Loudon schools' budget balanced

With a little help from the Loudon County Commission and some newly discovered revenue, the Loudon school board announced Thursday night that the 2008-2009 budget was finally in the black.

In his first full board meeting since joining the Loudon school system, Superintendent Wayne Honeycutt told the board that the commission budget committee earlier this week had recommended that the schools receive an additional 5 cents from every dollar in property revenue.

Honeycutt said the additional funding put the school budget within $192,000 of its goal of balancing the budget.

The next budget surprise came from Bennie Sims, the schools budget director, who said he had realized Wednesday that he had been underestimating by about $200,000 the projected revenue paid to the schools by TVA in lieu of taxes.

Sims said projected revenue from TVA rose from about $700,000 last year to about $900,000 this year. "After looking at the numbers, we felt comfortable putting the money toward the budget," Sims said.

It was the second time in less than a month that the school board, which at one time was more than $4 million over budget for the coming year, found extra revenue.

Several weeks ago, $224,000 was found sitting inactive for two years in an account earmarked for architectural work. The board voted to add that money to the capital budget.

Van Shaver, a school board candidate and former county commissioner, said the school board regularly underestimates revenue as an excuse to ask county commission for more funding.

Shaver said he finds it an interesting coincidence that the money was "discovered" just days after county commission had decided to increase funding.

Lisa Russell, a parent and school board candidate from Greenback, said she is concerned that such loose accounting practices create a credibility gap between the school board and county commission.

"We need to keep a better eye on our funds," she said.

Sims said it was difficult to earlier estimate the revenue from TVA because he didn't receive the latest figures until June 30.

Superintendent Honeycutt also informed the board that their decision to cut their own compensation in an attempt to balance the budget would be in violation of state law.

The decision to cut their own salaries - which total $36,000 - was a "great gesture," Honeycutt said, but to comply with the law, that figure must be restored to the budget.

After hearing from food services supervisor Alison Millsaps about the increasing cost of food, the board voted 7-3 to increase the cost of lunches in the school by 20 cents. Cost of some food staples such as bread has risen 31 percent, Millsaps said.

Honeycutt also announced that Cherie Parrish had been selected as the new principal at Loudon High School.

Parrish has been assistant principal at the high school for the past 10 years. She replaces John Bartlett, who will be the new principal at Bearden High School in Knox County.

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Loudon schools' budget balanced

Board also votes to increase cost of lunch by 20 cents

By Hugh G. Willett
knoxnews.com

With a little help from the Loudon County Commission and some newly discovered revenue, the Loudon school board announced Thursday night that the 2008-2009 budget was finally in the black.

In his first full board meeting since joining the Loudon school system, Superintendent Wayne Honeycutt told the board that the commission budget committee earlier this week had recommended that the schools receive an additional 5 cents from every dollar in property revenue.

Honeycutt said the additional funding put the school budget within $192,000 of its goal of balancing the budget.

The next budget surprise came from Bennie Sims, the schools budget director, who said he had realized Wednesday that he had been underestimating by about $200,000 the projected revenue paid to the schools by TVA in lieu of taxes.

Sims said projected revenue from TVA rose from about $700,000 last year to about $900,000 this year. "After looking at the numbers, we felt comfortable putting the money toward the budget," Sims said.

It was the second time in less than a month that the school board, which at one time was more than $4 million over budget for the coming year, found extra revenue.

Several weeks ago, $224,000 was found sitting inactive for two years in an account earmarked for architectural work. The board voted to add that money to the capital budget.

Van Shaver, a school board candidate and former county commissioner, said the school board regularly underestimates revenue as an excuse to ask county commission for more funding.

Shaver said he finds it an interesting coincidence that the money was "discovered" just days after county commission had decided to increase funding.

Lisa Russell, a parent and school board candidate from Greenback, said she is concerned that such loose accounting practices create a credibility gap between the school board and county commission.

"We need to keep a better eye on our funds," she said.

Sims said it was difficult to earlier estimate the revenue from TVA because he didn't receive the latest figures until June 30.

Superintendent Honeycutt also informed the board that their decision to cut their own compensation in an attempt to balance the budget would be in violation of state law.

The decision to cut their own salaries - which total $36,000 - was a "great gesture," Honeycutt said, but to comply with the law, that figure must be restored to the budget.

After hearing from food services supervisor Alison Millsaps about the increasing cost of food, the board voted 7-3 to increase the cost of lunches in the school by 20 cents. Cost of some food staples such as bread has risen 31 percent, Millsaps said.

Honeycutt also announced that Cherie Parrish had been selected as the new principal at Loudon High School.

Parrish has been assistant principal at the high school for the past 10 years. She replaces John Bartlett, who will be the new principal at Bearden High School in Knox County.