Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
During the regular meeting of the Madison County District School Board on Tuesday, Sept. 5, the Board considered the new millage rate to be levied in the district. This was a public hearing on the rate. The proposed total millage rate for Fiscal Year 2017/2018 is 6.591. This is lower than the rate for 2016, which was 6.921. The gross taxable value for operating purposes is $738,377,832. This is almost a two percent increase over the gross taxable value for operating purposes for 2016, which was $723,236,602. The total state law and local board proceeds for 2017 is $4,671,984. This is a nearly three percent decrease over the 2016 figure, which was $4,805,300. “The Board doesn't really have a choice, the State sets [these] rates,” said Board Attorney Tom Reeves. There was no public comment regarding the proposed budget. Another public hearing on the millage rate and budget will be held at a later date. The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 19.
The Board approved the consent agenda. Items on the consent agenda included minutes from previous meetings, annual garbage collection service for Madison County High School, Madison County Central School, Lee Elementary School, Pinetta Elementary School and the Excel School; and a Duke Energy Grant Memorandum of Understanding for 2017. A Carl Perkins CTE grant and a Carl Perkins rural and sparsely populated grant was also approved. The School Improvement Grant 1003(g) and the Madison Creative Arts Academy Charter School Grant were approved. The master inservice plan was approved. An agreement with Florida Therapy Services was approved. Several fundraisers from various groups were approved. An update to School Board Policy numbers 5830-Student Fund Raising and 7310-Disposition of Surplus Property was approved. Letters of agreement with Greater Community Nurturing Childcare, Greenville Community Preschool, James Christian Learning Center, New Life Learning Center, and Kids, Inc. for daycare services were approved. A dual enrollment articulation agreement with Suwannee County River Oak Technical Center was approved. Agreements with Capital City Youth Services and North Florida Mental Health were approved. A Memorandum of Understanding with DISC Village, Inc. for the New Horizons program was approved. GED requests were approved. Grant and categorically-funded staff trips were approved.
An agreement with Tyco Fire and Security to repair the fire alarm system at Lee Elementary School was passed. The system was damaged due to lightning.
Student field trips out-of-county were approved.
There were supplemental positions approved on a 4-1 vote with VeEtta Hagan casting the dissenting vote. A job description for a (Computer) Network Manager to service the entire district, to be paid out of grant monies, was approved on a 4-1 vote with Hagan casting the dissenting vote. Screened school volunteers and personnel changes were approved.
The next meeting of the Madison County District School Board is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Board meeting room located at 210 NE Duval Ave., in Madison.