Fulton County BOE rejects FIS Non-Resident contract

Fulton County Board of Education met in regular session Dec. 13 at the Board Office with Board members Kim Hagler, Jacob Goodman, and Perry Turner attending. Rob Garrigan and Barry Patrick were not present.

The Board members were informed Fulton Independent Schools had sent a proposed Non-Resident Contract, different from what Superintendent Aaron Collins had seen in the past. The new contract asked for a change, to allow 10 students and one-to-one ratio.

Collins’ suggestion was to reject the Non-Resident Contract with Fulton Independent Schools for the 2019-2020 School Year, with the Board approving the recommendation.

The Superintendent is to make an offer of “Any and All Students from Fulton Independent may attend Fulton County Schools”.

The Board approved Non-Resident Contracts with Calloway County, Graves County, Carlisle County, Mayfield City, McCracken County, Paducah Independent, and Hickman County for the 2019-2020 School Year for “Any and All Students”.

Board members also approved the Four Rivers Career Academy, Safety and Renovation BG#2 and #3.

Superintendent Collins explained BG#1 was approved several months ago.

Collins said, “BG#2 is the Scope and outlines the building system and energy efficiency. I really appreciate the principals met with architect and engineer. Career Academy first and went through the entire building scope. There were some things on the original scope that were missed and the principals were able to add additions in terms of doors, locks, and safety to ensure the safety of students. They also increase the asphalt pavement in front of the school by 12 feet, so there is better egress when exiting. It is not too bad going in, but you can’t really get out without hitting someone because of where the parking spots are as you turn to the left, and parallel to where the entrance is and would be one nice streamline, and the lighting and changes have been made and ready for approval.”

“BG#3 is the finance and outlines the costs of the project. All of the numbers as have been looked at by the bonding agency, as well as RBS and Martin Engineering are correct. Remember these are estimates before they go to bidding. The total project is for $12.2 million,” stated Collins.

Paperwork and specs were available for the contract documents for the Career Academy, Safety, and Renovation bidding and bids will be accepted.

The Beta Club requested permission for a student related trip for a bus, but may rent a vehicle as they have done in the past. All students’ names and chaperones with a correct ratio, as well as male to male, and females have been submitted. Superintendent Collins recommended approval and the Beta Club is not requesting any money from the Board for the trip.

Jennifer Davis, Fulton County Schools’ Financial Advisor, reported Total Year-To-Date Revenues was $1,788,000 as of the end of November. With a carryover balance $670,000, the beginning balance is $2,458,000, which is 52.73% of budget. Last year’s collections to date were only $1,930,000 or 49.12% of the budget.

Total Expenses Year-To-Date are $1,333,000 or 33.05% of the budget. Last year to date expenses as of the end of November were $1,368,000, or 36.98% of the budget. Salaries were 33.33% of the budget at the end of November.

Davis said, “With total budget at 33.05% we are in great shape.”

Assistant Superintendent PaTrice Chambers presented three suggested calendars for the 2019-2010 school year.

Calendar #1 has a 175 day calendar for students and 185 for teachers. The first day of school for students will be Aug. 16. Days off include Fall break the second week of October, Election Day and Thanksgiving in November, Christmas Break, New Year’s Day, a Professional Development day in March, and last day for students will be May 27.

Calendar #2 has students starting Aug. 16.

With the same breaks as Calendar #1, with a change Feb. 14 to be a make-up day, and Feb. 17 a Professional Day, last day for students will also be May 27. There are 17 make-up days scheduled and closing date will be May 29. The committee thought Calendar #2 would be the best option.

Calendar #3 shows students starting Aug. 22 and the last day for students would be June 3 and closing date for teachers, June 4.

Calendars will be sent to the staff for their input and the Board will decide at the January meeting which option to use.

Collin’s Superintendent report included four items:
• A report on a conference call with Jennifer Davis, Dale Jackson and a company called School Dude, a system the school would use as a website base for maintenance requests and also program for proactive maintenance scheduling. The next meeting is Jan. 17 to begin the process in hopes of beginning the first day of January.

• Update of a review of the review of the graduation requirements that will impact the Class of 2023 and beyond to see what type of scheduling changes may have to make within a year to prepare.

• A recap of the Booster Clube basketball tournament, which raised over $5,000 in profits. “We are grateful to The Citizens Bank for their sponsorship. We could not have done it without their help,” Colling said.

• Announcement of the completed first site meetings last week, noting they were “insightful and amazing what is being done at our schools

The first “Pilot Spotlight” recipient, to receive recognition by the Board was Elementary School Future Problem Solving Team.

Members of the Problem Solving Team include Campbell Lyons, Miriam Varden, Chole McClure, Cooper Scott, Schaeffer Sipes, Lydia Collins, Caylee Slinkard, Raqueria Beard, and Brayden Burkeen. Morgan Clark, fifth and sixth grade Science teacher, is the sponsor. She is also the Middle School Academic Team sponsor.

The team competed Dec. 6 at Heath Middle School. They will find out the results after Jan. 4.

Fulton County Elementary School Principal Sondra Gibbs stated, “I’m super proud of these students.”

The Best Pilot on Board was presented to Tiea Cross Davis.

Her fellow workers wrote Tiea “Is a true Pilot,” “Not only influences middle school students but high school students as well to help them reach their academic endeavors,” “Kind to everyone,” “Encourages her students to be their best self,” “Is an amazing person,” “Is a True Team Player,” “Is always willing to help her students and fellow teacher,” and “Encourages students to be accountable and to make mature decisions.”

Cross-Davis received framed artwork of the quotes, gift certificates and a plaque.

Cross-Davis stated, “I’m speechless. I just told my husband we needed to come, but I didn’t know what for. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for entrusting me, the children mean the world to me, God put me here for a reason and I am honored to be here.”