The Shadow
Covington High School educators Sara Zeek and Steve Dressler took to the podium Monday evening to address the Covington City School Board about concerns they have with the current happenings within the Covington City School System.
Zeek, who was to first to express her concerns, did so during the public hearing regarding the preliminary 2020-2021 fiscal year budget.
Zeek stated that she and fellow educators met with Covington Mayor Tom Sibold, District 2 Councilman Allan Tucker and Covington City School Board member Jonathan Arritt to discuss consolidation and budgetary concerns.
“During that meeting, Mr. Sibold stated that the city projected flat revenues for the next six years, which means level funding or less for the school system,” Zeek said.
Another concern Zeek and her colleagues had from the January meeting was that they felt part of the revenue problem came from the revenue decrease that comes from taxing the biomass boiler.
“Part of the revenue problem as we understand it, is that the amount the city is getting from taxing the biomass boiler is decreasing by a six-figure amount each year,” Zeek said.
She continued, “Mr. Sibold’s statement predicts that the decreased revenue will affect the citys’ ability to fully fund the schools within six years.”
After talking about budgetary concerns, Zeek shifted the focus to consolidation.
She mentioned a quote that directed back to Tucker regarding consolidation stating, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Zeek indicated that Tucker’s statement is a clear indicator of support to keep the Covington City Public School System independent.
Zeek later asked that radical thinking be used in upcoming budget preparations and make it a top priority to save the schools in Covington.
“In truth, we are depending on support from you as a [school] board for those goals,” Zeek said to the school board members.
Zeek then talked about a perceived lack of communication between educators and the school board.
“We have asked to meet with individuals to offer suggestions and discuss the budget, but have either received no response to our requests or open refusal to meet from board members,” Zeek said.
She mentioned that in the past, a lack of communication was unheard of as the two groups often collaborated to share ideas and discuss possibilities.
Zeek said of the change in the relationship, “This year, we have met resistance from board members to meet in any capacity. In fact, we have heard you have been directed not to talk to anyone outside of board meetings.”
“We remind you tonight that you represent people in the city of Covington and the employees of the school system. Building a wall between you and your constituents can only hurt all who are connected to Covington City Public Schools.
Zeek then stated that everyone was in this process together and there are no “us” or “them” when it comes to keeping the schools open and independent.
“The only group that matters is our students, so we are asking you to work as a group with your employees to find realistic answers to the question, how do we keep our school system moving forward?”
To conclude her address, Zeek touched back on the six year budgetary projections.
“We don’t see Mr. Sibold’s statement regarding the city’s six year projection as a negative. It is not a sign of death for Covington City Public Schools. Instead, we see those six years as a means of motivating all involved to make the school system a more efficient operation,” Zeek said.
She continued, “Six years means we have 72 months to find more creative ways to run our system, to attract industry in our area and to initiate ways to build a better future for our kids. Six years gives us a goal and a reason to reconfigure how we approach everything.”
After the conclusion of the budget public hearing, Dressler then took his turn at the podium to address the school board during the delegations portion of the regular meeting.
Dressler focused solely on consolidation during his time at the podium.
The first point Dressler focused on was previously compiled data indicating that $1,000,000 could be saved if 16 teachers were to retire or be cut from jobs without replacing them.
Dressler posed questions and points to counteract that, among them were if teachers were:
— What if teachers are from the same area of expertise;
— What if teachers choose not to retire due to health benefits;
— What if a teacher retires, but needs replaced, there is no guarantee that a new hire will be at the bottom of the payscale and be a way of savings.
Another area Dressler focused on, which is also based on previously compiled data, $900,000 could be saved by eliminating positions in the central office, not including superintendent pay as that is not a local expense.
Dressler presented counterpoints to this as well and among them were:
— Who decides who stays and who goes;
— Will the superintendent’s position be filled prior to consolidation takes place.
Dressler then mentioned a statement made by Alleghany County School Board member Gerald Franson.
“Mr. Franson stated on Jan. 13, when speaking to the Alleghany County School Board that the [Joint School Services] committee has ‘promised’ not to lay off anyone when consolidation occurs and that all cuts will be through attrition, but is that practical and accurate?” Dressler said.
Dressler continued, “I?just can’t see that being practical, I really cannot.”
Dressler also touched on another Franson statement made in response to a question Tucker asked in regard to sustaining salaries earlier in the consolidation process.
Dressler stated that Franson told Tucker that in the new consolidated system, the individuals involved would not have to ask the state for as much money after the first year due to many highly paid employees being gone and the new system would be efficient.
Dressler shared his feelings on those thoughts by saying, “There is nothing to actually support that statement. It is all a guess and hope.”
Among other concerns Dressler had about the consolidation, he felt that nothing would be added to the curriculum, nor would there be any improvements to the students’ education since there will be no extra money to create a new curriculum or add new educators after consolidation.
Another sticking point Dressler mentioned in his address was that if consolidation occurred, the county would not help pay for the Edgemont Primary School/Jeter-Watson Intermediate School debt, but will use the facility.
“If there is a merger and one facility needs capital improvements, whether it is Covington High School or Alleghany High School, who will foot the bill?” Dressler asked.
Near the end of his address, Dressler focused on the $400,000 that the Joint School Services Committee received from the state to look into consolidation.
Dressler said, “Apparently there is $280,000 left in the committee’s fund for the remainder of the study and it will cost approximately $200,000 or more for a facility study. What happens if money runs out and the study can’t continue?”
It was stated when the money was awarded that any leftover money from the $400,000 would go to the Jackson River Technical Center, as it is the only entity that is jointly ran among the Covington City and Alleghany County Public School Systems.
Dressler then expressed his feelings on the focus and attitude of the Joint School Services Committee.
Dressler said, “Apparently the committee chair [Jacob Wright] believes our community spreads rumors that are not true about consolidation.”
Dressler also asked how can people spread rumors when what is discussed is publicized.
Dressler also said people share the knowledge of what they heard while attending meetings, although what is said is not always clear or coherent due to the committee appearing unsure of what they are doing.
“Their accusations has created a climate of distrust for any actions they take,” Dressler stated.
Dressler also feels that the Joint School Services Committee has other faults, such as not doing a good job of answering questions, behaving as though they should not be challenged on any point of discussion and not being upfront about any and all progress being made.
According to Dressler, these issues, a lack of clarity by the committee and the committee’s silence has created fear and confusion in the community.
Dressler concluded his address by stating that Del. Terry Austin requested a vote from the two school boards, city council and Alleghany County Board of Supervisors for a show of serious support and intent to consolidate.
Dressler mentioned that the request for this vote keeps getting pushed aside during committee meetings.
Dressler mentioned a quote by one of the committee members that stated, “We are putting the cart before the horse.”
There are also concerns that if the study of a merger continues and gets voted down later, this would be embarrassing for Austin and a black eye for the community and school systems.
Dressler’s final points in his address flatly asked the Covington City School Board, “Do you want to be known as the board that shut the doors down on Covington High School?”
Dressler then stated, “I, along with my peers and colleagues request a motion be made tonight to stop the study on consolidation. All I need is one person to make a motion, and the rest of you must vote. One motion, one motion to stop it!”
