By Jamie Gardner
The Appling County Board of Education met on May 31 at the Appling County High School Fine Arts Center to discuss the FY 2011 - 2012 budget. During the discussion Superintendent Scarlett Copeland and CFO Adrienne Taylor shared that since last year’s budget the board has made adjustments through attrition, transfers, and other cost-saving measures to make up for a deficit of $1,139,898.00. Taylor stated that at the current millage rate of 15 mills, the board would fall short of having a balanced budget in the amount of $413,733.84. Copeland recommended that board members consider reducing the work calendar schedule by seven days, which would result in saving the system approximately $473,000.00 and balance the budget. The cut would only apply to certified personnel, not classified and Pre-k teachers who have already experienced cuts last year and for this upcoming year. Copeland stated that they are trying to make cuts as evenly as possible.
Members continue to discuss budget
Board Member Scottie Ammons stated that he had reviewed the millage rate for the last 10 years and the school system has actually rolled back the millage compared to other counties in the area. Ammons also pointed out that in one budget year, a former board decided to roll back the millage while dipping into its reserves.
The board entered into a closed-door session at this point in the meeting to discuss litigation and personnel issues. After the meeting was reopened Board Attorney Alex Johnson stated that the board discussed personnel and active litigation.
The board approved personnel recommendations from Copeland. Copeland explained that when the staff recommendations for the upcoming school year were approved a few names were accidentally left out of the recommendation. The board approved the personnel for the upcoming school year.
Board members also approved a recommendation from Copeland to approve a resignation from Title I Director Dale Sellers. Randy Sellers abstained from the vote.
Before adjourning the meeting Board Member Randy Crawford asked if the board could continue the budget discussion. Ammons asked if the board could look at some other options.
Ammons stated that last year there were some cuts made to some personnel that were later given back. Board Member M. C. Barlow stated that Ammons was correct.
Taylor stated that after the cuts were made last year it was discovered that some of the personnel were needed for the entire twelve months of the year to pay expenses for the system, perform needed maintenance, etc.
Crawford asked if the supplements that were taken away from coaches last year had been restored and Copeland stated that the supplements had been added back in to 2011 - 2012 budget.
Ammons raised questions about reducing the work calendar schedule and questioned if this was furlough. Taylor explained that by reducing the work calendar the board would not have to pay retirement. She further stated that if the board selected to furlough teachers, the system still has to pay for retirement.
Ammons also asked if the energy savings was factored into the upcoming budget. It was reported that the energy savings at this point are unknown and had not been factored in to the 2011 - 2012 budget.
Copeland stated that a number of cuts had been made in the central office. She stated that there would not be an assistant special education position next year and added that the Title I and County Testing Coordinator positions would not be replaced but assumed by other central office staff. She also noted that a secretarial position and receptionist position had not been replaced.
Crawford stated that during a recent training session for the board, Georgia School Board Association representative Bill Sampson made a comment to the board that the recent referendum concerning the closure issue of Fourth District was vague. Crawford told Copeland that he wanted to make sure there was nothing out there lingering on that issue. Copeland stated that she was not aware of anything still lingering and also added that she did not know why Sampson made that comment.
The board entered into a closed-door session at this point in the meeting to discuss litigation and personnel issues. After the meeting was reopened Board Attorney Alex Johnson stated that the board discussed personnel and active litigation.
The board approved personnel recommendations from Copeland. Copeland explained that when the staff recommendations for the upcoming school year were approved a few names were accidentally left out of the recommendation. The board approved the personnel for the upcoming school year.
Board members also approved a recommendation from Copeland to approve a resignation from Title I Director Dale Sellers. Randy Sellers abstained from the vote.
Before adjourning the meeting Board Member Randy Crawford asked if the board could continue the budget discussion. Ammons asked if the board could look at some other options.
Ammons stated that last year there were some cuts made to some personnel that were later given back. Board Member M. C. Barlow stated that Ammons was correct.
Taylor stated that after the cuts were made last year it was discovered that some of the personnel were needed for the entire twelve months of the year to pay expenses for the system, perform needed maintenance, etc.
Crawford asked if the supplements that were taken away from coaches last year had been restored and Copeland stated that the supplements had been added back in to 2011 - 2012 budget.
Ammons raised questions about reducing the work calendar schedule and questioned if this was furlough. Taylor explained that by reducing the work calendar the board would not have to pay retirement. She further stated that if the board selected to furlough teachers, the system still has to pay for retirement.
Ammons also asked if the energy savings was factored into the upcoming budget. It was reported that the energy savings at this point are unknown and had not been factored in to the 2011 - 2012 budget.
Copeland stated that a number of cuts had been made in the central office. She stated that there would not be an assistant special education position next year and added that the Title I and County Testing Coordinator positions would not be replaced but assumed by other central office staff. She also noted that a secretarial position and receptionist position had not been replaced.
Crawford stated that during a recent training session for the board, Georgia School Board Association representative Bill Sampson made a comment to the board that the recent referendum concerning the closure issue of Fourth District was vague. Crawford told Copeland that he wanted to make sure there was nothing out there lingering on that issue. Copeland stated that she was not aware of anything still lingering and also added that she did not know why Sampson made that comment.
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