Additional funding accepted as NK schools adopt budget

New Kent’s School Board adopted its budget for the 2013-14 school year at its regular meeting Monday night.

After New Kent’s Board of Supervisors added an additional $100,000 in local funds (see related story in this issue), school board members approved the $28,464,244 budget. Of that amount, $12.5 million are local dollars.

In other matters, school board officials and representatives of New Kent band boosters hope to put aside issues and move ahead with supporting the program.

Band booster representative Kenny Pace presented information to school board members referencing a request for audit information. While Pace said that the timeline presented to the board by superintendent of schools Rick Richardson (who was absent due to illness) contained inaccuracies, he and other boosters have made efforts to complete the audit.

Jackie Smith, another representative of the band boosters, spoke on the misrepresentation the organization has received due to coverage from a local media station.

“They were the ones who contacted us,” said Smith. “Band booster parents are being accused of being difficult. It’s unfortunate the media’s representation of us and has been what is called a media breakdown.”

Smith emphasized what she described as simple questions and inquiries to obtain information on New Kent High School band director James Minnix and New Kent Middle School band director Reba Marrs have been blown out of proportion. Booster members and parents of band students became concerned about the possible dismissal of the two directors.

“I look forward to continuing to work with the school board in supporting our program,” concluded Smith.

School board chairwoman Leigh Quick echoed the sentiments of the situation.

“I’m hoping this is the start of a new era and we can put this behind us,” said Quick.