HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_0169 (2)JUN 1 �; 1993 152
to see education go forth in Iredell County. I want to see it
funded properly, and I want to see us build the proper buildings
and house the kids properly. I have probably done more talking in
the last two years to try to achieve that goal than anyone around
year. But I have not reached very much success with all the talking
and fussing and carrying on that I have done. I would like to see
us change the appropriations to the schools to match last year's
(92-93) appropriation levels, and take that same amount out of
Fund Balance Appropriated.
Mr. Mashburn said he had these figures on Current Expense.
Current Expense for 92-93 per pupil was $720. What was assumed
that we go back to the $720 per pupil and use 93-94 ADM numbers.
If this is done, Iredell Statesville has 13,367 pupils, their
appropriation would be $9,624,240. Mooresville's ADM 3,082 would
have an appropriation of $2,219,040.
Mrs. Blumenstein said the totals in the Budget Ordinance total
would be (including Mitchell Community College) $17,523,120 for
schools, total General Fund expenditures $48,233,756. That would
reduce Fund Balance Appropriated in Section 2 to $928,192.
MOTION from Commissioner Madison that these changes be made.
Commissioner Hamby inquired why these changes were being made.
She said the school budget has not been discussed.
Commissioner Madison said there has been no open discussion
with the school boards and with the county commissioners. We
continue to add on 5% per year, and he thinks it's time to stop,
regroup, and take a look at it, and say, "What are we going to do?"
"Is this the best expenditure of the funds?"
Last year we said we were going to fund it and hold them
accountable. Madison said he asked two weeks ago at our meeting
for certain financial information. I was promised by the school
superintendents and all the folks here that I would have it. I
haven't heard a word from them related to that. I don't feel
comfortable adding 58 to somebody's budget just because they say
they need it. If they can come to us and justify it.
We are going to take in ad valorem taxes this year of
$21,651,000. We are going to pay out to schools $17,500,000,
almost 90% of our taxes that we collect in ad valorem taxes are
going back to the schools. I think we as a board need to hold them
accountable. I make such a proposal and think we need to hold the
line until we can get justification that additional expenditures
are necessary and are going to improve the quality of education in
Iredell County.
We are not cutting them anything. We're just not expanding
any. We are holding the line with last year's budget.
Commissioner Boone said he would just reiterate what he has
said for a long time. Spending for schools has increased
tremendously over the past several years. At one time the County
may have lagged behind. Even adjusting for inflation, the spending
has doubled in the past ten years. We now rate 39 in per pupil
spending out of 128 or 130 schools systems. We rank 30th out of
the 100 county systems.
As Mr. Madison noted, we spend most of our tax money for
schools. We rank 27th from the top in the percentage of our tax
money that goes to schools. We are in the top half in current
expense funding now.
What I hear is their main concern is in the capital expense
area. The needs I hear talked about most often are capital needs.
The school boards are proposing a bond issue to pay for those. In
my opinion, what's proposed would be a lot more than is needed.
But there's always a chance, and I think a very good possibility,
if you but a bond issue on the ballot, the voters might defeat it.