School board discusses budget progress

By Sarah Jane Rosser, Staff Writer

Thursday, May 8, 2008 May 07, 2008 01:56 pm

— Following a meeting with the Stanly County Commis-sioners Monday evening, Superintendent Dr. Samuel DePaul announced to school board members progress on the budget for 2008-2009 school year Tuesday night.
Due to the $400,000 deficit in last year’s budget, many cuts were made in staff development, central office operations, summer school, copying, district-wide equipment and instructional supplies last year. The proposed budget for the 2008-2009 school year is short approximately $650,000.
“Technically, one could deduct that there is a one million dollar plus shortfall in the 2008-2009 school budget,” DePaul stated to the commissioners Monday evening.
DePaul informed board members that he spoke at the meeting, however, no decision was made nor was a question and answer session conducted.
“It was just for information purposes,” he added.
Revenues from the proposed sales tax referendum could have helped the school system obtain funds, however, the referendum in Tuesday night’s primary did not pass.
“My point is, we are continuing to do our part,” DePaul stated.
Increases in the proposed budget include proposed state benefits, salary increases, instructional equipment, supplies and an increase in teacher supplements of $77,000 since it has been several years since an increase was implemented.
In other business, board members:
• Recognized middle school students who scored high enough on the SAT and ACT tests to be recognized by the Duke University Talent Identification Program;
• Recognized West Stanly High School athletic teams who carried high Grade Point Averages (GPA). The baseball and basketball teams were recognized for a 3.73 and 3.52 unweighted respectively;
• Recognized South Stanly High School for receiving the Star Award for being the most successful school in the district;
• Recognized Running Creek Elementary School for obtaining the Triple S Safety Award. Running Creek is the only school in Stanly County to receive this honor;
• Watched a presentation by Ben Davis of Albemarle High School which was prepared by his earth science class as a computer generated video on ice wedging;
• Passed a motion to approve the use of alternate text contingent upon approval of the schools’ development team and to continue using the most up to date text books for classes;
• Passed on final reading a change to policy 4190 which will allow the superintendent to approve certain fundraisers, such as Hoops for Hearts and the like, in order to keep school officials from having to obtain board approval;
• Placed policy 3095 on the table for 30 days, which included an addition that any teacher assistant who works with Severe and Profound Exceptional Children may be exempt from driving a bus as long as the person is working in that area. The exemption does not preclude anyone working in this Exceptional Children category from getting and maintaining a license if the employee desires;
• Placed policy 6030 on the table for an additional 30 days after disagreements on the progression of the issue. After striking the statement that states children and parents will be separated from the normal eating environment if fast food is brought in its packaging, the board came to the consensus that the policy should not yet be voted on.
“This is not something that happens on a daily basis,” board member Robin Whittaker said.
“It sounds to me that the changes we have made are from what we have heard from the community.”
An updated health and wellness policy is on the Stanly County Schools Web site at www.scs.k12.nc.us;
• Approved a change order for East Albemarle Elementary School for construction purposes in the amount of $3,814 to finish up the project by June 6;
• Voted against a recommendation for two summer maintenance teams by Finance and Auxiliary Director Bill Josey after a debate on who should receive the positions.
Board member Vicky Watson stated that she likes the program, however, she thinks some of the children who received a spot on the maintenance teams don’t need the money like other students do. Vice Chairperson Anita Owens-Scott also agreed.
The motion failed with board members Melvin Poole, who joined in via speaker phone, Jean Honeycutt and Chris Whitley in favor of the motion and board members Jeff Chance, Watson, Owens-Scott and Mike Barbee against. Whittaker obstained from the vote due to her child being selected for a spot on the maintenance team; and
• Heard from parent Michael Palmer in regards to the School Improvement Teams (SIT) in Stanly County.
Palmer said he has attended some of their meetings at his son’s school and has studied extensively its past operation.
“Although some positive things have taken place this year due to the decisions made by our SIT, there has also been some serious problems,” he said.
Palmer said there have been numerous violations of general statue, Department of Public Instruction (DPI) policy and the Board of Education policy that deal with public records, open meeting laws and records keeping.
Assistant Superintendent Terry Griffin said the administration has followed the book in regards to SIT. Even though they are not able to follow the teams every step of the way, Griffin said they stay on top of it as much as they can.
The next meeting will be June 3 in the Stanly Commons Meeting Room.

Sarah Jane Rosser can be contacted at snaponline26@carolina.rr.com