Aside from a recent dip in sales tax money revenue, the Jackson County School System’s finances are on sound footing with two-thirds of the year in the books.
The system is out-pacing its fund balance total from last year by $450,000 and is on target to finish at $4.8 million in the black.
One plus is that the system is collecting its property tax revenue at a faster rate this year over last year, having already taken in 73 percent of its budgeted total with 67 percent of the year complete.
Furthermore, the system is on target with regard to its overall expenses. In fact, it has only spent 65 percent of the budgeted total for instruction.
“This is approximately $600,000 below budget,” Hitzges said.
Recent SPLOST receipts aren’t as positive, however, bottoming out at a two-year low at just $426,657 in January.
The slumping SPLOST collections are worrisome for system leaders — the $426,657 total was $135,109 less than the previous month — but superintendent April Howard highlighted the bigger financial picture.
“We should celebrate the fact that the economy is by all indications coming around,” she said, pointing to an uptick in county retail development that should positively impact sales tax revenue for the schools.
For the full story, see the March 16 issue of The Jackson Herald.
After a week of speculation and widespread rumors that he would be stepping down, John Green has resigned as superintendent of the Jackson County School System at a called BOE meting Wednesday night.
More than 100 people, many teachers and staff members, attended the regular monthly meeting of the Jackson County Board of Education Monday night expecting Green to resign. He did not and the issue was not addressed. A three-hour closed session was held Monday, but it was reportedly to discuss a student disciplinary appeal.
At a called meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, the BOE voted to accept Green’s resignation. The action came after a 15-minute closed session to discuss personnel. BOE member Michael Cronic made the motion to accept Green’s resignation and it passed unanimously. There was no discussion or explanation given for his resignation. One reporter was the only one in attendance at this called meeting.
Green said after the meeting that his resignation was related to retirement benefits.
Green also wrote that the system is in better shape than when he took over as superintendent.
The resignation is effective as of May 16. Dr. Green agreed to assist with the transition through June 30.