CUMBERLAND — The Allegany County Board of Education called for standards Tuesday when it met to unveil its plan to mitigate the findings levied against the board in a recent negative legislative audit.
The board members were in agreement that the Office of Legislative Audits, which gave no guidelines to meet prior to the audit, must spell out the standards for a successful audit in the future.
The OLA hit the BOE with a report in January that made 19 critical findings with one citing the board for a $4 million loss over the past four years in its food service operations.
Board members pointed out that they subsidize student meals and continue to make progress in cost savings in cafeteria operations.
“I don’t know of any school systems that make money,” said Ed Root, the president of the board.
“If they are making money on the kids they should be ashamed. I have worked on the state level. I also don’t know of any school systems that break even,” said Root.
Board member Mike Llewellyn also spoke passionately about food service.
“Bottom line is we live in a poor area. These kids need fed. The meal they receive at school might be their only one that day,” said Llewellyn.
Each of the 19 findings were discussed in the meeting. The board said it has already implemented many of the ideas suggested in the audit.
A report prepared by the BOE to offer insight into the findings, stated that it would cost the board more than $550,000 to implement the solutions suggested by the audit. The cost would include hiring of additional employees to help oversee the programs placement and operation.
“We just don’t have the manpower to do this,” said Vince Montana, director of facilities for the board.
The meeting also featured a presentation and discussion of the board’s $110 million 2014 fiscal year budget.
The budget is still being planned and will not be voted on until late May.
Randall Bittinger, chief business officer for the BOE, went through the proposed budget for the board members.
Payroll costs for the BOE remain the highest expense at nearly $40 million.
Allegany County is expected to contribute around $30 million.
Greg Larry can be contacted at glarry@times-news.com.
Latest news
School audit fix would cost about $550,000; budget process begins
- Latest news
-
-
New septic system rules will tax county health department
New state laws on septic systems will require increased on-site work for Allegany County Health Department staff and could lead to an eventual increase in septic system inspection fees, department officials said last week.
-
Mineral County commissioners keep ambulance authority bylaws
The Mineral County Commission voted down a proposed change to the county ambulance authority bylaws that would have allowed the ambulances to expand nonemergency transports.
-
Family has long connection to local YMCA Matriarch hopes to keep tradition in family
Vickie Murray Aman has been working at the Riverside YMCA for the past 44 years. She is the matriarch of a family who has had a longstanding relationship with the local Y.
-
County plans to regulate piercings and change rules for tattoo parlors
While Allegany County regulates tattoos, it does not currently regulate body piercings, but the county health department is planning to change that situation soon.
Legitimate tattoo and piercing shops are cooperating in the update, county health officials have said. -
Residents adopt American chestnut trees
Cradling her small American chestnut tree as if it were a newborn baby, Nancy Bean was ready Saturday afternoon to return to her Backbone Mountain home where she would grab a shovel and plant a part of the country’s heritage.
-
I-68 downtown ramp to reopen Monday
The exit 43C ramp from eastbound Interstate 68 to downtown Cumberland will remain closed through Monday morning to allow crews to repair the concrete driving surface.
-
Mineral deputy, K-9 partner named top team in W.Va.
Mineral County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Smith and K-9 Kira were awarded West Virginia K-9 Team of the Year by the West Virginia Police Canine Association earlier this month.
-
Organizers hope canoe championships put Garrett County on map
Deep Creek 2014: International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships is the largest inbound sporting event scheduled in the United States in 2014, according to Todd Copley, executive director of Deep Creek 2014.
-
Organizers hope canoe championships put Garrett County on map
Deep Creek 2014: International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships is the largest inbound sporting event scheduled in the United States in 2014, according to Todd Copley, executive director of Deep Creek 2014.
-
PSC approves Keyser sewer rate hike, customers due refund
The West Virginia Public Service Commission has approved a sewer rate increase for Keyser for all service after June 24 and a refund of 1.01 percent of the money collected from each customer under the interim rates.
- More Latest news Headlines
-
New septic system rules will tax county health department
