Schools could see major budget cuts

Superintendent Darrell Treece held up the school district’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, ripped it in half and said it isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.

Treece told board members Tuesday night there are still a lot of unknowns, but next year’s budget could see a seven to nine percent cut across the board.

Treece said the state legislature warned school districts they could be cutting state funding in education anywhere from seven to nine percent, but nothing is set in stone.

“I am hoping that is the worse case scenario,” Treece said. “It doesn’t look good next year. I really don’t know where we are going to go to cut.”

Board member Marsha Walker asked Treece if the legislature might spare education.

“We haven’t been spared,” Treece said.

Treece said he is spending a lot of time in Frankfort to keep a close eye on the situation.

Financial Supervisor Renae Smith said creating the budget was difficult because they didn’t get exact numbers for funding for this year’s budget until last month.

“We did a budget not knowing,” Smith said.

OTHER ACTION

• Treece said the school district is in a good spot with only one day of school missed for weather.

This time last year they had missed eight days of school.

“If we can get through January, that’s good,” Treece said.

• The school district will take part in the earthquake preparedness program against this year on Feb. 7.

• The School Facilities Construction Commission offered the school district $63,989 to help with bonding in the district’s facility plan, which includes a new elementary school.

• The design committee for the new elementary school will present a proposed design at next month’s board meeting.

• Floyd Burton was named chairman of the board, Marsha Walker is vice chairman and Treece was named secretary.

• The board voted to change the date of the monthly meetings to the third Thursday of each month.

• The board will meet with the site based councils of each school on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m.

• Treece recognized board members as a part of School Board Appreciation week.

• The Nutrition and Physical Activity Report is now available on the school district website at www.adair.k12.ky.us.

• Personnel action includes employment of Casey Lamb, sub secretary/instructional assistant; Steve Martin, head softball coach—ACHS; Chad Meyers, head baseball coach—ACMS; Ray Price, sub custodian; Brittany McGuffin, bus monitor; William McClullough, sub teacher. Transfers include Chad Meyers, head baseball coach—ACMS.

Resignations include Gabriel Smith, technology assistant technician.

Board members Mike Harris, Floyd Burton, Marsha Walker and Joesph Payne were present at the meeting. Board member Rebecca Turner was absent.

The Adair County School Board meets the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the central office.

By Allison Hollon

allison@accvonline.com