BC 2001 05 22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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107 agreement with the Cabarrus County Schools. He reported a major portion of the recommended current expense funding would be needed for increased insurance and utility costs. Without the requested increase in current expense funding, Dr. Tyson said the Schools would not be able to provide such expansion budget items as mobile classrooms, school resource officer at the middle school and additional locally funded teachers. Also, he discussed the request for capital outlay funds of approximately $22 million for a new middle school and other school construction. Finally, he asked the Board to consider increasing the education portion of the proposed Cabarrus County budget. Mr. Clifton reported that the architectural firm employed by the County to do a facility assessment of three schools had found the old Aycock Elementary School beyond repair. The Board of Education plans to sell the facility; however, the Commissioners have not yet been requested to officially approve the sale. Chairman Fennel questioned the possibility of other areas that Kannapolis City Schools and the Cabarrus County Schools could work together to consolidate costs and improve efficiency. Dr. Tyson reported the two school systems currently work together in such areas as workforce development and bus maintenance operations. He indicated a willingness to look at other opportunities for the two systems to work together. There was discussion about the need for a new middle school and participation by Rowan County in funding the school construction costs. Approximately one-fourth of the students in the Kannapolis City School district live in Rowan County. It was generally agreed that Board members should meet with Rowan County officials in July to discuss the construction needs for Kannapolis Schools. Cabarrus County Schools Recommended funding as included in the proposed FY 2002 Cabarrus county Budget for the Cabarrus County Schools was as follows: FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2002 · ACTUAL BUDGET REQUESTED RECOMMENDED ADM Funding 15,336,216 17,362,345 20,322,345 19,033,146 BUilding Maintenance 2,600,065 3,478,002 4,432,500 3,723,004 Funding Grounds Maintenance 700,866 782,644 1,022,000 746,155 Funding Capital Outlay 4,613,225 8,006,094 1,500,000 1,423,995 The following members of the Cabarrus County Board of Education were present for the meeting: Chair Cindy Fertenbaugh and Members Liz Poole, Gary Hahn, Don Hoyle, Grace Mynatt, Lynn Shue and Wayne Williams. Also present were Dr. Harold Winkler, County Schools Superintendent; Gene Jordan, Finance Director; Kelly Kluttz, Assistant Finance Director; and Jeanette Trexler. Dr. Winkler expressed appreciation for the County's funding of new schools through the issuance of Certificates of Participation. In the event of funding shortfalls, he stated the Schools need· the flexibility of determining how best to use funds that are allocated to them, specifically the ability to move capital funds and/or ground maintenance funds into operating funds. Dr. Winkler discussed the following major impacts on the Schools budget: potential funding cuts by the General; Assembly; increasing fuel costs; the opening of the new high school in 2001; and the opening of three new schools in 2002-03. He stated the County Schools would not be able to move into the expansion items of its operating budget without the requested increase in funding. School Board Chair Fertenbaugh briefly discussed the Schools priority budget plan. She pointed out that a number of items such as increasing the number of "English as a Second Language" teachers and school resource officers are based on a multi-year plan. Mr. Clifton objected to the Schools moving funds from maintenance to operations. He stressed the importance of maintaining school facilities. Mr. Jordan addressed funding issues associated with the opening of the new high school this year and the three new schools that will open next year.