Sunday's Internet Edition, May 11, 2008.
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Davidson County Commissioners will now have the final say on the approval on the budget, which increased by 10 percent over last school year, due in part to Gov. Mike Easley’s three-year plan to raise teacher’s salaries to match the national average.
“We are at the mercy of the state in terms of providing equal raises,” said Dr. Fred Mock, DCS superintendent. “This budget also includes increases in energy, both in transportation and heating and cooling our schools.”
In addition, Mock said there is also an increase in the budget because of the need for improved technology for the school system, as well as providing water and sewer to the facilities.
“We should be replacing computers on a three to four-year cycle, five years at most,” he said. “Right now we are on a seven to eight-year cycle.”
Another need for the 2008-09 school budget is construction.
Construction is in progress at Central Davidson High, Brown Middle, East Davidson High, Hasty Elementary and Tyro Elementary. Plans are in the works for an additional school in the Central Davidson area, as well as a middle and high school in the North Davidson area.
The school system currently has about 21,000 students, growing at a rate of 200 students a year.
Strongly encouraging parent feedback on the budget, a public hearing was held May 1 at Friendship Elementary School, and parents could review the proposed budget at the DCS’ Administrative office.
In other business:
• The school board recognized the “Elementary Battle of the Books Winners.” Co-champions were Friendship and Pilot Elementary schools. Pilot winners were: Celeste Arias, Caleb Bryson, Ally Hibbitts, Jessica Joyner, Hillary Kindley, Caitlin Lookabill, Joseph Medlin, Alex Moffe, Sydney Plummer, Landon Roddenberry, Kenny Shadrick and Hannah Tysinger. Friendship winners were: Morgan Brown, Noah Davis, Jorge Estrada, Chase Fisher, Ben Fox, Carter Gay, Amy Gore, Ethan Goude, Brinley Irvin, Timmy Lewis, Yulisa Sandoval and Jakub Szpyra.
• Rob McQuat, DCS director of Exceptional Children’s Programs, recognized Fair Grove Elementary Exceptional Children’s Teacher Jane Freeman for having received the Davidson County Civitan Club’s Nancy Sink Frazier Distinguished Teacher Award in Special Education.
• Marty Tobey, DCS director of career and technical and high school education, gave a presentation on the Career and Technical Education Strategic Local Plan for the 2008-09 school year. The mission of the plan is to empower students to be successful citizens, workers and leaders in a global economy.
• Buddy Kiger, DCS assistant superintendent for auxiliary services, gave an update on the school bond construction projects. Kiger said Tyro and Hasty Elementary projects should be ready in time for the upcoming school year.
Staff Writer Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 231, or ignasiak@tvilletimes.com.