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Avery County boards weigh Pre-K funding and inconsistent supply-money practices
Summary
School finance officer Faith Cope said 89 children are enrolled in Pre-K, 60 qualify as low-income and state funding is capped at 70 slots; commissioners provided extra local funds. Commissioner Dennis Aldridge raised concerns that doubled supply money has not eliminated teacher out-of-pocket purchases due to inconsistent school-level handling.
Faith Cope, the district’s school finance officer, told the joint meeting there are 89 students enrolled in Pre-K and 60 qualify as low income. Cope said state funding is allocated on 70 slots and, because only 60 students qualify as low income, the district can bill for 60 low-income slots; she also noted the maximum class size is 18. "Yes," Cope said when asked by Chair Tim Phillips whether age-eligible children are getting into Pre-K, adding that local funding is covering slots beyond what state reimbursements permit.
Commissioner Dennis Aldridge raised concerns about supply-money distribution, saying teachers still report having to use personal funds despite the county doubling supply allocations. "It doesn’t seem like we gained on the problem," Aldridge said, arguing that allowing each school to handle distribution differently creates confusion and makes the process hard to defend.
BOE member Michelle Burnop said some supplies were purchased in bulk and agreed a uniform approach would work better. Interim Superintendent Terry Worrell said principals are being urged to work with teachers and to communicate more clearly; Pat Edwards said the BOE is trying to set earlier deadlines and improve the process. The discussion concluded with an agreement to improve communication, encourage year-round spending discipline and standardize distribution practices where possible.
Next steps: Finance staff will check whether certain capital items are included on the project list; the BOE and county agreed to refine processes for supply distribution and to continue monitoring Pre-K enrollment and funding.
