WINDSOR –

As expected, those favoring an audit of the Bertie County School system were pleased with the findings of that report.

Equally, those opposing the $50,000 audit, as ordered by the Bertie County Commissioners, defended the current practices employed by the county’s educational administrators.

In front of a standing room only crowd here yesterday afternoon at the Bertie County Senior Center, the point-counterpoint banter still leaves the bottom line intact – recommendations by the auditors that will save the county an estimated $7.7 million over the next five years.

Specifically, the audit called for the reduction of two nursing positions, eliminating an assistant financial officer position, eliminating several district administrative positions and drastically reduce travel costs.

The audit also suggested the district sell 10 county-owned vehicles (thus ending insurance and maintenance costs), eliminate the free lunch program, reduce maintenance positions by two, eliminate eight cellular phones, address the child nutrition funding and begin the process of staggered school start-stop times.

The emotions ran high on both fronts as the two-hour meeting included comments from elected leaders and the public.

Board of Education officials promised to address the findings of the audit.

See Thursday’s edition for the full story.