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County manager flags $700,000 Riverside Middle School debt as funding talks proceed
Summary
County Manager Drew Batts told the joint boards the county has been paying about $700,000 a year for Riverside Middle School debt service—roughly 17.5% of the county budget—underscoring limited capacity for larger school funding commitments; Commissioner Ronnie Smith noted that historically the county provided about 28% to schools and warned poor cooperation can lead to legal disputes.
County Manager Drew Batts told the joint Martin County Board of Commissioners and Board of Education on May 4 that the county has been paying roughly $700,000 annually toward Riverside Middle School debt service, which he said represents about 17.5% of the county's total budget.
Batts' remarks came after Superintendent Michelle White presented the Martin County Schools' proposed 2026-27 budget and a long-range facilities plan. Batts said overall county expenses have also increased, which constrains the county's ability to expand local funding without trade-offs elsewhere in the budget.
Commissioner Ronnie Smith responded by noting historical funding practices: he said the County Board of Commissioners historically provided about 28% to school boards. Smith also cautioned that poor cooperation between boards can produce costly disputes; regarding another county's experience he said, "lawyers were the only winners in that situation." He said the commissioners must balance fiscal realities with efforts to support the schools.
The boards thanked Superintendent White for the presentation. No appropriation or formal funding decision was made at the meeting; both boards adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
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