BCPS Needs ‘Accountability’

by Cal Bryant - January 25th, 2006 - Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald

The recent news of the low fund balance ($25,178) reported in an audit of the Bertie County Public Schools (BCPS) financial records has sparked a response from Bertie County government.

“It’s a simple matter of properly spending the money you are budgeted,” Zee Lamb, Bertie County Manager, said. “They (Bertie Board of Education) are placing the blame on state cutbacks, but school systems across the state are suffering the same fate.”

Lamb said the Bertie Board of Commissioners are using every means available to provide additional funds for public schools, but there’s only so much money to go around in a county where the tax rate is high and the tax base is low.

“We have to ask our citizens to shoulder a tax burden that is nearly 85 percent higher than the 10 wealthiest counties in the state,” Lamb noted.

The County Manager is correct. Mr. Lamb also pointed out "“They (BCPS) are only showing a portion of the picture. To better understand what’s going on, you need to see the entire picture.” To get a better understanding of the entire picture, and a list of all of the other money that the BCPS receives to spend on the students click on the title above to read Cal's entire article.

I just do not understand how we can continue to be in the top 25% in spending and the bottom 10% in results, and no one from BCPS seems embarrassed!