The Lakeland School Board (LSB) met tonight (5.13.19) at City Hall and approved a one-time $10,000 bonus for the superintendent along with a 2% salary increase for all Lakeland School System (LSS) employees.
As the meeting ended, Board Member Geoff Hicks, who is resigning his position, offered some insight to his four years on the Board and tenure as a volunteer with Lakeland schools. Mr. Hicks was also presented an acrylic award for his four years on the LSB.
Agenda: https://lakelandk12.org/res/web/05.13.19%20BM/05.13.19%20Business%20Meeting%20Agenda.pdf
Link to Livestream: https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8680996
Charlie Hicks, son of Mr. Hicks, stood with his father and gave the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Hicks made a motion for the bonus, noting Lakeland is extremely lucky to have Dr. Horrell. The bonus was approved to be part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 19-20 bonus and Dr. Horrell will bring a budget amendment to the June LSB meeting. Vice Chair Laura Harrison asked if the $10,000 would have any impact on the budget. Dr. Horrell answered no, that he felt confident the funds would be available with new numbers on BEF (Basic Education Programming) monies.
In approving previously planned amendments to the FY 19-20 budget, Dr. Horrell said all employees of the LSS will receive 2% pay increases. He said the raise would go to 100% of the staff and faculty based on the revised BEP numbers.
Board Member Hicks said he read his resignation last week and since it was his last business meeting, he wanted to share some comments.
He first provided what he called a laundry list of his involvement within the LSS including thousands of hours at Lakeland schools. “I have poured thousands of hours into our schools because it’s personal to me,” he said.
Secondly, he said there are people in Lakeland who do not care so much for schools. He cited an online group called Concerned Citizens Lakeland & Arlington and said that group has done the most damage and mentioned specifically Lakeland resident Lou Melton. He said he believes if Mrs. Melton had her way, there would be no Lakeland Middle Preparatory School (LMPS).
He completed his comments by lauding Lakeland schools for an impressive list of accomplishments. And he thanked the Board and School System for the opportunity to serve, saying “Learn Grow Lead – Go Lions.” (Lakeland has two schools serving grades K-8 with high school students attending Arlington High school through an interlocal agreement. A resolution was approved last week by the LSB affirming five years of unanimous support by the LSB to build a high school in the City.)
The video of Mr. Hick’s last announcement can be seen here.
And the rest of the meeting
As the TLN (Tennessee Legislative Network) representative for LSB, Mr. Hicks gave an overview of some bills which didn’t make it through the legislative session this year including additional funding for school nurses and teachers’ salaries.
Dr. Horrell said he spoke at the National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) this morning with 92 students inducted. He said that compares to about 40 students last year. He said Arlington High School graduation is tomorrow night and the LMPS promotion ceremony is May 20th. The BOC (Board of Commissioners) has been notified of Mr. Hick’s resignation. Procedure is for the BOC to select a replacement for the School Board.
The Board approved Dr. Horrell’s four-year contract extension, along with the consent agenda and discussion items.
Mr. Hicks suggested there be a temporary TLN representative and Kevin Floyd, LSB chair, said he would be honored to temporarily fill the role of Mr. Hicks.
Vice Chair Harrison said former graduates of LES (Lakeland Elementary School) will walk the halls of the school at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday (5.15.19) with their high school caps and gowns or school shirts.
… Photos, video by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
