Board Minutes

June 23, 2005
Special Session

The Bladen County Board of Commissioners met with the Board of Education in Special Session, 8:00 p.m., in the Powell-Melvin Agricultural Services Building.

Board of Commissioners present: Greg Taylor, Margaret Lewis-Moore, Lewis Tatum, W. D. Neill, Jr., Billy Ray Pait, Delilah B. Blanks, Larry Smith, Charles Ray Peterson, James G. Smith (Staff) – Greg Martin, Lisa Coleman, Kathy Britt

Board of Education present: David Edge, Roger Carroll, John Clark, Berline Graham, Pam Benton, Ophelia Munn-Goins, Bonnell Walker, Bruce Dickerson, Vince Rozier (Staff) – Kenneth Dinkins, Suzanne Huggins, Sharon Penny

Chairman Greg Taylor called the meeting to order. He advised that the Board of Commissioners had established a subcommittee to meet with a subcommittee of the Board of Education. Chairman Taylor advised that he wanted the two committees to meet during the following weekend regarding budget matters.

Chairman Taylor advised that the format of the meeting would include a presentation by County Manager Greg Martin and a comment period for the Board of Education and Board of Commissioners.

Chairman Taylor called on Superintendent Dinkins for comments. Mr. Dinkins reviewed information he had provided during the proposed operating budget public hearing on June 6, 2005. He reemphasized the need for 1.1 million dollars to maintain the level of services now provided. Mr. Dinkins advised that he was uncomfortable with the school system’s fund balance declination and indicated that it would further decline if it did not receive additional funding from the Board of Commissioners.

County Manager Greg Martin provided a Power Point Presentation of the County’s Revenues and Expenditures. Mr. Martin explained each aspect of the presentation and answered questions regarding Fund Balance.

Chairman Taylor asked for comments/questions from both Boards. The Clerk was directed to list the questions for subcommittees from both Boards to consider and respond to during a future meeting. The questions were as follows:

1. Why is the fund balance increases presented different than the amounts shown by the Local Government Commission?
   
2. Why did the schools only get a .08% increase when other departments received higher percentages?
   
3. If the Board of Commissioners is aware of things the Board of Education doesn’t need, please advise. Let the Board of Education know what it can do to help provide open communication.
   
   Anything the Board of Commissioners can do will be helpful.
   
4. What did Bladen County do in 2004 to cause Medicaid funding to decrease? What can we do as a County to decrease Medicaid in the future?
   
5. It looks like we (Bladen County Schools) are an extra burden on the County, instead of the County’s responsibility. Why are we last in line?
   
6. Why do you need $1,000 per computer to get on the Internet? You can buy one for around $300-$400?
   
7. Why do teachers have to buy supplies if the State is providing the money?
   
8. An agency in the County is willing to donate 135 computers to Board of Education? What is the status?
   
9. What is the anticipated increase/decrease in enrollment for 2005-2006 compared to 2004?
   
10. What amount of low wealth funding is anticipated for 2005 for Bladen County?
    
11. Why was approximately $300,000 returned to the State unused from the Board of Education?
    
12. How many non-profit organizations are funded by the Board of Education?
    
13. Reference to public hearing comments – Is there anything positive happening in Bladen County Schools?