Schools' spokesman Andy Cagle (left) recognized Morehead-Cain Scholarship Semi-finalists Victoria Morrow (middle) and Katherine Dial (right) during this week's meeting of the Scotland County Board of Education.
The audit prepared by accountant Dixon Hughes of Southern Pines, said that during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, the board reported expenditures ... for the policy leadership and public relations function level that violated state law because "they exceeded the amounts appropriated in the budget ordinance by $979."
Hughes presented the report during Thursday's school board meeting.
School Superintendent Shirley Prince said the problem was mainly a "paperwork" issue. Prince emphasized that the money was available but school officials had not budgeted for increased costs.
"On a budgetary basis, the revenues actually exceeded the expenditures by $30,000," Prince said.
In other business, the school board approved a new lighting system for Scotland High School's McCoy Field, where the school's baseball teams compete.
Terence Williams, the only school board member to vote against approval, expressed concerns about the project's $107,925 price tag.
It was explained that the $107,925 bid was substantially less than other bids, which as much as doubled what Tommy Lawrence Electric was estimating.
SHS principle and Post 50 coach Joe Critcher also informed Williams that the current lights represent a safety concern because they fail to properly illuminate the playing surface, as per North Carolina High School Athletic Association requirements.
Critcher went on to describe how the lights being replaced would be moved to the softball field, meaning that the softball team would then be able to play evening games. The evening games would mean that softball games would be less likely to conflict with school. In response to a question from board member Jeff Byrd, Critcher pointed out that the old lights, while not sufficient for the baseball field, would be capable of properly lighting the softball field, which is smaller.
The motion to approve the spending was approved, with an objection from Williams, who felt the money would be best spent on more education oriented projects.
During the recognitions portion of the meeting Scotland County's National Board Certified Teachers were called before the board and given awards. The teachers were: Cathy Collins (Laurel Hill Elementary), Pam Monroe (Scotland Accelerated Academy, Joanna Cole (Shaw School), Joy Lindey (Carver Middle School), Debby Atkins (Carver Middle School), Margaret Johnson (9th Grade Academy) and Jeannie Brown (South Scotland Elementary School).
Laurel Hill Elementary School was also recognized for being a 2008 NC Real D.E.A.L. Award Winner. According to schools' spokesman Andy Cagle, the award recognizes schools that meet certain student achievement goals as well as specific teacher working conditions criteria.
Scotland High School's Morehead-Cain Scholarship semi-finalists were also recognized for their progress towards receiving the $80,000 scholarship to the University of North Carolina. Katherine Dial and Victoria Morrow are the SHS seniors being considered for the scholarship. Dial plans to become a pediatrician while Morrow's interests lie in the field of international journalism.
Also discussed:
-Budget amendments were approved, in part to be sure that statute violations like the ones discussed during the audit presentation will not happen again. Board member Paul Rush assured the public that the changes and operating procedures of the board were "common, normal" practices.
-Changes to academic recognition policies were approved after their presentation by Associate Superintendent Dr. Susan Chase. It was decided that class rank would be established in each of SHS's smaller learning communities, and that the top 10 students (and ties) from each SLC's junior class will be eligible to serve as Junior Marshals, provided they are juniors in good standing and have at least a 3.7 weighted, non-rounded G.P.A.
-Each SLC would have one valedictorian and one salutatorian, each to be recognized at their respective SLC's graduation ceremony.
The valedictorian and salutatorian for the whole of SHS would then be determined, and those winners would speak at the combined commencement.
-Chase invited concerned citizens to consider joining the Achievement Gap Committee, which meets next on Feb. 10 at 6 p.m.
-Byrd stated that the Athletic Boosters' Ball on Jan. 31. Tickets are $150 per couple.
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