Senate budget could force school merger

Details: Lance Martin; News; 27 May 2011; 2152

The state Senate's budget could force a merger of schools which have more than one system in their districts.

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: