Minutes 04/22/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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spending the additional funds as requested. WEDNESDAY, APRIl, 22, 1998 School Board members Chuck Davies and Benny Gray agreed with this statement, saying that they were really excited about what had been accomplished so far, and that funds available had been spent wisely. Mr. Davies stated that the school system was now ahead of many others in the State, and that although he did not personally believe that they needed quite as much as requested, there was definitely a need for some of the additional funds requested. Mr. Johnson emphasized the need for a big effort with the pre-K and Kindergarten age kids, and that the Waterford Labs were effective for this purpose. Mayor Adams then stated that he felt it was important to spend as much as possible to prepare the children of the community to be competitive in the future, and Mrs. Haskell agreed. Council Member HaskeH also observed, however, that it was Council's job to set priorities in a number of areas, and do so carefully, so as to effectively address and fired other necessary efforts in addition to technology. Dr. Trollinger agreed, stating that it is all interconnected, and pledged the School System' s commitment to move forward in all areas of capital improvements and technology needs in a balanced manner. Mr. Teague then stated that he understood that the Council was not being asked to make priority choices, since those had been set, but that Council was being asked to fund additional technology and capital needs, if possible, and that instructional needs were all covered in the budget presented. Dr. Trollinger confirmed this assessment as correct. Mayor Adams than asked several questions to clarify some li~ item budget issues. These included questions on Retirement Fund contribution savings, Media Services, Personnel salary costs, Secondary School support revenue, and Speech and Audiology services. Council Member Teague then asked if there was any further information on State funds that might change the budget figures presented, and was told there was not, other than the possible additional $279,000 this year and $278,000 next year in discretionary funds that was still under consideration by the Governor and the General Assembly. Mrs. Haskell then reviewed the issue of capital improvements, confirming current funds available and asking how much of the requested funds in FY 98-99 would be used to address Level A Priorities. Dr. Trollinger stated that about $500,000 of the additional $1 million requested would cover these highest priority needs. Mr. Teague then asked for the total figures of transfers of funds to the school system for the previous