HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_0294 (2)approved in 1996, the lines ended at the Rowan/Iredell boundaries. He said that at one time,
Mooresville had 800 tuition students, but the number had decreased to 50. Boyles said most of
the tuition students were children of employees and in -county tuition was charged.
(Mooresville's requested FY 04-05 budget amounts and the county manager's
recommended figures are as follows.)
Requested Recommended
Current Expense $5,393,620 $5,239,946 (2% inc. from 03-04 + ADM growth)
Capital Outlay 468,711 459,382
IREDELL-STATESVILLE SCHOOLS: Joining the commissioners to discuss the
Iredell-Statesville School System's budget were Board of Education Chairman Dr. David Cash,
Superintendent Dr. Terry Holliday, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Steve Lane, Maintenance
Services Director Dr. Kenny Miller, Board of Education Member Ken Wilson, and Finance
Director Terry Haas.
Dr. Holliday read the following prepared statement.
"The Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education began budget preparation for FY 05
in November of 2003. Entering the budget process, we hoped for the traditional 5% county cost -
of -living increase and funds for additional student growth.
"Going into the budget process, we knew there were increases over which we had little or
no control. These included: health care, retirement benefits, inflation costs for supplies and
materials, increased enrollment, facilities maintenance, salary COLAs, and utilities. As I am
certain you are aware, we have seen double-digit inflation in many of our utilities costs.
"We also knew that unfunded mandates from the federal and state level would increase.
Currently, the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is funded at 16%. This is well
short of the promised 40%. The local budget has to make up the difference — we have no choice.
The federal NCLB legislation and English as Second Language program have certainly increased
our local funding costs to meet the needs of at -risk children and at -risk schools. Additionally,
state programs for at -risk students and programs for long-term suspension alternatives have
increased our local costs. Finally, the state has passed on to LEA's the responsibility of reverting
over $40 million. In Iredell-Statesville Schools, this will amount to over $700,000 in FY 05.
`To make the situation even more difficult, the Governor's budget proposed additional
teachers at Yd grade level to reduce class size. This proposal comes with no money for
classrooms, supplies/materials, equipment, or teacher assistants that will be required for each
classroom. As a matter of fact, the Governor has proposed reducing the annual Public School
Capital Fund by 50%. This will cost Iredell-Statesville Schools another $400,000.
"As a school system, we have worked diligently the last two years to become more
fiscally responsible. We have:
• Implemented zero -based budgeting
• Implemented strategic budgeting
• Implemented cost conservation in our energy management program
• Reduced central office costs to the lowest ratio in the state of NC
• Received an independent audit with 0 reportable findings
• Re-established LGC recommended fund balance for operating budget
• Established a capital outlay fund balance for current and future capital needs
"Our strategic budgeting focuses on our strategic priorities of High Student Performance,
Safe Schools, Quality Staff, Partnerships and Effective/Efficient Operations. These priorities
enable us to fulfill our mission of rigorously challenging ALL students to reach their potential.
This mission and strategic priorities are in alignment with the NC Supreme Court's ruling in the
Leandro Case. This ruling and subsequent rulings through Judge Howard Manning clearly state
that it is the state's responsibility to provide for a "sound basic education" by providing for a