JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – In a brief meeting Tuesday night, the Campbell County Board of Education dealt mainly with spending items, including approval of a proposed general purpose school fund budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The board unanimously supported a motion by Faye Heatherly to approve the ’21-22 budget at $43,429,612.67, an increase of around $340,000 over the estimated budget for the current year. The difference will be made up from the school system’s fund balance, which will decrease from $4.8 million to a little under $4.4 million.

The board also approved a number of amendments to the current year budget, including an increase of $31,608 to replace the fire alarm system at CCHS. The board originally budgeted $150,000 to pay for the new alarm system but bids came in higher than expected. The increase will come from the schools’ capital outlay fund.

Another amendment appropriated $22,454 from the non-instruction restricted account to pay for a new oven at Caryville Elementary School’s cafeteria. The board suspended rules to advertise for bids to expand and re-pave the parking lot at Caryville Elementary as well.

In the only vote that was not unanimous, the board voted to change the policy allowing staff and teachers to charge cafeteria meals to an account. In future all staff will pay cash for their meals, although there was no discussion about why the change was necessary. Two members, Jeffrey Miller and Faye Heatherly, abstained from voting on the motion, which was approved 8-0.

The board then recessed their meeting until June 29 at 5 pm in order to allow for any last minute adjustments to the budget before the fiscal year ends. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 06/10/2021-6AM)