The proposal is written so it doesn't specifically proclaim a forced merger, said Republican House Leader Paul Stam, who was in Roanoke Rapids Thursday night for an elected officials appreciation event sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
He calls it an incentive for merger, proposing to fund only one local education agency in counties with more than one. The payment of extra administrators would have to be paid from local money, he said. "The extra cost of having three systems would be paid by the local taxpayers."
The precise wording proposes the state Board of Education shall allot state funds on the basis of only one local school administration unit per county beginning in the 2012-2013 fiscal year.
For the upcoming fiscal year it is proposed the state board shall reduce funds alloted to city school administrative units from formulas that allot funds on a per local school administrative unit basis.
In the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the state board shall change formulas that allot funds on a per local school administrative unit basis to formulas that allot funds on a per county basis. "If the amount previously alloted per local school administrative unit was graduated on the basis of average daily membership, the amount alloted per county shall be graduated on the basis of total average daily membership of all units located in the county."
If a county contains more than one local school administrative unit, the state board shall divide the amount alloted on a per county basis between the units on the basis of average daily membership.
"This is an issue that needs to be discussed," Representative Angela Bryant said.
Bryant said a consensus to be taken of the people throughout Halifax County on this matter before a vote is taken.
The Roanoke Rapids Graded School District, on its website, explains "This action could lead to a forced merger of school districts."
The system also asks if people feel this provision would be detrimental to the educational programs and services in Roanoke Rapids, "It is important that you contact your legislators now and ask them not to approve this budget. Let them know that you are opposed to this restrictive funding."
The school system recommends the following be contacted:
Local Representatives Ed Jones 919-715-3032
Senate Leadership
President:
Lt. Governor Walter Dalton 919-733-7350
President Pro Tempore:
Senator Philip Berger 919-733-5708
Deputy President Pro Tempore:
Senator James Forrester 919-715-3050
Majority Leader:
Senator Harry Brown 919-715-3034
Majority Whip:
Senator Jerry W. Tillman 919-733-5870
Majority Caucus Secretary:
Senator Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr. 919-733-7223
Caucus Liaison:
Senator Jean Preston 919-733-5706
Democratic Leader:
Senator Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. 919-715-3001
Deputy Democratic Leader:
Senator Linda Garrou 919-733-5620
Deputy Democratic Leader:
Senator Floyd McKissick 919-733-4599
Deputy Democratic Leader:
Senator Don Vaughan 919-733-5856
Democratic Whip:
Senator Josh Stein 919-715-6400
Democratic Caucus Secretary:
Senator Eleanor Kinnaird 919-733-5804
Democratic Caucus Chair:
Senator Charlie Dannelly 919-733-5955
comments
Quoting Michelle:
Interesting point, except for the fact that Roanoke Rapids is BY FAR the most diverse of the 3 school districts. It is not the job of the RRGSD to encourage white students in Weldon or Halifax County to attend their schools. If they want the numerous white students that reside in their districts to attend, then they first must provide quality instruction, a safe environment, and opportunities for student growth and achievement. It's not money, as the weldon and halifax schools both have much higher per pupil expenditures. The Halifax NAACP has made it clear that they want merger. What they haven't made clear is WHY they want merger. Will combining these students really improve instruction for all? Is that what Mr. Harvey wants, or has he simply run out of ideas for how to "advance" his agenda?
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