Cherokee BOE Approves 2015 Budget With Tax Decrease

The Cherokee County School Board on Wednesday approved its 2014-15 annual budget during its meeting on Wednesday. 

The budget, which can be viewed on the Cherokee County School District's website, calls for no increase in the operating millage rate and elimination of the debt service millage rate, which was set at .4 mills last year.   

That would reduce the school millage rate from 19.85 mills to 19.45 mills. 

School Board Chair Janet Read and board member Patsy Jordan both thanked Superintendent Dr. Frank Petruzielo and his staff for their diligent work in preparing the 2014-15 budget, which addressed all of the Board’s major budget priorities: 180 days of school, no furlough days and reduced class size.

“I want to thank you for keeping the collective priorities of the school board in mind to get us where we need to be so that we can continue to offer a quality education to every student that will be joining us,” Read said. 

Major highlights of the budget include: continuation of the full 180-day school calendar for students; hiring of: additional teachers to reduce class size for kindergarten through fifth grade, half-time graduation coaches for all high schools and additional police officers and bus drivers; elimination of the remaining three furlough days for all employees; new initiatives to enhance communication with parents and school safety; increases in budget reserves; and other improvements to programs and services.

The board also heard from School Board Attorney Tom Roach, who said he received a check from attorney Charles Robertson on behalf of former board member Kelly Trim. 

The check, which totaled $3,600, covers Trim's ethics fine she received in October for violating school board policies. 

Board members also welcomed its newest member, Kyla Cromer of BridgeMill. Cromer was sworn in as interim board member for District 1 by Cherokee County Probate Court Judge Keith Wood. 

Cromer will serve until the successful candidate in a Nov. 4 special election is sworn in; Cromer has already announced her intentions to run in that election for the remainder of the term, which expires on Dec. 31, 2016.  

The board also approved the first reading of revisions to the School Board Policy governing weapons on school property as a result of changes in state law.

The board policy would continue to prohibit weapons on school property, where possible, and will discourage possession of weapons on school property unless otherwise authorized. 

The board heard from one citizen — Thomas Weaver of Canton — who said the proposed policy is "illegal" and that he would consider bringing legal action against the district if the policy is implemented.

Weaver also said he shared his concerns with Petruzielo, and said the superintendent told him that his concerns were "valid." 

Roach told Weaver his allegations are "improper"and told Weaver that he, in fact, could not bring a lawsuit to the district, as that option is only reserved for "aggrieved parties." 

Petruzielo also said Weaver's comments pertaining to him were also improper.

"Noting could be further from the truth," Petruzielo added. 

A final reading on the policy will be heard at the Aug. 14 meeting. 

The board also approved a formal resolution calling for a special election on Nov. 4 to fill the District 1 vacancy; Cromer abstained from the vote, citing her intentions to run for the seat.