1997 - 10-06-97 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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a00~ 17 } ~sr 95 008 Chairman Garner called the press conference to order and read the following statement: We are pleased to announce that the Board of Commissioners has reached a settlement with the Lee County Board of Education subject to their approval concerning our pending litigation over adequate funding for the schools to operate a system of free public education in Lee County. Although it should be noted, this agreement is only binding for the current fiscal year, the two Board's have reached an agreement on a funding process for future years which should educe the potential for annual disagreements between them regarding the level of appropriations to the the Lee County Board of Education. We would also like to point out that the appropriation commitment tothe Board of Education for the 1997-98 fiscal year will not adversely affect the Board of Education's decision to close any school plants including the Jonesboro Elementary School facility. Under this agreement, adequate funds are committed to the Board of Education to assure the citizens of Lee County that adequate funding should not be a consideration of the Board of Education in making this decision at this time. It should also be noted that this funding commitment by the Board of Commissioners increases the per pupil allocation to the Board of Commissioners increases the per pupil allocation to the Board of Education to an estimated $956 per student by 1999 for current expense and reoccurring capital expenditures exclusive of the long range building program. The per pupil allocation figure is derived by dividing the total budget by the number of students in the system. It does not mean that we spend $956 in total on every child. In regards to the acknowledgment of the Board of Education to seek special legislation to hold an election for a supplemental school tax the Board of Commissioners by this resolution in no way encourages or endorses such action but acknowledges the Board of Education's desire to have a funding source under their complete control and discretion to operate the school system at a higher standard if approved by the Lee County electorate. In closing and on a more personal note, I would like to commend my colleagues on the Lee County Board of Commissioners for their receptiveness to compromise that has led to this settlement agreement. In addition I would like to commend the Board of Education, and particularly Ms. Perkinson, for their desire and willingness to settle this matter without a lengthy court battle.