MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS FOR JULY 25th

The Monroe County School District met July 25th, 2017 in the Board Room at the A.J. Henriquez Administration Building, for a scheduled School Board meeting and the first Budget Hearing for fiscal year 2017-2018. The meeting convened with four board members present, with Board Member Mindy Conn available via phone. Chairman John Dick was unable to attend due to scheduled travel out of the country.

Here are highlights from the workshop and meeting:

Executive Director of Finance and Performance introduced the Tentative Budget for the 2017-2018 fiscal year during the Budget Hearing. Mr. Drake discussed the decrease in millage, and the increase in the property tax roll, giving any of the public the opportunity to comment on the increase on the taxes.

  • He also gave an explanation on property taxes and how they contribute to the School District’s budget. Mr. Drake said residents claiming homestead exemption on their properties are likely to see a decrease in school tax rates this year.
  • Mr. Drake highlighted some of the cost drivers for the year, which included additional school staffing, instructional material adoption for Social Studies, and retirement rate increases.
  • Superintendent Mark Porter presented an overview of the programs at a school level district-wide, that stood out as 2017-2018 budget priorities. These programs included services unique to ELL and ESE students, maintenance of student to teacher ratio, Career and Technical Education programs, and Alternative Education programs.
  • Superintendent Porter emphasized the budget the finance team proposed is a balanced one.

Executive Director of Assessment and Accountability David Murphy presented Advanced Placement scores and how these results were related to the NMSI program.

Mr. Murphy said the data reflects NMSI programming affecting the overall enrollment and passing rates positively.

The School Board Members also approved the following items during regular meeting:

  • The adoption of all four of the Tentative Millage rates totaling 3.356 mills, with a 4-0 vote
  • The adoption of the Tentative Budget for 2017-2018, with a 4-0 vote
  • Approval of the Human Resource Generalist job description, with a 4-0 vote
  • Approval of the final guaranteed maximum price to Ajax Building Corporation for the balance of construction phase activities for the Gerald Adams Elementary School project, with a 4-0 vote
  • Approval of the settlement agreement and mutual general release with Daniel Hickson, with a 4-0 vote
  • Approval of the Small School District Council Consortium Resolution for Participation, with a 4-0 vote

For a look at the full agenda, or to watch the July 25th meeting, please click here. The meeting will be available for on demand viewing by Friday. Follow the District on Facebook @MYMCSD, Twitter @keysschools, and follow the Superintendent on Twitter @supt_porter, for Monroe County School District updates.

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