Budget panel tells county BOE 'no'
 
“In my opinion, the commission should provide, at a minimum, growth funding,” Vance, said in an email correspondence, noting the decision was disappointing. “However, in light of the fact that the commission has been reallocating the growth revenue over the past several years I believe we need significantly more than just the growth funding in order to provide for the needs of our students.
 
“Without much-needed funding we can provide a basic program, however, our students deserve the best opportunities to be able to compete for college and career opportunities,” he added.
 
The budget committee is suggesting $9.69 million, which is virtually unchanged from last year’s $9.68 million, Vance said.
 
“This would equate to an additional $3,391 above (maintenance of effort) instead of the $349,437 that we would have received if the county general fund didn’t take these monies,” Vance said. “When you consider the penny distribution we actually lose 3.5 pennies in the upcoming budget cycle and the county general fund gains 3.69 pennies or a total of $787,360. It appears the budget committee will recommend taking growth funds from Loudon and Lenoir City schools in the amount of almost $700,000 for the upcoming year.
 
“It’s very challenging to continue to provide a competitive school system when competitive funding isn’t being provided,” he added.
 
“While both systems were exemplary this past year according to the state’s accountability system, it’s challenging to believe we will be able to maintain that same level of excellence if we have to cut staff and programs from our students.”
 
The decision comes on the heels of Loudon County Board of Education expressing concern over the 2018-19 year potentially yielding a $1.2 million ending fund balance. Board members during the May meeting passed a budget that is projected to have $40.76 million in expenditures.
 
“Now they’re going to have to do some belt tightening this year and I have every reason to believe at the end of next year at this time their fund balance will be just fine,” Commissioner Henry Cullen, county budget committee member, said.
 
“So I know they preached the sky was falling, but I think they’re going to be just fine. Yes, they’re going to tighten their belt. Yes, they’re going to have to plan out their expenditures. And yes, they might not be able to do every little thing, but they’ll be able to run the schools just fine. It’s called fiscal responsibility.”
 
Cullen believes the school board should have no problems in the coming year with the amount of funding that comes from the county and state.
 
“Me and Jason talked last week and I asked the same thing of them that I would of my own employees. Tighten their belts,” Rollen “Buddy” Bradshaw, county mayor, said. “We’re seeing growth now, and I think we’re at a point we’re going to have enough things situated from a budget standpoint that next year I think that growth money is going to be available.”
 
Vance said the school board in 2018-19 will operate similarly to past years, but the county’s decision will “negatively impact” the fund balance.
 
“We are gravely concerned about the 2019-2020 school year,” Vance said. “If the board does not receive a significant amount of new funding in the next budget cycle they will be forced to cut several positions ranging from teaching assistants, nurses, teachers, assistant principals, computers and other programs that we are accustomed to providing for our students to be college and career ready.”

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5/28/18