03-01-2010 Special Joint MeetingSPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS HELD THE FIRST DAY OF MARCH IN THE YEAR
TWO THOUSAND AND TEN
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Also Attending:
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BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Phillip A. Bradshaw
Al Casteen
Stan D. Clark
JoAnn W. Hall
Thomas J. Wright, III
A. Paul Burton, Interim County Attorney
W. Douglas Caskey, County Administrator
Donald T. Robertson, Director of Information
Resources and Legislative Affairs
Carey Mills Storm, Clerk
SCHOOL BOARD
David Goodrich, Chairman, Smithfield District
Kenneth Bunch, Vice - Chairman, Carrsville District
Herbert DeGroft, Hardy District
T. Hayes Griffin, Windsor District
George Bradby, Newport District
Supervisor Bradshaw called the joint meeting with the School Board to
order at 6:00 p.m. at the School Board's Conference Room at Westside
Elementary School for the purpose of discussing the School's proposed
budget with the Board of Supervisors.
The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted.
Steve Jenkins, Finance Director, Isle of Wight County Schools,
addressed the School's proposed budget proposal submitted by Dr.
McPherson, School Superintendent, to the School Board which included the
elimination of a vacant central office position; a 1 5% reduction in resources
in areas of support; a delay in the adoption of textbooks for social studies; a
slow of plans for the Ranger System replacement; the suspension of school
equipment purchases; the suspension of teacher reimbursements; a reduction
in force of seven (7) library assistants; the temporary closure of Windsor
Middle School; and no funding of Other Post Employment Benefits. He
advised that items now under consideration based on additional anticipated
State cuts are the elimination of all funding for the Ranger System; the
reduction of payments for extra duties; a reduction in schedule of
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instructional assistants; a reduction in force of eight (8) school clerks; a
reduction in force of four (4) intervention teachers; a reduction in force of
nine (9) lead teachers; and a reduction in force of eight (8) classroom
teachers.
Chairman Bradshaw commented that if the State is going to reduce its
funding, localities are advocating that the State give consideration to relaxing
its requirements for accreditation. He noted that it will be virtually
impossible for standards of learning to be met without the necessary funding
being provided by the State. He inquired how the academic standing in the
County would be affected from the proposed reduction in funding to the
schools.
Dr. McPherson responded that he did not anticipate students to achieve
the same academic success as in the past without the same level of services
being provided to them. He stated that he did not want to see any of the
Proposed cuts, however, some of the other alternatives that have been
considered will do more damage in the long run than the cuts that are being
proposed at this time,
Supervisor Clark inquired about how discussions are proceeding
between the Superintendent and the County Administrator with respect to
consolidation of services between the two (2) bodies. He noted that now
appears to be an optimal time to consolidate the two (2) budget and finance
offices.
Chairman Goodrich advised that consolidation of services is not a topic
advertised in the newspapers to be discussed at tonight's joint meeting. He
advised that the advertisement states that the School Board will share
information with the Board of Supervisors relative to the impact of budget
cuts on the proposed School budget.
Supervisor Clark advised Chairman Goodrich that the School Board is
not legally precluded from discussing the issue of shared services with the
Board of Supervisors tonight. He stated that now is an opportune time to
discuss consolidation of services due to the recent resignation of Mr.
Jenkins'.
Dr. McPherson responded that it has not been proven that consolidation
of services saves money and that he would not put the school system in
jeopardy by jumping into something that might be detrimental.
Chairman Bradshaw noted that while these are only temporary changes
and reductions in services, it could have a long -term impact on education in
the County which may take many years to recover from.
Supervisor Clark remarked that if the Schools would consider the
consolidation of at least three (3) services in the County, it would have
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sufficient funds to honor all teacher reimbursements; retain all library
assistants and refrain from closing Windsor Middle School. He stated that
the school system needs to look favorably at consolidation services with the
County.
Chairman Goodrich commented that the School Board has not taken
the issue of shared services with the County off the table; rather the School
Board has gone on record that it is willing to discuss that issue with the
Board of Supervisors. He stated that Pulaski County, at the joint School
Board and Board of Supervisors meeting on January 4, 2010 had advised that
there were no savings realized as a result of their consolidation efforts and
that the Pulaski School Board Chairman had recently advised that it actually
cost Pulaski County money. He stated that consolidation is nothing to be
rushed into without a great deal of study being done first. He stated that what
the County Administrator and the School Superintendent are discussing this
issue at the current time.
Chairman Goodrich advised that the School Board will be conducting a
public hearing on it's proposed budget on Thursday, March 11, 2010 and will
be scheduling a meeting within the following weeks to take into
consideration the public's comments and to vote on the proposed budget.
Chairman Bradshaw advised that when the County Administrator and
Director of Budget and Finance are advised by the State what cuts will be
forthcoming, they will brief the Board on the County's financial standing.
He stated that the County knows at this time that it will be receiving between
$1 million and $2 million less in local revenues, which does not include the
reduction in State funding.
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At 6 :45 p.m., Supervisor Casteen moved that the Board adjourn its
joint meeting with the School Board. The motion was adopted by a vote of
(4 -0) with Supervisors Bradshaw, Clark, Casteen and Hall voting in favor of
the motion and no Supervisors voting against the motion.
Carey Mills Storm, Clerk
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A. Bradshaw., Chairman