JOINT BOARD OF CONTROL
JACKSON RIVER TECHNICAL CENTER
MINUTES
March 8, 2016
The Joint Board of Control for Jackson River Technical Center met in regular monthly session on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 with the following members present:
Cindy Bennett, Chairman Covington City
William Angle Alleghany County
Eddy Clemons Covington City
Robert Garten Covington City
Craig Lane Alleghany County
Randy Tucker Alleghany County
Jacob Wright Alleghany County
Also present were Mr. Tom Long, Administrator; Mr. Eugene Kotulka, Superintendent of Alleghany County Schools; Mr. Glenn Spangler, Director; and Ms. Christy Armentrout, Clerk.
Mrs. Bennett called the meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. and led in a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Approval of Minutes:
On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Tucker, the minutes of the February 9, 2016 meeting were approved as submitted unanimously by aye vote.
Administrative Reports (16-45):
Annual Performance Report: Mr. Spangler presented the board with copies of the Annual Performance Report. He indicated that the back page summarizes the areas that were met or not met. The criteria for nontraditional enrollment was not met. This is an area that is frequently difficult to meet the requirements for because it is more difficult to get the distribution of male/female students into nontraditional slots in the programs due to student interest. He also noted that JRTC missed meeting the secondary placement requirement by one student. After reviewing the information Mr. Wright noted that in the Technical Skills Attainment section of the report JRTC scored well above the required percentage. Mrs. Bennett noted that there were nice gains in several of the categories over the past three years as well.
Shared Services Report: Mr. Spangler noted that the Alleghany County Schools had voted at their last board meeting to hire their own technology and alternative education departments. This will bring an end to the regional programs for ETC and Alternative Education that are housed at JRTC effective on June 30, 2016. Mr. Spangler noted that personnel would be receiving letters regarding their employment status soon.
New Business:
2016-2017 Budget Information (16-46):
Mr. Spangler presented members of the board with copies of an initial budget worksheet to review. He noted that based on Alleghany’s decision about shared services the ETC and Alternative Education portions (3 categories) have been removed from the budget for next year. He noted that one change that was made to the budget was the movement of an additional $5,000 into the hardware/software category of the CTE budget in order to cover technology costs that might be encountered in the next year. Mr. Spangler also noted that the Adult Education category had been trimmed down. This budget worksheet does not include any step increases or raises for employees. It also does not account for insurance premium changes for next year. Mr. Clemons had a question about the significant difference in expenditures between the 2015-16 budget and the 2016-17 budget. Mr. Spangler noted that the majority of the changes in expenditures was due to the deletion of the ETC and Alternative Education sections of the budget. Mr. Kotulka asked if VPSA money is documented in the budget. Mr. Spangler responded that it was not reflected in the budget until it has been used. Mr. Kotulka asked if the VPSA money could be put into the technology budget, as opposed to the additional $5,000. He also asked if there was any other revenue that was not reflected in the budget. Mr. Spangler responded that there was not any other revenue that was not reflected in the budget, and he also mentioned that Perkins and Apprenticeship revenue amounts vary from year to year.
Computer Systems Technology Program (16-47):
Mr. Spangler asked the board if they had any thoughts about bringing back the Computer Systems Technology program. Mr. Tucker mentioned that from what he remembered it was a quality program when it was here. He wanted to know what other programs could possibly be added to JRTC, and whether or not younger students had been surveyed to find out the interest level in different possible programs. Mrs. Bennett wanted to know if there was a projected dollar amount if implementation of this program were to take place. Mr. Spangler responded that $85,000 would be the maximum dollar amount, that would include a top of the scale salary and benefits plus an expanded family plan on the insurance, so that was a worst case scenario cost. He noted that percentages for the school systems would be available by the end of the month. Mrs. Bennett wanted to know if the program would include networking. Mr. Spangler responded that CST works more with the inner workings of the computers, but that there is a networking program if the board would be interested in trying to introduce that instead of CST. There was discussion of an HVAC program and the possible projected costs for getting that program back at JRTC due to employer needs in the area. It was mentioned that Boy’s Home is in the process of implementing an HVAC program there and that upon state approval of instructors that would potentially be an option for JRTC students.
Web Site (16-48):
Mr. Lane mentioned that the JRTC website should be updated and made easier to use and designed to better market JRTC to prospective students. Mr. Wright mentioned a local website developer who would do a good job for a reasonable cost. Mr. Spangler asked that Mr. Wright give him the contact information for anyone who could possibly be helpful in the completion of this project. Mr. Lane noted that he would follow up that information.
Biennial Plan (16-49):
Mr. Spangler noted that he plans on developing a new biennial plan for next year.
Marketing of JRTC (16-50):
There was discussion of possible ways to better market JRTC. Mr. Clemons noted that the Center should be marketed not only to students, but the community, and especially parents as well. Mr. Clemons mentioned that he thinks it would be a good idea to hold an evening assembly and invite parents to come see a presentation about what is going on at JRTC and what programs are available for their children here. He also feels that extra promotion in the newspaper that would reach more members of the community would be helpful as well.
Pay Bills (16-51):
Mr. Lane reviewed the bills and moved that the bills in the amount of $33,234.89 be approved for payment. Mr. Garten seconded the motion, and the motion carried by unanimous aye vote.
Bills and salaries in the amount of $103,324.93 were also paid in accordance with approved salary and benefit schedules.
Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned 12:49 p.m. on motion by Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mr. Wright.
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Date Approved Clerk
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Chairman
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