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School Board addresses latest budget concerns

state orders McDowell to cut another $1 million, says Trollinger

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Wilkes schools' new schedule

By Britt Combs | The McDowell News

Published: August 18, 2009

The state budget has been passed but uncertainty remains about the fiscal situation for McDowell County Schools. Budget uncertainty dominated the August meeting of the Board of Education.

All members were present except for Brian Piercy and Kay Sinclair. No members of the public attended.

Uncertainty about the school system's budget stems from two areas, according to Superintendent Ira Trollinger.

For one, the state budget made further cuts for the fledgling school year, but the legislators and governor have left it to the schools to determine where to make those cuts. Trollinger described this as essentially passing a political hot potato; instead of making politically unpopular program or staff cuts, they have ordered schools to identify their own cuts.

"They gave us a $1 million flexible reversion," he said. The state has urged school administrators to cut as few jobs as possible, he explained, but the demand is open-ended. Trollinger speculated about how many good teachers a school could have who are not equipped with any materials or programs.

A million dollars is a significant sum, he added, and when 80 percent of the system's budget is staff, it's hard to cut that amount without cutting jobs or hours.

To make matters worse, he said, the promised federal "stabilization funds" have not arrived. He is not sure how much federal money will come. As of Tuesday afternoon, there was no word.

The administration must report to the state soon how it will make the needed cuts. The board agreed to meet in a special session to hear his report on the revised budget and take action. No definite date has been set, but it will most likely be a noon meeting.

In a Tuesday interview, Trollinger said he was "confident" no further layoffs or terminations will be needed, although the materials operations budgets have already been stripped. He said he will instruct school principals today to identify areas where they can cut costs.

Board member Randy Williams remains an advocate of radical measures to cut costs. As he has done at precious meetings this summer, he again spoke of extended hours in fewer days. This, he said, could save enormously on energy costs, and fuel and maintenance on vehicles.

Trollinger said he has heard of a school system being granted permission by the state to try such a scheme.

"We'll be able to observe how it goes without hurting our own students," he said.

He has said before he does not favor the idea, saying children would not learn well in extended hours, and the cost of child care would be difficult for families to absorb.

In fact, Wilkes County schools will add 45 minutes to each day and will shave 18 days off the year, for a total of 162 instructional days, according to the GoBlueRidge Web site.

The plan, said Wilkes Superintendent Steve Laws, will save $900,000 this year in transportation, energy, teachers' assistants and substitute teachers' compensation. The new schedule, said Laws, will actually add 10 hours of school to the year's total.

Board Chairwoman Priscilla Owenby said she had been asked by several parents if the 15 minutes earlier start at elementary school would mean earlier dismissal. She and Trollinger asked parents be aware that the schools will dismiss no earlier due to the change.

Elementary schools in the county will all be in session 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. this year.

Trollinger spoke of his goals for the coming year. Among them will be supporting and increasing the system's focus on international study.

On that note, the World View Partners Workshop on "Globalization and Global Content in the Classroom" will be held Thursday at East McDowell Junior High. Educators from across the state will attend a day of workshops, along with, Trollinger said, about 450 McDowell school employees.

He said that Assistant Superintendent Becky Pearson had prepared and would implement "pacing guides" for school improvement. These plans will set standards and goals based on standardized testing. The plan structures learning around the available days and hours in the coming year.

Half of the county's schools made high growth last year, he said. This plan should enable all the schools to hit that mark.

He also said he intends to "expand program options for high school students." That includes making "1 to 1" computer access a priority. He said the exploratory committee will present its plan for a career tech magnet high school in October.

He also hopes to expand the science Olympiad and robotics competition activities, improve communication with staff via monthly radio programs and visit schools more frequently.

Trollinger said he is also forming a superintendent-student advisory council to hear student comments and concerns.