City BOE to discuss Back-2-School Bash, budget Tuesday
Published 8:03 pm Friday, May 12, 2017
Success could be a bit of an understatement for the Elizabethton City Schools System’s inaugural Back-2-School Bash.
The ECS Board of Education will look at approving the 2017-19 purchase of backpacks and supplies in an amount not to exceed $16,000, 1,000 bags at $16 each, during their meeting on Tuesday, May 16.
The purchase will be made up from donations received from the Back-2-School Bash, which is scheduled to take place this year on Saturday, Aug. 5, at Citizens Bank Stadium from 10 a.m. to noon. ECS Public Relations Coordinator Bekah Price added the preparation for the second-ever event has been busy, but well worth it.
“We have currently raised about a quarter of the funds needed to provide 1,000 backpacks to students this year,” she said. “These are filled with age-appropriate school supplies and are free to students in grades K-12.”
The event is being planned by the education system, East River Park Christian Church, Elizabethton Police Department and the Carter County Health Department.
Price went on to add that sponsorship opportunities are available for churches, businesses, individuals and other entities looking to contribute.
“We hope the community will get behind this cause and sponsor the backpacks to benefit our local students,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if somebody donates $16 or $16,000, sponsors are recognized in the newspaper, billboard, ECS website and Facebook page. Sponsors also get recognized with a window cling.”
Sponsors that provide more than $1,000 have the opportunity to have their organization’s banner displayed at the stadium during the event.
The event, which is free to the public, will feature inflatables, live music, free haircuts, two EPD obstacle courses, door prizes and health/education resources available for families.
Any individuals or organizations looking to provide sponsorship or want to help during the event can contact Price either by email at bekah.price@ecschools.com or by calling the Central Office at (423) 547-8000.
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The BOE will look at approve the 17-18 school system budget on Tuesday. The estimated general fund budget for 17-18 is $22,551,6111, which is a $21,857 increase from the 16-17 amended budget. Federal projects’ fund dropped to $1,326,610 for the new budget while school nutrition program was bumped up by approximately $16,000 to $1,163,650. The reduction in the federal projects fund is from the loss of Title funding at the T.A. Dugger afterschool program changing to General Purpose funding, according to the school system.
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Other topics that will be discussed during the meeting include:
• A vote to approve an extension of a dual enrollment agreement between Northeast State and ECS from August 2017 to July 2018.