School Property Donated To Ambulance Service?

The School Board last night agreed to give a certain plot of land near the Richland Elementary School to the Ambulance Service to build an ambulance station there.
This land is being given based on the plans and promises of the Ambulance Director.
These plans included at least two buildings, water and sewage, a chain link fence surrounding the property, a vehicle wash station, landscaping and other improvements to be paid for by taxpayers. At this time the County Commission has not approved these expenditures estimated at over two hundred thousand dollars.
Some questions that were asked but not answered were; If the property isn't used as described will the property revert back to the school board? If the Ambulance Service were to be sold to a private service at some future time what then happens to the property? Is there an absolute guarantee that no school funds will be used? Are these questions dealt with in writing somewhere? Allen Barrett

School Director's Evaluation

At the School Board Meeting last night, 12 Feb. 2009, the evaluations of the School Director were presented. Unlike past evaluations where the "5's" and near "5's" were announced with some fanfare the latest evaluation was not announced at all. There was some discussion about the vagueness of most evaluated categories. I am in full agreement that a more specific means of evaluation is needed however the system available is the system that should be used until a better one is developed.

Listed below are the evaluation results, they are on a scale of 1 to 5 with one being the lowest. The name of the Board Member is listed with the average grade they gave.
Ms. Turner - 2.5
Mr. Greene - 3.2
Mr. Young - 4.2
Ms. Glover - 1.0
Mr. Story - 2.7
Ms. Norman - 4.6
Ms. Murrey - 1.7
Total Average Score - 2.76
Allen Barrett

Sam Davis Cost!!!!

At the last City Council Meeting WKSR reported that "Council members approved amending the 2008-2009 budget to include the estimated $3.5 million Sam Davis Park Renovation Project". Maybe I dosed off and missed the part where this project moved from an estimated cost of 2.5 million to 3.5 million. Are they inching their way back up to the four million dollars taxpayers were so opposed to? Allen Barrett

Principal At Minor Hill

The principal at Minor Hill school was bound over to the Grand Jury to consider an indictment. Her innocence or guilt can not be determined by this blog but the matter of whether she should continue in her position until this matter is resolved is open for discussion.

Some questions that you the readers can give feedback for are; should she have been put on administrative leave when charges were filed and should she now be on administrative leave while the matter is before the grand jury? Should she be on unpaid leave until the matter is resolved with money restored if she is found not guilty? Allen Barrett

AMENDMENT TO 2008-2009 SCHOOL BUDGET

The first question that comes to mind on these amendments is how almost a million dollars in the school budget can be moved?????

Some examples of money moved in the "regular budget" are these DECREASED amounts $10,000,00 in contracts with private agencies; $43,000.00 instructional equipment; $31,195.00 other salaries and wages; $20,000.00 instructional equipment; $38,816.51 contract with private agencies; $35,000.00 other contracted services; $15,000.00 maintenance equipment; $22,000.00 diesel fuel.

DECREASES From the LEAPS program: $23,462,00 supervisor; $86,000478.00 educational assistants; $20,950,.00 part-time personnel; 7.362.00 medical insurance; $5,900.00 maintenance and repair services equipment; $35,800.00 other contracted services; $60,650.00 instructional supplies; $34,000.00 other equipment;

DECREASES From the PRE KINDERGARTEN program: $16,000.00 contracts with private agencies; $3,148.00 other supplies and materials; $16,086.00 other equipment; $19,500.00 other charges.

This is a budget that was presented last year as a bare-bones budget yet almost a million dollars is able to be moved into other catagories, how could it be?

Some on the School Board showed a tremendous amount of character and determination in questioning this budget amendment and have given great encouragement to the idea that next year will be very different than the usual rubber stamp placed on the Directors personal budget. There Is Hope! Allen Barrett

COUNTY CHARTER/HOME RULE

What Is a County Charter/Home Rule?
The Tennessee Constitution allows any County to adopt a HOME RULE form of Government. Home Rule grants to citizens much more control and flexibility over how they are governed.

How will Giles County Benefit from a County Charter/Home Rule?

Some of the things a County Charter/Home Rule would provide for is such things as ...

Taxpayers elect the School Director instead of being appointed by School Board

Term limits for elected officials

Taxpayers vote to approve all tax increases or decreases

Recall vote for government officials

Provision for People's Initiative

Detailed job descriptions for elected officials

All job openings in Giles Government advertised properly

No hiring of immediate family members by department heads

Enable commissioners to adopt ordinances passed by commission

Sunshine Law must be adhered to or fine imposed on offenders

Commissioners who are an employee of the county denied ability to vote on appropriations or budgets

Court house open for business forty hours each week

All County Financial statements and Contracts available on line

Copies of All County Checks and disbursements online

These are some of the things that would be available that taxpayers presently have no say in.

Understand this has absolutely nothing to do with a Metro Government as some claim.
Allen Barrett