ST. LOUISVILLE — Debates on proposed district budget cuts topped the evening’s discussion when the North Fork Local Board of Education met in regular session Monday at Newton Elementary School.
Utica FFA alumni John Wright asked the board to “please think about cuts that affect the FFA,” citing many accomplishments within the local chapter including individuals receiving scholarships based on their involvement in FFA.
Theresa Magers questioned the board on the necessity of asphalt paving and the purchase of a $3,000 stage curtain at the junior high. District treasurer Jack McDonald explained that these items come from building improvement funds and are not general operating expenses. “We want to be able to provide services for our kids; these all play a role in their lives,” said district superintendent Scott Hartley. “We’re trying to balance what we can do.”
When asked by Ellen Kerber if the board can devise ways of finding other uses for capital improvement funds, board president Bernard Snow explained that it would be unethical to misuse capital improvement funds for general operating expenses and the state could step in.
