Proposed New School Budget Includes Pay Raises for Teachers and Other Staff

May 17, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The Board of Education wants to give teachers and other certified personnel a $3,000 pay raise and is asking the county commission for sufficient funding to help make it happen.

During a brief special called meeting Wednesday evening, the Board approved a proposed budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year which includes pay raises for teachers and support staff.

If approved, the actual local increase for the 228 teachers would be $2,400 each since the state is funding a $600 raise per teacher. Non-certified staff would get a $1,500 pay raise, all funded by local dollars.

The county commission’s budget committee will get its first look at the proposed spending plan for schools when it meets Monday night, May 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the courthouse.

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps said giving teachers a significant pay raise is needed and would help their retirement. “When you look at retirement and what is going to help the teachers long range, it’s their salary because their retirement is based on their high five years,” he said.

As for teacher concerns about rising out of pocket health care costs, Cripps added “We will try to cover the costs with the increase that the state sends. They (state) are looking at probably 3% (increase) so we’ll try to cover that within our budget so that the teachers won’t incur another increase on their insurance,” he said.

In addition to asking for pay raises for personnel, the Board of Education wants more money to purchase Chrome Books for the 3rd through 5th grades. Students from the 6th grade through high school already have Chrome Books. Extra funds would be included to repair and replace existing Chrome Books; to purchase new text books; and to implement a Dyslexia Program to help children at the elementary school grade level in reading. Due to the increasing demands of technology, the board wants to create a new full time computer tech position which would give the school system three techs. One new bus is usually purchased each year. The board wants to buy two new school buses this year.

The proposed new spending for schools in this budget comes to more than $1.7 million dollars over expenditures budgeted this past year. Unless cuts are made or more money is taken from the school system’s fund balance/reserves to balance the budget, a significant property tax hike might be needed to fund the school board’s request.

The overall county property tax rate is $1.8335 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
The rate is distributed as follows:
County General: 0.9635 cents
General Purpose Schools: 0.6100 cents
Debt Service: 0.1200 cents
Highways/Public Works: 0.0300 cents
General Capital Projects: 0.1100 cents

Revenue from the current property tax assessments for the 2018-19 fiscal year based upon estimated assessed valuations of $497 million dollars is $49,700 per one cent of the property tax rate. However the county is actually expected to receive $46,658 per cent of the tax rate based on a 94% collection rate or a 6% delinquency.

May 16, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

NHC Smithville hosted a breakfast today (Wednesday) as state lawmakers honored the DCHS Class of 2018 Valedictorian Allison Maynard and Salutatorian Marshal Evins.

Both Maynard and Evins were formally presented copies of resolutions paying tribute to them as adopted in the State House of Representatives and State Senate and signed by the Governor. The presentations were made by State Senator Mark Pody and State Representatives Terri Lynn Weaver and Clark Boyd.

Principal Randy Jennings and Director of Schools Patrick Cripps also attended the breakfast.

After the breakfast, WJLE interviewed both Maynard and Evins. (Play Video Below)

The Resolution honoring and recognizing Maynard states as follows:

“WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should pause to pay tribute to those students who, through their natural talents and unflagging commitment to academic excellence, have distinguished themselves in the classroom; and

WHEREAS, Allison Maynard is one such exceptional student, who was recently named Valedictorian of the 2018 graduating class at DeKalb County High School; and

WHEREAS, through diligent study, steady composure during examinations, and steadfast commitment of time and talent, Ms. Maynard has achieved outstanding academic success and joined the ranks of the best and brightest students in Tennessee and our country; and

WHEREAS, in her remarkable high school career, Allison Maynard earned an exemplary grade point average while participating in numerous extracurricular activities, including Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Science Club, Literature Club, and Spanish Club; and

WHEREAS, excelling in the athletic arena, Ms. Maynard played on the softball team and was a member of the football cheerleading team, which she served as captain; and

WHEREAS, her display of intellectual aptitude and ambition surely bodes well for her future success; and

WHEREAS, Allison Maynard’s noteworthy achievement is a tremendous source of pride for her parents, Stacey Smith and Alan Maynard, her school, and her community; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Maynard’s dedication to excellence is clearly deserving of the respect, admiration, and commendation of the members of this General Assembly; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED TENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SJR0772 015598 -2-

CONCURRING, that we commend and honor the 2018 DeKalb County High School Valedictorian, Allison Maynard, on her impressive academic achievement and extend to her our best wishes for a happy, successful future”.

Meanwhile the resolution honoring Evins states as follows:

“WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should pause to pay tribute to those students who, through their natural talents and unflagging commitment to academic excellence, have distinguished themselves in the classroom; and

WHEREAS, Marshal Evins is one such exceptional student, who was recently named Salutatorian of the 2018 graduating class at DeKalb County High School; and

WHEREAS, through diligent study, steady composure during examinations, and steadfast commitment of time and talent, Mr. Evins has achieved outstanding academic success and joined the ranks of the best and brightest students in Tennessee and our country; and

WHEREAS, in his remarkable high school career, Marshal Evins has earned an exemplary grade point average while participating in numerous extracurricular activities, including Beta Club and Future Business Leaders of America; and

WHEREAS, excelling in the athletic arena, Mr. Evins has served as a member of the varsity basketball and golf teams throughout his entire high school tenure; and

WHEREAS, his display of intellectual aptitude and ambition surely bodes well for his future success; and

WHEREAS, Marshal Evins’s noteworthy achievement is a tremendous source of pride for his parents, Dub and Edie Beth Evins, his school, and his community; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Evins’s dedication to excellence is clearly deserving of the respect, admiration, and commendation of the members of this General Assembly; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED TENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, that we commend and honor the 2018 DeKalb County High School Salutatorian, Marshal Evins, on his impressive academic achievement and extend to him our best wishes for a happy, successful future”.

May 16, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

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