UPDATED: BOE approves additional funding for library
The Barrow County Board of Education has approved an additional $25,200 in funding for the Piedmont Regional Library system.
The amount will increase the board’s contribution from $50,000 annually to $75,200.
The additional funds will be used to allow the Auburn and Statham libraries to extend their operating hours. The money will also be used to purchase more children and young adult books for all three of the county’s libraries.
In a presentation to the board at last week’s meeting, Alan Harkness, regional director of the library system, said state per capita spending for libraries is $18. Harkness said Barrow County spends only $5 per capita.
At Thursday’s called meeting, BOE chairman William Bramlett said those numbers were appalling as he expressed his support for the increased funding.
The Piedmont Regional Library System operates eleven libraries in three counties. The operating budget for Barrow County alone is $251,000. That number does not include building and utility costs as several local governments provide facilities to house the libraries.
The City of Winder has pledged $100,000 to support the library system and Barrow County is being asked to triple their contribution from last year.
Of the $75,200 the board of education will contribute, $15,000 will be allocated as regional fees with $60,200 designated for direct support of the county’s libraries.
In other business, the board continued its review of the proposed 2009 budget. While the increased library funding was the only budget addition Thursday night, several members of the board expressed concern that the proposed fuel budget was not adequate.
Currently the board has budgeted $1.2 million for fuel in fiscal year 2009, a $671,000 increase from the 2008 budget.
Transportation director Dr. James Cantrell had previously told the board that if wholesale prices rise above $4.25 per gallon, the $1.2 million will not be enough. With a projected annual fuel usage of 280,800 gallons, the fuel cost would increase to $1.26 million.
Dr. Cantrell reported Thursday that the wholesale price had risen to $4.28.
School Superintendent Ron Saunders said he and his staff would begin working on a plan to deal with the rising fuel costs. While the board will leave the fuel budget unchanged for the time being, Saunders said they may have to make some tough decisions once consumption reaches a certain level.
One of the options under consideration is a four day school week. Saunders said the school system would most likely have to open the schools on Friday for additional instruction, but parents would be required to provide transportation.
Another option would be the elimination of school system provided transportation for sporting events.
UP NEXT
The board will meet Tuesday, May 27 at 6 p.m. to review the 2009 budget. The board will vote to approve the preliminary budget on June 3 with the vote on final adoption scheduled for June 24.
The additional funds will be used to allow the Auburn and Statham libraries to extend their operating hours. The money will also be used to purchase more children and young adult books for all three of the county’s libraries.
In a presentation to the board at last week’s meeting, Alan Harkness, regional director of the library system, said state per capita spending for libraries is $18. Harkness said Barrow County spends only $5 per capita.
At Thursday’s called meeting, BOE chairman William Bramlett said those numbers were appalling as he expressed his support for the increased funding.
The Piedmont Regional Library System operates eleven libraries in three counties. The operating budget for Barrow County alone is $251,000. That number does not include building and utility costs as several local governments provide facilities to house the libraries.
The City of Winder has pledged $100,000 to support the library system and Barrow County is being asked to triple their contribution from last year.
Of the $75,200 the board of education will contribute, $15,000 will be allocated as regional fees with $60,200 designated for direct support of the county’s libraries.
In other business, the board continued its review of the proposed 2009 budget. While the increased library funding was the only budget addition Thursday night, several members of the board expressed concern that the proposed fuel budget was not adequate.
Currently the board has budgeted $1.2 million for fuel in fiscal year 2009, a $671,000 increase from the 2008 budget.
Transportation director Dr. James Cantrell had previously told the board that if wholesale prices rise above $4.25 per gallon, the $1.2 million will not be enough. With a projected annual fuel usage of 280,800 gallons, the fuel cost would increase to $1.26 million.
Dr. Cantrell reported Thursday that the wholesale price had risen to $4.28.
School Superintendent Ron Saunders said he and his staff would begin working on a plan to deal with the rising fuel costs. While the board will leave the fuel budget unchanged for the time being, Saunders said they may have to make some tough decisions once consumption reaches a certain level.
One of the options under consideration is a four day school week. Saunders said the school system would most likely have to open the schools on Friday for additional instruction, but parents would be required to provide transportation.
Another option would be the elimination of school system provided transportation for sporting events.
UP NEXT
The board will meet Tuesday, May 27 at 6 p.m. to review the 2009 budget. The board will vote to approve the preliminary budget on June 3 with the vote on final adoption scheduled for June 24.
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