County sends BOE back to balance its budget
Cumberland County's budget committee requested the Cumberland County Board of Education to balance its fiscal year 2025-'26 budget and return for further consideration. The BOE is tentatively scheduled to return June 17.
The BOE requested $2.56 million of additional, one-time funding for several capital projects included in its budget.
The county's budget committee met last week and saw the BOE's proposed budget is a little over $6.5 million in the red. If the one-time funding was approved by the county, it would still leave a deficit of $4 million.
Prior to voting on awarding the $2.56 million in capital projects, Darrell Threet, 3rd District commissioner, said, 'I'd rather see their cuts [in their budget] before I start giving away money. Have them come back and see where they're at.'
For its 2025-'26 fiscal year budget the BOE lists $76,355,099 in proposed revenue and a total of expenditures at $82,878,206, leaving a shortfall of $6,523,107.
The state's required maintenance of effort, required funding from Cumberland County to contribute toward the school system, is $19 million for 2025-'26.
Capital projects included in the BOE's budget are:
• Electrical phase II project at Martin Elementary at $420,000.
• Fire alarm system work at South Cumberland Elementary at $400,000.
• Drainage system at Martin Elementary at $250,000.
• Replace gym floor at South Cumberland at $300,000.
• Replace track at Stone Memorial High School at $790,000.
• Electrical work at Homestead Elementary at $400,000.
The total of those projects is $2.56 million.
Other increases in the BOE's budget for 2025-'26 include 10% for classified staff working less than 260 days; an estimated 3.5% in insurance costs; student information service person from 220 to 240 days per year; two new assistant principal positions, one for Homestead and one for Stone Elementary schools; 10 extra work days added for elementary and Phoenix School secretaries for additional assistance to principals during summer; Mastery Connect software purchase that was previously purchased through federal funds through Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds.
Cumberland County Finance Director Jennifer Turner reminded commissioners and the BOE's Chief Operations Officer, Kim Bray, that the BOE would not spend all of its $78 million current year estimated expenditures before June 30, which is the end of the fiscal year.
'Those funds will rollover into the [BOE's] fund balance,' Turner said.
Wiley Potter, 1st District commissioner, said, 'I've heard so many different numbers. How much is you're asking from the county?'
Bray said they were requesting an additional $2.5 million for the capital projects.
'That's above the [maintenance of effort] of $19 million [required of the county],' Bray said.
Tom Isham, 2nd District commissioner, asked about the track at Stone Memorial High School and if it is repairable.
Bray said it is not and has to be replaced. She said they have repaired it and resurfaced it previously. She said two different groups had looked at the track and it is beyond repair.
'So, if the track isn't funded, what would be the work around for that?' Colleen Mall, 9th District commissioner asked.
'Well, they won't have any track meets at Stone Memorial; they will just use it as a walk around for the visitor's side of the stadium,' Bray said.
She asked about the track at Cumberland County High School.
Bray said it has been repaired before and is usable.
Mall asked how long they were unable to use the track at Stone and Bray said for one year.
'So, maybe the world is not going to collapse if that track doesn't get replaced. They'll still have track?' Mall asked.
'We will have to have track at other places. They will not be hosting anything,' Bray said.
After a brief discussion, Terry Lowe, 5th District commissioner and budget committee chairman, said, 'The children of Cumberland County are the most important asset we've got … They are the future of Cumberland County … I think these ladies have done an exceptional job on working this up. I don't have a problem with helping them out. I'm going to call for a vote …'
Lowe then motioned to award the BOE the $2.56 million for capital projects.
Deborah Holbrook, 8th District commissioner, supported the motion.
Threet said he would like to see the cuts, and Potter agreed.
In a roll call vote, the motion failed in a 8-3 vote.
Voting in favor of Lowe's motion were Lowe, Holbrook; and 6th District commissioner Wendell Wilson.
Voting against the motion were Potter; Isham; Threet; Mark Baldwin, 7th District commissioner; and Mall.
Mall said, 'I agree with Darrell. We have call back dates … we want to support, but I don't think we have enough information. Enough solid information about the total costs …'
After the vote, a call back date of June 17 was scheduled.
'So, let me make sure I'm clear in understanding you want us to come back and show that we have cut $4 million and make the budget balanced? Is that what you all are asking for? Because we just asked for the maintenance of effort plus the additional capital projects. That's what we asked for, but you're wanting to see how we're going to cut to make the budget balanced? Am I understanding that's what you're wanting?' Rebecca Farley, interim director of schools, said.
Lowe said to show the committee where they were going to cut the $4 million.
Holbrook said they weren't saying they wouldn't fund the request but the committee wanted more information.
Mall said that maybe by June 17 they would have a better understanding of where the BOE was in terms of its fund balance.
The group also briefly discussed a new requirement by the county that was recommended by the state comptroller of the BOE maintaining a 17% of its budget fund balance. Currently the requirement is 3%.
Bray said they had the current 3% but it would not be possible to do the 17% this year.
When the county's budget committee approved the new fund balance policy a couple of months ago it was made clear the BOE would be unable to do so this year and that they would need to submit a plan on how they would work toward doing it in the future.
Farley included a handout to the committee that projected an early planning of the BOE's budget next fiscal year with an approved budget by April after finalizing insurance costs.
The BOE is scheduled to come back to the county budget committee and meet at 4:30 p.m. in the Cumberland Room at the Art Circle Public Library.
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