Although the finalizing votes on district wide budget cuts didn’t take place last night as was originally planned there were two major discussion items that revolved around those cuts.
One was if the board would allow community donations to pay for differentials for club sponsors.
Over 30 of these sponsors would have their stipend cut if that proposal is finalized at a later meeting.
Superintendent Ralph Grimm says that community members have approached him with interest to fund the differentials but expressed to the board that are there complications.
“At the outset, I will say we will certainly do what you direct us to do, but nothing is ever as simple as it seems,” Grimm said addressing the board.
For example there are payroll costs associated with contracts that presumably wouldn’t be covered by a private donation.
Another is…
“If you eliminate it through the reduction process and it’s brought back through a donation, then what happens at the end of the year?” Grimm added. He calls it a “board control issue.”
Member Wayne Statham acknowledges that accepting small donations comes with complications and is an “accounting nightmare.”
“There is no way in the world I want to sit here and say we’re going to turn down restricted gifts,” Statham says.
Grimm said he would be more in favor if the donations were made to cover a five year period or longer.
