County prioritizes budget items ahead of school board meeting

The Bedford County Public Schools held a school board meeting on January 14, 2021, at 5:00 PM, focusing on budget discussions and community feedback. The meeting began with Mr. Hagler addressing inquiries regarding the prioritization of budget items identified by board members in the previous month.

Mr. Hagler explained that the county is currently assessing revenue and expenses to create a balanced budget. He noted that salaries have been highlighted as a top priority, and the staff is working collaboratively to evaluate the various budget items. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the current atypical year, which complicates predictions for the upcoming budget.

The discussion emphasized the importance of technical savings and efficiencies that could be realized year over year, which would aid in balancing the budget, particularly concerning salary adjustments. Mr. Hagler confirmed that a proposed budget would be presented on January 18, followed by a work session for the school board to review and modify the budget before it is finalized and presented to the supervisors.

Additionally, Dr. Woodford shared positive feedback from high school students and parents, expressing appreciation for the teachers, indicating a supportive community sentiment towards the educational staff.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue evaluating the budget items and ensuring that community input is considered in the decision-making process. The next steps involve finalizing the proposed budget and preparing for further discussions in the upcoming work session.