By Tabitha Evans Moore
Editor & Publisher
LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — The Moore County Board of Education approved a package of budget amendments Monday evening that puts the school system in stronger financial shape than originally projected — and keeps the tax rate unchanged heading into the 2026-27 school year.
Director of Schools Chad Moorhead told board members that while revenues and expenditures both came in higher than budgeted for 2025-26, the increases were driven largely by state and federal grants — including innovative school models funding, pre-K grants, a summer camp grant, and a tutoring grant — rather than local tax dollars.
The result: the amount the system must draw from its fund balance has been cut nearly in half. The school system had originally budgeted to spend $544,724 from reserves this fiscal year. The amended figure stands at $246,201, leaving a projected June 30 fund balance of $1,157,574.
The director noted that roughly $273,000 in fast-growth funding and outcomes-based funding tied to prior-year test scores has not yet appeared in the revenue column, meaning the system expects to end the year adding to its fund balance rather than drawing it down further once the budget closes in July.
For 2026-27, the projected ending fund balance is budgeted at just over six percent of total expenditures — above the state-required minimum of three percent, though below the Comptroller’s office’s preferred floor of fifteen percent. Board member Kaleigh Hatfield asked whether the county had pushed back on the six-percent figure; the director said no objections had been received.
“The only increase included in our local revenues would be the growth on the penny’s worth. It’s the same tax rate as last year,” Director Moorehead said.
Board member Hatfield moved to approve all four budget items as a bundle — the 2025-26 budget amendment, the 2026-27 general purpose budget, the 2026-27 cafeteria budget, and the 2026-27 salary schedules. The motion carried unanimously. The board also separately approved the 2026-27 differentiated pay schedule, as required by state law, on a unanimous vote.
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OTHER ITEMS DISCUSSED
Memorial retractable flag approved for gymnasium
The board approved plans for the Moore County Hoops Club to purchase and install a retractable flag in the school gymnasium, to be funded entirely by the Hoops Club and a memorial contributions received by the family of Frank Fletcher at no cost to taxpayers.
Board member Hatfield, who abstained from the vote, explained that the Fletcher family received approximately $3,000 in donations following the death of Frank Fletcher, and that the family and Hoops Club chose to direct a portion of those funds toward the roughly $5,000 flag project. A commemorative plaque reading “In memory of Frank Fletcher” is also planned. Installation is expected to take place over the summer while school is not in session. The motion carried 4-0.
Personnel updates
The director reported two resignations since the May meeting: teacher assistant Denny Wise, who will conclude service after summer school, and bus driver Randy Nichols. Nichols will continue in a paid role as a trainer for new drivers but will not drive a route going forward. The director noted that Jonna Rogers, a former driver whose license had lapsed, has completed relicensing and will return, partially filling the vacancy. Postings for a full-time bus driver and teacher assistants were expected within days.
On the hiring side, James Carmack will join as a middle school teacher and is expected to move into a coaching role, with middle school baseball identified as the likely assignment. Logan Jean, currently teaching computer science at the elementary school, will take over as head coach of the middle school football team, succeeding Coach Buchanan.
The director also noted that Autumn Shrum has passed the required state test to enter a “grow your own” teaching program, which the system is working to finalize with the state department. If approved, that would fill the second Innovative School Models (HMI) classroom being created at the elementary school, leaving all certified teaching positions filled.
The director introduced Andy Giel, the school system’s newly hired high school principal, who was present at the meeting.
School safety grant funds bollards at elementary school
The school system received just under $17,000 through the state’s annual school safety grant. The funds are being used to install bollards along the drive and car rider loading and unloading area at the elementary school. The director noted the bollards had been placed and that painting was expected to begin imminently.
TSBA policy update tabled
The Tennessee School Boards Association’s annual recommended policy changes were on the agenda but had no action items. The director noted that in prior years, TSBA would send follow-up communications shortly after the agenda was posted; no such communication had arrived this cycle, leaving nothing to bring before the board. •
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