JCC Requests $490,000 Additional Increase
JCPS Wants $7.2 Million More
Leaders from Johnston Community College and Johnston County Public Schools say they need more money in the upcoming 2019-2020 fiscal year budget. During a public hearing on Monday on the $241.5 million County Budget, Dr. David Johnson, President of Johnston Community College, thanked Commissioners for a 3.9% increase in the proposed college budget to $5,295,186 this year but asked for an additional $490,000.
Dr. Johnson said an additional $490,000 would allow JCC to pave the parking lot at the Child Development Center, construct a much-needed storage building, and hire a Safety Range Manager at the Howell Woods Learning Center. JCC has experienced a 10 percent increase in summer enrollment and fall enrollment is projected to be up at least 10 percent over last year. Dr. Johnson said enrollment is increasing faster than their state allocation, meaning the college is having to serve more students with less money.
Like JCC, Johnston County Public Schools would receive a 3.9% increase in funding this year under County Manager Rick Hester’s proposed budget. Johnston County Schools had requested $84,062,810 this year, a
32.25% increase. Hester’s proposal includes $66,042,842, which is up 3.9% but still $18,019,968 less than the school board had requested.
On Monday, Superintendent Dr. Ross Renfrow asked Commissioners to consider providing near 11 percent more money to the school board to focus on teachers, classrooms and instructional resources. Specifically, Dr. Renfrow wants $7,219,562.16 in additional funding for 9 areas. They include a 1% teacher supplement that will cost $1,458,614; Instructional Resources at $1,500,000; a 2% Growth Bonus at Restart Schools totaling $2,152,586; $536,762 to hire more full-time bus drivers; $511,600 in overtime pay to custodians who elect to drive buses; $350,000 more for Trade Salaries; $425,000 for Transportation; $275,000 for IB Candidacy; and $10,000 for Flame for Learning.
Ken Starling, Chairman of the Johnston County Airport Authority, requested additional funding from $175,000 – $300,000 in local matching dollars for state and federal grants for continuing improvements at the Johnston County Airport.
Scott Saylor, President of the NC Railroad Company, asked for $75,000 to go towards a $875,000 study of commuter rail in the Triad and Triangle. Saylor said the study will focus is on the fiesbility of a commuter rail system between Mebane and Selma.
Kay Johnson, Executive Director of Harbor Inc.,asked for $25,000 from Commissioners this year. During the 2017-18 fiscal year, Harbor served over 2,700 victims of violence and abuse, second only to Wake County.
No action was taken on the requests. Commissioners will hold Budget Workshops on June 10th and June 17th at 6:00 PM. The meetings are open to the public.
