I sat in on the school board's legislative committee meeting this morning. The committee discussed listing the school board's top priorities to lobby the state legislature for. Among the items discussed was school board funding autonomy.
Some school boards want the chance to separate their purse strings from the county commissioners. Meaning the school board could gain the ability to levy their own taxes. The proposed language would require both the local school board and board of county commissioners to approve of the change.
Many argue the school board has no business having that kind of power. Taxes will skyrocket, they argue. Others say it would hold them accountable and eliminate the "we could have done more if the county commissioners had fully funded our budget request" excuse.
The issue is a divisive one, with as many as seven school board members supporting the proposal.
The issue is at the center of one of the only two contested school board seats. At-Large incumbent Darlene Garrett supports budget autonomy while challenger Mike Stone vehemently opposes it.
Where do you stand?
* The legislative committee consists of board members Dot Kearns (At-Large), Walter Childs (District 1), Kris Cooke (District 7) and Deena Hayes (District 8). Hayes was not present Monday morning. Board member Nancy Routh attended the meeting.
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