Charles City’s school board makes case for more local funding

After approving its budget at the Mar. 21 regular board meeting, Charles City’s school board presented its proposal to county supervisors during a Mar. 22 special joint meeting.

School board chairwoman Helen Payne-Jones and superintendent of schools David Gaston gave an overview of the $9.1 million operating budget for fiscal year 2017-18. Of that amount, schools are asking local leaders for a contribution just over $5.2 million to support the educational system.

“The loss of revenue from the state was too much to incur and too much for us to handle,” Gaston commented. “We are starting with a shortfall of $305,000 heading into this upcoming year due to a lot of unfunded mandates.”

Payne-Jones and Gaston emphasized to the board of supervisors the need to increase the starting salary for teachers. With other school districts making moves to up the monetary amount, school representatives made it a priority to address in their proposed budget.

At the conclusion of the 20-minute presentation, county leaders posed hard-hitting questions to the school officials that revolved around not only the proposed budget, but money given as part of last year’s funding.

“Is there any reason on why we are losing students?” questioned District 3 supervisor Floyd Miles Sr. “This is a tremendous amount of money for your ADM (Average Daily Membership).”

“This county is losing population and this is an aging county,” responded Gaston. “It is a dilemma for this locality. We know it’s difficult to attract families and we also know that a strong school system attracts strong families. Our school system continues to improve scores and provide a strong learning environment as well.”

Miles mulled over the school’s budget document momentarily, referencing meetings both organizations had in the past to prep for the upcoming cycle.

“A few months ago in our conversations, I asked you [Gaston] to come up with a level-funded budget but I see this isn’t the case here,” the District 3 supervisor said.

At level-funding, schools would receive $4,980,464 to operate the school system. Gaston and Payne-Jones said that steps were taken to save money on the school’s side that included staffing reductions due to enrollment and retirement as well as savings through a number of programs.

District 2 supervisor and chairman Bill Coada took the microphone, pointing to monetary issues between both boards that still affect current budget discussions.

“The wounds from last year haven’t healed yet,” he said, pointing to additional funds given to the school system. “In conversations last year we gave you money and my colleagues were quoted in the Chronicle saying that those funds should be used for salary increases of teachers and not for central office staff. And yet, some of those funds were used for raises of people in central office.

“I see that there is a one-percent increase for non-scale employees. Is this for those people working in central office?” Coada said pointing to the office area adjacent to the meeting room. After a confirmation that the one-percent was designated for those workers, Coada presented a hypothetical situation for school board members to ponder.

“If this board [of supervisors] told you that it would assist you for raises for teachers, food services, and other educators, would you recommend to your school board that the one-percent be taken off the table?” the District 2 supervisor asked the two presenters.

“I am willing to say yes and I would recommend that,” responded Helen Payne-Jones.

Gaston said he could propose that recommendation but it was ultimately up to the school board to point him in the direction they could go. Meanwhile, Coada expressed his stance on asking the question.

“That’s why I am being straightforward and adamant with this,” he continued. “As one supervisor, if this one-percent [for central office employees] is still on the table, I can’t see this board providing anything but level-funding.”

After the meeting, Gaston provided a breakdown financially of the one-percent in question for administrators.

“In total it pegs out to about $10,000,” he said. “What’s not taken into account is that in that one-percent includes secretaries, nurses, and the school psychologist.

“We’re grateful for the board of supervisors for listening to our presentation and I hope they take into account what we have given them as we know they work through a difficult budget process,” Gaston concluded.