Shop LocalThursday, December 13, 2012
With a number of projects from Fulton Public Schools’ 2010 Bond Issue coming in under budget, the district has money left over that can be used for other school improvements.
Just how that money should be spent was a subject of discussion during the Fulton School Board meeting Wednesday night, during which Superintendent Jacque Cowherd presented the board with a proposal to spend $22,212 on a new baseball scoreboard.
The existing scoreboard shows only the score. The proposed scoreboard would be 8’x24’, would electronically display team names, show at least seven innings and would display totals for runs, hits and errors.
Longtime board member Rodney Latty said he didn’t believe a new scoreboard would be the best use for the leftover bond funds — which Cowherd estimated as close to $550,000.
“I’d rather prioritize what we want,” Latty said, noting the district already has delivered on its commitment regarding the baseball field and keeping just under the $50,000 budget for that particular piece of the bond projects. “With $22,000, I see five smart boards. I would rather spend that money on something else.”
Latty also pointed out that other athletic facilities at the high school, such as the softball field, have received community sponsorship and support for such improvements, which he said he would like to see for the baseball field as well.
Comments
Advocator 5 months, 1 week ago
Rod Latty has it right. Five smart boards would benefit a much greater number of students now and for years to come than the educational benefit that the students would get from a scoreboard. Well over a half a million dollars has been spent on the baseball field to date. It is time to spend for the students in the classrooms! Who knows, maybe spending in the classroom could help increase the graduation rate. The fans shouldn't have to look at the scoreboard to see what teams are playing. If they do have to look at the scoreboard to see who is playing, maybe they are at the wrong place. Come on school board, step up with Rod Latty!!!
fultonian 5 months, 1 week ago
not every student plays sports, how about something for the fine arts like band, music, theater, etc? When is the last time they got a hefty bond issue for new facilities past? They are just as much represenatives of our community and school as the sports teams are.
Advocator 5 months, 1 week ago
Looking back at a June 14,2012 article in the Fulton Sun the following was a quote from the superintendent of schools. Cowherd said, “We are not spending money on anything that isn’t absolutely necessary." Does this mean the scoreboard is "absolutely necessary"? In the same article he also said, “The original list of (bond) projects will be done at the end of this summer, so I believe we’ll have just over $1 million left that are unallocated funds.” The December 13,2012 article that stated that Cowherd estimated there is close $550,000 of left over bond funds. This means that over $450,000 was spent on THINGS that were "absolutely necessary" since school started? As taxpayers I believe that we are owed an accountabilty on what the school district spent $450,000 on since school has started. The $22,212 for the scoreboard is less than 5% of the unaccounted for $450,000 spent since school started.
Outsider 5 months, 1 week ago
Rather than looking around for something to buy in an effort to spend unused money, why not put those funds into the district's debt service account to reduce the bond obligation?
The district has gone to some effort in efficiently spending the money on projects approved by the voters. Don't betray a disciplined approach now by succumbing to the allure of jingling pockets.
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