By Becky Long
Publisher
Clay County Schools submitted
a proposed budget
showing a substantial increase
over last year, much
of which can be attributed to
a possible land purchase, rise
in utility costs and a 3 percent
local supplement they want
for certifi ed teachers.
On May 5, Schools Superintendent
Dale Cole accompanied
by school board
Chairman Jason Shook, highlighted
some of the factors
behind the increase in the
schools’ proposed budget
during the county commissioners’
monthly meeting.
The county pays capital
outlay funds such as maintenance
and property projects
and improvements while
the state generally handles
operational funding such as
teacher and staff salaries.
This year’s school budget
presented to the county increased
about $529,000 over
last year. In FY 2021-22 the
budget was $1,609, 799. This
year the school is asking for
$2,114,174.
Cole and Shook pointed
out that they are projecting
a $70,000 increase in utility
costs for the primary school
alone. “It’s 80,000 square
feet and the propane and
electric is more than we anticipated,”
Cole said.
Another big ticket item
comes in the form of routine
maintenance contract services,
$250,000, which the
school is paying out of the
state-funded Small School
Funds. “We would like to
shuffl e that back to education
where it belongs,” Cole said.
On the property front, the
school would like to purchase
two adjacent, 1 acre lots on
School Drive for an estimated
$75,000.
Perhaps one of the biggest,
but most important
budget items came in the
form of a request for a 3
percent local supplement for
certifi ed teachers. Estimated
costs to the county would be
$222,208, but school officials
say it would help retain
good teachers. They say these
teachers are already in a
competitive market considering
neighboring schools in
Cherokee County and higher
pay in Georgia.
Cherokee and Macon counties
already provide teacher
pay supplements and according
to Scotty Penland, a
retired schools superintendent,
teacher supplements
are common throughout the
state.
Referring to teacher retention,
Cole said, “Once we lose
them, I’m afraid we won’t get
them back. And with the new
school, we will need more
teachers.”
Cole was referring to the
$32 million grant the school
system was awarded to house
classrooms in third through
eighth grade; a new gym for
Hayesville Middle School; a
cafeteria to serve grades third
through 12th and a new performing
arts center for use by
the entire school system and
the entire community.
“What about support
staff ?” Penland asked. “If we
free up money in our Small
School Fund we can use that
for bus drivers and other
staff .”
The school is also experiencing
a shortage of bus
drivers. “If we can’t get the
kids to school, you can’t teach
them.” Penland said.
While the budget is preliminary
at this point, Commission
Chairman Rob Peck
pointed out that to date the
county has received a budget
increase request of $4.5 million
from all of its departments
combined.
First I want to congratulate
you on the $32 million grant
for the new school,” Peck
said. “We’ll take all of this
under consideration.
County Manager Debbie
Mauney has been working
on the budget for several
weeks and it is expected to
be presented to the board in
June. The fi nal budget must
be passed by July 1.
In other matters, the county
renewed contracts from
two companies who provide
medical air transport services.
Last week they approved
Air Methods for a yearly rate
of $27,000 and in April they
renewed the contract with Air
Med Care for $26,587.
The county uses two services
to ensure more accessibility
for those who use it. It
is free to all residents of Clay
County, “This is one of the
best things we’ve ever done as
commissioners,” said Randy
Nichols. “I’ve seen how it has
aff ected people fi rst-hand.”