JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Discussion pertaining to an Innovative School Models (ISM) grant for the county’s Board of Education, in addition to budget reclassification of both salaries and benefits for school staff, commenced during this month’s annual public meeting.
While budget amendments for the Board of Education were being shared, Director of Marion County Schools Mark Griffith stated how the BoE received approval for an ISM grant from the state of Tennessee. The ISM grant originated from both Governor Bill Lee and the state General Assembly investing over $500 million dollars into the ISM program for Tennessee, which aims towards expanding curricular opportunities for students seeking growth in both college and career ethics. During the recent public meeting, Dr. Griffith specified the grant will be utilized to fund all career and technical education throughout all public schools in the county. The funds would go towards class supplies and software.
Additionally, Griffith requested for the board’s approval to have key elements of the BoE’s budget be reclassified to specify staff salary and benefits be placed under a specific account, so long as the changes do not affect the general Maintenance of Effort (MOE) agreement for neither Boards. Commissioner Steven Franklin questioned Dr. Griffith as to what $623,000 in given charges are for regarding the ISM grant. Dr. Griffith answered Franklin’s concern by explaining how the charge relates to various items and supplies going towards each given class.
“This is just things that we’re doing, with money from the state that we’re putting into the classrooms,” said Griffith.
Griffith’s overall reports has been given the thumbs up by all members of the County Commission. The ISM grant received the Board’s full support, while the requested changes to the BoE’s budget are to be officially be made and fulfilled.
