Meeting Minutes / Voting Record
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STATE OF TENNESSEE COUNTY OF GREENE GREENE COUNTY LEGISLATIVE BODY FEBRUARY 20, 2018 The Greene County Legislative Body met in regular session on February 20, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. in the Greene County Courthouse. Mayor Crum called the meeting to order to transact business that is lawfully come before the Honorable Body. Commissioner Brad Peters gave the invocation. Commissioner Pam Carpenter led the Pledge to the Flag. Mayor called the Commissioners to sign in on their keypads and the following Commissioners were present. Commissioners Arrowood, Burkey, Carpenter, Clemmer, Cobble, Collins, Jennings, Kesterson, McAmis, Miller, Neas, Parton, Peters, Quillen, Randolph, Shelton, Tucker, Waddell, Waddle, and White were present. Commissioner Patterson was absent. There 20 Commissioners present and 1 absent. PUBLISHING HEARING • Doug Temple, Treasurer of the Greene County Association of Volunteer Fire Department, gave a presentation in regards to the funding from Greene County through Wheel Tax revenues. He stated that the funds are used to provide financial support to 14 Volunteer Fire Departments. The total Wheel Tax fund received for the calender year 2017 was $196,896. He said almost half of the funding was used to pay for the local insurance agencies to obtain coverage for the Volunteer Fire Departments. The policies provide for accident and sickness, property, vehicles, and workers compensation. The total cost of insurance for 2017 was $88,701. He explained how they use the money in which he stated that the GCAVFD is a 501©(3) non-profit corporation registered in the State of Tennessee. They are required to prepare and submit annual filings with the IRS as well as the State Comptroller by hiring a local CPA firm. He said the GCAVFD maintains county- based resources that are available to all 14 departments. These resources include county fire radio system, a life safety trailer, and a disaster trailer. He said the GCAVFD distributed the balance of the Wheel tax revenue equally to the 14 departments in which each department received $7,568 for a total distribution for 2017 of $105,952. • Kent Bewley spoke against the Greene County Schools consolidation. Mr. Bewley gave several reasons why he is against consolidating the four county high schools into one. He said that the size of the county concerns him, along with the size ofthe one high school. He stated the issues that come up with over one thousand students, which could be tardiness, bullying, dropouts, and absenteeism. Commissioner Waddle responded by saying that one high school could offer more course options that four could. Commissioners Tucker said that a study was done and this was the result to consolidate the county high schools. • Commissioner Quillen called on Lindsey Bales to speak in which she askthe Commissioners to revisit mailer of placing SOR Officers into the Greene County School Systems. • Commissioner Neas called on Wayland Seaton to speak concerning the consolidation ofthe four county high schools. He stated that we need to focus on the teachers instead ofthe school building. He said we need to look at what the workforce wants to get the students ready for a job. • Commissioner Jennings called on Judy Sexton to speak opposing the consolidation of the four high schools and the increase on wheel tax and property tax. • Commissioner Clemmer called on Tim Broyles of Midway to speak concerning the intersection of liE and Hal Henard Road in which he had a wreck on June 19, 2017. He recommended a caution light at the intersection to make it safer. • Commissioner Carpenter called on Art Gilland ofthe South Greene Community spoke to the Commissioners concerning US Nitrogen. He recommended that the Health and Safety Committee schedule additional public meetings and discuss community issues and continue meeting with US Nitrogen focused on the outcome from the TDEC response to US Nitrogen’s letter and actions. He suggested to setup a community advisory panel. • Commissioner Tucker called on Mark Rothe spoke to the Commissioners concerning the consolidation of the 4 county high schools in which he is in favor of the consolidation. He stated that this plan would give the students better opportunities. Greene County Commission Meeting February 20,2018 Doug Temple Treasurer Greene CountyAssociation 01 Volunteer Fire Departments We receivefunding from Greene Countythrough Wheel Tax revenues. These funds are usedto provide financial supportto thefollowing 14 Volunteer Fire Departments: Camu Creek - Canev Branch - Cedar Creek - Dehusk McDonald — Midway — Mosheim — Newmansvlile - Orehank South Greene - St.James — Sunnyside — Tuscuium - United TotalWheel Taxfunding received for calendaryear2011 was $196896 How We Use The Money CCAVFD coordinates with local insurance agencies to obtain coverage for the Volunteer Fire Departments. Policies provideforthe following coverage: Accident & Sickness - Property - Vehicles Workers Compensation The total cost of insurance for 2011was $88,101 How We Use The Money GCAVFD is a 5011c1131 non-profit corporation registered in the state of Tennessee. We are required to prepare and submit annual filings with the IRS as well as the State Comptroller. The total cost for preparing these filings combined with other miscellaneous expenses during 2011totaled $814. How We Use The Money GCAVFD maintains county-based resources that are available to all departments. These resources include: County Fire Radio System Life Safety Trailer - DisasterTrailer The total expense formaintaining this equipment in 2011was $2,132. How We Use the Money CCAVFD distributed the balance ot Wheel Tax revenue equally to the 14 departments. Each department received $1,568 br a total distribution br 2011 of $105,952. Thank You For Your Support We appruj~ County Commiss g Wheel Tax r~e~;ve e::Qr~ne ConistvVt rtments. Before you vote, do you know the answers to these Questions? 1. What is the problem you are trying to solve? 2. What does research say about school size and the following: parent Involvement, students coming to class, drop outs, grades, participation in extracurricular activities, feeling safe, and behavior problems? 3. What does research say about K-S vs Middle Schools? 4. What impact will it have on how long students ride the bus and is there a legal limit to how long a child can ride the bus? 5. If the buses currently arrive at Greene Technology Center at 8:15 or later, are you going to start bus route at 6:15 in the morning? 6. Does Greene County Schools know why students leave for other opportunities? 7. Does Greene County Schools know why teachers leave for other systems? 8. What is the future of Greene Technology Center? 9. If CTE is important, why has Greene County been cutting CFE programs over the last 10 years? 10. Has anyone met with human resource managers to determine local business and industry workforce needs? 11. Has anyone reviewed local labor market data to determine CTE needs? 2 School StaffComparisons with other Systems According to the article in the Greeneville Sun on November 4th, Recommendation 1 is going to save 3.3 million in staffing cost. Ifyou take 3.3 million and divide that by 50,000 for each position you come up with a reduction of 67 positions. System # HS Schools Adm. Teachers # Students Warren Co. 1 11 32 482 6505 Greene Co. 4 16 29 466 6967 Kingsport 1 12 34 481 7403 Jefferson Co. 1 12 35 469 7448 Johnson City 1 11 28 505 8021 Collieryille 1 8 29 448 8113 Hawkins Co. 2 18 31 460 7109 Washington C 2 17 42 564 8765 All these systems have already consolidated down to one or two high schools.. .Now where is Greene County going to cut 67 position? Why didn’t these systems have a staff reduction?? 4 Links to School Size Research and Articles http://www.wpaag.org/Consolidation%2oStudies htm “In her reviewofmore than 100 studies on school size, Mary Anne Raywid ofHofstra Universtiy writes that the relationship between small schools and positive education outcomes has been “confirmed with a clarity and at a level ofconfidence rare in the annals ofeducation research.” Better Schools Come on Smaller Campuses by Stacy Mitchell.” http://www.ruraledu.org/articles.php?id=2034 “The consolidation ofschools and school districts is an ongoing issue in most ofrural America. The research evidence supporting this widely implemented policy, however, is virtually non-existent. In 6ct, research on the effects of school size on student achievement and well-being is extensive, spans the political spectrum, and is unusually consistent in its findings that small size benefits students, especially students who are at risk for educational difficulties” http://www.ruraledu.org/user uploads/file/rpm/rpm8 3.pdf “This despite the fact that a 2004 State LegislativeAudit Committee study reported that there was not much to be gained by consolidation and a 2003 Education Oversight Committee report that concluded consolidation might improve efficiency, but also might lower student achievement” www.edweek.orgJew/artjcles/2oo1/11/2g/13srnallh2~~trnl “I know everyone in my classes really well now, and I like that a lot,” she says. “And we all get help from our teachers when we need it.” Many researchers, looking at the growing body ofreports pointing to the benefits ofsmall schools, feel much the same way. Studies conducted over the past 10 to 15 years suggest that in smaller schools, students come to class more often, drop out less, earn better grades, participate more often in extracurricular activities, feel safer, and show fewer behavior problems.” https://www.greatschools.orgJgk/articles/schooj-size/ As a result, there has been a growing trend toward creating small schools, and schools within schools, (particularly in high schools) to better engage students and give them more attention 5 The-Time-ls-F’Jow.aspx PatriciaA. Wasley Ifclassrooms and schools are to be places where students’ personal and learning needs are met, they should be small.