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State plans to cut school budget
BY GEOFF COX • STAFF WRITER
MONTEREY - The Highland County School Board was given a sharp welcome to the job Monday as superintendent Gary Blair detailed state plans to cut about $100,000 in education grants to the county.
The cuts are part of an across-the-board reduction to education money proposed for the state 2008-10 budget by elected officials in Richmond. Budget reductions being kicked around the capital range from $28,000 in the House plan to totals closer to $115,000 in the Senate and Governor's plans, according to Blair.
The budget has yet to be agreed upon but any way you slice it, localities "are still looking at reductions," said Blair. "We knew there would be some adjustments; (We) didn't know the knife would cut that deep."
With the new information, the school board took a hard look at the proposed budget. A preliminary budget by Blair had already been completed under the assumption funding would remain steady. As it stands, the budget for 2008-09 was to increase by 9 percent, from $4,338,998 (2007-08) to $4,724,974 - an increase of $385,9076.
Increases to the proposed budget include a 2 percent salary increase plus a step for teachers. Blair said the Highland County Education Association requested a 5 percent increase. "I thought we could do two," he said.
The lion's share of the proposed budget increase will go toward rising costs in health insurance and retirement benefits. Overall, medical insurance jumped 14 percent. "We're looking at other carriers," said Blair, noting changing insurance is increasing tricky these days.
Operations and maintenance is scheduled for a 12 percent increase, largely due to the rising costs of utilities.
School board member John Moyers Jr. asked if the proposed budget increase of $10,000 more for 2008-09 would be sufficient for fuel. "I'm planning for diesel to hit $4 a gallon by summer," he said.
Another substantial increase to the 2008-09 budget is $107,590 for facilities upgrades, including lights for the gym and other small building projects. Blair said the amount barely scratched the surface of the work needed for the school complex.
Elementary school principal Teresa Blum said two facility needs for the elementary school have yet to be addressed. One is restroom facilities to serve the gym area and the other is a new kiln. "It's pretty much a fire hazard," Blum said.
"Tough year to do it," said board member Kirk Billingsley.
Blair told the board that 72 percent of the budget is for personnel and it should logically be looked at first since it is the largest expense. "I'm not in favor of cutting any programs or services," Blair said. "Most things can't be cut," he added, noting the school system runs on a pretty tight budget anyway.
Blair said there are several positions he would like to have filled but simply did not have money for - a school nurse, school psychiatrist, and a technology advisor. "I think there is a real need for a nurse," he said.
Blair said he will present the superintendent's finalized budget to the school board March 3, and suggested a meeting with supervisors later to discuss the options. Board members agreed. Jim Blagg suggested preparing a line item list of facility improvements to take with them. Billingsley said he would look into refinancing bonds held by the school for a lower interest rate.
A budget workshop will be held by the board on March 13, at 6:30 p.m. On March 19 at 7 p.m. there will be a public hearing after which the board will be at liberty to approve the budget. If necessary a meeting will be held on March 26 to vote and approve the budget for submission to supervisors.
No date has been set yet to meet with supervisors for a joint work session. The approved budget will be submitted by the school board on April 1.
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