Shelby County School Board to discuss budget, academic and operational expenses

The Shelby County Schools board will discuss a proposal to put contentious budget cuts to rest Tuesday.

Other items on the agenda include whether to pay for 42 registered nurses this fall and reviewing a contract to provide laptop computers to students at 16 of its neediest schools.

More than $240 million was cut from Shelby County Schools budget.  The cuts impact every department including world language programs, transportation and alternative schools.

The board will vote on a resolution that states the 2014-15 budget has now been given to the county commission to approve.

Board members will also review a contract with Well Child for more than $1.7 million to provide school nurses.   Well Child is the largest school health provider in Tennessee. If the measure isn’t approved, the district could be out of state compliance for the state’s required nurse-to student ratio.

Board members will also review the $3.7 million contract to lease computers for the blended learning program for the 16 schools selected to participate.  The cost per students is $420.18 for the 13,000 students impacted.

Students involved in the blended learning program are expected to score an average of 10 points higher on online assessments than those students not involved and using traditional methods of instruction. Blended learning offers an online curriculum as well as in-class instruction.  Students use laptop computers in the classroom and also at home so they can continue learning.

View the entire agenda here.  The agenda items will be voted on during the board’s business meeting on June 24.

Tuesday’s meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Shelby County Board of Education, 160 S. Hollywood St.

Contact Tajuana Cheshier at tcheshier@chalkbeat.org and (901) 730-4013.

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