During a special called meeting Thursday, July 28, the Cherokee County Board of Education unanimously approved the terms and conditions set forth by the Cherokee County Commission to levy a one-cent sales tax which allow the Cherokee County Career and Technology Center to remain open and will fund other needs within the school system.

“Before I make a recommendation, I would like to read this proposal and we will have time for a discussion if need be,” said Brian Johnson, superintendent, Cherokee County Schools.

“The proposal is contingent on the Cherokee County Commission approving a temporary privilege, license or excise tax for educational purposes pursuant to Alabama Code 40-12-4 through 40-12-7,” said Johnson.

“The board of education agrees that during the this tax whether by vote by the Cherokee county commission or referendum vote of the qualified electors of the county to the following:”

-“The board will be able to keep Cherokee County Career and Technology Center open for the 2011-2012 school year and will include all career tech programs taught 2010-2011 except art.”

“And therefore as long as the board continues to receive revenue from the temporary privilege, license or excise tax set forth in the opening paragraph”

Other requirements, Johnson said are as follows:

-To restore 10 teachers county wide. Some of these teachers will be shared by schools, as needed.

-The board of education agrees that the revenue from this tax will be sufficient to cover the actual expenses incurred by the superintendent and his assistants for which the county commission is liable for the current fiscal year under Alabama Code 16-9-24 and for any year that the board of education receives revenue from this tax.

-Agree that the county commission does not owe the board of education any funds under 16-9-24 for the current or prior fiscal years.

-The board agrees to release the county commission from any funds claimed by the board for the current or prior years.

-The board will have a board meeting at each school in the county.

-If the schools make a request from the board of education to request discretionary expenditures, the board agrees that they will act on the school’s request in a timely manner but no later than 30 days after the request is made by the schools.

-Any request by the board of education to the commission for such discretionary expenditures shall be accompanied by a statement from the board of education that the expenditure is a legitimate educational purpose and proper expenditures of public funds.

“It is also understood that any tax which may be assessed will take at least 30 days to begin collection for such tax,” said Johnson.

“Upon the passage of the aforementioned temporary one-cent sales tax the board of education agrees to execute and release all claims brought by the board as prepared by the attorney for the county commission.”

“The board of education further agrees to dismiss the lawsuit that the Cherokee County Commission with prejudice to enter into a joint stipulation for dismissal of this case with prejudice.”

“As that is presented as a proposal to the board of education, Item 4, Mr. Chairman, I would like to recommend that the Cherokee County Board of Education enter into an agreement with the Cherokee County Commission for the proposal as read and represented tonight,” said Johnson.

The board unanimously approved the agreement.

Johnson said there would be a special called board meeting Monday, Aug. 1, to consider rescinding some of the transfers and termination of the Reduction in Force policy.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 2, at 6 p.m., at the central office.