BOE approves 160-day school year; reserves to make up budget shortfall

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Wednesday, May 2. 2012

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The Barrow County Board of Education approved a preliminary FY2013 budget Tuesday night that would cut the school year to 160 days and use $4 million of its reserves to balance its budget. The proposal does not increase the millage rate. The board approved $88.9 million in expenses and a projected $84.9 million in revenues. That won’t be the final budget, however, since the board is slated to again discuss it later this month before taking action for final approval in June. The BOE vote was 7-1 in favor of the preliminary budget with Will Dunn voting against. In addition to voting on a preliminary budget, the board also voted 7-1 to move two principals into the central office to replace departing assistant superintendent Claire Miller. The two will have the title of executive director. Chris McMichael of County Line Elementary School will now be in charge of high school teaching and learning, tribunals, parent concerns and student services.

Jan Massingill of Yargo Elementary School will oversee the elementary schools and middle schools for federal program issues and students with disabilities.

Valorie Rolader was also named by the BOE as principal of Westside Middle School. The position had been vacant since former principal Eli Welch left for Gwinnett County Schools in March.

Dunn also voted against the move of the two principals to the central office.

For the full story, see the May 2 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 11:31 AM [Reply]

Did they name the new Westside principal?

#2 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 11:50 AM [Reply]

yes - Ms. Rolader

#3 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 01:20 PM [Reply]

The BCSS is going to overspend $4 Million dollars next year? In 20 less days?

WOW!!! Something needs to change!

Mr. Dunn....You might be the only one left in the BOE next year among your co-board members.

#3.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 04:05 PM [Reply]

That the same Dunn who doesn't even have his kids in the system but sends them to private school? Not really invested is he?

#4 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 01:27 PM [Reply]

From the other paper. It says a $9 Million shortfall. Somebody is lying!

The Barrow County Board of Education approved a tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2013, a new "compact" calendar for the 2012-13 school year, and approved a new principal for Westside Middle School following an executive session in last nights’ board meeting.

The tentative general fund budget, presented by director of business services Chris Griner, was created with an assumption that property taxes would decline by 16 percent, that the district would maintain its current mill rate of 18.5, that it would receive a midterm adjustment from the state of nearly $950,000, and that it would receive charter funding of over $1.1 million.

With those assumptions, the FY 13 budget shows projected revenue of more than $84.9 million and projected expenditures of over $93.9 million, leaving a deficit of over $9 million.

The board made reductions of approximately $5 million and will use about $4 million from reserves, leaving a projected fund balance of approximately $5.2 million at the end of FY 13. Griner estimated the district requires at least $7.5 million to operate the district for one month.

In order to trim $5 million from the budget, the board approved the following reductions:

• Six teacher furlough days will be added to the calendar

• The district will eliminate its contributions to employee health insurance

• Student bus stops in subdivisions will go from a quarter mile to a half mile

• Students with disabilities, including Pre-K students, will be taught at Bramlett, Yargo, and Statham Elementary Schools in addition to Kennedy Elementary

• Field trips will be limited, and middle and high schools will pay for 25 percent of competition trips

• Phone and internet accessibility has been reviewed

Another major change due to reduction is the adoption of a 160 day instructional calendar, rather than the previously adopted 180 day calendar. Superintendent Dr. Wanda Creel said students would receive the same amount of instructional minutes, due to a longer bell schedule. She said employee contracts would not be affected because they will be paid for the same amount of time worked.

#4.1 Michelle on 05/02/12 at 02:33 PM [Reply]

Thank you for clarifying this information for us. I for one am in complete agreement with these changes (for the first time in a long time). We HAVE to do something to change our budget, and if our children have the same school hours we all did growing up, what difference does 20 days make to them?

Anyone who complains about this should be grateful that they are not a teacher. They are not getting a raise (again), they have cut paid work days (furlough days), and now they have lost their employer's share of funding their benefits. We should all be grateful that our teachers stay around!!!!! Thank goodness they are not cutting back their pay even more.

Everyone should stop complaining about childcare too. Teachers are TEACHERS not babysitters. It is our responsibility as parents to coordinate care for our children and help them with their homework. Times are tough - for EVERYONE.

FYI, I have lived in this county since 1997, and I currently have two children in the BCSS, so don't say I don't feel the pain of change because I do. If you feel our schools budget is too high, go in and spend a couple of days at your children's schools volunteering (wow - what a concept!) and see what a meager budget they work with. THEN, if you have suggestions, show up to a board meeting and offer said suggestions.

How about instead of complaining about everything, get involved with the schools and try to resolve everything?

#4.1.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 06:06 PM [Reply]

Teachers are getting a raise. Didn't you hear? Mandated by the Governor.

All the non-teachers will take a 20 day pay cut, plus still have furlough days and will now be responsible for their entire medical and dental premiums.

The BOE should be ashamed of themselves for allowing some of the BCSS employees finding out about this from this online forum.

#4.1.1.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 06:34 PM [Reply]

No raises, just a NON-freeze of natural step progression as teachers accrue years of service. NO actual raise OR cost of living increase - for the 5th year in a row :(

#4.1.1.2 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 07:10 PM [Reply]

Yeah why is that???????? Their furloughed days could be up to 30 I mean really?

#4.1.1.2.1 anon on 05/02/12 at 07:14 PM [Reply]

We were told that parapros are going to lose 30 days' pay.

#4.1.2 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 08:02 PM [Reply]

You can show up at a BOE meeting but you don't have a say about anything really. You must be on the agenda but even then, it is culled. Just saying....

#4.1.2.1 Bob on 05/04/12 at 05:34 AM [Reply]

The Teachers don't deserve a raise, nor do they deserve their step progression raises. Why should we be forced to promote poor performance? The students are failing to meet national standards, and you want to reward the teachers??

#5 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 01:52 PM [Reply]

and they are changing the times

#6 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 02:30 PM [Reply]

Are they going to keep that stupid "alternative" school open at old County Line building? That waste of $ needs to be closed permanently! It could be sold and turned into something useful, like a strip joint.

#6.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 03:42 PM [Reply]

Yeah that makes sense. Put the students who are bad and who got kicked out of school back into the classroom to be a classroom disruption again. Many of those kids have records.

#6.1.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 04:39 PM [Reply]

But you don't mind housing these "bad" kids in one expensive rotten barrel? That's a mindless NIMBY posture if ever there was one.

#6.2 WBHSc/o99 on 05/02/12 at 03:45 PM [Reply]

That alternative school you refer to is the BCAEP. It hasn't been in the old County Line all year so get your facts straight. Secondly, students at that school have made incredible strides in both behavior and academics this year. Why am I even responding to you? A strip joint? Really? Wow!

#6.2.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 05:43 PM [Reply]

Then for what purpose is the building used? The sign blew down and was not replaced. Is it simply an unoccupied structure? As for "strip joint," that was a joke. Loosen up!

#7 J.B. Moore on 05/02/12 at 04:38 PM [Reply]

Thank you, stick with these adjustments and show your willingness to make improvements and if you show responsible action with our money we will work with you next year. The Sidewinder was never a big hit.

#7.1 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 09:02 AM [Reply]

How do you know Sidewinder was "never a big hit"?
I have no idea what their profits, if any, were, but the parking lot always seemed packed.

Their real problem commenced when Russell ceased to be a town; Winder annexed the territory and then went on a moral crusade to shut them down by forcing them to restrict themselves to topless dancing (instead of total nudity).

#8 Blood Hound on 05/02/12 at 08:59 PM [Reply]

Were/are McMichael & Massingill the best "instructional-leader" choices for Executive Asst. Supt. for Teaching & Learning? I mean, WBHS is a 'Priority' School and an elementary principal with two years of experience is going to be the instructional-head for both high schools.
Not! Creel is just surrounding herself with her hip-pocket, pawns.
Our superintendent is not making decisons that are in the best interests of Teaching & Learning; she is trying to build a "wall" around her.
BOE, I know you need to reduce spending; but, this plan stinks with ulterior motive! BOE, why don't you smell it???

#8.1 Fortitude on 05/03/12 at 09:15 AM [Reply]

yep, those are her cronies to do what she wants them to do without worrying someone might look smarter in that job. The BOE from what I have been told, does not have that much influence over who she hires, only when they hire a super, so Creel is in her last year, lets keep it that way

#8.2 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 08:44 PM [Reply]

Obviously you do not know the background of Dr. McMichael - BIG LOSS for CLES, but a GREAT gain in the area he will be working.

#9 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 10:08 PM [Reply]

way to much spending a stuff thats not needed in the schiol system period from top to bottom. and new cars for higher ups ride around
in if want proof ride by the bus place on Hal Jackson or Up Holly Hill .But will see wrecked ones too .

#10 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 10:17 PM [Reply]

ok if their trying save money why are barrow county school buss driving out of county to park at home see it daily bein done. we spend so much money on stuff not needed ask people that work for
there . as tax prayer and owner of a big rig ,fuel not cheap.

#11 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 06:44 AM [Reply]

The BOE should be ashamed of themselves for allowing many BCSS employees finding out about all these changes from this online forum.

Pathetic leadership.

This should certainly should have been opened up to public concerns before a vote had taken place.

What a cowardly way.

#12 Walt on 05/03/12 at 10:39 AM [Reply]

Conservatives - this is the result of your calls for "no more taxes." Congratulations, you've shortchanged thousands of students and hindered their future.

#12.1 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 11:09 AM [Reply]

Walt, Walt, Walt....

What does that have to do with this?

We are already at 18.5 mils and the maximum property tax for schools that can be assessed is 20 mils.

A temporary decrease in property values has cause a reduction in revenue.

Take your politically divisive talking points somewhere else.

#12.1.1 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 02:13 PM [Reply]

Temporary? Can I borrow your rose-colored glasses. I'm not arguing for against your main point, but you are sadly mistaken if you think this housing bubble is temporary.

#12.2 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 11:09 AM [Reply]

Their future is by no means "shortchanged" if the students choose to put in the required effort. How did Abe Lincoln ever succeed without a nanny to spoonfeed him from a jet-engine com-pew-tor?

The ultimate responsibility lies with the students -- not the teachers. And certainly not the taxpayers.

But, a libtard never saw a problem he didn't want to throw money at -- just like any monkey in the jungle.
Only they don't throw dollars.

#12.3 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 08:26 PM [Reply]

YES...TEMPORARY!! THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME OR THE LAST. YOU JUST WANT SOMETHING FOR NOTHING. SUPRISE. YOU PROBABLY RENT AND IF TAXES WENT UP LESS PEOPLE WOULD INVEST IN HOUSES AND IT WOULD TAKE LONGER TO RECOVER IN BARROW COUNTY. TAXES HINDER ECONOMIC RECOVERY. DUH.

#13 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 03:54 PM [Reply]

Lot of wasted money in Barrow school system that could be controled and for the cars not sure why buy but if your meany the new buss the county needed them look at some of old ones they got driving our kids to school. But i agree wirh the one comment seeing some driving them to Gwinnett county to their homes thats waste of fuel point blank. Also need hold high schools to higher stander .

#14 Concerned on 05/03/12 at 05:23 PM [Reply]

Personally I like the 160 school year. Sadly it hurt people on the low end of the system parapros, janitors etc. My question is did our higher end have to make sacrifices? When you have bus drivers or parapros loosing $2000 a year in paycuts it is alot different than our principals who make around $100k a year and some higher is it really gonna hurt them? I am trying to understand some of our schools in the system with four principals all making that kind of money in one high school that has very low performance. Then we have a superintendent making well over $200k a year. Maybe it would have been easier to start with the top and cap these ridiculous paychecks they receive. It would not be as bad to save some money. No instead we fire the janitors and hire a cleaning crew that is really sad. Again like the schedule we just hate it for some employees.

#14.1 Anonymous on 05/04/12 at 03:25 PM [Reply]

The top people "think that they are deserving of that pay" and maybe they do deserve higher pay than parapros, custodians, bus drivers, or cafeteria workers, but where I come from when the ship is sinking, the captain doesn't throw all the little people off the ship, they find a way to save ALL the people on board. Also, cutting pay for the ones earning the least amount of money, isn't going to balance the budget but it sure would go a long way in balancing the budget if the people at the board office who are administrators took a fairly substantial pay cut, for the children.

#15 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 06:45 PM [Reply]

Our fearless superintendent got a 10% pay raise last year. Explain that to the custodians, parapros, bus drivers, and cafeteria workers...

#16 OMG on 05/03/12 at 06:47 PM [Reply]

OMG really I agree with concerned take from the higher paid employees the bus drivers already don't make any money and now they were cut more and have to pay their own insurance which is ridiculous. On to the drivers that drive their buses to Gwinnett County well that is because they have MVP students that live in Gwinnett County and why waste more fuel to drive all the way back to Barrow County when they drop them off last and they are the 1st ones to be picked up in the morning so there again that would be a waste of fuel to drive all the way back to Gwinnett County to pick them MVP students up. Really everyone needs to look at all the other issues going on instead of worrying about where a bus is....

#17 Safety on 05/03/12 at 07:13 PM [Reply]

1/2 a mile. At what point does the kids safety come into account? Oh well, they're off the bus, it's out of our hands, hope they get to where they need to go, if not too bad! I am so sorry for the teachers, paras, janitors, cafeteria workers. As a parent I like the 160 calendar days, but for all of the workers, I am terribly sorry.

#17.1 Seriously??? on 05/04/12 at 05:41 AM [Reply]

You're worries about your poor overweight child will have to walk 1/2 mile to get home from the bus stop? I grew up in a REAL suburb of Atlanta, and I had to walk a mile and a quarter from my home to the bus stop. I survived Darwin. At some point in time, you have to let Darwinism take over. If you are that concerned about your child's safety in your neighborhood, you have two choices, move or pick them up yourself.

#17.1.1 a concerned parent on 05/04/12 at 07:34 AM [Reply]

My worry is not about distance but about the fact that schools like Holsenbeck Elementary, where my child goes, does not have any sidewalks around the school that would make it safe for the kids to walk or ride bicycles home.

#17.1.1.1 Anonymous on 05/04/12 at 08:01 AM [Reply]

Elementary is not included in the walking - just middle and high schools

#17.1.2 elena on 05/04/12 at 08:19 AM [Reply]

CHarles Darwin would have been very proud of you little graashopper if he was still alive..You mention that you survive Darwin.well haven't we all if we still around trying to survive .We/Barrow resident might not embrace or even have a clue about Darwinsim but every day the goes by we have let Darwinism take its course..

#17.1.3 SAFETY on 05/04/12 at 09:09 AM [Reply]

MY CHILDREN ARE NOT OVERWEIGHT, THANK YOU! My kids are VERY active in sports. There's so much CRAP that goes on these days. That was my concern. You don't even know who I am & you are judging my children when I just came on here & voiced my concern???? It doesn't matter if the child is overweight, underweight, etc. My concern is first for the children!!!!

#18 Seriously?? on 05/04/12 at 07:54 AM [Reply]

First, there are laws in place requiring drivers to give room.

Second, there comes a point in time that you have to let Darwinism take it's course.

#18.1 Anonymous on 05/04/12 at 08:08 AM [Reply]

Your so right there is laws for drivers to give room.but guess what they have not evolve to great drivers ..Darwinism thrives in survival of the fittest..Well I practice Common Sense..

#19 Anonymous on 05/04/12 at 07:55 AM [Reply]

City of Winder needs to add a sidewalk for that school.Its just common sense.

#20 Concered Bus Driver on 05/04/12 at 10:55 AM [Reply]

The regular bus drivers (who are doing the real work) will lose pay because of the days but some certain “IN CHARGE" Bus Driver that it is rumored to have never graduated High school made last year $33,561.01 an $1,294.00 in travel expense where on earth did a bus drivers that does not have a High school education go that cost $1,294.00? and she will make more this year. Lots of waste at the transportation dept and maintenance dept they are going to buy the 10 retainer bus drivers each a laptop to plan out all the routes for next year but they are paying another “just a bus driver” to sit in the office and be the “Routing Coordinator” if the retainer bus drivers are doing the routes why do they need a “Routing Coordinator” thats not going to do any Coordinating at the tune of $40k something a year why do we need her in the office? Oh that’s right to answer the phone and do phone tree calls. Hello BOE are you even looking at where the money is going? The Budget in the transportation “office” has tripled in the last 5 years? Then at maintenance dept wonder what we are paying for car ins on these accident prone maintenance workers go to Hal Jackson and look at the wreaked vehicle....did the wreak happen in Barrow or did it happen on their why home to HART COUNTY? You want to talk about bus drivers driving out of the county what about the Maintenance workers that live all the way in Hart County? You want to save money at Transportation take out some of the unneeded overpaid office staff instead of making children walk and be in unsafe places with no sidewalks. but that would mean that the BOE would have to do their job and look into where the money is being spent and that’s not going to happen because >hey it’s all good because Creel’s handpicked woman is in charge over there. Yea right lol

#20.1 Anonymous on 05/05/12 at 05:01 AM [Reply]

Ok true and cant be that many mvp in gwinnett county one bus i could understand but not more and for other county maint. cars going out of county hartwell is long way.

#21 BOB on 05/04/12 at 11:43 AM [Reply]

My issue is that this is the second year in a row that the calendar changes so late in the year. I understand that the school system doesn't know the state budget until late April/May. I'm sure these "wise" members on the board could project a budget that would take into account possible furlough days and the tax digest. It is ridiculous that we are doing this change so close to the end of the school year. Some people actually BUDGET vacation time and money for trips based on the "approved" calendars when they are released in February.

#21.1 Anonymous on 05/04/12 at 12:19 PM [Reply]

Only Nostradamus could predict how poorly this tax digest is tanking. Cut them some slack.

#21.1.1 BOB on 05/04/12 at 12:44 PM [Reply]

And yet for FY 2012, they budgeted for an 8% decrease when we had a 6%. I think they can put those masters and PH.D's to work They can do it an be overly conservative if they choose to. We don't have Nostradamus to tell us when there are snow days, yet somehow the board had the forethought to make notations for make-up days in their 180 day calendar. They even had "possible" furlough days listed on the 180 calendar. It is time for the school board to focus on these sorts of changes WELL BEFORE they do. Why do we have to register our children for the Pre-K "lotter" (that's how it appears on the BOE site) before they can even know what the budget is going to be? What if the state budget cut all funding for Pre-K?

I gave the BOE a pass last year when we had to forfeit money for an October trip to visit family out of state, because they revised the 2011-2012 calendar late in the year. It is about time for the board to get on the ball and start getting things that effect families finalized six months to a year in advance.

Let me pose this question to those families who have children in daycare. When did you have to tell your childcare provider what weeks you were having your child in summer camp for? Do they still have slots for those extra two weeks in August?

#21.2 Dose of reality! on 05/04/12 at 12:59 PM [Reply]

Really! Hello! The new calendar did not take any of the original dates away. If anything there is more flexibility in the calendar. I love the fact that I will have more time with my family. I hope that by adding the time off each month students will be better rested when they are at school.

#21.2.1 Anonymous on 05/07/12 at 11:18 AM [Reply]

Um, Hello! Families that work, yet are able to pick up/drop off their kids at school have to schedule childcare and vacation based on what the school system calendar is. When you start school two weeks later, add an extra week in March and end a week earlier, that adds time that either the mother or father has to take off of work. My family plans vacations around them, yet I don't know of anyone who works in the private sector who has 4+ weeks of vacation a year to take off with the school system. We wonder why Barrow County's test scores are in the dump. It's because people applaud losing 20 days of instruction and believe that an additional 20 minutes will somehow make up for the lost instructional days. Be prepared to spend your precious extra days doing extra homework and reading trying to get your children prepared to enter college and the workforce when they are competing against better-educated children from neighboring counties.

#22 James on 05/04/12 at 02:30 PM [Reply]

After being given this news on channel two this morning I am more than a little upset. In our society today most households are double income. That means mom and dad get up and go to work, and from the number of cars on 29 in the morning we all work in Gwinnett county. The elementary students are moving forward and hour to 0830. Are the schools going to open up so we can drop off our little ones so we can get to work on time, so we can continue paying taxes? Is the BOE going to pay a day care center for before care for us? What about the 20 day reduction in the school schedule, who will pay for our child care then? Perhaps I can leave my 9 y/o at home alone with my 11 y/o? I bet social services would have a field day with that.

#22.1 Fortitude on 05/04/12 at 03:00 PM [Reply]

From what I have read, the early drop off at the elementary schools will still be available.

Why should our tax dollars pay for your childcare ? It is your responsibility to watch your own children when they are not in school. If you live in Gwinnett or any other surrounding counties with the same bell schedule, you would be in the same boat.

If you cant afford daycare (which I know is expensive) then one of you quit your job, homeschool and work part time when the other spouse is home. Who watches them on spring break, all summer and during fall break ?

#22.2 Anonymous on 05/04/12 at 03:15 PM [Reply]

If you live in Gwinnette your kids would be starting the same time.For some reason Barrow County was the only school with different times.you be in the same situation..School are to educate your children.Its us to us to figure out who and how to take care of our children before or after work..Instead attacking the school system attack the greedy overprice day care.

#22.3 anon on 05/04/12 at 05:37 PM [Reply]

The early-drop off available at the schools will probably be a befre-school care that you pay a fee for.

#23 Anonymous on 05/04/12 at 03:02 PM [Reply]

Lord the entitlement mentality in this county is unreal!

#24 Anonymous on 05/04/12 at 06:49 PM [Reply]

I think everyone needs to take a step back and breath!

1. Revenues from federal, state & local sources are down. Sooooo, some cuts are necessary.
2. Are the ones chosen the best? Perhaps yes, perhaps not. It will be answered a year from now when we see where we are at during the next budget cycle.
3. The calandar choice allows furloughed employees to productively use that time (and extended breaks) to garner revenue from other sources (second jobs, etc). As the economy slowly improves (perhaps), they might actually find out that they can do better outside of working for the county.
4. The economic outlook for this area is rather good (Caterpillar, Lanier Tech, Toyota, the Barrow Commons). Revenue from these sources should help advance our real estate and jobs base over the next 3 years.
5. Finally, everyone should just take a deep breaht. If you are concerned about cuts....contribute your time or money to fill the gap.

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BOE approves 160-day school year; reserves to make up budget shortfall

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BOE approves 160-day school year; reserves to make up budget shortfall

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