Meeting Notes

We added basic notes about county government meetings to our coverage. If you have additional story ideas, please send them to reporter and photographer Eleazar “El” Yisrael at (252) 258-9434 or [email protected]

The Board of Education invited commissioners to a special meeting to seek an understanding for the schools’ budget request for the next year in detail and “transparency” last Wednesday.

The superintendent will formally present and request funds during the county commissioners meeting today, May 5, at the Pamlico County Courthouse Annex at 7 p.m.

“(There wasn’t) a new resolution or accomplishment, but rather an ongoing, collaborative, (generally positive) dialogue between our two boards,” commented Superintendent Jeremy Johnson after last week’s meeting. “I appreciate the commissioners’ willingness to meet with us and listen to our needs.”

During the meeting:

* The board of education is asking for $4.9 Million from the county, a five percent increase from last year mostly due to state funding cuts.

* Federal money is on a different cycle then the school cycle. Federal money comes in a couple of months later in November, so they have to use other money to float the school until then. The board of education budget is composed of multiple funds (State, Federal, Local).

Notable State Funding Cuts:

* State Teacher Allotments ↓ by 3.5 positions: −$213,517.

* CTE employment ↓ 5 months: −$22,730.

* CTE teachers are paid monthly and the state cut funding for 5 months.

* Non-instructional support: −$25,407.

* Not in the classroom such as administration assistant/clerical type.

* Teacher Assistant Salaries: −$33,927.

* Children with Disabilities: −$7,903.

* Reported Total Loss: $325,604.

FY 24-25 Local Fund Totals:

* Fund 2 (Current Expense): $4,717,116.

* Fund 4 (Capital): $330,470.

* Includes $256,885 for technology, $67,500 for maintenance, and $36,085 for lawn mower for cutting fields lease.

* The Board of Education spent an extra $30,000 out of their savings/fund balance.



FY 25-26 Local Fund Request:

* Fund 2: $4,952,971.80.

* $939,472 for teacher supplements, utilities, insurance, staff salaries, and charter school sharing (public school is responsible for funding charter schools).

* Board mentioned that virtual schools were becoming more prevalent and getting the same amount of funding as brick and mortar charter schools.

* Fund 4 (Capital): $416,491.

* $287,488 for tech, $72,000 for repairs, $49,003 for final mower & activity bus payment.

* Then mentioned the sewer system in the Fred Anderson Elementary School as an example of repair that needs to be made.

Donate and become a vital part of growing a visual and written history of the county.

Down in the County has its own Instagram page! Check us out @downinthecounty