Minutes - April 13, 2022

Certified Staff Advisory

April 13, 2022

Montgomery County Schools Certified Staff Advisory committee convened on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in the Montgomery County Schools boardroom. Members present were: Kim Simpson, Ayleen Padilla, Terry Maness, Esther McDonald, Kristy Comer, Lane Prince, Kymberlie Hare, and Stephanie Lynthacum

Welcome and Celebrations

Dr. Ellis asked for celebrations. Kymberlie Hare announced they had their “Annual Scrabble Day” at the Early College and it was very fun. The kids were making really good words. Dr. Ellis mentioned the board really enjoyed the visit there last week.

Budget Update

I just want to update you on a few things. Just so you know the school board will hear the school board’s budget presentation at the May 2, 2022 board meeting. It will then go to the county. The county will approve their budget sometime in June. We did ask for an additional $250,000 from the county. I do not know if we will get it. I hope we will and ask for an additional $250,000 next year instead of $500,000 at once. We have not requested an increase 
from the county in sometime because of the construction of the facilities. That facility for all purposes is constructed. It is time for the county to catch up with inflation. Those of you who have been on this board for while know the one thing that has not slowed down is inflation. Insurance has gone up every year. You have not noticed it because you have paid a flat fee but what the district has to pay has gone up every year. While you pay a flat 6% the district’s has gone from 16% to 22% for your retirement in five to six years. We have a well-funded retirement system. The second largest retirement system in the world. We have the second most funded retirement system in the world behind Texas. We will get our retirement money which is a good thing. But I can tell you they have hammered us. The county has to acknowledge that it is costing us more money. Regardless of whether or not we get that money. We will survive. The bigger concern is the state budget that is where 85% of our money comes from. Over the course of the last few years we have had what is called a hold harmless provision. That meant as parents and students became spooked and went to homeschool because of COVID. The state did not hold us accountable for the loss of that student. We continued to get the money. We had it again this year. I continue to communicate with the state that this thing is not over. It could be right back raging again at any time. We are about 150 kids short. We are looking at around a one million dollar cut if that hold harmless is not brought back. We will have ESSR money to help offset that 
loss. We do not want to spend all of our emergency funds in one year. We want to make it last as long as we can. We will continue to communicate that we need that hold harmless one more year. We hope those students will come back. Kymberlie Hare asked how to get them back. Dr. Ellis stated I think the vast majority of them as they get older will miss the socialization. It has to be when the parents feel comfortable enough to send them back. I think since we have been without masks the last few months and there has not been a large outbreak that will help. I think our people have done a good job allowing others to make their choice. We have had some of our MOVE kids come back. We are starting to pick up a few from Tillery and Uwharrie Charter. We are going to really start stepping up our marketing efforts. Katie Hursey our Public Information Officer has left. We specifically marketed that position as a director of marketing. We need someone who can go out and get these kids back. That is what is most crucial. You probably won’t notice this year because we should not have to cut positions. It is just like we always have. We will cut positions not people. As long as I am superintendent we will not cut people. As long as people are here, want to be here and doing a good job they will have a job. It may be if you look at your fourth grade classes with eleven students and four teachers. You may not have four teachers next year. We have had that conversation with principals. We are looking at those kind of things. Not because we want to but because we have to. Just make your people aware of that budget concern. We have got to do everything we can to get our students back. I have stood before this group when the budget was murkier and uglier than now. The saving grace is we got the money from COVID-19. We did give a significant amount of that as bonuses. We held some of it back for this very reason. You will get that second round of the $1,500 retention bonus in May. I ask you to tell your colleagues if they know they will be leaving to not take that money. That is a retention bonus committing you to stay next year. Kristy Comer asked about the $2,199 money. Dr. Ellis said that money will go out in May as well. The math on that amount was wrong. It only considered state teachers. We have state, federal and local funded teachers. I think the number will be around $1,700 instead of $2,199. We have to spread that money out to make sure all of our teachers receive it. Pre-K teachers were not even factored into it. I believe if you teach a child Pre-K, media or EC you are a teacher. We have gone back and recalculated with dpi. It will be a significant amount but it will not be $2,199. Every single teacher in Montgomery County Schools will get their part along with the retention bonus. Kymberlie Hare asked if it could be paid in June to help with taxes. Dr. Ellis said that it would be in separate checks for tax purposes. Mitch Taylor in finance could possibly work with you if that is what you prefer. Kristy Comer asked what day we would be paid this month. Dr. Ellis responded April 25. Payroll could not be completed before spring break.

Construction Update

Dr. Ellis said this is probably the final construction update that we will do. We are finishing up the installation of the football field at MCHS. I encourage everyone to attend the graduation ceremonies and see this field. Kymberlie Hare expressed how beautiful the graduation ceremonies were last year. Dr. Ellis said this year some will have masks and some not but we will be able to see kids smile. I would encourage you when people talk about how much it cost. Tell them. The vast majority of that was paid by private donors. When you look at the $250,000 weight room, the $300,000 jumbo-tron and the $1,000,000 field. Of that 1.6 million, 1.3 million was raised by the private sector. I have talked about our academic facilities being top notch. Now our athletic facilities are top notch as well. When you talk about people in our county who have significant resources. They have really put it into that facility. We have students being pulled to go to charter schools. I can’t see how anyone could look at our facilities and not want to send their children there. That will be the crown jewel in our marketing. Last week we took fifth graders there for elementary career week. That is all part of the strategy. I want the kindergarteners to come in on their first day and know that no matter what their mascot is they are Timberwolves or Phoenix. That will be the draw to keep kids here. Let those who complain know that the facilities did not cost Montgomery County Schools or the taxpayers a dime.

COVID-19

Dr. Ellis reiterated the position of the board. They will do what is best to keep everyone safe. They asked my opinion. I don’t know if it because the vaccines have reached a certain level. Whatever reason we have not seen a huge increase since the two month period after Christmas. I don’t know if we will see another increase. I am advocate for the state changing the law so we don’t have to talk about this every month. I think our board has enough common 
sense. I have enough common sense to know if it starts raging the masks need to go back on. Most people have the fortitude to understand that. I hate that we have to keep talking about it. We will do so as long as we are legally required to. Just know the discussion behind the scenes. The board is committed to safety. If something comes up that concerns them. Masks will be brought back. I like that right now we have the personal preference. Tell your people if anything drastic happens the board will not shy away from going back to the masks if they feel it is necessary. It is their number one concern to keep everyone safe.

Questions

Dr. Ellis asked for questions. No further questions were asked. Dr. Ellis encouraged them to share information with their colleagues.