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Swain County Schools outlines $2.8 million local funding request amid projected state cuts
Summary
District staff presented a local appropriation request totaling about $2.8 million to cover projected state and impact-aid shortfalls and facility and staffing needs; the board tabled final approval for further discussion.
Ms. Mayhew, a district staff member presenting the finances, told the board Swain County Schools expects a sizeable funding shortfall next year driven by an anticipated state-budget reduction and a drop in student membership.
She said the district expects about a $500,000 reduction in state funds and roughly $200,000 less in impact aid. "As 90% of our state funds cover salaries, this will impact positions more than anything else," Ms. Mayhew said.
Ms. Mayhew laid out operational and capital funding needs and proposed amounts the district would request from the county: basic facility requirements estimated at $1.8 million; an additional appropriation to cover state shortfalls of about $800,000; and use of quarter-cent tax receipts projected at about $220,000. She also described a capital request of $200,000 for specific projects including a middle school roof, bus garage roof and electrical work at the high school.
She summarized expense drivers and examples: the six-person maintenance team cost $426,000 last year and is expected to rise to $450,000; insurance was estimated at $130,000; utilities at $726,000; and supplies/materials at $514,000. Ms. Mayhew said the district would like the county to cover the remaining 20% of certain positions that the state funds at 80% (positions cited included social workers, nurses and deans) and to fund two reading teacher assistants at each elementary school.
The presenter said the district's overall local request inputted into comparative metrics would move Swain toward the mid-pack among surrounding counties, though the county would still lag on some measures. She also mentioned a $53,000 increase for summer reading camps, a large increase in a Title VI grant, reallocations in special revenue for salaries, and proceeds from sold equipment to be used for technology.
The board did not vote to approve the local request numbers at the meeting and instead moved to table that item for further discussion; budget amendments presented by Ms. Mayhew were approved at the meeting.
Next steps: the board will continue discussion of the county budget request at a later meeting or work session and will decide whether to forward the district's request to county commissioners.
