The Randolph County Board of Education had its first work session for the 2010/2011 fiscal year budget on Monday and heard from principals who presented needs requests for their schools. Superintendent Dr. James Phares said the school system will use the information for facility and levy planning.
"We are trying to establish what can go into a facility plan and what can go into a levy," Phares said. "The phone survey results showed people would support a levy if it (funds) would go toward the students."
Before proceeding with the principals' requests, Phares presented a list of facts concerning the budget preparation. He said all the figures presented to the board were subject to change.
"This year's preliminary undesignated budget is $31,389,112," according to a fact sheet provided to the board. "This amount represents a decrease of $957,862."
According to Phares and Randolph County Schools Director of Finance Brad Smith, a portion of the decrease in funding falls under state aid to the board. Smith said the decrease is a result of declining student enrollment, a decrease in the number of special education students and the amount of retirees.
Smith said the salary schedule will remain the same for next year.
Phares said a small carryover for the budget is expected because of costs associated with addressing facility issues.
Phares said each school made budget requests and the principals were on hand to discuss the priorities.
Beverly Elementary Principal Paul Zickefoose said the top priority is a Polycom, a distance learning system and flat screen monitors, next is student chairs, teacher chairs, activity tables and book cases.
The requests at Coalton Elementary are facility requests that Phares said would be recommended in the Comprehensive Education Facility Plan (CEFP).
Elkins High School Principal Dave Fincham requested work on the attached greenhouses at the school because there are problems with leaking. He also asked for parking lot repairs to damage that resulted from where the modular units used by Elkins Middle School were located.
Phares said money has already been provided in the current budget to repair the lot.
Fincham also requested bathroom stall replacements, a computer lab and a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for the gymnasium.
Phares said the stalls, tiles and HVAC will be sent to the CEFP.
EMS Principal David Roth requested landscaping to complete the renovations at the building, an after school tutoring program, a storage building, presentation stations and supplies.
George Ward Elementary Principal Diana Arbogast requested electrical upgrades, bathroom renovations, an oven for the cafeteria, chairs and additional parking. Phares said if the larger priced items could not be fit into the budget, the board can budget lower cost items. Arbogast also said the school needs windows in the Title 1 classroom, painting, and ink cartridges for the computer lab.
Harman Principal Debbie Schmidlen said her school needed a full-time counselor, a full-time Title 1 teacher and additional classrooms.
"We cannot house another computer lab," she said. "Our band room is not big enough."
Homestead Elementary Principal Diane Hull requested electrical and plumbing upgrades, an HVAC system, additional classrooms, fire escape windows and an interventionist on staff. Hall, who works on a half-time basis, also said the school needs a full-time principal.
"Most of the things can go into the CEFP," Phares said. "The window replacement money is there."
Jennings Randolph Elementary School Principal Rebecca Whiteman said her school needs an HVAC system, bathroom stalls, teacher desks and bookcases, a floor buffing machine, student desks, document cameras, lighting and security cameras for the playground, and paving on the side parking lot.
Midland Elementary Principal Terry Nelson requested a fire alarm system and chairs for students and teachers.
North Elementary Principal Darlene Lindsay said the school needs fencing for the playground, sidewalk repair and student desks and shelving.
Pickens School Principal Diane Betler asked for additional classrooms, an additional teacher and a lawn mower. Phares said the classrooms would be included in the CEFP.
Randolph County Technical Center Vocational Director/Principal Donald Johnson said he would like for the school to have a dust collection system for the mill and cabinetry class, a re-circulating paint booth, a CNC lathe and roof repairs at the entrance of the building.
Phares reviewed the requests for Tygarts Valley High/Middle School. The list includes student desks and desks for the science classes. Phares said additional classrooms and an auxiliary gymnasium will be included in the CEFP.
Valley Head Elementary School requested an intercom system, playground and office computers.
"We will take out the CEFP items and then see what we can fund in this year's budget," Phares said. "Things like lawn mowers and floor machines can be included in a levy. I think we can build a levy call with the things the schools need."
