Board talks budget, facilities
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on April 2, 2015 1:46 PM
The school board emerged from its Tuesday work session with two objectives -- asking the commission for an increase in funds and preparing the next facilities plan.
Funding cuts and reversions from the state have dominated the discussion for years, and the trend continues in such areas as instructional assistants and the driver's ed program.
Finance Officer Beverly Boltinhouse presented "what if" scenarios for the teacher assistants in the event the state does not fund the program next year.
One option mentioned was reducing their hours from seven and one-half hours a day to six and giving them the choice of driving a school bus the additional time.
Board members were divided on the topic -- some suggesting it could offset the possibility of layoffs and retain staff and benefits, while others were concerned about the disruption of the assistants being pulled from the classrooms.
The board also discussed using $75,000 remaining in the driver's ed budget to purchase two cars rather than lose the money when it reverts back to the state.
Board member Jennifer Strickland balked at the notion of being "forced to buy cars" while the state stalls on its decision of whether or not to continue funding driver's ed programs.
"Unfortunately, we're here today to make some decisions on things we don't know the outcome," Board Chairman Chris West said. "But we need to be aware that it may or may not happen."
The notion of unfunded mandates and pressing maintenance and construction needs prompted the board to debate the history of funding from its local sources.
Board member Dr. Dwight Cannon brought up the need for facilities in the southern end of the county, referencing a recent visit by a group pitching the idea of a multi-purpose building at Southern Wayne High School.
"I truly think this board should look at the next facilities plan," West said. "This board probably needs to start in the direction of adopting a new facilities plan list and start with Southern Wayne."
The district is currently nearly completion of projects from its previous facilities plan, he said, crafted in 2007.
Board member Arnold Flowers agreed, but was "waiting for the dust to settle" since so many projects are currently going on. Maintenance of the existing facilities is also an issue, he said.
"We have got money problems," West said. "We can't keep spending more than we've got. We have got to keep taking care of what we've got.
"I think it would be wise for us at some point to start on a facilities plan."
Board member Eddie Radford said he believed it is time to take a look at the southern end of the county.
Flowers recalled years past, when the commission gave the district a 5 percent increase to its budget every year.
"I think looking at our numbers, we need to ask for an increase," he said.
Dr. Sandra McCullen, interim superintendent, said she had been having conversations with County Manager George Wood about a fair way to work together on funding.
"It may not be 5 percent," she said. "It may not be realistic with the culture we have."
She said it had also been proposed for the two boards to meet together. The deadline for the district to submit its budget to the commission is May 15.
"I think we need to ask for an increase and I think we need to be specific about what it's for," Flowers said.
Board member Rick Pridgen, said he remembered his early days on the board, since 2002, when the commissioners had committed to the 5 percent increase. With the economic downturn, though, that had not been maintained in recent years.
"I don't think it's an unreasonable request to look at this," he said. "I know they have helped with the schools (construction) but for the most part we have used our own money to do that.
"I don't see it being an unreasonable request. I think we do need to let them know what it's for."
Mrs. McCullen said that Wood had mentioned receiving the district budget in another format. She said she planned to follow up with the county manager in anticipation of the approaching deadline.