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Ward looks ahead to commission vote on school budget

By Jason R. Mullins

With Monday’s expected vote by the Carter County Commission on the FY 2013 vote quickly approaching, school officials are anxiously awaiting a decision on the legislative body’s funding for the system. Earlier this week, Interim Director of Schools Dr. Kevin Ward discussed the budget and its impact upon the ability to offer a quality education during a meeting with the Carter County Financial Management Committee.

Ward’s comments came two days after local residents had an opportunity to voice their opinion on the 2013 spending plan during a public hearing at the county courthouse. One specific area that was discussed Monday was the amount of federal stimulus money that Carter County Schools have received since 2009.

School officials have stated much of the money obtained the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was first sent to Nashville where state administrators and elected officials determined how the money would be spent.