Homebound teacher’s pay was doubled from $15 per hour to $30 per hour at the regular meeting of the Union County Board of Education last month. The pay per hour is the same as the teachers who tutor after school. The increase was necessary to provide services of three hours per week to students who have a medical reason for missing school for a short amount of time. According to UC Schools Director Greg Clay, the pay had not increased in several (at least 15) years. Increasing the homebound pay does not change the current or proposed budget since only about 30 percent of the line item has been used in the last four years.

Chairman Terry Washam asked that the extension of the director’s contract be postponed until May when Dr. Carter pointed out that the action needed 15 days’ notice. The item was removed from the April agenda and will be considered at the May 7 meeting.

Because of board action, the UCHS graduation will have an interpreter from the Knoxville Center for the Deaf who will use American Sign Language to interpret the program this May. In addition, a trip for NJROTC was approved. All budget amendments were approved to move lines as needed to complete the school year.

Clay reported on personnel and maintenance. Personnel saw one teacher resign and within one week a replacement was hired for that vacancy. Carpet in central office is being replaced on the first floor. An HVAC compressor at Big Ridge has been installed. CTE is purchasing heavy equipment toward implementing a new class. TCAT will have an open house and a signing day in May and is reviewing the possibility of a heavy equipment class. Concrete is being poured for the gym at the new HMMS. Carter requested that Clay check the cost of turf on the baseball and softball fields. The school will be ready to begin the move-in on July 7 after the furniture arrives on June 22.

Other discussion included a host of TSBA recommended policy revisions that were distributed for review. Also, coaches at the current HMMS requested summer pay but no action was taken by the board.

Finance Director Missy Brown discussed the proposed FY27 school budget. She noted that the Tennessee Virtual Academy funding was removed in order to determine the funding needed if the TNVA were not available. Contract negotiations were ongoing with K-12, who hosts the virtual academy. Rebecca Lock stated that Union County Schools should function on the state money without the money from TNVA. Director Clay commented that TNVA enabled the school system to accomplish many projects. Brown pointed to the $15M toward the new middle school as one of those projects. Clay also noted that $4M has been added to salary lines in the last four years due to state mandates.

When Jessica Buck asked if TNVA's enrollment will be capped, Clay explained that the kindergarten maximum would be 100 and the 1st through the 8th grades will not be allowed to enroll above their current enrollment so ultimately the total enrollment will be reduced. The budget will be discussed in a workshop on April 28 at UCHS at 6 p.m. A special called meeting on that same date will be held to consider the K-12 contract. Rebecca Lock also requested that the merit bonus pay, approved several months ago, be added to the budget. The total cost for merit pay bonuses will be $50,000. This pay will reward outstanding teachers for their performance in the classroom. The final budget will be reviewed for action on May 7.