The Bradley County School Board voted Thursday night to appeal the liquor by the drink ruling that was in favor of the Cleveland Schools keeping all the funds.
After much discussion, the board passed the motion that they will, through Lawyer Jim Logan, appeal Chancellor Jerri S. Bryant’s decision to the Tennessee Court of Appeals.
“The thing that makes me make this decision is because I really feel that the taxes that we are talking about should be divided equally by every student in Bradley County and the Cleveland City,” director of district 7 Charlie Rose said.
Scott Bennett, Bradley County School Board attorney, said he feels that the appeal has at least a 50 percent chance of success. He said some $1 million is at stake.
Attorney Logan offered to refund the amount he was paid on an hour basis thus far and take the case on a contingency, though he said he did not think that was in the best interest of the schools. The motion as passed said he will be paid hourly and it will not exceed $20,000.
Attorney Logan said he expects the city to appeal to the state Supreme Court if the county gets the chancellor's ruling overturned. He said that might bring another $15,000 to $20,000 in legal costs.
Board member Nick Lillios said 98 percent of the citizens he represents live in the city. He said he felt the case involved "taking money from one pocket and putting it in another." He said he believes all parties should accept the decision of the local chancellor.
The board passed a motion to protest the findings of a BEP Review Committee that board member Dianna Calfee said called for dropping the funding formula ratio for such items as nurses and guidance counselors, professional development and technical support. She said it also called for larger class sizes.
Ms. Calfee said of the findings, "I was really alarmed." She said the panel apparently only met twice, and she said of its make-up, "I don't see people who are down there in the trenches."
Chairman Chris Turner said, “I’m looking at the list of participants, there is no one from our region on that exact committee, but how we have city directors of schools and deputy directors of schools and assistant superintendents participating in the committee and quite frankly I’m shocked,” Chairman Turner said.
Sarah Crispin gave an update on the new insurance policy and felt that it had been successful in the short time it was in effect.
“I think that it is quite successful,” Mrs. Crispin said. “I think it is an outstanding result for the month that was given to explain it.”
Mrs. Crispin felt that the upcoming year showed even more promise. Nicholas Lillios, director of district 3, felt that it was a stable insurance plan.
The 2016-2017 mock budget was presented for the school board. No motions were made it was only discussed. Chairman Turner felt that after the success of the budget last year, that one similar could have the same success.