Assistant Director of Schools Trent Williams addressed the Claiborne County Board of Education Thursday night regarding third year apprentice teachers. Board members Roy Ellis (right) and Dave Chesney (second from right) are pictured.
Board member Dave Chesney asked Director of Schools Eddie Shoffner when the board will begin having workshops to address the budget.
“It’s not unusual to wait till June to approve the budget,” said Shoffner. “You have to wait till a certain point and time.”
Mike Tuten, county finance officer, further addressed Chesney’s concerns. He said the best time to outline a budget for the school system would be after March .
“The biggest key is keeping you guys informed,” said Tuten. “It’s going to be a pretty good budget year... I’m not terribly concerned.”
Chesney said he was worried the board wouldn’t have time to look over the budget before they voted on it.
“Last year I got the budget six days in advance before we voted on it,” said Chesney. “We never discussed it,” then came in and approved a $40 million budget, he added.
“I never want that to happen again,” said Chesney.
Shoffner reminded Chesney that board members received a budget of expenditures each month.
“I want us to be better informed than we are,” said Chesney, adding that it may take multiple workshops to cut out items.
“I see a lot of waste (in the budget) myself,” he added.
Shoffner told board members later in the meeting who they could meet with to become more informed on the budget.
Billy Johnson, representing the Claiborne High School Band Boosters, gave an update on the music program’s progress. He said the band has won multiple awards, played in marching band competitions, and at many away football games. He said the band had gone from 12 members to 75.
“We’re poised to continue to grow and prosper,” said Johnson.
Board member Cindy DeBusk praised the band’s success.
“The band has truly made tremendous strides this year,” said DeBusk.
DeBusk served as Chairperson Thursday in place of board Chairman Sam Owens, who was absent from the meeting.
The board approved the CCEA contract upon recommendation by Shoffner.
Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.
It's not like the budget is released as a surprise or anything.
It'd have been interesting to have this article actually expound on the idea of what's **IN** the budget and then move on to the idea of good stewardship / waste of public funds.