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Education committee approves reallocations to buy online student medical record system after DOE reclassifies computers
Summary
At its March 17 meeting the Sumner County Education Committee approved moving nursing-services revenue and reallocating capital lines so the system can buy and implement an online student medical-record system and adjust accounting for computer purchases after a Department of Education classification change.
The Sumner County Education Committee on March 17 unanimously approved moving nursing-services revenue and reallocating capital funds to buy and implement an online medical-record system for students, and to reclassify computer purchases after guidance from the Tennessee Department of Education.
Director of Schools Dr. Lam said the district receives nursing-services revenue only when services are provided and the timing and amount are unpredictable. “We don't know when that money is coming in or how much it will be until we get it,” Dr. Lam said. He told the committee the district wants to use that revenue now to purchase a new online medical-record system so implementation can occur before the next school year instead of waiting until July.
The director also told the committee the Department of Education has reclassified computers as “other materials,” not capital equipment, which requires moving existing budget authority into the proper line so the district can purchase computers under the new accounting category. “It's no new money and it's just one of those where it's a change in major categories,” Dr. Lam said.
Committee members asked for clarification about the accounting lines and whether the reallocations would cause budget problems; Dr. Lam said the changes are a reallocation, not additional spending, and that the district will not budget nursing revenue until it is received. No dollar amounts were specified in the meeting.
The committee approved the agenda and minutes by voice vote earlier in the meeting, and later voted unanimously to approve the grouped items that included the reallocations.
Implementation steps described in the meeting: purchasing and implementing the online medical-record system as soon as revenue is available so it is in place before classes begin; and moving funds within the budget to reflect the Department of Education's reclassification. The director said timing of the nursing receipts is uncertain and that the district will proceed only when the revenue has been received.
