School board approves $1 million fund transfer
By COLIN KYLER ckyler@timesobserver.comFuture capital projects in the Warren County School District took a step toward major funding Monday evening.
In a 9-1 vote, the board of directors' voted to transfer $1 million from the district's general fund to a capital projects fund. Board Member Jeff Lockett cast the only vote against the measure.
Business Administrator Petter Turnquist explained the projects fund had been inactive the past couple of years and contained no balance.
Lockett expressed concern that the board was going outside of the budget process and the action would not give a true picture of the district's finances.
However, since Lockett said he understood the rationale, he made a motion to amend the amount to $250,000.
Director of Buildings and Grounds Dr. Norbert Kennerknecht said he did not wish to see the motion changed.
Things are changing rapidly, Kennerknecht said, and it would be wiser to set aside money now.
The district must pay 80 percent of the architect's fee before any capital projects construction, Kennerknecht said, and also has to pay for any educational specifications, printing and advertising costs as well as a water test for Eisenhower Middle/High School.
Board Member Kim Angove asked if the district would spend up to $1 million before the budget process begins in July.
Kennerknecht said it would depend on the will of the board and if it would like to start multiple projects.
If he has the cash in hand, Kennerknecht said he knows how to expedite the process of the projects.
Board members have shown it is committed to capital projects by vote, Lockett said, but should also show themselves to be prudent caretakers of taxpayers' money which means putting spending through the due diligence of a budget process.
Board Member Tom Knapp offered to compromise by changing the amount to $500,000 which he said he didn't see the board spending or hurting the budget process.
Board Member Jack Werner asked if that amount would get the district by.
Kennerknecht said it would carry them to July 1 if they do one project at a time.
Board President Arthur Stewart said the board should order its affairs for large construction projects.
The board is not spending several million dollars, Stewart said, but is sending the signal as it formulates a budget to segregate money.
Delaying moving money to the projects fund would give a better idea if a tax increase is necessary, Lockett said, and would give the board a better idea of how much it should put in the fund at that time.
Lockett and Knapp's amendments were voted down and the board approved the original $1 million transfer.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. April 12 at Warren County Career Center.
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Grouch
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03-09-10 5:56 PM
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How many more studies and master plans are needed to do something.Time and money are wasted day after day and year after year by the various school boards that have come and gone and nothing accomplished except going deeper in debt. Forty years of talking are not going to help and thats how long we have listened to the bull coming out of those in charge of the schools.
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fivealive
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03-09-10 2:54 PM
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I guess that is what I'm getting at, Publius. Where is the master facilities plan? Where is that hung up -- with the board or with the admin? WHY are there even discussions on money, architects, etc w/out a plan to follow? EHS will be built and then there won't be money to repair the other schools. W/out a master facilities plan, there are no concrete priorities. This board will start down one path, the elections will usher in new members, arguing ensues again, they start down another path... What a waste of time and money. The lack of planning is the true hallmark of WCSD's board. Think where the district would be if they had used appropriate planning over all these years.
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Publius
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03-09-10 8:43 AM
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Five: Of course they have a plan: 1. Build a new Eisenhower. 2. Borrow that banner from the Bush administration that says "Mission Accomplished". I find it darkly hilarious that they are spending $25 million on a high school without a master facilities plan.
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fivealive
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03-09-10 8:22 AM
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Was anyone at this meeting? From the article, it sounds like the board doesn't even have priorities defined for these building projects, they haven't planned or budgeted well for them, etc. Sounds like there is no well-defined plan here.
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