Jim Sides, Salisbury, N.C.
♦ In a recent article in the city’s print paper involving school consolidation, numerous individuals continually repeat misinformation regarding the amount of money the school system receives from the county for capital projects. The figure consistently quoted is $2 million dollars per year. This is totally false. In John 8:32 the Bible verse says: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Well, here is the truth:
According to the 2015-2016 Rowan County budget, the schools will receive a total of $10,405,500.00 in capital expense funds this fiscal year. Of course, everyone wants to overlook the fact that all but $2.2 million dollars of this money is debt service on prior capital projects undertaken by the school system. If you want the facts, simply go to the Rowan County government website, go to the “Transparency Tab” and look for the “Budgets” tab. This should be required reading for all school board members. It is also interesting to note that the figures for capital do not include the almost $36 million dollars given to the school system for current expense. It also does not include the more than $4 million dollars that goes to RCCC. Of the almost $139 million dollar county budget, more than $50 million dollars goes to education. Of the more than $10 million dollars that will go to debt service for the schools in 2015-2016, $906,500 is “interest”. That is almost $1 million dollars each year that does not go to educate children in Rowan County. Those are the facts. Well, at least some of them. I would be happy to discuss this with anyone who wants to get in touch with me.
Fiscal Year 2015-16 Budget Ordinances:
https://app.box.com/s/hni5jzby0bxmzdei34w9ywql3ub8xhtb
Projected LTD Payments:
https://app.box.com/s/p3uyx2spa0m49y69wip66yti7buh1g52
