Much like the BOC (Board of Commissioners) meeting last week (1.4.18), the Lakeland School Board (LSB) heard glowing reports about its financial shape via the FY17 audit report during its business meeting tonight (1.8.18) at City Hall.
Agenda link: https://lakelandk12.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/1.8.18-Business-Meeting-Agenda.pdf
Meredith Austin, audit senior with Watkins Uiberall, reported to Board members that there is a good fund balance stance, very strong, even with the middle school. She was referring to Lakeland Middle Preparatory School (LMPS) which opened to grades 5-8 in August 2017.
Link to the audit: https://lakelandk12.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/FY-16-17-Lakeland-Audit.pdf
Ms. Austin praised the Lakeland School System (LSS) for implementing OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) funds last year saying no other school districts did that and LSS is ahead of the curve. “You are in a really strong position,” she said. OPEB funds are monies other than pensions for retired employees.
LSB member Geoff Hicks asked if she did audits and financial work for other entities around Memphis. Ms. Austin explained she works with Shelby County government and schools and other municipal schools.
Mr. Hicks commented that he feels good about the glowing report from someone who has such perspective in Shelby County. “I’m loving what I’ve seen,” he said.
Ms. Meredith also reported “no findings.” Chair Kevin Floyd asked her to explain and she said that means there were no compliance issues or “over threshold issues.” She explained there could be mistakes by a teacher or staff member that were not caught before the audit. But that was not the case for LSS.
The School Board praised Jessie Rosales, school system accountant, and Dr. Ted Horrell, school superintendent, for their diligent work throughout the year in keeping the schools and budgets inline.
The 2018-19 instructional calendar was updated to match that of Arlington Community Schools (ACS) and removes five teaching days from the school calendar. Students will start school a bit later next school, Aug. 13, and have a full week at Thanksgiving. Dr. Horrell said teachers in both systems overwhelmingly approved the calendar changes.
Link to calendar: https://lakelandk12.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018-2019-Proposed-Instructional-Calandar.pdf
Dr. Horrell announced a regional basketball tournament will be hosted by LMPS at the school Jan. 17-24. He said hospitality volunteers are needed to help during the tournament.
Board officers were elected with Mr. Floyd continuing as chair, Laura Harrison, vice chair, and Mr. Hicks, TLN (Tennessee Legislative Network) representative.
Mr. Hicks reported on a legislative event last week at the ACS administrative offices. He said Sen. Brian Kelsey was there and reaffirmed he would not support the voucher bill. Mr. Hicks also noted that Sen. Mark Norris, up for a federal judgeship, said legislative concerns can still come to him until his appointment. Sen. Norris was nominated for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, which includes Memphis.
Monthly report from Dr. Horrell:
- There will be a superintendents meeting this week to discuss transportation for next school year.
- Dates and procedures for new student registration are being reviewed.
- Skyward (school management system software) will be used for employment applications going forward. Any applicants who used a previous system will be notified of the new process.
- State report cards are due Jan. 10.
- He provided a financial report. Links to both reports: https://lakelandk12.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/FY-16-17-June-Exp.-Summary.pdf https://lakelandk12.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/FY-17-18-Dec.-Exp.-Summary.pdf
Other items on the agenda were approved including FY17-18 budget amendments, adoption of a budget calendar, affirmation of Board code of ethics and an update to the student disciplinary hearing authority. The last item was amended, but then approved.
Link to the budget amendments: https://lakelandk12.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/January-FY-17-18-Budget-Amendments.pdf
Number eight on the list, discussion on a policy about student suicide prevention, was moved to the February calendar.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
