District 5 Begins Budget Sessions

Lexington-Richland 5 has begun discussion of the 2012-2013 fiscal year general fund budget. 

Dr. Karl Fulmer, the district's chief financial services officer, gave an overview of the proposed budget that he said was based on the House's version of the state budget.

Fulmer said the budget reflects a 2 percent raise for teachers ($2,056,092), a 4.6 percent increase in state worker's health insurance ($406,506) and another 1 percent match for retirement ($912,318).

To help reduce some cost, Fulmer suggested closing the district's warehouse saving the district $327,000, which could be use elsewhere. 

The proposed budget for the 2012-2013 fiscal year is $145,949,188 compared to $142,323,920 for fisal year 2011-2012, according to a budget analysis report.

There are no recommendations for a millage increase, Fulmer said. 

A copy of Fulmer's presentation can be found on the district's website. Figures presented in the proposed budget are subject to change. 

In other business:

• The board received a report on the district's 135th day enrollment. According to the report, the district's average daily membership is 16,339.36. Total enrollment, including prekindergarten through 12th grade is 16,674. See the full report in the attached document. 
• The board received the monthly general fund financial report from Fulmer.
• The board voted 6-1 to endorse board chair Robert Gantt to serve as vice president on the South Carolina School Boards Association. Board member Kim Murphy did not vote in favor of the endorsement. 
• Public participation: Craig Young of Irmo called for more transparency from the board and asked if the board could hold town hall meetings, live stream meetings and publish budgets. Tracey Hagerty of Chapin asked the board to request a study from administration of the cost to build an auditorium at Chapin High School while it's currently under construction rather than wait until after it's completed. Sam Delaney of Chapin questioned whether the district had a company remove asbestos from Chapin High during school hours two weeks ago and asked if students and parents were notified of the asbestos.
• Executive Session: The board approved a settlement concerning a lawsuit with Palmeto Grading & Drainage Inc. filed in December that relates to the site package at the CATE center and new high school in the amount of $300,000. Murphy made a motion to amend the agenda to include discussion on why board members were not informed of the lawsuit prior to Monday’s meeting and that an attorney was hired to represent the district. Her motion failed. Board member Ed See the attached document.
• The board approved the proposed revisions to the district's 2012-2013 budget timeline with a 6-1 vote. Murphy asked for more time to discuss the 2012-2013 budget before a public hearing and final reading in June.
• The administration addressed concerns about asbestos abatement at Chapin High School. A consultant was on hand to speak about the asbestos abatement. Workers were reportedly seen two weeks ago in protective gear removing asbestos from Chapin High during school hours. Murphy said she contacted the district office and was originally told there was no asbestos. Buddy Price, director of community services, said the district had gone through all procedures necessary to seal off the old administration area from students and staff. The consultant said there was equipment set up to monitor the air quality for signs of exposure. District officials said they presented the update on the asbestos abatement to let the public know the district would never place anyone in harm's way and that students and faculty were not at risk.

The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 7 at Irmo High School.