Taxpayer urges quarterly budget transparency, blames Sunset Park rebuild decision for shortfall

During public comment at the April 29 Rock Hill School District meeting, Jolyn(e) Murphy, identifying herself as a taxpayer and concerned citizen, urged greater transparency in the district’s finances and criticized the decision to pay for the Sunset Park rebuild without issuing a 30-year bond.

Murphy said she attended a special meeting where audit findings were presented and quoted the presenter’s admonition that ‘‘children’s lives are affected.’’ She said the budget shortfall was, in her view, largely the result of the board’s choice to fund the Sunset Park rebuild without spreading the cost over a long-term bond and urged the district to provide quarterly public updates on revenue and expenditures, with clear, accessible reporting and graphics for taxpayers.

Murphy also urged the board to prioritize teacher support and retention, noting research that identifies teachers as the single most important in-school influence on student achievement. Trustees responded that the district is planning a major website overhaul and said they would consider more timely public financial reporting; two trustees volunteered to work on the idea of quarterly updates.

No board action was taken on the Sunset Park financing at the April 29 meeting; trustees acknowledged the comment and said the administration is working on website improvements and more transparent reporting.