School board expects

county budget cuts
By Scott Nicholson

The Watauga County school budget has grown by an average of 8.5 percent a year over the last decade, but that run of increases could be threatened under the next county budget.

School officials met with the Watauga County Board of Commissioners last week to present the fiscal outlook and capital needs, acknowledging a tough economic climate but also applauding the county’s continuous commitment to education.

Schools superintendent Marty Hemric announced an expected decrease in state funding of up to 7 percent for the 2009-2010 school year, a reduction of about $1.8 million. “It could be 3 (percent), and we’re preparing for 7, and it would probably be 5,” Hemric said, noting the system could lose its allotment for third-grade teaching assistants.

Hemric said some school employees were worried about losing their jobs, but he said that would be the last budget option.

“We’re committed to keeping our people,” he said. “Our second major goal is to maintain the integrity of quality education in the classroom.”

Watauga County schools had to return $177,000 to the state this year because of budget cuts, though much of that was later offset by reallocation of lottery money. However, with lottery proceeds declining, there is discussion of the state’s moving that money to other budget areas. “The lottery funds are not a given,” Hemric said.

He said insurance premiums could rise by 150 percent, which would mean more out-of-pocket costs for employees. In expectation of shortfalls, the school system is preparing to promote energy conservation in the schools, since energy is the second-largest cost after employee salaries.

The system is also reducing travel expenses and stretching resources. Nearly 20 employees are expected to retire at the end of the school year, positions that will likely not be filled. Several positions were left open after the return of money this year.

Hemric said the budget planners were trying to reduce their requests to “absolute need.”

However, a plan is being developed if attrition isn’t enough and job cuts are required. The school system will not be requesting a budget increase this year, though it will be asking the county to continue funding about 140 local positions.

School board chairman Lowell Younce said the school system gets about $14 million from the county, $28 million from the state and $5 million from the federal government. “We try to be good stewards of the money,” Younce said. “We’re grateful for the support of the county commissioners, and not many counties are in the position we are in.”

Schools maintenance director Dennis Ray presented the list of school capital needs in the year ahead, sticking to the 10-year improvement plan that has been used both to anticipate funding needs and create a work schedule.

New ceiling tiles for Hardin Park Elementary School, originally scheduled for this year, will be postponed for another year to coincide with the installation of air conditioning there. Ray said installing the air conditioning would damage the ceiling tiles. Electrical upgrades for each of the schools will be staggered in the years ahead to prepare for the installation of air conditions.

Mabel and Blowing Rock elementary schools are scheduled for new roofs next year. Ray said the projects were ready is the $598,000 was available. He also presented options for metal roofs but acknowledged they were more expensive, though longer lasting.

A renovation to a kitchen at Bethel Elementary School next year will cost $121,000. Coming up in 2010-11 is the Hardin Park air conditioning, followed the year after with a new roof and air conditioning at Parkway Elementary School.

Commission chairman Jim Deal said, “We’re committed to the 10-year plan. It may become a 12-year plan.”

Last year, the county’s portion of the current-expense fund for school operations was $10.95 million, a 3.6 percent increase over the preceding year. The overall school budget, including school projects and capital reserve, increased 10 percent.