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Concerned parents meet with Malone
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| By: Cathy Hall, Staff Writer |
March 09, 2010 |
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Conservator Larry Malone met with parents at Strayhorn last week to discuss school budget cuts. (Photo by Cathy Hall)
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After several concerned parents and citizens of the Strayhorn community were denied the opportunity to speak at the Tate County School Board meeting on March 1, Larry Malone, the state appointed conservator, set up a special question and answer session for Thursday, March 4.
The community members were not aware that in order to speak in front of the School Board, they needed to get a place on the agenda beforehand. Malone spoke with the parents outside the board room and scheduled the community meeting.
Malone began the meeting by commending the tremendous amount of community support and concern that was shown in the matter of Strayhorn's future, as well as complimenting the wonderful staff at Strayhorn School and the great job that they do with the children.
Parents expressed concerns about budget cuts and loosing valuable staff such as teacher's assistants, full time nurses, counselors, librarians, and assistant principals.
Malone stated that the district is looking into all school administrators taking pay cuts saying, "We're going to start at the top."
Another topic brought up by Malone was the promise that two "experts" from the Mississippi Department of Education were coming this week to evaluate the district's financial situation.
He had told the board members during the open session of the March 1 meeting that the state-appointed financial advisor, Ronnie Watson has calculated that his best estimate showed a deficit of between $75,000 and $200,000 by the end of the fiscal year. The district has had over $1 million cut from state funds since the beginning of this fiscal year, and has been advised to budget for 15% less next year.
Possible solutions brought up by Malone to reduce costs in the schools included closing down the Extended School Year Program during the month of June or beginning the school year in September, one month later than normal. One parent suggested that community members volunteer their time and efforts at the schools and school events.
The district went into financial conservatorship last year, after budget cuts and falling tax revenues would have presented them with a significant deficit. Tate County Schools borrowed over $1 million from the state to finish out last fiscal year, but had hoped to start rebuilding its fund equity this year. School officials fear that this year's budget cuts will prevent that from happening.
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©The Democrat 2010
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