School Board discusses budget and more

Following another round of budget talks, the regular school board meeting on Feb. 14, featured nursing students from BTEC ( future story), a list of repaired items in an increasing need of buildings needing attention, school buses, a school calendar and a tweak to policy for transfers of students among the schools.

However, funds were talked about much of the night. After passing out certificates of recognition to the school board, the meeting turned to the business at hand.

With the announcement of the retirement of John Busher in late January, a new superintendent on the horizon, the school board seems bent on reducing costs in the division for the next budget 2019-20. While huzzahs were given to the students, dollars were being examined by the board. Scott Swartzol of Blue Ridge District, often leads the fray when questioning what can be cut in the next budget while talking about the current school year. “We need to be looking at where we can cut, to get the budget the number down,” he said. The budget deficit sits at 1.298 million in the proposed budget.

Added to the budget discussion in the earlier meeting were playgrounds and running tracks at the schools.

Right now, the projected budget need of an extra over $1.298 million deficit dollars that is reflected mostly in teacher salaries. With the governor proposing a budget, the General Assembly having eyes on their own, the local ask is to keep Botetourt up to a competitive level with other local divisions noted Busher. With a school population that has gone down by hundreds in the past few years, the questions are complex in the county. Growth in industry is taking off and the uncertainty of what the addition of new apartments will bring in the new school year in way of school aged children makes it more complex. “Botetourt needs affordable housing maybe in the Blue Ridge area,” mentioned Busher in his conversations with the board.

As for Blue Ridge, prequalifying bids for construction are being sought for the new school located off Laymantown Rd.  Due to rain, only 12 days have been suitable for the past several months in the preparation of the site. Final drawings are expected in the next couple of weeks and then the bid process will begin.

After much discussion the board approved the lease-purchase of 2 new large buses, two small buses and 3 ten passenger vans equipped with wheel chair lifts. US Bank will fund the purchase at 2.89% up from the rate turned down in the December to cast a wider net. Instead of two bids, the division received 3 and at a higher rate.

The school board previewed the calendar for 2019-20. It will remain on the division website for the next month with expected approval in March if no changes are deemed necessary from public comment. School will begin on Aug.8 and end on May 20. There are 4 snow days and and an assortment of other days off through out the year.

The board will meet next week to discuss the candidate for superintendent search to be aided by the Virginia School Board Association. School budget meetings continue and the next monthly meeting is March 14.

–Cathy Benson. Photo by Cathy Benson