Becky Long • Publisher Commission Chairman Rob Peck, Vice Chair Randy Nichols and Commissioner Dwight Penland review the local budget request from the school system.
By Becky Long
Publisher
Clay County Schools Superintendent Melissa Godfrey presented a budget proposal to the commission board earlier this month which reflected a nearly $500,000 increase.
“There are a lot of needs, sometimes not a lot of resources,” said Godfrey. “I’m only asking for what I consider important needs.”
Accompanied by School Board Chairman Jason Shook, on April 3 Godfrey presented a 17-page outline detailing the schools’ requests. The total local funding increase was $497, 365. The total county appropriation request was $2,370,405.
The presentation detailed requests, expenses and savings.
Here’s a portion of budget additions presented to the board:
• $100,000 - Athletic Trainer - this will be a 12 month position staffed through Erlanger including benefits and 5% for supplies.
•$103,017 - Assistant Principal HMS/HHS - currently split 1 AP between HMS and HHS as well as 1 between HPS and HES. The split at the middle and high school level was meant to be a temporary solution for staffing needs.
• $89,520 - Instructional Coach HPS/HES - lost Instructional Coach positions at HPS and HES when ESSER funding expired. We would like to replace one of these positions and split the position between HPS and HES.
• $31,250 - Recurring iPad Refresh HPS - allows us to refresh 75 iPads. This is a refresh that needs to take place annually to replace our devices that need to be taken out of circulation.
• $98,000 - Student Chromebook Refresh - allows us to refresh iPads for upcoming 3rd, 6th, and 9th grades for a total of 310 Chromebooks. This is a refresh that needs to take place annually for these grade levels.
Total capital projects funds request - $883,841
• HHS student parking area has not been resurfaced in 25-plus years. It is important to resurface due to major cracks and potholes, which could be an accident/safety concern for student drivers and create a liability for the school system if not repaired. Considered 3% inflation on quote for each year since quote originally received. In the process of receiving current quotes. The current Football Field Turf has been in use since at least 2012. Our football field is widely used by our PE departments, our athletic programs and our community, according to Godfrey.
• Maintenance - Skid Steer w/ Fork Lift- The current fork lift and back hoe in use is at least 40 years old. The maintenance department could use a gently used skid steer with a fork lift attachment to replace both. The forklift is necessary in the shop for oversize deliveries and for handling supplies and materials in hard to reach places. The skid steer is needed for miscellaneous grounds v.1ork on campus.
• Activity Bus needed with a lift installed to accommodate special needs students for field trips.
We are restricted with the use of yellow buses for field trips, especially trips that may last outside of the school day and over state lines. Willing to explore lending options to pay over 3 years.
Money saving measures taken by the school:
• Discontinuation of Transportation to TCEC
• Stabilization of Daycare
• Pre-K Tuition for 25-26: Tuition is $1,529 per student. The statewide average is $2,638.
• Tuition for newly enrolled out-of-district students
• Small Schools Stabilization Act (for increase in small schools) cost of this project is approx $838,011. Can contribute approx $266,500 from lottery towards total cost to leave us approx $24,176 for other projects not allowed with RR funds.
K-12 current expense funding rank
• 2024: Clay County ranked 69th out of 92 @ $1,529 per student
• (1st) Highest:Dare County@ $5,723 per student
• (92nd) Lowest: Swain County @ $419 per student **
• Statewide Average: $2,678 per student
• Graham and Swain County receive funding from the Cherokee tribe, which impacts the required funding from the county.
No decision was made and departmental budget requests are in the process of being submitted and studied. The the fiscal year ends June 30.
In other business commissioners:
• Renewed a medical air ambulance agreement with Air Method. The agency’s representative Marcus Lindsey said their role is to work with hospital to bridge the gap to citizens in outlying communities to get specialized services at larger hospitals. The agreement covers all the residents of Clay County regardless of their ability to pay. There are 12,108 estimated residents. He said over the past year, 40 residents had been transported at no costs to them. The county was invoiced $11,060 for those services. If a resident has insurance, that will be billed first. Air Methods has been in partnership with Clay County for the past six years. Their new contract is effective June 1.
Commissioners agreed the Air Method service has been important to the citizens of the county and has saved tens of thousands of dollars in transport fees. “It’s one of the best things we’ve done for our citizens,” said Commissioner Randy Nichols. “I say that every year.”
“It’s a great program,” agreed Commission Scotty Penland.
Commissioners will be in the multi-purpose room of the courthouse at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1.