Benton County Board approves budget resolutions; discusses $423,000 Cox grant and districtwide camera upgrade

The Benton County Board of Education on an unanimous voice vote approved a set of budget resolutions that move funds between accounts, record the recent receipt of previously expected federal grant funds for nursing positions, and note a $423,000 grant from Cox Communications that could be used toward new cameras across the district.

Board members voted 9–0 to approve the budget resolutions after staff explained the largest items and the reason for adjustments. The changes include moving $200,347 from equipment to instructional software, reallocations within career and technical education (Carl Perkins) to equipment, and a roughly $292,376 receivable tied to a nursing grant the district had expected last year but only received recently. The district plans to place most of that reimbursement into capital outlay for improvements already made, staff said.

Why it matters: the packet of changes documents both one-time receipts and routine budget reallocations that affect instructional support, special education staffing and capital spending. The Cox grant and the district's choice about matching funds would determine whether cameras are installed systemwide or only at selected schools.

Director Jared King told the board the Cox grant is for $423,000 and that the district has a $140,000 local match already accounted for. He said an additional $185,000 from fund balance would allow the district to "do the whole school system" on the camera project with Avigilon-brand cameras. "You're talking about a $650,000 project that we would have to only spend right at a 180, 185 from the district," King said, describing the estimated local share if the board opts for full coverage.

King also explained the delayed nursing grant: the district had not received reimbursement last year because federal payments were late; the district has now received the money and will move most of it into capital outlay for work already completed, he said. On substitutes and high absenteeism, staff moved $10,000 from instructional supplies into the substitute budget to cover higher costs this year.

Board clerk Michelle called the roll for the budget resolutions vote; the record shows Winters, Hyatt, Kennan, Hedge, Mills, Marks, Blue, Hargis and Livingston voting yes. No no votes were recorded.

The board did not take separate final action tonight on buying cameras. King said the project, if pursued systemwide, would require drawing on fund balance for the local share and that further discussion with bond counsel and planners is scheduled at the fall planning session and an upcoming board retreat. Tennessee Municipal Bond will attend the board's fall planning meeting to discuss financing options.

The board approved the budget resolutions and moved on to other agenda items.