Maynard M. Taylor, Chair Johnnie W. Carswell, Vice Chair Wayne F. Abele, Sr., Commissioner Jeffrey C.

Brittain, Commissioner Jack Carroll, Commissioner

Kenneth B. Steen, County Manager Kay Honeycutt, Clerk to the Board James R. Simpson, II, County Attorney Stephen T. Daniel, Co. Tax Attorney

BURKE COUNTY
March 20, 2013 Citizens of Burke County: Last night, the Burke County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution and petition to our state legislature requesting special legislation to exempt Burke County Government from minimal state funding requirements to our School System under certain conditions and I want to tell you why the Commissioners did this. 1) From July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2012, the Burke County School System has added about $12.9 million dollars to its savings account without the knowledge and approval of the County Commissioners and this was done during a time when they said they were under funded. So, the School System intentionally placed your tax dollars in their savings account and not in the classroom for our children. 2) Each year, the Burke County Commissioners give county tax dollars to the Burke County School System for the money to be used to meet the actual educational needs of the children of Burke County and not for the School System to put it in their savings account. 3) The legislation requested by the County Commissioners does not reduce or limit the School System's ability to receive Low Wealth Funds from the state. Actually, the request requires the state to continue to provide Low Wealth Funding to the Burke County School System at the level the School System qualifies for even if the county is allowed to reduce its level of local funding to the School System when the School System increases its saving account by $250,000 or more without the Commissioners' knowledge and approval. I hope this information is helpful and you are welcome to read a copy of the actual resolution and petition that was adopted by the County Commissioners at any county library or on the county website, www.co.burke.nc.us. Sincerely,

~~

Kenneth B. "Bryan" Steen County Manager

200 Avery Avenue, P.O. Box 219, Morganton, N.C. 28680-0219 County Manager: (828) 439-4340 - Clerk to the Board: (828) 439-4341 - Fax: (828) 438-2782