Madison County School Board member John Lackey expressed concern about the amount of spending approved by the school board during its Thursday meeting at Madison Central High School.
Lackey was the lone member to vote against buying security cameras at B. Michael Caudill Middle School.
The cost of the cameras is estimated at $32,779 with installation not to exceed $6,820. Lackey said he also was concerned about future expenses to maintain the cameras.
When Lackey asked how many schools currently use security cameras, the response was two.
“We have to cut corners wherever we can,” Lackey said. “We can do without a security system” at Caudill Middle School.
Lackey cited a letter the school board recently sent to state Sen. Ed Worley and state representatives Lonnie Napier, Harry Moberly and Don Pasley.
Lackey provided a copy of the letter to the Register.
The letter states “our motor-vehicle tax receipts continue to go down, utility tax receipts are flat, interest income is down $300,000 and our normal SEEK receipts will be reduced by approximately $670,000 because of reduced attendance rates due to flu-related absences which negates our 2nd month growth factor.
“These factors are significant for the 2009-10 school year because we are using $1 million of Capital Outlay Funds reserved from a previous year and $600,000 of ARRA (federal stimulus) funds (two-time money 2009-10 and 2010-11) to balance our 2009-10 budget. If we do not receive the anticipated $670,000 SEEK increase for our increased enrollment of 170 students, we will reduce our contingency fund balance by approximately $670,000.
“We are currently dealing with $2.3 million budget imbalance for 2009-10 by use of Capital Outlay funds and a portion of our fund balance. The continued use of Capital Outlay funds for general fund expenditures reduces out bend potential for needed upcoming building projects by as much as $13 million.”
Without the measures, the district would exhaust its contingency funds in three years, the letter states.
“We have reduced staff at our high schools and Central Office,” the letter continues. “We have reduced transportation expenses significantly. We have reduced utility consumption by 10 percent. Further reduction of staff due to insufficient funding will result in an increase in class sizes and a decrease in instructional and support programs across our district.”
Lackey said the security cameras were an unnecessary expense when the district was searching for ways to cut costs.
Other news
A Richmond physician went before the school board, expressing concern that he believes the LearnWell Clinics are having a negative impact on local students and health care professions.
Dr. Richard Blum, of Madison Pediatrics, spoke during the comments from the audience portion of the meeting.
He said he and a number of local medical professionals feel the LearnWell Clinics are not providing proper care for students.
Blum called it a “flawed program” that “provides episodic care and undermines the medical home (the primary care provider).”
The LearnWell Clinics were introduced in August as a partnership between Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center and the Madison County School District.
Clinics at Madison Central High School and Madison Southern High School offer treatment to every student from kindergarten through high school in all of the county’s public and private schools.
On school days, any student with prior parental consent, has the ability to visit one of the clinics when referred by a school nurse.
The concern is that “no medical provider was asked to be part of the planning process” and that the health professionals at these clinics are “not able to work closely with kids like their primary care provider can,” said Blum.
“They are limited in their knowledge of these kids,” Blum said. “There are no follow-up visits. That goes to the primary care provider, who isn’t aware of the first visit.”
Blum also expressed concern that no parent would be present during each LearnWell Clinic visit.
Concern about the LearnWell Clinics has been an ongoing issue among Madison County health care professionals.
Bob Hudson, chief executive at Pattie A. Clay, addressed many of the concerns about the LearnWell Clinics for a story that appeared Sept. 5 in the Register.
At the end of each day, the LearnWell Clinics will enter their records into Pattie A. Clay’s electronic database and the information will be available to other providers with appropriate hospital security, Hudson said.
“Parents can request that any assessment of their child be sent to the primary care physician anytime their child is seen at a LearnWell Clinic,” Hudson said.
Hudson said that at least 760 Madison County students do not have health insurance and the LearnWell Clinics provide a place for them to visit.
“Our intent is not to take the place of the children’s primary care providers,” Hudson said. “We want to give busy families and uninsured families another treatment option that will help keep their children well and keep them in school so they can learn.”
Tim Mandell can be reached at tmandell@richmondregister.com or 623-1669 ext. 6696.
Local News
Board member worried about spending
- Local News
-
-
Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
-
Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
-
EKU closes dining room at Arlington Clubhouse
A Richmond country club is no longer offering dining to members, but remains available for catered events and will be open on certain holidays.
Arlington Country Club, which has been a staple of Eastern Kentucky University for the past 40 years, laid off all dining staff late last week, according to Tom Coffey of the EKU Foundation.
-
Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.
About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
-
Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.
Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.
-
Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)
A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.
-
Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. - More Local News Headlines
-
Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
