LMSD Board Approves Budget and Dress Code Changes

The Louisville Municipal School Board met on Tuesday evening and addressed several issues prior to the upcoming school year. At the top of the agenda was the approval of the $26 million budget for the 2012-2013 year. The budget was previously submitted in a public hearing on June 14th. (read article from that hearing)  LMSD expects little or no tax increase for the upcoming tax year but changes in the overall tax base will determine the need for a millage increase or decrease. These figures from the Winston County Tax Assessor's Office will not be available till sometime in July. The District is limited in any increase in millage rate by state law. The maximum allowed millage for a district is 55 mils. The District's current mil levy is 53.275 mils leaving a maximum possible increase of 1.725 mils.While the members approved the proposed budget, Board President Bobby Moody expressed his concern over the costs for fees to the State School Board Association and Athletic Association and the manner in which these funds are used.

In compliance with Senate Bill 2761, the Board approved a change to Direct Deposit only of school employee payroll. No more paper checks will be issued after July1. A local bank(Citizens) offered free checking and a debit card for all employees of the system that do not currently have a checking account to ease the transition.

The Board also approved the purchase of a property adjoining Fair Elementary. The approximate 1/2 acre tract is located south of the existing third grade building and will be held for future use. Funds in the amount of $20,000 were obligated for the purchase.

The Board met with Steve Roberts, a local representative of Renasant Insurance, concerning the renewal of the school's liability insurance. Roberts indicated that a combination of unusual claims in the past year and an overall industry increase had driven premium costs up 25-30% for the District.  After review and discussion of two options presented, the Board agreed to remain with its current insurance carrier, Union Standard.

There was lengthy discussion concerning expired or expiring farm residential 16th section leases and the need for the Secretary of State to approve the lease agreements and the manner in which they were obtained.  Concern was expressed after 16th Section Land Manager Hal Overstreet indicated that the Secretary of State's Office would no longer sign similar leases that had not been bid off even though there had been agreement on previous leases similar in nature. That Board held off on further action until the next meeting.


Assistant Superintendent Ken McMullan provided the Board with the initial handbook for the year and highlighted some of the dress code changes.  McMullan indicated that the recent public meeting concerning any changes to the code was helpful and these changes should be of benefit to parents. Here are the major changes:

• In addition to the colors already allowed, gray shirts and black pants would be available options as well. 
•  First graders and kindergarten students would be encouraged to wear belts but it would no longer be mandatory for those grades.
• Types of shoes allowed would not change but there would typically be no color restrictions.
• A uniform exchange/swap program is being developed by a commitee of parents and teachers which would allow participants to exchange clothing in an organized event to accommodate children as they grow.

These are only the highlights as discussed in the board meeting and other changes may be involved that are not included here. The full dress code will be in the school handbooks when completed and will be available to parents prior to the school year.

The District also asked for an opinion from the Justice Department under the Desegregation Court Order concerning proposed changes to quartile groupings within the District and also relating to the possible move of  7th and 8th grade students from the Eiland campus to the Louisville High campus. The Board's attorney representative indicated that the Justice Department had verbally indicated that there were no objections to the proposed changes but a request would be put in for written confirmation.

The board also dealt with other financial items, vendors lists and bids, 16th section leases and aerial spraying contracts and student transfers before entering into executive session for personnel issues. The full agenda or minutes will be available upon Board approval. The next LMSD Board meeting is scheduled for July 17 at 5:30.

W. McCully