ELIZABETHTOWN — The Bladen County Schools Board of Education will be meeting for its annual planning retreat Tuesday at 4 p.m.
The big item on the agenda, as is often the case, centers around the budget. Board members are beginning the process of nailing down a financial plan for the 2016-2017 school year.
“This is the time of year they meet with county commissioners and talk with principals about what the needs are in the schools,” said Valerie Newton, public information officer for Bladen County Schools. “This is the beginning stages of the process.”
In March, the school system expects to meet with the Finance Committee, the superintendent will meet with principals and directors and develop a budget message, the board will receive state planning allotments and refine state budgets, and schools will be given their initial planning allotments.
“They will be looking at shortages from state or federal programs and determine what allotments look like and where they are,” said Newton.
At the retreat, in addition to the budget, board members will be discussing planning and personnel for the coming year.
Newton said that, at this point, consolidation does not appear on the agenda for Tuesday’s retreat. At the last board meeting, Supt. Robert Taylor reported that they are expecting the School Planning Division of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to conduct site visits and submit a report when the visits are concluded. The report is expected to arrive by June.
“No decisions will be made at this meeting that will affect a particular school,” said Newton. “At this point, it’s really more of getting the board together so the superintendent can talk with them about allotments.”
Chrysta Carroll can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.