Last Thursday, Escambia County (Ala.) Board of Education members were shown the social media connection that keeps the community in touch with what is going on in the schools and approved two agenda items and school superintendent's personnel recommendations before they went into executive session.
“We had an excellent start to the school year,” said School Superintendent John Knott. “Our teachers are in the classrooms long before they go on contract. They're there early in the morning until late in the hours. They have worked and prepared. All of our schools are in excellent shape and we are ready to receive our students. I cannot remember a better start to a school year.”
Knott showed board members how social media posts videos, pictures and updates of students at all the county schools participating in class.
“We wanted to share some of the things going on in school,” said Knott. “Our schools are doing an excellent job communicating through social media getting out some of the things that we are doing.”
Technical Director Jamie Burkette showed pictures and videos from different schools and Knott explained how it helps the students and staff connect to the community and their schools.
“I chose to show you that video specifically to show how all of our schools participate, encouraging school loyalty, school spirit, school pride, establishing guides and guidelines, making sure we have assemblies, making sure we communicate what expectations are, and getting off to a good school year,” said Knott.
Financial Statement
School system CEO Julie Madden told council members that as of July 31, 2019, there was a balance of $12,785,000, which is 4.02 months operating expense. She said there was an increase, which is unusual, a payment of $416,356.25 for bond interest in June for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. Madden noted that the construction fund was at a zero balance as of July 31, because all the bond proceeds had been spent.
In other business, the board:
-Approved the new policy changes board members reviewed at their last meeting and tabled for 30 days that will effect the grades to determine valedictorian and salutatorian.
-Approved awarding the bid for the 2019-2020 Child Nutrition Program (CNP) equipment to Mobile Fixture for $269,245.00.
-Approved the superintendent's recommended personnel changes
The FY 2020 proposed budget hearings are set for Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 11 a.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. There will be a regular board meeting at 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 12, for approval. The public is invited.
