In an effort to reduce the length of the video, I have edited out everything but the public comments and commissioners comments. Not all the public comments were included, but those that were, more than represent the flavor of all the comments.
Great schools are key to economic future
Union County has no professional sports arena, research triangle, or major university. We are not known as a financial center, a tourist destination, or technology hub.
Yet, even in the absence of attractions like these, we have been one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. Some will tell you it is because the taxes are lower; some will claim it is the small-town rural feel; but MOST will tell you it is because of the reputation and performance of the school system.
Our schools have become a very high-profile draw for residential growth which, in turn, leads to retail growth and creates the labor market for industrial growth. This ultimately translates to new business and jobs, a more vibrant economy, lower unemployment, and a better quality of life — all of which were direct promises made in the last election.
Because we don’t have the other typical inducements, the quality of education drives the entire economic health of this County. That, in turn, determines the revenues, the tax base, and ultimately, the tax rate. The issue of school funding has been discussed, spiritedly debated, and is very emotional for a lot of people. It affects not only those that have school-aged children, but every citizen in this county in terms of property values and the desirability of this County to others, today and in the future.
It strikes me that every time there is a disagreement on an issue, Commissioner Rogers and I are accused of “playing politics.” Well look around. This is the government and this is a political board—everything we do is politics. However, I did find my flyer from when I ran four years ago, and it states very clearly that I stand for “funded schools” and “continued emphasis on education.” I am not “playing”. I am standing up for what I said I would and for what the people are continuing to tell us they want from their elected officials. The current proposal of one-time funding of teacher assistants, while not the most desirable solution, is quite simple. We have the means to help stop, or at least delay, this damage to our children’s education and the overall quality of life to the citizens of this county.
We can pass the buck and the blame, get hung up on semantics and control, or we can decide to preserve and protect the number one economic driver in this county and take care of our kids and our future! It has been said that the monies from the hospital belong to the taxpayers — to the people.
So far, the only request that I have heard via email or public comment is to preserve the integrity of the school system — especially for our youngest children. The voices of the people have been very clear, very consistent, and very specific. I believe we have two more meetings before we must adopt the budget and I urge every Commissioner to put personalities and blame aside, revisit the promises they have made and priorities they claim to have and do the right thing in the name of our children.
Tracy Kuehler
Commissioner
Union County
Note: I will add more video shortly.
County towns show support for schools
by Brian Carlton writing for the Enquirer Journal
As the fight over school funding continues, local towns have started to take sides. During their Tuesday, May 8 meeting, the Waxhaw town council adopted a resolution calling for Union County and state lawmakers to fully fund teacher positions and teacher assistants.
“There’s been a lot of finger pointing,” said Waxhaw Elementary PTA president-elect Martin Lane, who wrote and presented the proposal. “I think everybody’s got a hand in it. It doesn’t matter how we got here. It matters how we get out of this mess.”
To do that, Lane and several teachers from Waxhaw Elementary presented the resolution to the town council, asking for support. They also received support from other members of the education community, who spoke in favor of the resolution.
“I want to see the (school) district maintain the quality it’s known for,” said Waxhaw resident Lynn Southern, a recently retired teacher who plans to run for the Union County Board of Education. She pointed out that despite a lack of state funding, Union County Public Schools ranked as one of the top districts in the state, adding that teacher assistants are important to have in the classroom, as they help in a number of ways.
The district laid off a total of 350 teacher assistants last month as part of an attempt to balance a $6.7 million shortfall. Elementary schools were given limited funds, which principals had the flexibility to use as they saw fit. For Waxhaw Elementary, that meant hiring back some of the laid off assistants.
“It looks like we’re gonna be able to hire back five of the 13 (teacher assistants),” Lane told council members. “Teacher’s aides work primarily for kindergarten through third grade. It’s teacher assistants who step in, they work as interventionists, they get kids on and off the bus,” Lane said. “Now the county commission is pointing fingers at the school board, the school board is pointing fingers at the county commission and the state’s pointing fingers at anyone they can.”
The resolution points out that last year, a study done by Wingate University found the school district is Union County’s top economic driver. In addition, it asks the state to provide fair and equitable compensation for teachers, who haven’t had a raise in four years. Council member Erin Kirkpatrick made the motion to adopt the resolution, which passed unanimously. It will go out to county commissioners, as well as Rep. Craig Horn, Rep. Frank McGuirt and Sen. Tommy Tucker.
Read more: The Enquirer Journal – County towns show support for schools
Members of the Union County Board of Education Finance Committee voted unanimously yesterday, to send a $96.5 million dollar budget recommendation to the full School Board for approval next Tuesday, May 1. If the plan is approved, the School Board will present it in the form of a budget request to the Board of County Commissioners in May. The proposed budget increases for County funding would make up for the shortfall in state funds.
People at the table from left to right: Dr. Mike Webb; John Crowder, BOE; Dan Karpinski; David Scholl, BOE; Dean Arp, BOE; Dr. Ed Davis; Sherry Hodges, BOE; Dr. Denise Patterson and Dr. David Clark.
In the audience were School Board members John Collins, Laura Minsk and Marcie Savage.
This spreadsheet is a breakout of the funding areas in the request approved by the Finance Committee.
Reader Note: There is more to this story — stay tuned.
The following video is the WSOCT-TV report the started another round of condemnations of the UCPS administration over budget issues.