October 1
October 1, 2009 1
PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OCTOBER 1, 2009 MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Johnny Myrl Lunsford Heidi York, County Manager Jimmy B. Clayton C. Ronald Aycock, County Attorney
Kyle W. Puryear Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
B. Ray Jeffers Samuel R. Kennington
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in recessed session on Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Person County Office Building
Auditorium for the purpose of a joint session meeting with the Board of Education. Chairman Lunsford called the meeting to order.
Dr. Larry Cartner, Superintendent for Person County Schools and Heidi York, County
Manager welcomed the group noting at the last joint session meeting on April 27, 2009, the
charge from both boards was to study funding formula options for the school system and report back.
STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIRS:
Gordon Powell, Chairman of the Board of Education and Chairman Lunsford both made statements of interest in hearing about the funding formula options as well as keeping education
for the children of Person County a priority.
OPEN DIALOGUE BETWEEN BOARDS FACILITATED BY CHAIRS OF BOTH BOARDS:
A time of open dialogue between both boards followed including discussions of previous boards planning, historical data of county allocations to the schools, county tax base, loss of industries, earmarked funding, and setting a vision or goals whereby both boards establish a
formula to meet the goals. Both boards talked about neighboring counties contributions to schools, economic development, and the basic needs for Person County School whether it is staffing, technology, professional development, and text books. The needs as described by
School Board members are to improve literacy, lower the drop out rate, increase the graduation rate, and graduate college ready students. School Board Members expressed a desire for Person
County children to not only meet the state standards but be above the state average to be
competitive in college selection and noted funding is not adequate for the best or average students to succeed.
OVERVIEW OF FUNDING FORMULA PROCESS REQUEST: Person County Finance Director, Amy Wehrenberg presented to the joint boards the following presentation.
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Person County Schools Finance Director, Julie Masten presented and explained
the following spreadsheet.
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FUNDING FORMULA DISCUSSION:
Ms. Masten confirmed for both boards that the presented funding formula using
state statistical data would always be two years behind.
Ms. York suggested the boards decide on a goal and noted they struggled with the
formula presented being two years behind the state but felt this formula was the best
solution based on the variables. Ms. Wehrenberg stated the funding formula presented is
one option of many, however, this one was chosen as a starting point noting there are other formulas using other factors that would be above state averages keeping in mind
reasonable variables.
Ms. Wehrenberg confirmed the funding formula allocation would not include
pass-through funds but only current expenses appropriation.
ITEMS OF AGREEMENT:
Commissioner Kennington stated his desire for the County to continue the zero base budgeting procedure setting parameters to the County Manager and all departments
in January as confirmed by the County Manager so that Person County Schools can plan
their budget coinciding with the first state planning allotment.
Commissioner Puryear stated support of moving forward with the funding formula process.
Board of Education Member, Ronnie King stated time was needed to study the
information presented but liked the idea of having a formula.
RECESS:
A motion was made by Commissioner Jeffers, seconded by Commissioner
Puryear, and carried to recess the meeting at 8:06 p.m. until October 5, 2009, at 7:00 p.m.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves Johnny Myrl Lunsford
Clerk to the Board Chairman