Loading...
011618 Joint with County SchoolsJanuary 16, 2018 -- Special Joint Meeting with the Randolph County Board of Education The Randolph County Board of Commissioners met in special joint session with the Randolph County Board of Education at 4:30 p.m. in the Randolph County Schools Central Services board room, 2222 S. Fayetteville Street, Asheboro. Commissioners Allen, Frye, Haywood, Kidd, and McDowell were present. (Commissioner Kidd entered the meeting at 5:02 p.m. and Commissioner McDowell left the meeting at 5:21 p.m.) Also present were County Manager Hal Johnson; Finance Officer Will Massie; County Staff Attorney Aimee Scotton; Amanda Varner, Clerk to the Board; Dana Crisco, Deputy Clerk to the Board; and members of the Randolph County Board of Education and school officials: Superintendent Dr. Stephen Gainey, Gary Cook, Tracy Boyles, Fred Burgess, Sharon Petty Farlow, Emily Coltrane and Brian Biggs; Finance Officer Todd Lowe, Assistant Superintendent of Operations Marty Trotter, Executive Assistant to Superintendent Beverly Fowler, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum/Instruction Catherine Berry, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Amy Walker, and Public Information Officer Tim Moody. School Board Chairman Gary Cook welcomed the Commissioners and Chairman Allen called the meeting to order for the County. Dr. Stephen Gainey gave an update on their accomplishments after four years into their nine- year facilities plan and thanked the Commissioners for making their needs a "team" effort. He gave an update on funding and discussed some of their 2018-2019 FY budget requests that will be presented at the May budget meeting; continuation costs, supplement increase, and technology expenses. Dr. Gainey said the projected continuation costs are $638,000 for the 2018-2019 FY. He stated this would cover the everyday expenses including matching insurance and retirement increases, a potential salary increase for locally paid employees, and the effects of charter school growth. Matching insurance rates are forecasted to increase by 4% and matching retirement by 6%. He explained the financial impact of charter school enrollment on funding from the state and said that Uwharrie Charter is planning to open grades K-4 during the 2018-2019 FY. Dr. Gainey said it is estimated that approximately 250 students eligible for Randolph County Schools would be lost to Uwharrie Charter Academy. In an attempt to stay competitive with surrounding systems, Dr. Gainey stated they are requesting a .5% supplemental increase for a total of $615,000 for all employee classifications to finish out the request from last year. They would like to be able to continue to retain good teachers and entice new ones. Dr. Gainey said that the system would seek $100,000 for technology expenses again this year. Funding from the state decreased again and other appropriations they have used in the past were lower as well. Commissioner Haywood asked if charter school enrollment would continue to cause Randolph County Schools to lose students. Dr. Gainey responded that once the K-4 grades opened, the loss of students should level out. 1/16/18 Assistant Superintendent of Operations Mr. Trotter presented the updates to the school system's nine-year facility upgrade/repair plan devised in 2014. He said they were pleased with the annual Capital Outlay. He reported that the project to extend municipal water and sewer to New Market Elementary is ongoing. There was hope that the City of Randleman would extend their water infrastructure closer to the school. He also stated that certain facility needs were moved up on the nine-year plan due to higher priority while others were moved back. Dr. Gainey thanked the Commissioners for their continued commitment to Randolph County Schools. He said that, without the help of the Commissioners, the facility needs, the Uwharrie Ridge Six -Twelve, and the receipt of the Golden LEAF grant would not have been possible. Adjournment At S: 56 p. m., on motion of Frye, seconded by Kidd, the Board voted 4-0 (McDowell absent at that time) to adjourn. David Allen, Chairman Stan Haywood Maxton McDowell Darrell L. Frye Kenny Kidd Dana Crisco, Deputy Clerk to the Board 1/16/18