Final hearing held for Dougherty County school budget

ALBANY — It’s not very often that speakers who attend public hearings before the Dougherty County School Board can get board members to smile as one.

It happened early Monday afternoon.

After reaching the podium, Willie Jenkins, pastor of Word of Truth and Revelation Church, thanked the board for what he called its “hard work and leadership” of the school system.

“I just want the board to know most people appreciate and respect those in educational leadership positions,” Jenkins said. “In fact I think waiting 50 years to give y’all a raise is absurd.”

Board members James Bush and Geraldine Hudley, as well as Chairwoman Velvet Poole, broke out the smiles.

“I like this man,” Bush said, pointing to Jenkins.

According to Poole, as chairwoman she is paid $300 per month, and board members are paid $250. Poole said she believes the last raises on the school board happened in the late ’50s.

But Monday’s meeting was mostly all about the budget.

Earlier this month, Associate Superintendent for Finance Ken Dyer, the superintendent-designate who will assume that role July 1, presented a tentative FY 2017-18 budget to the board. The budget is approximately $129 million, $2 million more than last year’s spending plan.

Dyer said much of the extra money comes from the state, with the funds earmarked for 2 percent raises for teachers, in addition to a 2 percent cost of living adjustment for teachers, bus drivers and food service workers.

The final budget will go before the full board at its Wednesday meeting. By law, the district must file a balanced budget with the state by June 30.

Prior to the start of the meeting, Dyer addressed rumors that Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital had approached the school system about possibly purchasing Albany High School and turning it into a nursing school.

“We have not heard from Phoebe expressing an interest in Albany High School. And there are certainly no ongoing negotiations,” Dyer said. “In fact, the only person I’ve heard this from is you.”