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Home My WebLink About09-07-2023 Fairhope Public Schools Commission Meeting MinutesFairhope Public Schools Commission September 7, 2023 Fairhope High School Members present: Paul Hannon, Joe Kelley, Carrie Mackey, Danielle Mashburn-Myrick, Shaunda Matthews, Hill Robinson, Miranda Schrubbe Members absent: Carrie McLemore Principals present: Christina Stacey, Kylee Henseler, Spencer Segrest - Fairhope East Elementary; Jenny Breazeale, Caroline Hollowell - Fairhope West Elementary; Tonya Harrelson, Brandon Clay, Kristie Davis – J. Larry Newton Elementary; Angie Hall – Fairhope Middle; Jon Cardwell, Mark Wilson – Fairhope High City of Fairhope: Mayor Sherry Sullivan, Corey Martin Baldwin County Public Schools: John Wilson – CFO; Cecil Christenberry – Board of Education; Jon Gray – Consultant Guests: Kara Mauntz (Gulf Coast Media), Gary Gover, Melanie Lecroy, Mike Lecroy, Carlton Spinks, Martin Myrick P. J. Hannon called the meeting to order and the June 7th minutes were approved. Funding Requests An amended funding request for $10,000 was brought by Jon Cardwell from Fairhope High for art department purchases of supplies and exhibi\on boards. This item is added to the previously approved request for Fairhope High’s ’23-’24 budget, to be funded with 3 mill money. P. J. Hannon made a mo@on to approve the request and the mo@on was seconded by Joe Kelley. Mo@on passed. An amended funding request was brought by Christina Stacey from Fairhope East Elementary. Added to the ’23-’24 budget requests that were approved in May and June is a request for $7,500 to purchase SPIRE materials --- county/state approved resource for dyslexia intervention, to be funded with 3 mill money. Ms. Stacey also asked that the amount requested previously for CLAS membership fees be corrected to be $1,200, but the request submitted and approved in June already reads “$1,200” for that item. Motion to approve request as presented was made by P. J. Hannon and seconded by Joe Kelley. Motion passed. School Separation Discussion John Wilson was invited to share information compiled from a recent analysis of the likely impact a separation of Fairhope schools from Baldwin County would have on funding and the 3 mill special tax district. • Approximately 40% of the existing Fairhope student enrollment resides outside the municipal limits of Fairhope (2,025 students). • The existing 3 mill revenue covers the feeder pattern consisting of many areas outside the city limits (Point Clear, Barnwell, etc.); if the city were to split it would dilute and reduce the 3-mill revenue from $3.5 million to $2.0 based on municipal limits and current valuations. • Revenue estimates based on an enrollment of 2,835 students along with debt payments and new construction reimbursement obligations would reduce the funding available per student to $10,423.78. • Baldwin County has approved a budget to spend $13,454 per student in Fairhope on instructional and operational needs for the 2023-2024 school year (not including debt and construction expense). • If Fairhope were to split, it would create a reduction of $3,030 per student compared to 2023-2024 budgeted expenditures. An additional 13 mills would have to be raised to match current funding levels (basically doubling property taxes). Jon Gray and Jon Cardwell shared additional information about other aspects of separation, such as demographic/social and academic impacts. There was robust discussion of pros and cons, and ultimately a return to the subject of raising the public’s awareness regarding the successes in the Fairhope schools and the gains being achieved with the support of the 3-mill funding. Commission Vacancies P. J. Hannon announced that Amy Foley has resigned from the commission; the vacancy will be posted and a new member will be appointed to serve the remainder of Amy’s term. Her first term would have ended December 31st. P.J. Hannon’s first term expires December 31st; he is eligible for re-election to a second term. Hill Robinson’s 2nd term expires December 31st and he is not eligible to serve another consecutive term. There being no new business, meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 4th at 4:30 p.m. at Fairhope West Elementary. Respeciully submijed by Miranda Schrubbe Ajendance YTD 1/11 2/1 3/1 4/26 5/17 6/7 9/7 Amy P P P P P P --- P.J. P P P P P A(E) P Joe P P P P P P P Carrie M. --- P P P P P P Danielle A(E) P A(E) P P P P Shaunda --- P P A(U) A(U) P P Carrie Mc. P P P P P A(E) A(E) Hill P P P A(E) P A(E) P Miranda P P P P P P P Amended Funding Requests from ____FHS____________________ Fairhope Public School Commission /3 Mill Referendum School Year: ____22-23___________ School Summary: Below are requests to the Commission for Fairhope Schools for the approximate $400,000 designated for improving academics. Title of Position/Item Cost Job Description Benefit to students/academic enhancement Art dept Line Item $10,000 N/A Ability to purchase art supplies and exhibition boards for exhibits and art projects. Attachment/additional data for: