Schools eye $45 million budget

How much does it cost to run Onslow County Schools for a year?

For the 2008-09 fiscal year, the Onslow County Board of Education says it will be $45.16 million.

The budget for next school year, which was approved unanimously this week at a special Board of Education meeting, covers instruction, human resources, auxiliary services, schools and continuations.

Continuations are "things we knew we needed to keep in place," Superintendent Kathy T. Spencer explained at the workshop.

The budget planned for next year results from almost $4 million in cuts from initial requests, Finance Officer Jeff Holloman said at a Tuesday workshop.

"We have to make our expenditures fit available funding," he said.

To do that, he explained, they focused on "a prioritized set of needs to carry (Onslow County Schools) forward."

Instruction costs

Included in the $1.3 million expansion request for instruction was $68,305 for Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) at every Onslow County high school except Jacksonville High School, and $17,200 for International Baccalaureate at JHS. Northwoods Park Middle School would receive $15,200 for their IB contract fees. The Clyde Erwin Elementary magnet school came with a request of $15,200 for the IB Primary Years Program, Assistant Superintendent Lesley Eason said at the workshop.

Progress monitoring via E-assessment totaled $86,691.44 - $12.76 per student in kindergarten through second grade, Eason said.

An additional $20,000 was requested for elementary school physical education.

"That entire expansion will be dedicated to health and physical education programs at our elementary schools," Eason said.

An additional school psychologist was also budgeted at the cost of $72,600.

Report cards alone, she said, will cost $9,810 next year.

Auxiliary costs

Included in the auxiliary services budget were computer equipment and laptops for certified staff members.

Also included in the Auxiliary Services budget were utility bills.

It costs $1.19 per square foot to power the 3.67 million square feet in the Onslow County Schools district for a year, said Jeff Hudson, assistant superintendent for Auxiliary Services.

While conservation measures are in place, an option is to distribute the energy bills to each school, he said.

Cleaning costs will also be cut.

"We're not talking about cutting custodial positions," Hudson clarified.

With 2,200 heated square feet cleaned per hour daily, minor changes will be made.

For example, auditoriums will not be cleaned every day, he said. Another option being looked into is purchasing four IS800c Robotic Sweeper Scrubbers, which will cost $50,000.

"It shows up for work every day. It's rarely sick," Hudson said, explaining that it is used at U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the Pentagon. "It'll save time and money as opposed to custodial bodies."

The scrubber would not be used at every campus, since it can only work in long hallways.

Board member Pam Thomas said that the Robotic Sweeper Scrubber would enhance the job, rather than fill the position.

"I wouldn't want (custodians) to think they will be replaced," she said.

Board member Brock Ridge saw the scrubber as an innovative idea.

"It's an example of ways you're trying to help us save costs," Ridge said.

Funding

The budget will be funded through grants, state and federal funds as well as local funds, Spencer said.

"Local funding will not cover all these issues completely, we know that," she said at the workshop.

State revenues include $205,000 in sales tax reimbursement. Federal revenues will include $6.3 million in Impact Aid Revenues and $430,000 in Medicaid administrative outreach, according to information provided at the budget workshop.

Local revenues, which total more than $38 million, come from a variety of sources.

County appropriation provides $31.9 million, while tuition provides $35,000. Fines and forfeitures bring in $1 million, while interest on investments bring in $360,000, according to the information provided. Activity and school cars, school supplements and school athletic supplies are reimbursed, totaling $760,056.

Vending revenues provide $15,000, while indirect cost provides $950,000 and miscellaneous funding brings in $5,000. Appropriated fund balance totaled $3.1 million, the information read.

Contact Jacksonville/Onslow County reporter Amanda Hickey at ahickey@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8463.