School Board

[1inStripes]

I think that is what is going to happen, but only until they can provide enough funds to build the new facilities.

[imported_elp6n]

The county is providing their own let down by not working with them on the funding issue.
"Dont want to promise funds? Ok - we'll make it happen without them. The only other way we can."

The Wise County schools are now facing a $4.5 million operating deficit. Something has to go.

[red66]

Perry: State cuts to force Wise school consolidation

Superintendent Jeff Perry said if construction of new high schools is not under way by next year, the smallest schools at Pound, Appalachia and St. Paul might have to be closed and those students sent to the schools in Wise, Big Stone Gap and Coeburn.
By STEPHEN IGO
[email protected]


WISE ? A public forum on the financial situation facing Wise County?s school division attracted only about 30 people, but a few made the gathering testy at times.
School Superintendent Jeff Perry provided a rundown of the expected $4.5 million budget hole as a result of state cutbacks for next fiscal year, and his administration?s proposal to the Wise County School Board to handle the deficit. More than 45 retirements expected when the current school year ends will help take the biggest sting out of elimination of that many or more staff positions, and still keep all six of the county high schools operating for at least one more year.
Perry said the school division?s total budget of nearly $79 million includes 52 percent state funding and 18 percent local funds, and the division?s instructional programs consume 72 percent of the total budget. That rises to 77 percent when federal and other ?flow through? dollars targeting specific areas are discounted from discretionary spending.
?We?re facing some fairly serious budget issues,? Perry said, and state lawmakers have yet to fashion a new biennium budget that may pose even more cutback problems.
?We don?t think things will get any brighter for us,? Perry said. ?In fact, we think it could get even worse.?
All programs and departments in the school system will be cut to one extent or another in Perry?s budget proposal for 2010-11. But because instruction is the single greatest area of the school division?s budget ? 88.2 percent of the instructional category is composed of salaries and benefits for teachers and aides ? he said a $4.5 million cutback can?t be handled any other way.
The cuts are unsustainable after next fiscal year, Perry has warned. Many positions, particularly 40 classroom aides, will be funded next fiscal year only through a one-time, one-year reallocation of funds from the division?s special education department.
Consolidation of the high schools into three or fewer new schools is inevitable, Perry said.
If construction on new schools is not under way by next year, the smallest schools at Pound, Appalachia and St. Paul might have to be closed after next school year and those students sent to the existing larger schools in Wise, Big Stone Gap and Coeburn. If construction is under way under a consolidation plan still under review by the school board, Perry said the division might be able to keep all six high schools open one more year.
But consolidation will happen one way or another in two years or less, he said, because financial realities dictate the inevitable.
Dr. Michael Wheatley, a family physician who lives in Wise and practices in Big Stone Gap, noted the unsustainable cuts beyond next fiscal year and asked Perry why the county can?t go ahead with consolidation into the existing schools.
?I don?t know why we can?t go ahead and get this over with,? he said.
Perry said the transition would be too swift to accomplish for the 2010-11 school year, but the school board knows ?if there is no light at the end of the tunnel? with new high schools under construction by next year, Wheatley?s suggestion may be more of a necessity.
Even with new high schools under construction by then, Perry said keeping all six high schools open one more year would be a tough proposition.
?It?s going to be tough going one more year,? he said. ?That is going to require an extraordinary effort to do that.?
Wheatley became the target of consolidation foe Marlene Bush of Appalachia. She said those in attendance in favor of consolidation were disrespectful of comments offered by consolidation foes.
?Smirks have been made. Comments have been made. Some (people) think they are better than others,? Bush said.
She said a certain physician in attendance might see his patient base eroded as a result of his apparent pro-consolidation remarks on Thursday.
?Miss Bush,? pleaded Perry, ?don?t make threats.?
Bush invited all-comers to ?respond? to her comments in the parking lot if they wanted, and left.
Perry advised another consolidation foe, a woman from Pound, not to ?use inaccurate, illogical information? when trying to make a case against consolidation.

[simple man]

The county is providing their own let down by not working with them on the funding issue.
"Dont want to promise funds? Ok - we'll make it happen without them. The only other way we can."

The Wise County schools are now facing a $4.5 million operating deficit. Something has to go.

I have heard everything from 1992 till now. According to some of the board I talked to then, they were this broke in 92. There aren't going to be any good choices. If we are going to build schools , I bet this gets interesting. I can't wait to see which county school gets tweaked , a lil' finer than the others.

[Counts]

On a side note ****enson County just got 19 Million in flood money to "Flood Proof" Ervinton and Haysi......This is the money that they have been waiting on to build a consoladated school IMHO both Wise and ****enson Co schools will be looking MUCH differant in the next few years

[simple man]

4.5 mill going to close Wise Co schools....be careful how much you let them give you. Obama is making a dent in the job thing but how much are the incomes from taxes going to increase? Kinda feel like George Jetson chasing that treadmill.

[Counts]

4.5 mill going to close Wise Co schools....be careful how much you let them give you. Obama is making a dent in the job thing but how much are the incomes from taxes going to increase? Kinda feel like George Jetson chasing that treadmill.

LOL untelling about the tax thing but hey the schools in DC are falling apart for the more part 19 Mill will without a doubt not cover everything but it puts us in a better situation than comeing up with the whole about LOL

[sup-rbeast]

Most of the posts on here make it appear as if Wise County is the only school system with a budget shortfall this year. But, the truth is, because of the cuts coming from the state level most all school systems are in the same predicament...the governor is also looking at abolishing grants for new school construction and just providing grants for refurbishing existing buildings. So go figure....but the way I see it, consolidation is going to be the most expensive option for the county.

[Counts]

the way I see it, consolidation is going to be the most expensive option for the county.

Even if the consoladation is only moveing the small schools into the existing schools? I do not see how that would be more expensive


As far as the Grants disapering it could happen but not after the grant is secured that being said it looks like big changes for both Wise and DC in the next few years

[sup-rbeast]

Even if the consoladation is only moveing the small schools into the existing schools? I do not see how that would be more expensive


As far as the Grants disappearing it could happen but not after the grant is secured that being said it looks like big changes for both Wise and DC in the next few years

I don't see the savings...relatively the same number of personnel..same number of busses, bus routes, fuel......really outside of support staff, where are the savings?