Local News - May 2002

State cuts weigh heavy on schools

By ANDIE LEATHERMAN, LTN Staff Writer

May 24, 2002 - State budget cuts are hitting Lincoln County Schools hard, board members learned Wednesday.

Bus routes may have to be doubled and that means earlier pickups. Free breakfast may be canceled at some schools and the system’s distance learning program may be dead.

The bad news came during a meeting of the school’s finance and budget committees.

The school system’s transportation funds were cut $84,000, meaning no new buses next year. This could mean schools in the county have to run double bus routes.

School officials will not know for sure until legislators finalize the budget. This could run into the start of the next school year.

Schools inside the city limits have run double routes for years but given the population density, students have still made it home early in the afternoon, officials say.

“If we’re forced to do it out in the county you’re looking at staff members supervising kids till 4 p.m.,” said Steve Zickefoose, assistant superintendent of finance.

Double routes would also mean students board buses earlier in the morning.

The student-to-teacher ratio could increase if the hiring freeze continues, according to Superintendent Jim Watson.

“It could have far reaching effect if it carries over,” he said.

No non-certified personnel, which includes clerical and custodial staff, can be hired at least through June. Zickefoose fears the freeze will continue into the next fiscal year.

County schools will be forced to return to the state approximately $250,000 from this year’s budget. Gov. Mike Easely and the General Assembly ordered schools across the state to return funds.

A portion of that money, $50,000, was earmarked to send teachers to summer workshops.

“That’s going to cripple us on targeted areas,” said Watson.

Teachers attend workshops based on areas where standardized testing reveal students have weaknesses, Watson said.

The rescinding of funds has forced administrators to cancel $75,000 in supply orders. Zickefoose said this will primarily affect supplies like paper.

“The schools will be able to tell it next year,” Zickefoose said.

Under the cuts, both Battleground and G.E. Massey elementary schools would have to stop their free breakfast program. Teachers say the program has helped student performance.

A distance learning program which had broadcast an East Lincoln High School Latin class to West Lincoln High will be nixed next year due to budget cuts. Officials had hoped to broadcast an advanced placement math class from West Lincoln to East Lincoln next year. That class has been canceled also.

“It’s another victim of state budget cuts. It looks like distance learning may be dead,” said Elaine Jenkins, assistant superintendent of curriculum.

The cosmetology program at Lincolnton High School may close at the end of the 2002-2003 school year. The curriculum committee voted to recommend closure to the full board during its next meeting June 5.

At the end of the 2000-2001 school year, three students took and passed the state cosmetology exam after completing the two year program. At the close of the 1999-2000 school year, two students passed the exam.

Officials say that the money used to pay an instructor could better be spent in vocational departments like technology, where student demands presently exceed the number of teachers.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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