JMCSS school board discusses budget with county commissioners
If approved by the full school board Thursday, the district will be requesting $5.1 million in capital funds from the county.
JACKSON, Tenn.– If approved by the full school board Thursday, the district will be requesting $5.1 million in capital funds from the county. A number school board members presented to county commissioners, Tuesday.
Tuesday night, Jackson-Madison County School board members and county commissioners discussed how taxpayer money is being spent.
“The only thing you all have given us money for that we have not spent, and don’t know how we are going to do it is the North Side stadium,” said School board chairman Jim Campbell.
This was concerning for some commissioners because more than $600,000 was allocated for the repairs, but instead will be used for “Vision 2020” projects.
“Strategic about how we spend our money and the why,” said Dr. Verna Ruffin. “Always understanding that sometimes you have things that take place that are priority and we have to do what’s best.”
Although there was question about the district’s budget for the current school year, county commissioners said they appreciated the board’s transparency.
“I was very pleased,” said County Budget Chairman Doug Stephenson. “We got some thing out in the open about capital and the school board was very forthcoming about what their plans were.”
School board members were also able to explain why $1.4 million in technology funds will roll over into next school year.
A reason budget chairman Doug Stephenson is hopeful about going into Friday’s budget hearings.
“I think it will go very well,” said Stephenson. “We’ve got a good working relationship with them. Some of the things got hashed out tonight were why they have not used certain money like technology money.”
Wednesday, the technology committee will meet to come with a specific plan for the remaining technology funds.
“Always at the very focus of that is for a purpose,” said Dr. Ruffin. “And that purpose has to be that our students will be able to better be served in our school system.”
Jim Campbell says “Vision 2020” projects have already been drawn and approved.
Projects should be ready for bids by the end of this week or next week.
Dr. Ruffin said she looks forward to a decision being made at Thursday night’s school board meeting.
