Plaques at new schools debated
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on June 2, 2015 1:46 PM
The Wayne County Board of Education continued its 4-3 vote division Monday night, changing up the split on two topics -- seeking a new auditor and whose names will go on plaques at the district's two newest schools.
School board member Arnold Flowers pulled out one line item for discussion under contracts slated for approval -- $40,000 to Carr, Riggs and Ingram CPAs for the year-end audit.
This is the third year in a three-year contract, he said, but the local firm has handled the district account for an undetermined number of years. Board member Rick Pridgen said the same company had done the books at least since he joined the board, in 2002.
Board Chairman Chris West said it was "unheard of" to have the same auditor for this length of time.
"I have checked with several people in different school districts," West said. "Some people suggest every three years, but they definitely suggest every five years to have a different set of eyes looking at it."
With a new finance officer hired last year and a new superintendent coming on board July 1, the timing is right to investigate changing the auditor, several said.
"No disrespect to that firm," Flowers said. "The motion is that we give the contract to our attorney and see if we're obligated to pay them. I would like to consider rebidding for the next fiscal year, which is 2015-16."
If the current contract is not financially binding, he said he would like to pursue bids from other companies.
Board member Eddie Radford said he was more concerned about the fact that Carr, Riggs and Ingram has contractually agreed to do the audit in the next few weeks.
"This is June 1. Our (fiscal) year doesn't end until June 30," Flowers said. "They cannot do the audit prior to the year end. The audit's going to happen sometime from then until Christmas."
Put to a vote, the motion passed 4-3, with Radford, Cannon and Pat Burden in opposition.
With the completion of two middle schools wrapping up this summer, the board debated whose names should go on the dedication plaques.
Flowers recommended including past and present board members, superintendents and county commissioners who had played a role in the projects.
Board member Jennifer Strickland said she knew "it was a topic that nobody really wanted to talk about" but felt it should be limited to the current sitting board at the time of project completion.
Ms. Burden said she had been on the receiving end of such a situation, where a successor received an award for work that she had done.
"I wouldn't like it," she said. "You can take my name off and put (the late board member) Thelma Smith, because I'm standing here at the time they dedicate those two buildings.
"The work was done before I got here. I followed through as best I could. I think those people should be recognized."
Mrs. Strickland said her suggestion was in line with what she has seen on other government buildings, adding that the size of the plaque, 20-by-20 inches, also should be factored in.
Cannon said he believed that names like interim superintendent Dr. Sandra McCullen and former superintendent Dr. Stephen Taylor should be included, prompting others to mention key players like the former board chairman, John Grantham and others who were instrumental in the 2007 facilities plan.
The idea of a second plaque was bandied about, with Mrs. Strickland saying they could still pay tribute and "make everybody happy."
Pridgen said he felt like all names should appear on one plaque.
"I feel like our superintendents, all three of them, (Taylor, McCullen and newly appointed superintendent Dr. Michael Dunsmore) should be on one plaque," he said. "If you don't put Dr. Taylor and Dr. McCullen on it, you can take my name off."
Flowers made a motion to have one plaque.
Pridgen, Cannon and Ms. Burden voted in favor of that, while West, Radford and Mrs. Strickland were opposed. Since Flowers did not vote, it counted as a yes.
"We've got one plaque," Cannon said.
Radford said he felt the board "has gone in the wrong direction." He said that having all the names on one plaque would be difficult to read.
Flowers made a motion that names of everyone involved be included, resulting in another 4-3 split, with Cannon, Pridgen, Flowers and Burden carrying the vote.