Board talks fuel costs, FCLE construction project

The Franklin County Board of Education’s spending plan for fiscal year 2022 is being dramatically impacted by rising fuel costs associated with transportation of students to and from schools on a daily basis.

“We budgeted $120,000 this year, and we’ve spent $72,865 thus far — which is about 60 percent of our planned fuel expense,” School District Business Manager Tremel Young told the panel during its Tuesday, Feb. 15 meeting.

“Last year, at this same time, we had spent around $44,000 on fuel — that’s roughly $28,000 less that what we’re dealing with now. You’re probably seeing the same thing every time you put gasoline in your vehicle as the prices seem to keep going up.”

The district’s current budget cycle began on July 1, 2021 and will end this June 30 — meaning there is four more months remaining and the board could have to alter its revenue and spending plan to address any shortfalls in covering the cost of fuel.

“We are looking at these costs closely and could have to come back to consider a budget amendment,” she said. “We monitor our budget each month and will keep you informed what direction we will need to take.”

Young’s report came after District 4 representative Joyce Calcote had asked before last week’s meeting for a presentation about how fuel costs were impacting the bottom line for local schools.

Gas prices in Mississippi are currently averaging about $3.20 per gallon while diesel costs are sitting around $3.66.

A year ago, those prices were averaging $2.28 and $2.49, respectively, across the Magnolia State.

In other action to come before the board for consideration last week:

• Superintendent of Education Chris Kent detailed plans for the scope of work to take place at Franklin County Lower Elementary School during the summer.

“As you recall, this will involve the complete removal of asbestos flooring and its replacement in the main building and in the pre-K building,” he said.

“We also want to move the FCLE office closer to the main entrance and install an internal, secondary door for safety purposes along with undertaking restroom upgrades in the third-grade hallway. All of this work will be bid in parts, and nothing will be done without board approval.”

Kent said the flooring upgrade would be paid for through approved federal ESSER — short for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief — funding tied to the coronavirus pandemic with other elements of the improvements to be funded through district accounts.

“I have met with Bailey Group — our architects for this project — to outline a schedule of what we are looking at from start to finish in getting the work done,” he continued.

Kent said the goal is for the board to approve bids for the work by mid-April with construction starting the last week of May and wrapping up by the end of July for the start of the new academic year.

• The district received word it has been awarded a renewal of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant and voted to add the funds to the system’s fiscal year 2022 budget.

“The funds total $399,926 for the current budget year and is valued at $1,359,747 over a four-year period that will carry us through the 2024-2025 academic term,” Kent said.

“This is a major boost for our students involved in after-school and summer programs, and this is geared to help us academically in the months and years to come.”

In a related matter, the board approved Dr. Selma Wells to continue in her role as 21st Century CLC director along with four employees to help manage oversight of the program.

• Adopted an annual collaborative agreement between the school district and Mississippi Action for Progress, which operates the area’s Head Start educational initiative.

• Authorized the request by Franklin County High School Principal Lisa Storey to seek a $1,000 grant through the Mississippi Professional Educators-Administrators group.

The funds, if awarded, would be used to motivate, inspire and reward teachers and staff on her campus.

• Approved a contract in the amount of $735 with Music Theatre International for the performance rights for a future high school play.

• Adopted a SEAS — an acronym for Social, Emotional and Academic Success — Training contract in the amount of $3,600 related to the special education staff training.

• Authorized the use of school district facilities — notably the auditorium building at the high school — by the Dixie Daisy Juniorettes for a pageant fund-raiser on Saturday, March 26.

“This beauty and beau program is geared toward elementary-age children and we have given them permission in the past to do this,” Kent said.

The board also approved use of the facility while waiving any fees to utilize the building since the pageant will involve many of the district’s students.

• Approved travel expenses for Young to attend the Southeastern Association of School Business Officials conference being held Tuesday, April 5 through Thursday, April 7 in Hot Springs, Ark.

• In outlining school system finances for its most recently completed month, Young noted the district’s Statement of Fund Balance, as of Monday, Jan. 31, indicated the FCSD Maintenance Fund stood at $1,374,563.79.

“Also, as of Jan. 31, we have received 54 percent of our expected revenues for the year and have expended 49 percent of our expected expenses,” Young continued.

“Our District Maintenance Cash Flow report showed $2,968.910.58 as of Jan. 31.”

• Announced the March meeting of the school board was being moved from Tuesday, March 15 to Tuesday, March 22 due to the district’s annual spring break holiday.

Kent said the change was necessary as many district officials would be away from their offices for the week-long school hiatus.