Supt. Johnny McDaniel presented the Bradley County school board's budget for the upcoming school year to the County Commission, saying, "The objective of our budget is to provide every child in the Bradley County schools with the best possible education."
He described several improvements to the schools including a new special education bus and technology upgrades.
However, eight teaching positions have been cut, with some cuts due to retirement.
It was pointed out that retirement costs and medical insurance costs continue to rise.
Commissioner Jeff Yarber expressed concerns at the meeting that drainage issues in his district were not being fixed.
He said, "As a commissioner, this is a pretty big issue for the people in my district."
Commissioner Mel Griffith said the earliest anything could be addressed was July 8. However, Commissioner Yarber said many people had been dealing with drainage problems and flooding for over a month.
Cleveland resident Dan Rawls spoke at the end of the meeting concerning a grant previously accepted by the commission. The grant was won by the Bradley County Department of Education in a very competitive process. The money is to fund programs that teach job skills training in high school.
Mr. Rawls said, "I think once again we need to look at the implications of any federal money we take."
He said he had been trying for weeks to see a copy of the grant so that he could read the specific stipulations. However, he said, "Most of my efforts have been thwarted to get that copy."
He said, "I'm going to pursue this, even if I have to go to Chancery Court."
The commission meets again next Monday at noon.