AT A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD ON THE 24th DAY OF APRIL, TWO THOUSAND AND SIX AT SEVEN O'CLOCK P.M. AT THE RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

                                    Present                                                                       Absent

            Robert P. Anderson, Chairman                                                             None

            Ronald L. Frazier, Vice-Chairman                 

            S. Bryant Lee              John McCarthy, County Adm

            Roger A. Welch          Diane Bruce, Clerk

 

            Chairman Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 o'clock p.m. and announced that the purpose of the meeting was to conduct a public hearing on the FY07 School Board Budget.

            The Chairman also acknowledged the presence of Mrs. Charles K. "Betty" Estes.  

            FY07 School Board Budget Public Hearing: 

            Dr. Robert Chappell, Superintendent of Schools, made opening remarks regarding the proposed budget.  The $11,732,992 budget, which reflects a $525,160 increase over the FY06 budget, was approved by the School Board on March 21.  This budget reflects a reduction of approximately $133,008 in state revenues and $40,708 in federal revenues.  The local increase is $676,870. He added that due to the state's funding formula, Rappahannock taxpayers fund approximately 75% of the costs of educating their children while most counties and cities pay approximately 50% of the costs.  The funding formula does not take into account the fact that much of the county's land is taxed at a lower rate due to land use taxation.  

Dr. Chappell noted that the proposed budget is designed to help the school system achieve its goal of providing schools that are "second to none" for the children of Rappahannock County. 

For a more detailed summary of the FY07 budget proposal, see Exhibits A and B attached hereto and made a part of these minutes. 

Aline Johnson and Rosa Crocker, School Board members from Piedmont and Wakefield Districts, respectively, thanked the Board for its support in past years and urged the adoption of the FY07 budget as presented.

Chairman Anderson opened the public hearing and called for comments from the audience.

Miranda Hope, Wakefield District, described the accomplishments and successes of the Next Step program. (See handout with papers of minutes.)

Monira Rifaat asked questions about how to resolve the inequity of state funding as established by the Composite Index. 

Kathryn Treanor, Jackson District, parent of three sons, all of whom have attended the county school system, appeared for the 19th consecutive year and offered thanks to the Supervisors for being "partners" to the students via their contributions through budget processes.  She singled out the arts and music programs, subjects that are often trimmed or entirely removed from budgets, by describing the successes that Rappahannock County students have achieved statewide. 

There being no others to comment, Chairman Anderson closed the public hearing. 

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLES:  On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Welch, the Board voted unanimously to approve payment to Premier Sports Fields, LLC in the amount of $92,125.00.  The vote was recorded as follows:  AYE:  Anderson, Welch, Lee, Frazier.  NAY: None.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:24 o'clock p.m.

 

 

 

 

                                                                        _________________________________________

                                                                                    Robert P. Anderson,  Chairman