By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
LEEDS – The Leeds City Board of Education met ahead of the first day of school, which was Wednesday, Aug. 8.
“I’m just really excited and ready to get school started again,” said an enthusiastic Superintendent John Moore. “I still get excited about it. I think it’s my favorite thing.”
This was also the first meeting for newly appointed board member Karla “Crickett” Ford, who was confirmed by the Leeds City Council at a meeting the night before.
The meeting began as usual with a report from Chief Financial Officer Ryan Miller for the month of June, the ninth month of the fiscal year. 78% of the general fund revenue was received along with more than 100% of the local revenue, up 8.05% from last year.
Expenditures were 72%, gross payroll was $1.2 million and the month was ended with an excess of revenues over expenditures of $1.6 million. The unreserved fund balance was $5.8 million, he said.
Afterwards, the board passed the items on its agenda before Moore mentioned in his comments meetings that he had with members of the city council about applying for state funding. He said that $179 million will be available from the state to go for capital projects, which may include projects at educational institutions.
He spoke on two different projects ongoing for the district, beginning with a new boiler and chiller at Leeds Elementary School to replace the 30-year-old equipment currently in place. A design and bid is anticipated for this fall. The work will be done in phases over a period of time. The overall estimate for this project is $1,200,000.
The other concerned the upcoming athletic facility, in which there is a drainage issue. He said that the district has made a request to the Jefferson County Commission to appropriate funds to address it.
In other business, the board:
- Recertified its dinner program,
- Decided to change meeting times to 10 a.m.,
- Approved advertising a job description for technology director,
- Approved engaging with the Bailey Group for retired teachers mentoring new teachers and
- Approved contracts for all of the special needs services including behavioral, speech pathology, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
The next regular meeting will be held on Sept. 12, at 10 a.m., at the Leeds Board of Education Building on 1517 Hurst Avenue. A budget hearing meeting is scheduled for Aug. 30, at 10 a.m.