The approved county funding needed to open a Union Middle School (at the old Union High School) is questionable now that the Sampson County Board of Commissioners has chosen to cut a once-talked about seven percent funding increase for schools down to three percent.

It’s a move that has school officials concerned.

During the commissioners’ Wednesday night work session, Sampson County Schools superintendent Dr. Ethan Lenker told board members of his reservations with cutting the promised amount. The superintendent explained that with the cut, the county schools would be working with about $145,000 less than the $317,00 anticipated earlier from the board to open the school.

In all, the county and city schools were expected to receive $849 per pupil for the 2009-10 fiscal year, a seven percent increase over the current per pupil funding of $793. With that increase, Lenker and the county school board had planned to utilize some of the funds to reopen the old Union High as an intermediate school.

The cut, Lenker said, would prevent them from moving forward with that plan.

To express his dissatisfaction with such a move, Lenker reminded the board of its prior commitment to help fund the opening of the school.

“In February, this board approved that we would get this money,” said Lenker, frustration rising in his voice.

The county schools, the superintendent said, has already had to deal with a number of cuts from the state along with increases in energy costs that he estimated to have gone up by 10 percent.

“We may have to dip into our fund balance,” stressed Lenker.

After listening to his concern, commissioners chairman Jarvis McLamb, who has stood firm against any tax increase, said, “My feeling is that you get $317,000 when you have a five percent decrease.” McLamb suggested the board continue with the $317,000 increase but take away five percent from the school’s current budget. Commissioner Billy Lockamy agreed with McLamb’s plan.

“I am not here to argue,” Lenker said, after hearing McLamb’s thoughts, “but we were told that we would get these funds.”

McLamb then reiterated his point, saying, “Every other department has had to cut five percent, and I think everyone should be cut five percent.”

Lenker then estimated that if the county schools cuts five percent from its county budget, it would be cutting a total of 11 percent on top of $500,000 that the county schools have already had to give back to the state this fiscal year.

“We have really given up a lot,” said Lenker.

Blanton, a former principal and school administrator, seemed extremely concerned with the county’s plan to cut the increase in funds from seven to three.

“What will this do to our school systems?,” asked Blanton.

Lenker stressed that the schools would move forward, even with decreased funding, but the impact could be felt in the classrooms, due to the teachers having to teach about 25 students rather than the 18-20 children currently in each class. Plus, he said, it would likely mean a decrease in the teaching staff as well.

“We hope that we will not have to do that,” said Lenker.

The superintendent again reminded the board that it had agreed to fund the reopening of the old Union High School.

As Lenker finished, Blanton then asked, “Are you saying that we promised this?”

McLamb answered, “Yes, we did.”

Then, county manager Rick Moorefield explained to the board that if it chooses to increase funds by only three percent, it would allow for $272,000 to go to the schools. However, it would still require $317, 000 to get the schools open.

“The board did vote to open the school,” said Moorefield.

Blanton added, “So, we told them something, and now we are reneging on what we said.”

“That is a reasonable way to look at it,” Moorefield commented.

“If we cut the schools short, we still expect them to maintain End of Course test scores. If we don’t provide the money, how can they do it,” asked Blanton. “I have been there, and we cannot do it.”

He then suggested that if the county cuts back on school funding now, the county will have to pay 10 years from now. “That is the future of our county,” said Blanton.

Commissioner Jefferson Strickland said he felt the county should move forward and earmark the $317,000 for the county schools. He then asked the board to take some time to look at the big picture before deciding what to do.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.