Bertie Schools budget presented
Published Tuesday, May 5, 2009
WINDSOR – Bertie County Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Chip Zullinger officially presented the district’s local funding request to the Bertie County Commissioners here Monday morning.
Dr. Zullinger also gave commissioners an update as to how the funding requested in the previous year was being utilized.
Dr. Zullinger began with the current funding requests, relating that the Bertie County Board of Education was asking for the same amount of funding in 2009-10 that it had received in the current fiscal year. That amounts to $2.75 million in current expense funds and $375,000 in capital outlay.
“I also want to say how positive the working relationship has been between the Bertie County Commissioners and board of education,” he said. “Also, it has been positive between myself and the county manager (Zee Lamb).”
Dr. Zullinger also said he appreciated the 10 percent increase the school board had received in funding over the past three years.
“I appreciate the work the board has done in funding,” the superintendent said. “You have been more than fair in trying to see us move forward.”
A top priority last year was the Shaw University Cadet Program, which allows high academic level students to attend school at night while working in the Bertie County Schools during the day. It allows for the students to be paid and be members of the state retirement system while getting their college degrees.
In return the students commit to teach in Bertie County Schools for a minimum of five years. Dr. Zullinger said the goal of the program was 20 students, but it began with an enrollment of eight. Seven of those students are still in the program and are working well into getting their degree.
Dr. Zullinger said he was disappointed that there still was not a concrete university presence in Bertie County, something he hoped would happen through the program.
He also said the budget presentation includes money to add 10 additional cadets to the program for the upcoming year. That cost, in local funding, is $340,000.
Secondly, Dr. Zullinger spoke about changes in the way the school district handled alternative students. He said the intention was to have Uplift Comprehensive Services provide an alternative setting.
He said it was up and running and that two more sites, Reclamation and The Hive, were also providing alternative services for students.
“That allows our schools to focus on students rather than discipline,” he said.
The district was also beginning the More at Four expansion at the former C.G. White school. Dr. Zullinger reported that was completed and added that the former Askewville Elementary School was also reopened for use as a More at Four site.
“Three years ago, 21 percent of our students were in a school pre-school program,” Dr. Zullinger said. “That number is 77 percent this year. It is higher than anyone in the area and probably one of the highest numbers in the state.”
The superintendent also said the new Ninth Grade Academy was paying dividends.
According to information provided by the superintendent, a year ago ninth grade students at Bertie High passed Algebra I at a 32 percent rate. At the end of the first semester, that passing rate was 87 percent. In English I, it was 42 percent a year ago, thus far this year it is 83 percent.
“What kind of steroids are you giving them,” Commission Vice Chairman L.C. Hoggard III asked, admitting he was joking.
“Its teachers,” chimed in both Chairman Norman M. Cherry Sr. and Commissioner Charles Smith, both retired educators.
“Teachers, class size and an administration that is tough on them and quick to get parents involved,” Dr. Zullinger responded.
The superintendent also informed the board the Bertie County STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) School had a 100 percent passing rate.
The board was also informed that most of the capital outlay funding was used to upgrade Bertie High School and would be so used again.
After Dr. Zullinger’s presentation, Bertie County Manager Zee Lamb informed the public he agreed with the superintendent’s assessment of the working relationship between the two. Lamb said he had requested the board take a four percent reduction in the current year budget (roughly $100,000) and Dr. Zullinger had agreed.
“When I brought it back to the commissioners, they didn’t want to do that,” Lamb said. “They wanted to live up the obligation they had made and said they would rather funds come from the undesignated fund balance.”
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