Blount County school board approves $25,000 equipment transfer, identifies June 2024 cash shortage and forms safety task force

The Blount County School Board on Jan. 23 approved a series of routine and financial actions and voted to form a school safety task force.

The board approved a $25,000 budget transfer from “other charges” for continued equipment maintenance in Fund 141 and passed a resolution identifying a cash shortage in the general purpose school fund as of June 20, 2024. Both measures were introduced, seconded and approved by voice vote.

“Safety is obviously our top priority,” Director Ridge said while introducing the proposal to form a task force to “explore, evaluate, and recommend strategies to enhance the safety and security of Blount County Schools.” Ridge asked that administrators serve on the committee and requested a board member be nominated to participate.

Board members nominated a Porter (referred to in the meeting as Bill Porter and later as Phil Porter in the nomination exchange) to serve on the newly formed school safety task force; the nomination was seconded and approved. Meeting remarks thanked the nominee: “Phil, we appreciate you…serving on that committee,” the presiding officer said.

The board also set and approved its consent agenda and the meeting agenda by voice vote earlier in the session. No public comments were offered during the public-comment period.

Director Ridge reported school-visit observations and assessment data, urging staff and teachers to continue focusing on growth measures ahead of upcoming TCAPs. A separate board member said a recent CMSI audit identified areas requiring policy changes; that committee will meet soon to begin work on compliance and policy updates.

The board announced a winter retreat scheduled for Jan. 23 at Maryville First Baptist Church. With no further business, members adjourned the meeting.