BOE Approvals for Coming Year

The Gilmer County Board of Education took steps this week, during its Monday Work Session and Thursday Regular Meeting, to prepare itself for the coming year.

One major issue the public has been watching closely, the Board voted to move Michael Bramlett into the vacant Vice Chairman Position. Afterwards, they also approved their resolution to request a special election to replace its fifth Board Member on November 8th.

Meanwhile, the Board is currently looking into an appointment to the position until the election can be undertaken. We may see an appointment as early the Special Called June 29th meeting.

The Special Called meeting will be called to approve the final Budget for the 2016-17 Fiscal Year. You can also look at the Tentative budget as it was approved. The Board has also approved a Spending Resolution for July as a secondary plan in case the June 29th meeting does not end with a finalized Budget. This tentative budget currently stands at $1,631,875 revenues over expenditures.

Superintendent Dr. Shanna Wilkes presented a letter to the Board as a request from the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners. The Commissioners requested consideration for additional funding for the school resource officers in use in Gilmer’s Schools. The Board of Education already pays $105,000 for the officers. However, the Commissioners request is for the remaining funding of the personnel costs alone at $191,000. The request would not include the equipment and vehicles of the officers. However, the Board referenced their financial situation dipping into their fund balance as well as the tentative budget already being set as they allowed the request to die without any motion to move forward.

Also in preparation of the coming year, the Board of Education has approved a lunch price increased to $2.00 in all schools in response to the State Government’s Requirements in relation to the Free and Reduced Lunch Program.