County Schools Face Budget Shortfall; Changes Made to Out-of-County Bus Routes

by K. G. Beavers, Messenger Staff Writer

The Franklin County school board met in a work session on May 5 to discuss the proposed 2014–15 budget, bus routes and review of section 6 policies concerning students, including a discussion of corporal punishment.

The proposed budget was discussed at length. At the April 7 regular meeting, the draft budget showed a $1.2 million shortage, which included increases in insurance costs and retirement. At that time, the board asked Rebecca Sharber, director of schools, to come back with a budget that had a $3 million fund balance. Sharber reported she was unable to cut the budget to that degree. 

Sharber made proposed cuts to the draft April budget to get to a $2.1 million fund balance in the proposed budget. Those cuts include decreasing regular instruction positions, moving to a seven-period day instead of a block schedule at Franklin County High School, reducing some part-time positions and only paying 90 percent of insurance for certified employees. She also took out monies for instructional supplies, including computers and technology, library book allocations and $100 per teacher to help alleviate the reading program costs.

“People will not lose their jobs. They will just be moved to those positions where resignations, retirements or not eligible for rehire occurred,” said Sharber. 

This change could affect four elementary and four high school positions.

With those cuts and if the board approves the insurance cut, the proposed fund balance will be approximately $2.4 million. The proposed revenue is approximately $41.6 million and the proposed expenditures are approximately $43.1 million.

“We are affecting the quality of our education,” said school board chairman Chris Guess. “We are talking about cutting textbooks when we should be expanding our e-readers and iPads. We are losing the quality of education offered when we have to cut programs. What we are proposing is offering basic education.”

Director of Finance Andrea Smith advised the board to address the classified and certified insurance in this budget. Currently, classified employees pay 10 percent of their medical coverage. If this proposed budget is approved, certified employees will pay 10 percent of their coverage, which is $54 a month for single coverage. The state pays 45 percent of the insurance costs, and the rest comes from county funds. There is not an expected change in revenue in the proposed budget.

“We cannot keep spending our fund balance,” said Kevin Caroland, school board chairman. “We have not received any new money from the county commission in 10 years. There is a revenue problem, and we have gone to the fund balance each year to pay for increased expenses. There is no more fund balance left.”

Starting in the 2014–15 school year, two bus routes will be changed. This includes the bus that goes out-of-county to the Marion County portion of Sewanee in Jump Off, and the bus that travels in Huntland to take children to school out-of-zone to Broadview, South Middle and Franklin County High School. These changes will affect 29 students.

“We do not have to provide transportation to out-of-county or out-of-zone students,” said Sharber. “These students are welcome at the Franklin County schools, but we will not be providing transportation for them.”

In new business, the board discussed the Section 6 policies concerning students. Many of the policies had minor changes. Policy 6.400—Promoting Student Welfare—will encompass three policies to include a student guidance program, school health services, student psychological services, wellness plans and student social services. 

School board member Chris McDonough of Sewanee proposed eliminating Policy 6.314—Corporal Punishment. 

“My position has nothing to do with the way people privately discipline their children. What people do in their own homes raising their own children is none of the county’s business,” said McDonough.

“In my opinion, the schools should model safe and respectful public interaction. Policy 6.314, which allows adults to paddle children who are not their own, is counter to that spirit. While it once made sense for the schools to act in loco parentis, in the place of parents, concerning discipline, it is now time to rethink the policy in terms of children’s personal safety and future behavior as citizens.”

A few board members expressed their opposition to eliminating the policy. Discussion will continue at the next school board meeting at 6:30 p.m., Monday, May 12, at the board office, 215 S. College St., Winchester.

For more information concerning these policies, go to < http://www.board​docs.com/tn/Franklin/Board.nsf/Public>.