The workshop ended with the Loudon County School Board (BOE) making the decision to delay budget cuts until the state releases the total of BEP funding Loudon County will receive for the 2008-2009 budget.
It is speculated that the BEP funding will not increase from last year, as the state of Tennessee is cutting 5% of jobs.
I think the excess land on 321 could be sold and cell phone contracts could be eliminated. 61% of all cell phones are paid by Fed. funding, however, every penny counts.
Some discussion, in order to save teaching positions, lead to considering positions that could be consolidated within central office. After reviewing job descriptions, there are multiple positions that could be consolidated yielding a savings of over $200,000. No one wants to talk about it, but when it comes to school books and teachers getting cut, it is time to look toward administration and ask ourselves what is best for the children. We cannot teach without teachers.
Loudon County Commissioner (District 1) David Meers spoke at the BOE budget workshop. Meers expressed his interest in working with the BOE on the budget. Meers was the only County Commissioner in attendance at the workshop. David Meers is also a principal at Highland Park and is encouraged to attend BOE meetings and workshops, like all Loudon County Principals.
The good news is that the revenue was underestimated. Over $400,000 underestimated. This reduces budget cuts to less than $3 million, instead of the $3.4 million.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Last Night Loudon County Board of Education Delays Budget Cuts Until BEP Funding Amounts Are Announced By State
Monday, May 12, 2008
An Address to the Loudon County School Board
An Address to the Loudon County School Board,
First, I would like to thank all of the Board members for the many hours they have put in recently in trying to look at places to cut the budget. I come tonight to speak for our children, our teachers, our schools, and education. I come to speak not only to you but to all who are here tonight. My request, my plea is for you to stand strong for our children, teachers, schools, and education. I believe what you are being asked to do by County Commission’s Budget Committee is wrong. The items you are considering to cut such as not giving teachers a salary increase will be like asking them to take a pay cut for next year and with the cost of living going up as quickly as it is I am afraid we will lose many of our teachers. New Social Studies textbooks should not be cut out of the budget considering state testing will be based on the new textbooks. New textbooks are essential. Building maintenance must be kept in the budget considering the state of all of our facilities. I believe it is time for you to take a stand for what is right. I appreciate the suggestion by the Board to go through the budget line by line to find any fluff, however I truly doubt you will be able to find the 3.4 million required. Therefore you must examine the budget and remove the fluff, but those things which are essential must remain. I believe you know in your hearts those things which cannot be cut out, those things which are essential. I believe you know in your heart what the right thing is to do. I am asking you to do the right thing and stand firm in your requests for our school system.
Second, I am asking all in attendance tonight to support the School Board. Your voices need to be heard loud and clear. I encourage you to contact County Commissioners and let them know that their priorities are mixed up. I understand that things are tough all over the nation and that budget cuts are going to be necessary, however the place to cut is not in education. If Loudon County makes the cuts being proposed in education, it will have serious consequences in the future.
Thank you,
Reverend Ron Sabo
Diane Leslie-DeLeon, Loudon Elementary Educator, 1 of 12 Teachers Nationwide Chosen To Participate in 2008 House Fellows Program. We Are So Proud!
Washington, DC-- The Office of the Historian of the U.S. House of Representatives has announced the 2008 House Fellows Program, two one-week sessions on the history and practices of the House of Representatives. Up to twelve teachers will participate in each program nationwide. The House Fellows Program is designed to help educators improve their knowledge and understanding of the “People’s House”. Deputy Historian of the House, Dr. Fred Beuttler, said, "Through an insider's view of the House, educators will gain a new understanding and sense of purpose about our government. The teachers will experience the House firsthand and then return to their schools to share their insights with their students, fellow teachers, and administrators, increasing public understanding of representive democracy."
The program will take place during some of the busiest weeks when the House is in session, voting on key bills. Fellows will have the opportunity to meet their Representative and participate in insider briefings by the Office of the Historian, as well as the Center for Legislative Archives at the National Archives, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Library of Congress. Michael Cronin, office director of the Office of the Historian and House Fellows Program coordinator noted, “This is a great opportunity for teachers to experience Congress up close. The teachers leave the program a bit tired, but energized to go about their work helping students to be informed and active citizens.”
Sunday, May 11, 2008
School Start Date has been changed from August 4th to August 11th -- Special Thanks To School Board and Teresa Karimian
...click on the image below to enlarge
To view the 2008-2009 Calender and Calender Committee on the LoudonCounty.org site, visit http://www.loudoncounty.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=14101&rn=5815726
Friday, May 9, 2008
Loudon County Budget PROPOSALS for 2008-2009
The following links are for Loudon County Budget proposals. All of the budgets are just proposals and have not been approved. The Loudon County Commission Budget Committee is in charge of deciding whether or not these budgets will go through to the Loudon County Commission as is, or if there will need to be additional cuts made. The next Loudon County Commission Budget Workshop will be held May 19th.
General Fund 101
Law Library Fund 114
Solid Waste/Sanitation Fund 116
Drug Control Fund 122
Federal Drug Fund 128
Highway Department Fund 131
General Purpose School Fund 141
General Debt Service Fund 151
Education Debt Service Fund 156
General Capital Projects Fund 171
Special thanks to all the Loudon County employees that worked together to make this information available to the public via internet.
Knox News did an article on the struggles that the school board is facing in funding, visit http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/may/09/loudon-school-board-struggles-with-budget/
Eaton Receives Honor from Dept. of Education for TCAP Scores!
Eaton Elementary is a recipient of the 2008 Title I Academic Achievement Award. The students at Eaton Elementary scored in the top 10% on TCAP (Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program) 2007. Students scored in the top 10% of all schools in Tennessee in both reading/language arts and math.
Title I is a designation given to schools where a large number or percentage of students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
“This tremendous achievement shows that schools with high percentages of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds can still meet high standards,” said Julie McCargar, Executive Director of Federal Programs. “Congratulations to the district staff, school staff, and students at these schools.”
To read more about this great story, visit
http://www.loudoncounty.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=58347&id=1&rn=8395841
