School board hears good news at its retreat | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Follows superintendent advice to not spend all its money until a Facilities Study is complete

    The Beaufort County Board of Education, meeting in a special "workshop" session Friday (7-23-10) focused its discussion on next year's (FY11) capital outlay budget (facilities, equipment etc.). The board was advised by Superintendent Don Phipps that of the $1,503,066 approved on April 22, approximately half has been committed (contracts, purchase orders etc.). $791,974.77 is unencumbered at this time. Of that amount $245,940 has been set aside in a "contingency" line item at the request of the County to deal with emergencies and potential budget shortfalls, leaving $546,034.77. Items included in the original $1.5 million not committed or set aside amounts to $255,778.77 at this time.

    So the discussion focused on the $246K set aside and the $255K not yet committed.

    Chairman Robert Belcher question whether they need $246K in contingency given the fact that he anticipates $600-700K from the Lottery that might come later, thus indicating apparently that he favors going ahead and spending that money now. But that amount of the lottery proceeds is not certain. The state has already moved some lottery money into current expense to preserve teaching positions and the county may need a portion of the lottery money to cover debt service on the school bonds, particularly given the strain the Hospital is putting on the county budget.

    Superintendent Don Phipps advised the board that he is in the final stages of getting a proposal approved for a Facilities Study that he hopes will be available by the first of the year. That study is expected to examine the population trends and the current facilities and their condition, and perhaps develop a Preventive Maintenance plan. Dr. Phipps more than once urged the board to delay major spending decisions until they have the Facilities Plan in hand. That however, did not phase some of the board members who proceeded to talk about individual projects they want to see considered. Belcher pushed the $166,400 Bath restroom project. The idea of funding a "parking lot" request was mentioned But after some discussion of the condition of air conditioning units that might have to be replaced the discussion drifted toward keeping the contingency in place for now.

    In the end they decided to leave the previously approved capital outlay budget as it is and wait until the Facilities Plan is in hand and a clearer picture is available about future revenue.

    Interestingly, in the discussion of the Facilities Plan Board Member William Warren remarked that "what we need to be doing right now is being sure we are using all the space we now have. Some county commissioners think we have excess space and if it is not being used then we're not going to be able to say we need this money." That comment was then followed by school facilities experts call the WAG method (Wild A$$ Guess) of walking in a building and looking to see what is happening at the time of the visit. A legitimate facilities plan uses state standards for various space usages, such as classrooms, offices, support area, etc,, by measuring the assignable square footage to determine the capacity of a facility. Experience and research has shows that Mr. Warren's "WAG" method always leads to a conclusion that "more space is needed." Apparently Dr. Phipps is trying to guide the board in a more enlightened direction.

    In other business, in spite of the fact that the meeting was billed as a "retreat" the Board formally approved an "Opt out provision" for the new Sex Ed. Program. The provision means that parents will be able to choose whether their children in grade 7-9 are included in the new Sex Ed. Program mandated by recent state legislation. Parents may review the materials in advance and choose: 1. To allow their child to participate (by doing nothing) or 2. To opt-out of the entire section on "reproductive health and safety education" or 3. Opt-out of specific topics of the curriculum. The program will be taught as a part of the regular Heath classes by the regular Health teachers. The board is expected to consider a recommendation from the Community Study Group at its Monday night (7-26-10) meeting.

    The recommendation comes from the community group which was established by Dr. Phipps to solicit broad-based parent and community involvement in the development of the Sex Ed. component of the of the course. The committee is comprised of several dozen community members who either volunteered to serve or were selected to represent various community organizations. They studied the available curriculum materials and at their last meeting vote unanimously to recommend materials developed by the N. C. School Health Training Center at Appalachian State University. If the board approves these materials they will be of display for parents to review before deciding whether to allow this child to participate or whether to "opt-out" of any or all of the program.

    Following a lengthy closed session the board heard a presentation by Dr. Phipps of his proposed goals for 2011. You can review those goals here.

    Dr. Phipps also reported that a recent effort to shape up the reporting procedures will, he expects, result in an apparent increase in the "graduation rate" for last year. Nearly a hundred students who had been unaccounted for in the records were "located" and will not now be considered as "dropouts" because the transferred to another school.

    He also reported that the School Food Service Director will report Monday night that SFS has eliminated the red ink in its income statement for the year and when final figures are complete will likely show a profit for the first time in four years.

    Click here to read our editorial comment in the Teacher's Desk

    Delma Blinson writes the "Teacher's Desk" column for our friend in the local publishing business: The Beaufort Observer. His concentration is in the area of his expertise - the education of our youth. He is a former teacher, principal, superintendent and university professor.