BC 1994 06 13 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

140 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in recessed session in the Multi-Purpose Room at the Cabarrus County Governmental Center in Concord, North Carolina on Monday, June 13, 1994, at 7:00 P.M. Present - Chairman: Jeffrey L. Barnhart Vice-Chairman: Carolyn B. Carpenter Commissioners: Sue B. Casper Arne L. Fennel Kenneth F. Payne Also present were Mr. John V. Witherspoon, County Manager; Mr. John Day, Budget Officer; and Mrs. Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board. Chairman Barnhart called the meeting to order at 7:15 P.M. He recognized the Cabarrus County Board of Education members who were meeting in joint session with the Board of Commissioners. Mrs. Betty Alston, Chairman of the Board of Education, welcomed the Board of Commissioners and expressed appreciation to them for meeting with the School Board. Present were members Harold Hartsell, Kaye Amos, Grace Mynatt, Lewis Williams, Gary Hahn, and Don Hoyle. Other School officials in attendance included Dr. Dan Freeman, Superintendent; Mr. Paul Lentz, Assistant Superintendent; Mr. Gene Jordan, Finance Director; and Ms. Jeannette Trexler, Secretary. There was general discussion by the members of the two boards relative to school funding, facility needs and the possible merger of the Cabarrus County Schools and the Kannapolis City Schools. Members of both Boards generally agreed that it would be beneficial for the Board of Commissioners and the two school boards to meet jointly on a periodic basis throughout the year. School Funding - Current Expense Dr. Freeman, along with School Board members and staff, responded to questions regarding the Schools budgetary process and funding needs. These questions related to such matters as the amount of funds spent in the classroom, the alleged lack of textbooks, increased utility and maintenance costs, funding for the Home Start and Kids Plus programs, the possible use of volunteers to provide computer training to teachers and students, and the "chill out" personnel who work with disruptive students. School Board members indicated that a large percentage of the $756.00 per pupil expenditure is spent in the classroom. However, specific figures were unavailable and will be provided to the Board at a later date. In regards to textbook availability, Dr. Freeman advised that there were no places without textbooks that did not choose to be without textbooks. He explained that teachers have the option to acquire supplemental education material for their students in lieu of regular textbooks. Also, Mr. Jordan explained that the increase in utilities cost was a result of the severe winter and the growing number of mobile classrooms throughout the County system. Chairman Barnhart distributed a chart showing an increase in current expense funding at a greater rate than the average daily membership (ADM). While student population increased 10.53 percent over the past five years, current expense funding increased by 57.8 percent. School Facility Needs Chairman Barnhart reviewed the "Cabarrus County Public Education Facility Needs, Action Plan for Resolution" as presented on June 10 to the Board of Commissioners. To provide a short-term solution, this Plan included a two-cent (2¢) tax increase to be designated for debt service to build a new school in the most critical area to meet capacity needs. He explained that the sign-off provision had been included in order for the Board of Commissioners to assist with the process by working in conjunction with.the School Board and to release the amount of funds needed for a specific project. Mrs. Mynatt, Chairman of the Schools Facilities Committee, commended Chairman Barnhart's plan to assist the Schools in providing needed facilities and to build broad based support in the community. However, she pointed out that the