03/29/2024
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By Erin Smith

Board Of EducationThe Bladen County Board of Education met on Tuesday afternoon in a planning and budget retreat in the boardroom.

Chairman Wilbur Smith opened the meeting and the board voted to enter a closed session and met for about two hours to discuss matters regarding personnel and client-attorney privilege. Board returned into open session and no action was taken on the closed session items.

Bladen County Schools Superintendent Robert Taylor gave the board members a copy of a proposed re-organization chart for the Central Office personnel. Taylor said the chart shows the various duties assigned to the staff.

“One of the things we like to do is to solicit information from the board about how we re-organize and how we assign duties,” said Taylor.

He called the board’s attention to Dr. Heavenridge’s position and pointed out that because there is no maintenance director Dr. Heavenridge has taken on those responsibilities in addition to his regular assigned duties. Taylor also pointed out that the Finance Department has also been without an assistant finance director.

“We hope to fill this vacancy at the next board meeting,” said Taylor.

He also discussed the driver’s education program. Taylor said the school district has contracted with Jordan Driving School to provide the driver education program. Taylor explained that the district does have students in the 8th grade that are old enough for the driver education program but priority was given to 9th graders. Taylor said that with the contracted service, the program is offered to eligible students on a first come, first served basis.

In other business:

** Taylor discussed the Maintenance Director’s position vacancy. “One of the things we are considering doing is hiring a person for Maintenance Director,” said Taylor.

He explained that the position was removed from the budget because the board was trying to save money for the budget.

“This comes down to a product of what the budget will or will not accommodate,” said Taylor.

Board member Ophelia Munn-Goins said that while Dr. Heavenridge does “a good job” of carrying out the duties of maintenance director, she added that the board needs to look at hiring someone who has experience in maintenance.

** Taylor and Sharon Penny reviewed the budget with the board but no specific numbers were given.  One item that was identified was the identification of 8 to 9 positions that will need to be funded from another source that which is currently utilized.  Penny said that staff are just getting started on the budgeting process but she said they have been made aware that the school system will not be getting a planning allotment as they have in the past.

Penny explained that staff will be working to produce an estimated budget in the coming weeks.

Chairman Wilbur Smith asked if there will be a continuation budget like they have in years past, but Penny said that is up to the legislature.

Taylor added that the budget committee will definitely be meeting with the County Commissioners to let them know what the school districts budgetary needs are going to look like.

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