April 16 Joint Session
Joint Session with the Board of Education
April 16, 2012 1
PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APRIL 16, 2012 MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Jimmy B. Clayton Heidi York, County Manager
Kyle W. Puryear C. Ronald Aycock, County Attorney B. Ray Jeffers Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
Samuel R. Kennington
Frances P. Blalock
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in recessed session on Monday, April 16, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of a special joint meeting with the Board of Education in the County Auditorium.
In attendance representing Person County was Chairman Clayton, and
Commissioners Kennington, Jeffers and Blalock. County Manager, Heidi York, Finance Director, Amy Wehrenberg and Clerk to the Board, Brenda Reaves were also present. Vice Chairman Puryear was absent until 6:33 p.m.
In attendance representing the Board of Education was School Board Chairman,
Gordon Powell, Vice-Chairman Jimmy Wilkins, and members Margaret Bradsher and Pecolia Beatty. Superintendent, Dr. Larry Cartner, Executive Assistant, Teresa Shotwell,
Finance Officer, Julie Masten, Executive Director for Human Resources & Operations,
Dan Holloman, and Executive Director for Program Services PK-14, Marionette Jeffers
were also present. School Board member Ronnie King was absent until 6:41 p.m.
Chairman Clayton called the meeting to order and welcomed the group.
OVERVIEW OF THE PERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS’ BUDGET REQUEST:
School Board Chairman Powell opened with comments requesting the Board of Commissioner’s support noting the last three fiscal year budgets were held flat, noting
state reversions have eliminated jobs causing the effect on personnel to be 149 less staff
than four years ago. School Board Chairman Powell stated education is listed as a
priority in four of the five goals of the Person County Future’s Plan.
School Board Vice Chairman Wilkins told the Board that Person County Schools
is the largest employer in the county noting the state cuts have deceased professional
development and instructional supplies. School Board Vice Chairman Wilkins stated the
2% increase in the School’s Budget request is to give all staff a 2% increase in
supplemental pay. Vice Chairman Wilkins confirmed that the one-time federal funding received in 2010-2011 in the amount of $500,000 has been eliminated. The 6.5 teachers
employed were made aware the funding was for one-year only. Dr. Cartner added the
federal funding was dispersed in two allotments to which teachers were retained the first
year and the proceeds the second year was part of the state reversion.
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April 16, 2012 2
School Board Member Bradsher told the group that the Schools elimination of
jobs added to the county’s unemployment rate, noting cuts in text book funding while test
scores were holding the same level with slight improvement, further noting the effort to
reduce the drop out rate without staff receiving any pay increase in the last four years. School Board Member Beatty asked if the cuts by schools were comparable to the
county departmental cuts. Commissioner Jeffers responded that county departments have
had cuts noting the county’s overall budget has been cut by $7 million during his term on
the board.
Dr. Larry Cartner, Superintendent for Person County Schools presented the Board
of Commissioners with their 2012-2013 Budget Summary. Highlights of the 2012-2013
Budget Summary include:
Local (includes fines and forfeitures)
State Federal Total
2011-2012 $9,821,567 $27,114,360 $4,515,457 $41,451,384
2012-2013 $10,198,989 $27,075,358 $3,685,767 $40,960,114
Dr. Cartner stated the State Reversion for 2011-2012 is $1,446,879 and
$1,696,718 in 2012-2013. The following worksheet outlines the impacts due to the
reversions.
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April 16, 2012 3
Joint Session with the Board of Education
April 16, 2012 4
Dr. Cartner stated the Board of Education is requesting a local current expense
budget of $10,112,816 with a projected ADM of 4817students allocating $1,773 per
pupil. The requested amount reflects $1,251,249 over the current fiscal year
appropriation of $8,861,567.
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April 16, 2012 5
Following is the local current expense summary noting the summary of increases:
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April 16, 2012 6
Following is the Local Current Expense Request Personnel Budget for FY2012-
2013:
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April 16, 2012 7
OVERVIEW OF CAPITAL PROJECTS FUNDING: Heidi York, County Manager and Amy Wehrenberg, Finance Director gave the
group an overview of the Person County Capital Improvement Plan 2013-2017 that was
adopted by the Board of Commissioners this date. Ms. York stated $379,135 has been appropriated for Public Schools projects in the current Fiscal Year 2011-2012 with
approval for $4,120,184 in Fiscal Year 2012-2013 noting the $2,718,910 for the old
Helena Elementary School roof would be moved from the school’s grid to the county grid
due to the deed transfer.
Ms. York announced the Capital Requests under $50,000 each as submitted by the
Schools and marked as Health and Safety totaling $166,400 would be funded in the
upcoming fiscal year.
Ms. Wehrenberg briefly explained the Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB) process noting the advantage for both boards to apply for the funding. The
Department of Public Instruction awarded Person County $3,132,537.50 in a QSCB
allocation. The interest free financing will provide the county with $1,230,461 in interest
savings over the 15-year term. Ms. Wehrenberg noted Southern Middle School would be
used as collateral.
School Board Chairman Powell stated the interest savings realized is comparable
to the Public School Budget request increase.
Commissioner Blalock presented an idea to the School Board that would involve sharing revenues received from increased recycling through education of children and
their families noting recycled material sent to a landfill will produce $1.99 per ton in
revenue compared to a ton of recycled materials to the recycle center will earn $130.
Commissioner Blalock stated only 3 to 4% of waste is currently being recycled and an
effort focusing on educating the community to increase recycling and revenues so both the county and the schools could benefit.
Vice Chairman Puryear asked if the settlement for the charter schools had been
paid. School Board Vice Chairman Wilkins confirmed it was paid.
Dr. Cartner told the group that laptops were currently available to all students in
grades 4, 6, 7, 8 and the plan is to have laptops available to students in grades 3, 5, and 9
during next fiscal year with students in grades 10, 11 and 12 to receive the same during
Fiscal Year 2014.
The Board extended appreciation to all staff and elected officials in preparation of
and discussion of the proposed School’s budget. The Board noted the request will be
given serious consideration.
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April 16, 2012 8
RECESS:
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers, seconded by Commissioner
Blalock, and carried 5-0 to recess the meeting at 7:37 p.m. until April 30, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. for a Community Conversations Meeting to be held at the old Helena School cafeteria located at 295 Helena Moriah Road, Timberlake.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves Jimmy B. Clayton
Clerk to the Board Chairman