By Stephen Smoot
In the first meeting for the month of May, the Hardy County Board of Education took on a crowded agenda. After recognizing student achievement, they turned to the business of the rest of the agenda.
Josh See provided the maintenance report, stating that they “closed 82 work orders in the last 30 days,” for a rate of 93 percent. He pointed out that East Hardy Elementary School had 30 orders, which is unusually high. See said he “had no idea what is going on in that building,” but speculated its age could be a factor.
He also noted that the school speed limit signs on Main Street in Moorefield were upgraded with more accurate equipment and that an air quality survey was completed. See also noted that he met with the School Building Authority about East Hardy Elementary and that he felt the engagement was positive.
Additionally the “solar contract for the sidewalk” at Moorefield Elementary School has moved forward with materials now on site. Awning footings were poured at Moorefield Middle School and brushes were removed at East Hardy Elementary for the solar project there as well.
Said See, “So with ESG, they they’ve they they rolled right along their their solar portion of this is is moving really quick, I think, and should be fun to kinda watch all that stuff start.”
He moved on to discuss the SBA project for the secure entrance at Moorefield Middle School, saying that “the pre bid for that job is gonna be May 11 with the bid opening on May 27. The children’s building, the colors and design for the line layout has been chosen, and everything’s been ordered.”
Discussion then moved to the repair of an elevator at Moorefield Elementary School. See stated that some issues had arisen with equipment placed in such a fashion that it was not up to code, but the fire marshal inspections had never cited it as an issue. Orrin Staggers will reach out to see if a waiver can be obtained or the current setup get “grandfathered in.”
Next came discussions on nutrition, starting with the question of water for students. Board members were assured that students had access to free water, even through bottled water is for sale. State regulations require access to water in case students cannot consume milk for whatever reason. Most facilities have fountains to provide safe drinking water.
Additionally efforts to provide a good balance between prepackaged breakfast foods and “quick, scratch” breakfasts were detailed.
The Superintendent then gave a brief talk about finances and budgeting based on an April meeting that she attended.
It comes on the heels of last year’s issues with several county school systems getting into financial trouble. Van Meter stated it “was a reminder that your superintendent, your CEO, your treasurer, your fiscal officer will work together, and provide information to you, the board, who is the decision making body on those types of, specific types of financial expenditures.”
She added that “It talks about the key challenges, which were of course, as we know, the enrollment decline, the personnel shortages. Lots of counties have personnel shortages We’re in good shape there for the most part.”
Van Meter described the alternative education models as “competition” for the traditional public school systems.
She then noted the various ways that the State suggests that local school systems stay on top of finances, including constant teamwork and transparent reports to the Board at least monthly. Van Meter shared that the State encourages systems to keep personnel costs between 80 to 90 percent of the total budget. Hardy County is at 81.
“We have to make careful staffing decisions” reflecting “what is required by law,” said the Superintendent. She explained that special education teachers must meet a codified ratio to students with related IEPs, but that librarians are not “required by law.” Neither are Community in Schools staff, whose State financial support is gradually sunsetting over time.
She then explained “there are times when we have really crazy positions put before you, but that’s because we’re trying to make the most of those positions funded for us.” Many unconventional sounding titles and job descriptions are necessary to help fit staff into categories that can help pay for their roles. Counties that exercise such creativity generally can get more out of personnel funding.
Another issue school systems face is that across the board, the State has chosen to reward counties that have passed levies. For example, counties with EMS levies have access to more state aid. Van Meter stated that State education officials encourage counties lacking education levies to continue trying and revamping the approach.
Said the Superintendent, “that’s why we’re running the levy because what’s best for students requires us to have more than what the state’s going to be paying for now.”
On May 15, the Board of Education held a special meeting concerning levy rates and personnel.
