A special called meeting of the Simpson County School Board was held on June 28, with the express purpose of approving the final claims docket of Fiscal Year 2022, though other matters were considered. All board members were present either in person or via Zoom.
Most items on the agenda were approved; however, several were tabled to next month’s meeting on the need for clarification.
There was lengthy discussion involving a contract with Talk Time Therapeutics that was previously approved by Board Attorney Wesla Leech. The confusion arose from last month’s meeting when contractor Courtney Franklin had been listed as employed on the SCSD Human Resources report. Leech recommended the board amend last month’s HR report to reflect that Franklin is not a school employee but an independent contractor. The motion carried.
Board member Stacy Herrin opened discussion regarding the contract rate of $40 per hour for Franklin; the new contract stipulates $120 per hour. the board questioned whether a cap on the hourly rate will apply. According to Superintendent Dr. Toriano Holloway, there is budget cap.
The board has not yet approved the Talk Time Therapeutics contract for the coming year. Dr. Holloway suggested tabling the issue until the board’s July meeting.
All grade level student handbooks and employee handbooks were brought up for discussion. Board member Patrice Boykin suggested that the grades 9-12 handbook should include the Mississippi Scholar information with qualifications for graduation. In addition, Herrin mentioned the need for clarity in the language stating, “all schools and offices will be closed” for holidays. Dr. Holloway said that he would see that the corrections were made. These were also tabled until the July meeting.
The issue of school safety was again raised for discussion and tabled until July. Member Stanley Bulger recommended that rather than each school developing its own separate safety plan the district should review a best practices or template to use as a standard. Variations are to be expected and those unique needs can be addressed. He noted that some of the plans did not cover intruders such as an active shooter situation. In addition, all plans should be reviewed by local law enforcement agencies for uniformity.
Among the items on the claims docket for the year end were an increase of approximately $62,000 annually for property and casualty insurance with a resulting total of $589,807. Director of Finance Joanna Maddox was given approval to open a new bank account at PriorityOne Bank to hold lease proceeds for the capital lease for the new high school. The board also approved transfer of funds from 16th Section bank accounts to the appropriate bank account as determined by The Excellence Group. All items on the claims docket were approved.
In a vote of four to one, the board approved authorization for Young Law Group to represent the school district in litigation regarding the lease validation proceeding. Herrin questioned the need for another law firm and the ensuing financial commitment since the board has its own attorney. Board counsel stated this issue needed the expertise of a law firm that deals with these issues specifically. Herrin voted against.
