JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – The Campbell County Board of Education met in a special called session on Tuesday night to vote on a budget for the upcoming 2020-21 school year.

Six board members attended the meeting with a seventh, Noah Smith, participating by zoom on Chairman Brent Lester’s phone.

Two members, Jeffrey Miller and Ronnie Lasley, protested that they had not had enough time to review the massive budget.  Miller protesting, “We received notice of the called meeting and received an email containing a $43-million budget with only three days to review it. I want more time.”

“Jennifer (Director of Schools Fields) spent a lot of time on the budget. We have to rely on our staff,” Board Member Johnny Byrge pointed out.

With few options and many more questions yet to be answered about the upcoming school year in view of the pandemic, Byrge offered a motion to approve the proposed budget without any changes, with Lisa Fields seconding the motion. With Lasley and Miller voting no, the motion appeared to have passed 5-2, with Lester, Josh James and Noah Smith also voting to approve the budget. Faye Heatherly, Crystal Creekmore and Steve Morgan were unable to attend the meeting.

    However, the special called meeting did not actually end.  It was adjourned in session, because the board of 10 is required to have at least six votes in order to pass the budget.  There were only five votes in favor of the budget.

The Campbell County Board of Education will meet in a recessed session on Thursday, July 9, at 5 pm, in the lower room of the courthouse in another attempt to pass the budget.   (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 07/08/2020-6AM-CORRECTION 07/08/2020-11:30AM)