Monroe County board approves budget amendments, $500 bonuses for nonprofessional staff and start‑up funds for middle‑school volleyball
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Summary
The Monroe County Board of Education approved budget amendments, authorized a $500 bonus for 336 nonprofessional employees (cost about $186,000), and appropriated startup equipment funds for middle‑school volleyball programs, including $7,500 for Tellico Junior High and $1,500 for Madisonville Middle.
The Monroe County Board of Education on its November agenda approved budget amendments, authorized a one‑time $500 bonus for nonprofessional employees and approved startup funding for middle‑school volleyball teams.
Sharon Freeman moved that "we give all nonprofessional employees $500 bonus plus benefits," saying the payment would cover 336 employees at a cost of $186,000. After discussion about the district's fiscal position, the board held a roll‑call vote. Board members Mitch Avery, Richard Bettis and Juan Schuteman recorded "no" votes; Joe Cagle, Sharon Freeman, Mark Ingram, Freddie Kelly, Ron Kyle, John Bridal and Dean Williams voted "yes." The motion carried.
Finance director Gail told the board the fund balance is "around $8,000,000," and members discussed the portion that must be retained as reserves (finance staff noted a 3% reserve requirement, roughly $2.5 million). Gail also confirmed that a separate $500,000 grant for a track project is in the bank and not at immediate risk, as one member had asked.
On extracurriculars, Miss Bridal Lynn, a teacher at Tellico Plains High School, requested permission to start a Tellico Plains area volleyball program covering Tellico Plains Junior High, Veil School and Coke Creek and to allow eligible homeschool and virtual students to participate. The board first voted to give Lynn permission to start the program.
Board members then debated startup funding. After several amended proposals and discussion of past practice (members said the district previously provided equipment when other programs started), the board approved a motion to appropriate $7,500 for Tellico Junior High (the motion language included equipment and coach stipend) and $1,500 for Madisonville Middle School. High‑school funding was left for a separate decision. The motions were approved by voice vote.
The board also approved the consent agenda, budget amendments and minutes for the prior meeting by voice vote earlier in the session.
What happens next: Finance staff will reflect the bonus and appropriations in budget documents and the board scheduled follow‑up as part of normal fiscal oversight.