The Shadow
The Covington City School Board had a busy Monday as they conducted two meetings — A joint meeting with Covington City Council and its regular meeting.
Both meetings were conducted in the Cafetorium of Edgemont Primary School/Jeter-Watson Intermediate School.
The purpose of the joint meeting was to hold discussions regarding the scheduling of routine meetings between the two governmental bodies and to discuss the fiscal year 2019-2020 budget.
Covington City School Board Chairman Eddy Clemons opened the joint meeting with remarks.
“I personally feel we should do this. We need to work together because we are working for the same cause. Relationships are important and I feel we need to build a good, trusting relationship where we can depend on each other,”?Clemons said of the importance on having joint meetings with Covington City Council.
Clemons continued his remarks by stating, “There are things that continue to muddy the water, but we can put that behind us. All groups have problems that they need to work out and I?think we got the people here with a common interest that we can do that.”
A final point Clemons made in his opening remarks was the fact that he felt a relationship was needed is because of the fact that he was concerned that the Covington City Public School System could get lost under the wing of the city.
Clemons acknowledged that the school system was a separate entity from the city, but building a relationship would ease those concerns.
Later in the discussion regarding the scheduling of routine meetings between council and the school board, Covington Vice Mayor David Crosier posed the question, “How often is routine?”
Interim Covington City Manager Clay Goodman answered Crosier’s question by stating that there is no right or wrong answer.
Goodman also said that the two governmental bodies would have to find what works best for the city of Covington.
Clemons then posed the question of whether or not they should meet quarterly or as needed.
Covington City School Board member Tamala Preston then asked whether or not if the joint meetings should be held monthly.
Goodman then offered another suggestion by saying that at the beginning of this process that it would be productive to meet as often as possible for up to the first six months.
At the conclusion of the discussion regarding the scheduling of routine joint meetings, it was set that the next meeting would take place Tuesday, April 9, at 5 p.m. in Council Chambers of Covington City Hall prior to the regular April meeting of Covington City Council.
The next portion of the joint meeting focused on the 2019-2020 fiscal year budget discussion.
Covington City Public Schools Superintendent Melinda Snead-Johnson reported that a preliminary budget has been drafted and that it is based on level funding.
She also said that the preliminary budget was not near completion at this time.
Snead-Johnson took a few moments to explain that the current upward trend of student enrollment would factor into the budget by the need to acquire additional staff.
Clemons then stated that the school board’s budget could be very difficult to figure out due to variables that are out of the board’s control.
District 2 Councilman Allan Tucker joined in the discussion by mentioning the 33 percent which is normally allocated to the school board from the city.
“If we can agree with this 33 percent, that’s what we’re intending on using with the budget and when we get our revenues and things together, we’ll let you know how much it’ll be,”?Tucker said about the 33 percent that is allocated to the Covington City School Board annually.
Clemons then stated to Tucker, “I’m in the understanding that it could be less than what we got last year and that’s fair.”
Covington City School Board Vice Chairman Bert Baker then emphasized the need to have a plan in place, not only for the present, but for the future as well.
“I think it is important that we put a plan together because we’re not going to be sitting here forever on these boards. If we show the people that will come after us that we have a good relationship, it’ll benefit those that come after us,”?Baker stated.
Following the joint meeting, the Covington City School Board took time to recognize two Covington High School students for their extracurricular activities.
The first to be recognized was Gara McDaniel and her work in the 4-H program.
A part of McDaniel’s work with 4-H?saw her volunteer in Punta Cana, located in the Dominican Republic.
“My 4-H volunteer work in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic has taught me a lot about myself and others. I learned that I’m able to step out of my comfort zone and become a good role model and leader for the youth,”?McDaniel stated.
For her work in 4-H, she was presented with certificates of recognition from Christina Hodges and Lee Ann Gray of the 4-H Alleghany Highlands Partnership and the Covington City School Board.
The second student to get recognized was Evan Rose, who was not in attendance Monday at Monday night’s meeting.
Rose was recognized for his contribution to an article that was recently published in a scientific journal.
Rose, along with six other individuals were credited as co-authors of the article.
Superintendent Snead-Johnson said of the accomplishment, “He [Rose} is a very humble kid. He does not like a lot of recognition, but I?wanted to publicly recognize him for his work.”
The following agenda items were approved during Monday’s meeting:
— Budget Work Session:?March 21, at 6:30 p.m.;
— A second public hearing for the 2019-2020 fiscal year budget will be held March 25, 6 p.m.;
— The target date to approve the 2019-2020 fiscal year budget is March 28. The meeting will be held at at 6 p.m.;
— A CHS?overnight field trip to Richmond for the Model General Assembly March 21-23;
— Policy IFKA — Locally Awarded Verified Credit.
