Board seeks Ranger addition
By Gabby Hudson Staff Writer

With possible changes throughout the state concerning the distribution of state lottery money for schools, the Cherokee County Board of Education is considering funding options for pressing projects.

During their monthly meeting Thursday, Chairman Dr. David Ackerman made a request that the board members consider using the existing lottery fund, projected to be $208,000, to push forward on an existing, pressing project.

Ackerman reminded the board that the Board of County Commissioners had requested, during their budget meetings, that the school board use some of their funding for some of these key projects. The school board members had agreed to the commissioners request earlier this year.

"With some of the things going on in the state currently, with Medicaid, some of the distribution we are counting on are in question," Ackerman said.

We may have to draw back, because we are not sure what our revenues will be until the Medicaid issue is resolved, he said. Ackerman told board members that Terelle Beaver had given the board a conservative estimate of what lottery funds are now available for building use.

Talking with Beaver, Ackerman said he felt that with the lottery funds from the budget of 2007/08, the funds are possibly there to cover the Ranger School additions needed.

Earlier in the year the board held a special facilities meeting to discuss the most pressing needs. The top three most pressing needs are the roof at Murphy High School, classrooms to ease over crowding at Ranger School and the need for a new middle school in the western part of the county.

Superintendent Dr. Jeanette Hedrick informed the board that the school system has been awarded the Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB). The bond in the amount of $1,371,355 will be used for the roof at Murphy High School.

The QZAB funds can only be used for improvements that last at least 14 years.

The board voted to hold a facilities meeting on August 16 at the central office.