Local

School board will stay at six members

By ANDIE LEATHERMAN, LTN Staff Writer

March 29, 2002 - The Lincoln County School Board will remain at six members until late this year, board members voted Wednesday night.

Board members have the option to replace Jack Garner, who resigned last week but voted four-to-one to let the vacancy be filled during November’s general election.

Board member George Dellinger made the motion.

“I see no reason why this couldn’t be postponed to let the people elect in November,” he said.

If the board had appointed a replacement for Garner, that person would have served six months and then had to run in the general election.

“We would be putting that person through a lot for nothing,” Dellinger said.

Board attorney David Black told members that the move is allowable under state statutes.

Board member Tommy Houser voted against the motion.

“I was getting the impression a few meetings ago from other board members that we couldn’t operate without another board member,” Houser said.

Board member Fred Jarrett called for Garner’s resignation earlier this month. Garner had missed 37 meetings in the last year because of health problems.

In other business, board members approved $15 million in budget requests.

Most of that budget is considered current expenses, money the system will need to operate next year. This includes teacher supplements, testing, remediation, instructional supplies, utilities, employee hospital expense and transportation.

“We’ve previously been promised this under the county’s four year plan,” said Superintendent Jim Watson. “We’ve operated under that premise.”

Commissioners approved the four-year plan because county schools were ranked 100 out 117 systems statewide in per pupil expenditure. Since the plan was implemented, Lincoln is now 94th in the state.

Board members are asking that the 2-1/2 percent of the school’s budget that the county cut last year be restored. This totals $222,922.

This money would be used to operate a “newcomers center” which would serve English as Second Language students.

The funds also would fund drug screens for all potential employees.

Current capital needs are $225,800. This includes boiler repairs at Rock Springs Elementary and East Lincoln High, initiation of a boiler preventive maintenance program and painting at Iron Station Elementary.

“If these needs continue to be ignored, they just get bigger and bigger,” Watson said.

Capital outlay needs will be $1.9 million.

This includes a $768,435 maintenance budget and $1.14 million in critical needs. Critical needs include roof repair and maintenance and heating and air conditioning replacement.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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