Editor’s Note: This article combines reports from both meetings.
By Tatum Northington
Elmore/Autauga News
The Autauga and Elmore County Boards of Education met over the last few weeks to discuss their budgets for the 2023 fiscal year while also discussing promising new ideas and more. Both boards received the “Pete Taylor Award,” as a part of the Maxwell River Region Education Partnership. Both boards also approved personnel actions while discussing facilities updates and more. As always, meetings of the board are open to the public. If you would like to be more involved you can see the Autauga BOE schedule here and the Elmore BOE schedule here.
Autauga County – September 13 and September 14
All members were present with Chairman Jim Manderson presiding.
The meeting started with the “Pete Taylor Award” Presentation. This award represents Autauga County’s commitment to military connected children and helps fund programs to help students. The meeting proceeded with Superintendent Tim Tidmore awarding board members with certificates for completing courses to comply with the 2021-2022 Education Compliance Act. Tidmore updated the Board on ongoing capital projects and announced that they will be breaking ground on the new Early Learning Center on October 4 and will have a ribbon cutting for the new AG Building at Marbury on October 18.
The Board then approved the Consent Agenda with approval of policy changes discussed at the August meeting and then moved on to personnel decisions. The CSFO Transition Plan as well as the Personnel Action were voted on unanimously.
Tidmore introduced and discussed a millage referendum that a group of Prattville citizens is pushing through to the November election. This referendum is asking for property taxes in the Prattville School Zones to increase. Tidmore said that Autauga County is one of the lowest funded districts in the state, 133 out of 137, with our per pupil spending being thousands less than other areas our size.
The ACBOE millage rate is at the minimum state required 10mill rate and that no matter how many houses are built or businesses added, that without a millage increase, the ACBOE doesn’t see an extra dime. This referendum is asking for an increase of 15mills to help grow our facilities, which would equate to $12.50 per month per $100,000 of assessed property value, or $150 per year per $100,000 of assessed property value. Tidmore encouraged the Board to support this referendum.
Manderson then shared his thoughts saying that ACBOE should be competitive with districts with our facilities and with our student funding. Saying “We are well overdue for this increase as we are not competitive in so many areas with facilities, and first impressions count. This increase will allow the ACBOE to help all students and all schools.”
The first budget hearing was held and lasted approximately 90 minutes while the CSFO discussed the conservative budget and explained where all monies should be directed. The Board asked questions and opened the floor to public comment.
The Superintendent was then evaluated by the Board and they discussed if he had met the goals and expectations set forth when he was hired. The Board had previously filled out survey information and discussed their answers. They voted unanimously that Tidmore had exceeded expectations and praised his leadership and ideas within the Covid and Post-Covid world of education. Tidmore received a one-time 3% bonus for exceeding expectations with the Board voting unanimously.
The meeting ended with a comments portion, with Tidmore and Board members recommending a yes vote on the millage referendum. Tidmore congratulated and praised the Purple Star Program Schools – PHS, PJHS, and DPES – which were awarded for their work with military families.
The second budget hearing was held the next day and was approved unanimously by the three board members present. To see the budget presentation, click here.
The next meeting will take place October 18 at 5:30 at Marbury High School, immediately after the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Elmore County September 15 and September 20
Five Board members were present with Vice Chair Dale Bain presiding.
The meeting was called to order and the agenda for the Special Called Meeting and Budget Hearing were approved.
Superintendent Richard Dennis presented the Board with his draft of the capital plan for fiscal year 2023. He discussed Child Nutrition Salaries as well as an update on the Wetumpka Sports Complex. Dennis then asked for approval of the Personnel Action and it was unanimously approved.
The first budget hearing then took place lasting approximately 70 minutes. Jason Mann, CSFO, presented the budget opening the floor to comments from the Board and the public. The public was invited to make comments over the next week with the second hearing taking place during the regular scheduled board meeting on September 20.
The September 20 meeting was held at the Elmore County Central Office in Wetumpka. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Michael Morgan. The agenda was approved and the meeting began.
The Board was presented with the “Pete Taylor Award” from the Maxwell River Region Education Partnership. Elmore County is one of four counties presented with this prestigious award, rewarding the district’s commitment to military families. This award will help students across the district.
Dennis presented board members with certificates for completing their courses for the 2021-2022 year, congratulating all for their leadership and commitment to Elmore County Schools. Dennis presented for information the current state of the schools and his vision for continuous growth, as the Holtville and Eclectic communities are expanding quickly. The monthly financials for August were presented and Dennis asked the Board to consider the Personnel Action as is. The vote was unanimous.
Action items were approved from previous meetings and the second budget hearing was held. Mann presented again, and then the budget for fiscal year 2023 was approved. When uploaded, you will be able to find the budget here.
The Board reminded attendees that Fall Break will take place October 11-12, and the next board meeting will be October 18 at 4:30 at the ECBOE.
See more photos from both meetings in the gallery.
