All the county school system wanted commissioners to do today was certify they read the system’s 2010-2011 facility needs survey before sending it to the state.

Commissioner Rives Manning, however, had questions he wanted answered.

Superintendent Elease Frederick told the board today the needs survey is a snapshot of what the system believes its needs will be in the next five to 10 years and emphasized it didn’t mean a financial commitment from the county.

Manning said he noted where the survey spoke of reopening Eastman and Brawley middle schools, which the state Department of Public Instruction says doesn’t need to be reopened. “I’m wondering where the money is coming from,” he said.

Frederick told Manning that money would come from state lottery funds. Manning said, however, it would be wrong to take money from existing schools because it would leave a funding gap in those schools.

He was also concerned about a report he received from Northwest High School in which an advanced placement history class reportedly did not have instructional materials.

While board Chair James Pierce said he had the same concerns as Manning, all commissioners were asked to do today was certify they had reviewed the report.

The school system believes Brawley and Eastman should be reopened for several reasons including: Hardships for parents, request and support from the communities in which those schools are located; effects on student achievement; effects on daily average membership allotments and transportation.