School board sets hearing on '24 budget proposal

The Franklin County School District has officially set a date — Tuesday, June 27 — for its annual public hearing to consider a fiscal year 2024 revenue and spending plan for the local education system.

“Every summer, this hearing takes place to allow the public to listen to what is being proposed in the way of a budget and to give feedback,” Superintendent of Education Chris Kent said during the school board’s monthly business meeting on Tuesday, May 16.

“There will be some work sessions prior to the public hearing to smooth out some things and make adjustments the board feels important for the proposal.”

The public hearing will take place at 4:30 p.m., in the district’s Central Offices on First Street in Meadville between the courthouse and library.
In briefly touching on early numbers related to the FY 2024 budget, FCSD Business Manager Tremel Young said considerations will include filling vacant positions, planned infrastructure improvements as well as funding requests from principals.

“This preliminary proposal would have us asking for a similar amount (of ad valorem tax revenue) that we sought last year from the county,” Young said.

“We will most likely ask to get the new property growth again this coming year — based on the information given us by the tax assessor-collector in July.”

The school district did not seek a property tax increase during fiscal years 2022 and 2023, and Young said officials are anticipating the state’s MAEP — Mississippi Adequate Education Program — contribution will increase during the new budget cycle.

Typically, less than 30 percent of the school district’s revenue comes from county-level funding while less than 60 percent is received from the state, 2 percent from federal support and the remainder from other sources.

Anticipated revenues during the upcoming district fiscal year could top $12 million, based on early numbers being reviewed by school officials.

In other action to come before the school board, the panel considered these business items:

• Considered submitted bids for the purchase of 900 Chromebook laptop computers for student use that will be paid for through federal ESSER coronavirus pandemic mitigation funding

Jack Hollingsworth, who serves as FCSD’s technology specialist, said the three lowest bids received by the school district did not meet specifications as those products did not have a “safety shutter” capability to disable built-in cameras in those devices.

“This was in our specifications for student safety to make it impossible for anyone to see the person using the computer — protecting them from hackers,” Hollingsworth noted.

“The fourth lowest bid — from CTL Corp., of Beaverton, Ore. — had the safety shutter feature along with everything that met or exceeded our needs that were spelled out in the official request for proposals.”

Kent said the CTL bid was for $306,000, and the board voted 4-0 to accept the proposal. Michael Coleman, District 5 school board representative, was not in attendance to cast a vote on the purchase.
• Young reported the local public school system’s statement of fund balance, as of April 30, stood at $1,467,490.01 while the district’s maintenance cash flow report was calculated at $2,990,120.85.

“We have completed 83 percent of our current school year and have received 77 percent of our projected revenue and have spent 71 percent of our anticipated expenditures,” Young told the panel.

• Approved a professional services agreement with Justin Newman, in the amount of $1,000, to strip, sand and refinish the Franklin County High School Auditorium stage.

• Entered an agreement with the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District, which will provide a “career coach” at no cost to the school district.

This individual will work with high school students on questions related to career choices, assist with resume preparation and improve interview skills.

Kent said the “career coach” program would augment the work already being done by campus counselors, and district representatives will be part of the process in selecting who will fill that position.

“Anything that will help our kids be better prepared for the future is a good thing for the district,” Kent said.

• Added funding in the amount of $39,937.50 for the 2023 summer feeding program being offered Thursday, June 1 through Wednesday, June 28 in the Franklin County High School cafeteria.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture support will provide free-of-charge breakfasts and lunches to all area children ages 18 and under through the outreach.

• Received and accepted the 2023-2024 timber sales plan for FCSD 16th Section lands from the Mississippi Forestry Commission.

The proposal includes two regeneration cuts — also known as clear-cuts — along with some future prescribed thinnings along with some carried over from the current year.

• Ratified a division order related to the reworking of a petroleum well connected with school district property.

• Gave final approval to the district’s student handbook to be published for the 2023-2024 academic year.

• Authorized district-related activities including carpentry students from the Franklin County Career and Technical Center to travel to Atlanta, Ga., June 19-24 to take part in SkillsUSA national competition; a “Kids Camp” planned June 14-16 and hosted by the Franklin County High School volleyball program; and a middle school “Spring Fling” dance on Feb. 15, 2024.

The next business meeting for the school board, which is open to the public, will be held at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 20 at the district’s Central Offices.