WHITE COUNTY, Ga.- The Board of Education approved the next fiscal year’s budget as presented by Finance Director Julie Dorsey at their Jun. 30 meeting.

The board also accepted a proposal from Habersham EMC to light the Transportation Facility. The board additionally put a new policy on the table for 30 days.

Dorsey has previously presented the board with the budget at meetings and at public hearings, both in May and Jun. The final revenue for the budget is $41,704,310 and the expenditures are $42,964,405.

The estimated fund balance for the end of the current fiscal year is $12,408,125 and the estimated fund balance for the end of the next fiscal year is $11,148,030. During the meetings, Dorsey presented the breakdown and changes to the budget to review those visit https://white.fetchyournews.com/2022/05/28/board-of-ed-reviews-first-budget-hearing/.

The majority of the expenditures are the $2,000 raise certified staff will be receiving. There is also a higher gas budget due to inflation. Dorsey will be able to ask the board for amendments throughout the fiscal year if needed for the budget.

“Pulling a small amount out of our reserves, I think it’s a very doable budget,” explained Vice-Chair Charlie Thomas.

Habersham EMC proposed two outdoor lighting options for the board to choose from for the Transportation Center. Both options are for 11 light poles and 16 light fixtures.

The second option was approved.

The first option had no upfront cost but a monthly rate of $566.93 for ten years. The second option had an upfront cost of $24,231.34 with a monthly rate of $365.00 for ten years. Both options include all installation, equipment, operations and maintenance, and energy.

The board voted to accept the second option. The upfront cost will come out of SPLOST funds.

This year the Georgia House-passed bill 1084. The bill is to prevent certain concepts from being introduced into curriculum or training programs. To comply with that bill the board of education has Policy IKBB drafted and voted to table for the required 30 days before voting.

The policy follows all the requirements set forth by the bill. To review the policy and the bill visit https://www.white.k12.ga.us/board-of-education/board-of-education-meetings/board-highlights, the policy begins on page 3 and https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/61477.

Heard in the clip above is Superintendent Dr. Laurie Burkett explaining the policy to the board members before they voted.

The board also approved the payroll schedule, the memorandum with the White County Sheriff’s Office for the school resource officers, and a joint-use agreement with the White County Board of Commissioners for the use of gyms and fields for sports. The payroll schedule is similar to the one used in the past few years.

Burkett mentioned that they are hoping to amend the memorandum with the Sheriff’s Office next month to include two more officers. If this happens there will be an officer for every school after they attend the required training. The next available training session will take place in Nov. so by the spring semester the officers would all be in place.

The Board of Education also announced that the White County Cannery opened on Jun. 28 and will be open until Sep. 8. The cannery will be Tuesday and Thursday through July. Tuesdays will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. It will be closed on July 12 for a teachers’ conference.

The Board of Education is also looking for volunteers to assist with the Stuff The Bus program. It will take place from July 22 through July 31 in the Wal-Mart parking lot. If interested in assisting contact a member of the board.