Craven schools' financial books were clean last year

A representative from an Eastern North Carolina accounting firm told Craven County school officials this week that they managed the system's finances as well as possible last year, considering the tight economic times.

Michael Jordan of Pittard, Perry & Crone Inc. told the Craven County Board of Education its financial books were clean for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. At the board's meeting Thursday, Jordan gave the system an unqualified opinion rating, the best a certified public accountant can award an organization.

An unqualified opinion means an accountant could not find anything in a financial statement that was incorrect or needed qualification, said David Clifton, the system's assistant superintendent for finance.

Jordan congratulated Superintendent Larry Moser and his financial staff for successfully managing a $100 million budget during a time when all organizations and families are looking for places to cut expenses. Jordan said the school system made $6.7 million during the 2007-08 fiscal year.

"If I could turn the schools into a Sears & Roebuck or a Wal-Mart, that's the profit you brought in," he said. "Now, don't think that's what you've got to spend. That money is committed in other places."

In other board business this week:

♦A Piedmont Natural Gas representative told the board his company is interested in buying about half an acre at the corner of Webb Boulevard and N.C. 101. The school system owns the land, which is across from the welcome sign at Havelock High.

Principal Jeff Murphy and Kim Smith, a board member, said they have concerns about selling because trees on the land provide a buffer area to separate the school from nearby businesses. Murphy said the school mostly uses the land for extra parking during football games.

The board told the Piedmont representative it wants more information about the use of the land and its value before revisiting the request at its February meeting.

n Wayne Beasley, a technology assistant to the superintendent, said five schools will receive a set of new laptops in the near future. The laptops are part of Larry Moser's plan to put more computers in schools to give students experience with technology.

Beasley said seven elementary, three middle and one high school recently applied for the laptops. Bangert, Bridgeton and Arthur W. Edwards elementaries, H.J. MacDonald Middle and West Craven High will receive laptops. Beasley said the system may buy netbooks, a smaller, cheaper laptop.

♦ Annette Brown, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, presented copies of signs for the new athletic code of conduct the board recently adopted. Athletes, coaches and parents are now required to sign the code before a season begins.

Brown said metal signs that cost about $75 will soon be hung on the fences at the entrances to the high school football stadiums. She said thick cardboard signs that cost about $50 will soon be hung on the walls of the high school gyms.

"The metal will be more durable outside," she said. "The lighter material for inside will be more cost-effective."