BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH
KENDYLH@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
LEE COUNTY —
The Lee County Board of Education recognized an athletic group from Loachapoka High School at its regular meeting April 11.
The Loachapoka girls basketball team, along with head coach Anthony Edwards, received special recognition for its successful season.
The Lady Indians placed first in Class 1A Area 7 and made it to the final four in the state tournament, ultimately falling to Spring Garden. They finished 7-0 in region play and 26-10 overall.
Edwards was accompanied by assistant coaches Hope Felton and Shavia Alexander. Four players were also present: Taylah Murph, Mayana Chenier, Adriana Jones and Cheyenne Wiseman.
Superintendent Mac McCoy said recognizing high achievers in the school system is his favorite part of board meetings.
“You represented Loachapoka High School, and the community and this county with honor and pride, and we are very, very, very excited about having y’all here,” McCoy told them.
Edwards said he encouraged the girls to build on the previous season’s success, which they did.
“It’s not easy, and I’m very proud of them,” he said.
Murph is currently committed to play at Coastal Alabama Community College in Monroeville.
McCoy also spoke to Edwards’ success as a coach.
“This year, he reached a great milestone in coaching,” McCoy said. “… This gentleman won his 500th win. Congratulations.”
Later in the meeting, Chief School Financial Officer Ken Roberts gave a “good news” update on the school system’s revenues and expenditures as of February 2023.
Roberts said Lee County Schools received 49% of its budget in revenues, ahead of the 42% mark. The school system has spent nearly 44% of its budget with surplus to date in the General Fund sitting at about $5 million.
Finding a good balance between spending and saving is one priority, Roberts added.
“We’ve got a strong fund balance, and this year we know we’re going to spend a little bit,” he said. “… We’ve got a target fund balance; we’re above that. “
Revenues are up 6%, which Roberts said is expected, keeping with state trends and expectations for local revenue.
In terms of expenditures, Lee County Schools has spent a little over 9% more than last year, but most of that is due to payroll, according to Roberts. Payroll is up between 7 and 8% based on state matrix adjustments.
Roberts said the federal and state governments fund about 70% of raises given to teachers.
“There’s a piece of it that is not funded, so anytime there’s a raise, there’s going to be some local funds spent to make sure that raise is applied equitably through the whole system,” he added.
Total revenue is up 9%, which Roberts said will equal about $2.5 million of extra funds during the year.
“That’s a critical metric to be able to do the things we want to do instructionally and with facilities, so … we track that in detail, and we’re very fortunate to have that type of revenue base,” he explained.
District 6 Board Member Larry Patterson asked if some of those extra funds will be used for liberal arts, and McCoy said fine arts will be a part of that. Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Brad Hunter said one current goal is to provide band instruments for all Lee County Schools students.
Roberts said the system has enough funds “to do the things we want to do in the short term,” but “everything’s on the table.”
In other business, the board:
• approved various overnight and out-of-state field trips,
• approved the local adoption of new McGraw-Hill textbooks from the state-adopted textbook list for K-5 English language arts instruction,
• approved various Human Resources recommendations.
The board will meet next at 6 p.m. May 9 at the central office, 2410 Society Hill Road in Opelika.