Trussville Board approves consent and personnel items, hears financial update and Hope Institute briefing

The Trussville City Schools Board of Education approved routine business items and heard updates on district finances and a new character-development partnership during its November meeting.

Motions and votes: The board moved and adopted the meeting agenda at the start of the session (motion moved at SEG 045 and seconded at SEG 047, voice vote; outcome adopted). Later the board moved and unanimously approved the consent agenda (motion at SEG 1027; second at SEG 1029; voice vote at SEG 1031). The consent agenda included a proposed dual-enrollment agreement with “Jeff State” to provide courses at the high school, debt-service refinancing work intended to free funds to replace the track, an owner/architect agreement for lighting upgrades at the high school and the baseball stadium, and a school-security bollard plan. Superintendent Dr. Martin said the bollard bid came in at $164,000 and that $100,000 of that cost would be covered by a grant source on the consent list.

Financials: District finance staff presented interim, unaudited financial reports for September and October. “Total expenditures and transfers out in the general fund, as of October’s month end is 7.2% of budget compared to 8.14% of the budget this time last year,” Mr. Kirkland reported, and reminded the board that the audit is underway. He noted that the district closed the fiscal year with revenues about 2% over budget and that October receipts (the first month of the new fiscal year) were at 3.44% of the budget. Kirkland said all bank accounts have been reconciled to the general ledger and that the monthly financial report will be made available on the district website after board approval.

Personnel and pay: The personnel report included three retirements, an amended employment date, four leave-of-absence recommendations, extra-service agreements, supplemental pay items and a recommendation to pay a one-time stipend to full- and part-time employees tied to new software and AI training. Board members discussed the stipend in the personnel section and then approved the personnel report by voice vote.

Hope Institute partnership: In administrative reports, district leaders described participation in the Hope Institute initiative, a three-year program focused on leadership, character and professional development. Jared Meads said the program gives each school team autonomy to adapt the framework to local needs and emphasized building shared mission and core values among staff. Meads described year 1 emphasis on developing a caring-adult community and on embedding core values through professional development and site visits.

Public participation: No members of the public were registered to speak, and the board adjourned after routine business.