Monroe County board adopts 2025–26 budget, sets deadline for Sweetwater interest and renews local lease
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Summary
The Monroe County Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt the district's 2025–26 budget, approved May budget amendments and renewed a four‑year lease for an after‑school provider; it also set a June 30 deadline for Sweetwater City Schools to state intent to purchase Sweetwater High School.
The Monroe County Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt the district's 2025–26 school budget and approved several related items during its May 2025 meeting, including internal budget amendments and a four-year lease renewal for Circle G Mountain Ministries at the former Teleco Plains Elementary School. The board also added and approved a motion setting a June 30 deadline for Sweetwater City Schools to state a written intent to purchase Sweetwater High School.
Board Chair opened the meeting and led standard agenda business before the board moved to the budget. The board approved May 2025 budget amendments—described in the meeting as largely bringing in grant revenue and moving funds within existing accounts to close out the fiscal year—and then approved the 2025–26 Monroe County School budget after a roll-call vote. The roll call recorded affirmative votes from Mitch Avery, Richard Bettis, Joe Cagle, Mark Ingram, Freddie Kelly, Ron Kyle, John Bridal, Dr. Schuteman and Dean Lucas; the motion carried.
In other actions the board approved a request from Circle G Mountain Ministries Inc. to renew its lease for the former Teleco Plains Elementary School building at 319 Loomis Street for an additional four years, from May 26, 2025, through May 26, 2029. Board members described the program as a locally valued after-school and summer program for children and voiced support before approving the renewal by voice vote.
The board also added a new-business item addressing Sweetwater High School and later approved a separate motion directing the district to give Sweetwater City Schools a deadline—June 30, 2025—to submit a written statement of intent to purchase Sweetwater High School. The board clarified the motion does not itself sell the property but requests a formal purchase intent or a decision from the city; the motion carried by voice vote.
Director of Schools reported district enrollment at 4,837 students, down 16 students from the previous month, and noted that TCAP and end-of-course testing is complete with raw scores due May 20. The director said summer camps will begin June 2, run Monday–Thursday for four weeks, include breakfast and lunch and offer limited transportation. The director also outlined maintenance and capital items included in the adopted budget: HVAC units listed for multiple schools, two larger HVAC units at two high schools, roof work for several central programs and facilities, and a gym floor replacement at Telico Junior High. The director told the board these items were funded from the district's fund balance and internal reallocations and emphasized staff efforts to prioritize deferred maintenance.
The board also approved the consent and regular agenda, and the minutes of the April 10, 2025, regular meeting. No formal objections were recorded to those motions.
