Dare County School Board says it needs millions more

By KRISTIN DAVIS
The Virginian-Pilot

KILL DEVIL HILLS - A dozen teachers stood in front of First Flight High School on Thursday evening holding signs that had no words, just big, bold question marks.

"We have questions," they told those who slowed their cars to get a closer look.

Then the teachers launched into what could happen to schools next year if county commissioners don't give the Dare County Board of Education all the money it has asked for.

The Board of Education says it needs $50.1 million to run the school system next year, more than half of which will come from the state and federal governments. The board has requested $22.3 million from the county - about $5.5 million more than Dare County commissioners have budgeted.

School Board members have prepared a list of possible cuts that could occur if that shortfall remains, including 43 teachers and 15 teacher assistants, teacher supplements, field trips and student programs. Summer school for kindergarten through fifth grade has already been canceled.

County Commissioner Richard Johnson called the School Board's list a political maneuver to get the public up in arms and to pressure the county into giving more money than it is able to.

"The county can't stand but so much," Johnson said Friday.

The commissioners have already increased school funding by more than $1 million over last year, he said.

"We are not trying to vilify anyone. We must look down the road at what might happen," School Board member Skip Saunders said during an informational meeting for parents and teachers at First Flight High on Thursday.

About 50 people , mostly educators , attended. It was one of several such meetings led by the Board of Education in schools across the county.

The sign-toting teachers showed up an hour early to drum up interest and spread the word. Nags Head Elementary School teacher Nell Malat was among them.

"I've been depressed for a week," she said. "We need for people to know what's going on. I don't think they know the seriousness of the situation."

Saunders explained at the meeting how the $5.5 million shortfall came about. The rising cost of fuel and utilities combined with the price of operating new schools accounts for just over $1 million, he said. Continuing existing educational programs and starting new ones accounts for another million. And the school system has lost $1.9 million in revenues, Saunders said. Adopting new textbooks, hiring another school bus mechanic and maintaining buildings make up most of the rest.

Saunders read through the list of possible cuts prepared by Dare County Schools. Teaching positions were among the most alarming to those gathered but would be the last to go, Saunders said.

"These are not decisions we've already made," he added. And eliminating 43 positions "does not mean we are going to fire 43 teachers." Positions left open by retirement and resignations just wouldn't be filled, he said.

Johnson and Stan White, the chairman of the Dare County Board of Commissioners, have questioned why teachers rather than administrators would be on the list.

"They're not offering to cut any high-dollar office positions, but they are talking about cutting teachers," Johnson said Friday. "Why? Because that'll get the public stirred up more than anything else."

Administrators lead school systems, Saunders said Friday. Doing away with the district's leaders is not the way to go, he said.

White stressed Friday that the Board of Education, not the county commissioners, decides what to spend money on.

Commissioners will meet June 5, and White expects much of their discussion will involve the school's budget. The meeting will include a public hearing on the county budget.

Commissioners and School Board members have been meeting one-on-one to discuss the shortfall, Saunders said.

The county plans to adopt its budget June 19.