Following the LSB (Lakeland School Board) meeting tonight (4.9.18), Kevin Floyd answered some questions from Lakeland Currents (LC) about the Lakeland School System (LSS). Watch the video for his responses.
Link to agenda for tonight’s meeting: https://lakelandk12.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/4.9.18-Business-Meeting-Agenda.pdf
The Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget was approved by the Board with the biggest change being a 2% increase in the teacher salary schedule. Dr. Ted Horrell, LSS superintendent, said it is the right thing and the right time and the teachers deserve it. He noted that Lakeland teachers continue to be in a small group of the highest paid teachers in the State. Budgeted cost: $148,000.
Link to the budget: https://lakelandk12.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/18-19-Proposed-Budget-Revised-4.4.18.pdf
Dr. Horrell reported some happy news, breaking today, of $2 million deposited in the LSS bank account. That was money from Shelby County acknowledging new students who transferred to the middle school (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School), he said. “This is the County acknowledging students who used to be at Arlington,” he said.
For the fourth time, he said, there are no requests to the City of Lakeland for additional funds. He said the LSS continues to operate on the 15% originally allocated for the Schools.
An item suggested for the budget, but not included, is creation of an in-house security officer position for Lakeland Elementary School (LES). “This could be a retired Shelby County Sheriff’s Department deputy who would work full time on the LSS staff and be assigned to LES,” said Dr. Horrell. “The goal would be to provide that extra bit of security.”
He said he would like thoughts from Board members and likely funds will be available and the position could be added as a budget amendment. Cost estimated at $50,000.
Board Member Geoff Hicks asked for consideration of adding a communications specialist for LMPS. “My thoughts would be to have someone who could train our parents and students to find information and find it quickly. Mr. Floyd asked that a job description and estimated costs be brought to the Board.
Among the assumptions for the new budget were figures on both schools in the System:
- 1,660 students
- 907 LES students
- 753 LMPS students
- 51 regular LES teachers
- 40 regular LMPS teachers
Also mentioned by Dr. Horrell was the impact to general fund revenues: An increase from $13.87 million to $14.2 million.
Other business of the evening
Joretha Lockhart, LES principal, and Matt Adler, LMPS principal, presented data on their respective schools for practice assessments for TNReady testing. A Google photo album is attached with the slide presentation. Since LMPS opened in August of 2017, Mr. Adler said this is a baseline year. The school serves grades 5-8. LES has grades K-4. Lakeland students attend Arlington High School through an interlocal agreement until a high school can be built in Lakeland.
Link to album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/GSifdNBIkRcgYeFW2
An annual facilities update was moved to the May meeting.
Besides action on the new budget, other items for discussion were approved. All items are on the LSS webpage of agendas and minutes: https://lakelandk12.org/about/board/agendasandminutes/
An item was added to the agenda and approved: LMPS Band Boosters Club.
Dr. Horrell announced that Mrs. Lockhart is the district nominee for principal of the year; Angie Delloso, district nominee for supervisor of the year.
Mr. Hicks gave a report on Tennessee Legislative bills, noting there was some good activity, some hopeful and some just disappointing. The bill authorizing more school nurses was deferred for more study; the RTI (Response to Intervention) squad positions failed; quicker response on TNReady scores sank, he said because it is too expensive. Two bills which don’t involve more money passed: district data verification and a moratorium on adding more testing.
Also from Dr. Horrell
- All the construction documents except the buildings have been given to Chris Woods Construction for the new athletic fields at LMPS.
- Work is progressing on the design of the LES classroom expansion and a secure entrance.
- The School Safety Task Force by the Governor has released recommendations for every school In Tennessee. This will not be shared publically. Horrell noted the Governor is increasing the amount for safe schools grants.
- “Next time we will be wrapping up state assessments,” he said. “I look forward to those results.”
- He acknowledged the school year is coming to a close. He commended the recent production of “Peter Pan Jr.” at LMPS and Mr. Hicks praised the LMPS 7th and 8th grade honors choir which took top awards last week.
The meeting is recorded for later viewing: https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8151993
… Photos and video by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
