 Finance 18,274.00 Expenses - Other Athletics $ 107,549.00 Security 82,000.00 School Allocations 100,000.00 Out of District 35,000.00 Sled Checks 5,000.00 Total Other Expenses $2,174,860.00 Total Salaries, Fringe & Other Expenses $17,270,557.86 Other Funds Used for Salaries & Fringe Fund 201 Title One $1,201,193.00 Fund 203 IDEA 373,374.22 Fund 205 IDEA Preschool 42,000.00 Fund 207 Vocational 20,202.00 Fund 243 Adult Ed. 17,203.87 Fund 267 Title Two 180,000.00 Fund 274 ROTC 64,892.00 Fund 285 GEAR UP 53,522.78 Fund 338 At Risk Students 582,166.00 Fund 341 CDEPP 267,790.00 Fund 356 Adult Ed. 102,191.15 Fund 358 Spec Ed Aid MOE 106,378.00 Fund 397 Aid to Districts 22,207.00 Fund 879 Medicaid 187,018.28 Fund 917 PE 17,198.00 Fund 928 EEDA 81,496.00 Fund 936 Nursing 94,404.00 Fund 960 K-5 Lottery 115,000.00 Fund 985 First Steps 16,347.05 Total of Other Funds Used for Salaries & Fringe $3,664,329.60 Expenses Compared to Revenues Total Expenses $17,270,557.86 Reduced by Other Funds Used to Cover Salaries & Fringe $3,664,329.60 Equals Expenses to be paid by General Fund $13,606,228.26
Called Board Meeting 3 Minus Anticipated General Fund Revenue $13,437,229.056 Equals Budget Shortfall $168,998.70 Budget Shortfall **** $168,998.70 Eliminate 1 admin position -100,598.80 Eliminate 2 teacher assistants - 30,000.00 Reduce office budgets by 10% -38,399.90-0- Ms. Stokes stated that this budget was done without including any increased millage. She did have a discussion with Alan Watkins, County Administrator and asked him if the district was allowed to request a millage increase. He stated that the district could ask for 2.8 mills. Ms. Stokes asked him to go ahead and incorporate that request when doing his budget. She stated that if the district received the millage increase then the $150,000 used in fund balance money to balance the budget may not have to be used. She stated that the district has also been using E-rate funds to help balance the budget and those are almost depleted. Secretary Boyd asked about the elimination of the two teacher assistants. Ms. Stokes stated that those positions ended because the SIG money ends this year at West Lee Elementary. Secretary Boyd asked how the school allocation money is distributed to the schools. Ms. Stokes stated that the money is dispersed based on student population. She said she does take a small part out for the magnet program and the alternative school first because they do not have a large student population. The schools use the allocations for travel, administrative supplies, instructional supplies and various other things. Secretary Boyd asked how much money is allocated to Athletics. Ms. Stokes stated that $107,549 is given to Athletics. Most of the money goes toward stipends. She added that the schools do have a number of coaches. Mr. Bowen stated that some coaches are teachers as well. Mr. Bowen asked about the elimination of the administrative position. Ms. Stokes stated that it was the principal position at Lee County Academic Learning Center. Since there is already an administrator there, the district is thinking of replacing the principal with a lead teacher position. The school does not serve that many students. The administrative needs at the magnet program are greater due to the integrity of the program. Mr. Drayton asked how many retiree positions were open. Ms. Stokes stated that there were four; principal at Lee County Academic Learning Center, Support Services Director, Magnet Program Coordinator and Federal Programs Coordinator. He asked how many had re-applied. Dr. Long responded that all of them had. Chairperson Moses stated that the Board has not approved anything yet; however, Dr. Richardson has some organizational plans he wants to share with the Board at the regular meeting on May 20, 2013. Ms. Stokes stated at this point the budget presented is balanced. She will be monitoring what the Senate does after they go back into session but she is not anticipating any major changes. She added that by giving the teachers a one step increase that they will still be two steps behind. By giving the support staff a one step increase they will still be three steps behind. Mr. Drayton asked what the support staff step costs. She stated that it really wasn t that much just approximately $30,000. Mr. Drayton inquired about the maintenance budget. Ms. Stokes stated she had broken the maintenance budget down as follows: Property Insurance 180,425.00 Power 645,546.00 Water 44,770.00 Copier Contracts 57,230.00 Pest Control 11,150.00 Contracted Maintenance 47,443.00 Fire Alarm Monitoring 4,739.00 Fire Alarm Inspections 6,690.00 Generator Services 825.00 Energy Management Contracts 29,112.00
Called Board Meeting 4 Telephones 62,800.00 Maintenance Supplies 45,910.00 Custodial Supplies 57,322.00 Maintenance Vehicle Supplies 4,720.00 Maintenance Vehicle Gas 15,304.00 Propane 42,564.00 Maintenance Office Tec Supplies 731.00 Maintenance Travel 2,500.00 Maintenance Advertising 80.00 Total $1,259,861.00 Mr. Drayton asked what facilities used propane. Ms. Stokes stated that Lee Central Middle School, Lee Central High School and Lee County Career and Technology Center use propane. A good portion of the propane is used for science labs and the greenhouse. Ms. Stokes cautioned the Board that the $1.2 million total did not include any funds for the upgrading of equipment, and purchasing maintenance vehicles. She wanted to add in $50,000 for some type of lease agreement to purchase vehicles and equipment but the money just wasn t there when she was trying to balance the budget. Before Ms. Stokes came to the district, there was a lease on activity buses and bus radios. Those two leases have since ended and she recommended that in a new lease agreement to make that payment part of the budget. She informed the Board that if the district continues to perform the maintenance that new equipment and vehicles will have to be purchased at some point. Another issue is the district office telephone system. The system is from the 1970 s and is not reliable. Chairperson Moses stated that as they have discussions regarding the district infrastructures these are things that they need to know. She asked Ms. Stokes to begin compiling a list with dollar amounts to give to them as they have discussions with the community. Secretary Boyd stated that she thought the bus radio contract was funded through E-rate money. Ms. Stokes reminded her that for several years the district did not receive any E-rate money so that payment had to be paid out of the general fund. Mr. Bowen asked what company the district was paying for an energy contract and what job did they perform. Ms. Stokes stated that the district uses Control Management, Inc. who manages all the settings and controls of the HVAC systems at Lee Central High School, Lee Central Middle School and Lee County Career and Technology Center. She stated she would get more information for him on exactly what all they do for the district. She added that Mr. DuRant is discussing with another company about possibly doing the same thing with the same dollar amount but implementing the service in all of the schools. Mr. Bowen asked if there was any way to do a projection on maintenance savings if the district were to consolidate schools and close others. She said she work on an estimate. EXECUTIVE SESSION Chairperson Moses requested a motion on entering Executive Session to discuss Property Matters, Personnel Matters, and Contractual Matters. Motion: A motion was made by Secretary Boyd and properly seconded to enter in Executive Session to discuss Property Matters, Personnel Matters and Contractual Matters. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the motion. EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS Chairperson Moses stated that while in Executive Session they discussed personnel matters as information. There was no action taken on property or contractual matters. Chairperson Moses reminded the Board that they have a series of meetings this week with a called meeting on May 14 th at 6:30 p.m., May 15 th at 7:00 p.m. and May 16 th at 6:30 p.m. She asked for consensus to interview the last candidate after the regular board meeting on May 20, 2013.
Called Board Meeting 5 Consensus: The board reached a consensus to interview the final superintendent candidate after the regular board meeting on May 20, 2013. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Moses stated the meeting was adjourned. The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Chairperson Secretary Date: Date: