Pattie Cotton, chair of the school board, said in a letter to board of commissioners Chairman James Pierce, the issue centers on the county’s decision to fund the school system with $832,856.
According to the June 24 letter obtained by rrspin.com, $727,625 is for current expense and $105,231 is for capital expense.
Cotton notes in the hand delivered letter the school system requested $3,037,448.14 — $1.3 million for current expense and the remainder for capital outlay. “The funds appropriated by the board of commissioners did not include the requested funds to hire an architect to design a new high school for the students in Weldon.
“As you are well aware, the board of education needs to replace the current high school in the very near future. Therefore, the board of education believes it is imperative that we begin the design work for a new high school during the 2010-11 school year.”
The letter continues, “While the board of education seeks a harmonious relationship with the board of commissioners, the failure to provide funds for us to hire an architect is unacceptable. The board of education would take no pleasure whatsoever in initiating litigation in order to obtain these additional funds. The board of education wishes to avoid expending its precious and limited school funds on litigating with the board of commissioners.”
Because the school board’s obligation is to its students, Cotton said in the letter, the school system believes “it is important to initiate the statutory dispute resolution process in order to provide both boards an opportunity to discuss the money needed by the school system.”
Cotton declined to elaborate until the school board meets tonight to discuss the matter in closed session. Commissioners met Monday night in an emergency session to discuss the matter. Pierce confirmed today the joint meeting was set for next week.
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