During his welcome to the meeting, LSB (Lakeland School Board) Chairman Kevin Floyd tonight (2.11.19) explained Roberts Rules of Order in the face of a verbal disruption challenging a ruling at a City meeting last week.
During the BOC (Board of Commissioners) work session Feb. 7th, Vice Mayor Josh Roman objected to a question posed by Mayor Mike Cunningham to Lakeland Financial Director Kyle Wright. Mr. Wright was asked if a plan to borrow $50 million in 2015 for a combined middle and high school for a 55-cent tax increase was enough to fund the bond.
Vice Mayor Roman said it was not a fair question. The Mayor said it was and that the Vice Mayor was out-of-order. When the Vice Mayor challenged the ruling, Mayor Cunningham threatened to have the Vice Mayor removed from the building.
Chair Floyd said he researched the topic and wanted LSB members aware of how to handle such a situation if it ever arose for school board matters.
“Any member has the right to appeal a decision of the presiding officer but the appeal must be seconded,” said Chairman Floyd. “Then the body decides whether the ruling of the chair is correct.”
He added a member can interrupt a speaker to question a parliamentary procedure by stating “point of order.”
Link to the meeting agenda: https://lakelandk12.org/res/web/02.11.19%20BM/02.11.19%20Business%20Meeting%20Agenda.pdf
Link to Livestream: https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8561693
As part of his report, Dr. Ted Horrell, Lakeland School System superintendent, provided enrollment projection numbers for both Lakeland schools which continue to show pupil increases.
In April 2018, the projection for Lakeland Elementary School (LES) for the 2019-20 school year was expected to be 904 students in the grades PK-4 school. The forecasted figure in January 2019 for the 2019-20 enrollment at LES is 916.
For Lakeland Middle Preparatory School (LMPS), the projected 2019-20 number last April was 779. Now it is projected to be 838 for 2019-20.
Most recent 2019-20 enrollment projection at LES – 916
Most recent 2019-20 enrollment projection at LMPS – 838
Currently Lakeland high school students attend Arlington High School through an interlocal agreement between the two school systems until a high school is built in Lakeland.
Dr. Horrell said he has been told the increase in students is related to an uptick in existing home sales in Lakeland which is expected to continue.
Board member Geoff Hicks said, “An enormous misconception is that people look at Lakeland home sales as only a handful.” He said among existing homes there is a turnover from families without children moving from the community and those with children moving into Lakeland.
Deborah Thomas, board member, said from the August 2017-18 school year to August 18-19 school year, there was an increase of 100 students for both schools combined.
School Start Times Committee
The Board approved members to this new committee, with Mrs. Thomas as the LSB liaison.
- Valerie Crabtree – At-Large community member
- Kelley Hale – LMPS parent
- Kandice Lee – LMPS staff
- Jaime Hathcock – LES parent
- Sharonda Rose – LES staff
- Ted Horrell – LSS staff
ESSA
Dr. Horrell spoke of a federal requirement for school systems to publish per-student expenses by school, as required by ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) signed into law in 2015. He said this would be state, local and federal funds, broken into categories. Dr. Horrell said there are many factors which go into per-student funding so it could be confusing and wasn’t sure how Lakeland schools would compare to others.
STOPit app
Dr. Horrell expects the app for anonymous reporting to be in the hands of parents and students soon.
The website said the app is for reporting inappropriate conduct such as bullying and cyberbullying.
Legislative
Mr. Hicks said the LSB legislative agenda and resolution opposing education vouchers are ready to go with Board members attending “Day on the Hill” Feb. 18-19 with state legislators in Nashville.
Consent agenda
The budget amendment for bleachers with a press box at LMPS was approved along with a revision to the 2019-20 instructional calendar and a resolution opposing educational voucher legislation.
The item on alternative brand marks was pulled from the consent agenda for discussion but was ultimately approved. Mrs. Thomas asked how the process for logo designs would process, going forward. Dr. Horrell said every design with a logo will go through the school principal. He said there was no intent to stymy creativity but to have a consistent look with the branding.
