BC 2004 06 07 RECESSED - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 7, 2004 Page 486 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in recessed session in the Multipurpose Room at the Cabarrus County Governmental Center in Concord, North Carolina on Monday, June 7, 2004, at 6:00 p.m. Present - Chairman: Robert M. Freeman Vice Chairman: Richard D. Suggs Commissioners: Carolyn B. Carpenter Robert W. Carruth Coy C. Privette Also present were John D. Day, County Manager; Marilyn D. Porter, County Attorney; Mike Downs, Deputy County Manager; Pam Dubois, Deputy County Manager; Cathie K. Straub, Budget Officer; Don Cummings, Human Resources Director; Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board; and Kay Honeycutt, Deputy Clerk to the Board. Chairman Freeman called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Chairman Freeman requested a moment of silence in remembrance of former President Ronald Reagan. Commissioner Privette gave the invocation. Cabarrus County Schools Chairman Freeman welcomed the Cabarrus County Board of Education to the meeting. Present were Chair Liz Poole and Members Wayne Williams, Cindy Fertenbaugh, Don Hoyle, Grace Mynatt and Lynn Shue. Also present were Dr. Harold Winkler, School Superintendent; Gene Jordan, Finance Director; and Jeanette Trexler, Secretary. Commissioner Privette said in 1975 the General Assembly enacted the School Budget Control Act which delineated responsibility for school funding. He read the following excerpt from the Public School Forum on Local School Financing: "To ensure a quality education for every child in North Carolina and to ensure that the necessary resources are provided, it's the policy of the State of North Carolina to provide from State revenue sources the instructional expenses for current operations of the public school system as defined in the standard course of study. It is the policy of the State of North Carolina that the facility requirements for a public education system will be met by county governments." Commissioner Privette questioned the use of County funding to pay for instructional purposes (including salary and benefits for 19 assistant principals and 90 teachers) when it is the State's responsibility. Dr. Winkler said the County had been paying for a number of assistant principals and teachers since 1991, amounting to about three percent of the current Schools budget. He explained the State mandates such things as class size, technology, etc., but does not provide sufficient funding for those items. He suggested that boards of education and boards of commissioners across North Carolina unite and hold the State accountable for the funding it should be providing. However, Dr. Winkler pointed out it would take time to correct the problem and shift the funding burden back to the State. Commissioner Privette suggested a joint resolution by all school boards and boards of commissioners across North Carolina urging the State to provide instructional expenses as required by State law. Dr. winkler commented on the proposed Schools budget and the recent work with County staff and the Community Committee on Education Capital Planning and Financing. Stating the budget Mr. Day is recommending is not what the Schools would like but recognizing the current economic times, Dr. Winkler encouraged the Board to approve that budget. He did request that the capital funds be released to the Schools as soon as possible with the County to recoup those funds when the bank (former First Union Bank Building) is sold. Mr. Day advised that that it was his understanding that those funds would be released to the Schools. Several Board of Education members urged the Board not to cut school funding. They cited budget reductions in recent years and the ultimate impact on the children if additional cuts are made.