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School Board Addresses Finances, Voucher Bill PDF Print E-mail
Written by Nick Frazier   
Friday, 11 November 2011 01:49
The Greenon Board of Education met last Thursday to approve the state- mandated five-year financial forecast.  Treasurer Ryan Jenkins presented a detailed analysis that must be submitted to the state by October 31.  The document reveals that the district will face a negative balance at the end of 2013, given current assumptions.  Revenue declines are the biggest source of the problem.  A declining student enrollment, declining property values, and a change in the basic aid formula are the drivers.  The forecast assumes nominal growth in property values during the final two years, however, health care costs are assumed to rise between 8 and 12% per year.  Wages and benefits constitute about 85% of the district’s expenditures, but Jenkins said that there was a wage freeze in effect for FY2012 and 2013, with no step or grade increases.  That will save about $450,000.
Board member Keith Culp reported on legislation of interest to the district.   Regarding Issue 2, the referendum on SB5, he urged citizens to go out and vote.  No board member took a position on Issue 2.  However, the board did pass a resolution opposing HB136, a measure that would extend a voucher program statewide to families meeting income guidelines.  Many school districts across the state have done likewise, fearing the potential impact on their funding.  The board passed the resolution 3-2, with Dr. Nelson Henning and J.J. Klarer dissenting.  Henning said, “Parents should have a right to educate their kids wherever they want to, and the tax dollars they spend should be used to fund that education.”
The board also heard a presentation from Indian Valley Principal Rick Quisenberry and 7th grade teacher Cathy Turner on an anti-bullying initiative that they have started.  Turner spoke to the changing nature of bullying with the advent of technology.  The effort includes posters, group discussions, and quarterly meetings with students to set the school’s behavioral expectations.  Turner recommended that the board invite author and former victim of bullying Jodee Blanco to conduct a one-day series of meeting with students, staff and parents.  Blanco’s $5000 fee would need board approval.  President Dennis Henry asked for more information so the group could assess the benefits. Superintendent Dan Bennett endorsed the school’s program.  “We can’t teach [the students] if we can’t get learning barriers down.”  The next meeting will take place on November 10 at 7 p.m., in the Indian Valley Media Center.
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