School Board Travel on meeting agenda

Chairman Proposes Travel for financially strapped School System!

By: Pat Hunter

October 15, 2008

Last week, school administrators and school personnel had a week off for fall break. Unfortunately, the school board agenda and budget amendments did not go out in time to the school board and/or public. How can the School Board make good informed decisions without prior discussion, information to read or understanding of the subject matter?

Today, I traveled to the school board office to view the October 16^th Loudon County School Board agenda however, “Budget Amendments” and “Auditorium reconciliation” were not available for viewing. These items were not previously discussed at the workshop meeting. How many School Board members will fully understand these issues before they are asked to vote on these matters?

These are tough economic times and Loudon County is not exempt. People are loosing their homes in foreclosures. Just look at the long list of public notices in the back of the local newspaper of properties that will be sold on the courthouse steps. Homeowners and builders can’t sell their homes. Grocery prices and utility costs are spiraling. We haven’t seen the worse by far, economic advisors are saying. Loudon County schools are financially strapped so how can Chairman Leroy Tate even suggest voting to restore travel expenses for board members?

During the past round of budget meetings with the old School Board, the School Board voted to do away with Board pay and travel.  The School Board then turned around and restored their board member pay.  Each school board member receives $3,600 in pay, which is paid on a $300 per month basis.

But now, new School Board Chairman Leroy Tate, part of the old guard, wants to restore travel so School Board members and others may attend an upcoming conference at an upscale luxury resort hotel, on the taxpayer’s dime. Perhaps Mr. Tate can share with everyone, how many times he has dined on lobster and steak, at taxpayer expense?     

This year’s Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) meeting will be held November 16-18^th at the luxury resort hotel, the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Opryland amenities include nine acres of indoor gardens, cascading waterfalls, fine dining restaurants, a resort spa, pool, and fitness center and much more. The room rate alone is $159 daily for a traditional room. Then multiply this cost by ten school board members and others in the education department and now this adds up to a tidy little sum of taxpayer monies. http://www.gaylordopryland.com

School Board members are required by state law to attend an annual 7- hour session of training and new school board members must attend a two-day orientation course plus one core module. If travel is to be approved by the School Board, public funds should be allocated strictly for mandatory sessions, for travel, lodging and food, if necessary.

But, the Opryland Hotel and/or mountain retreats in Gatlinburg do not constitute mandatory sessions for School Board members!

Where will the School Board find money for travel? Will the School Board magically find another small pot of money somewhere else in the budget during this financial crunch? 

Perhaps, School Board member Bill Marcus, an advocate of seminars, can help explain to the rest of us taxpayers, the merits of the "Tailgate Party", which is scheduled for Nov. 16th, TSBA conference. See below.

This matter will be discussed and voted at the October 16th School Board meeting.

1. Our Children are Not the Students Our Schools Were Designed For: Understanding

2. A report from the Hill – A preview of the 2009 Legislative Session (adjourns at 11:00 a.m.)

public schools and other key stakeholders. Legislators will provide insight into the 106th General

1. Into Tomorrow: Looking at the Extreme Future

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10-15-08