Board debates new school name

After the Brunswick County Board of Education committee meetings last month, board members discussed naming the district’s new middle school David R. Sandifer Middle School, after the late county commissioner.

While all seemed in favor of the name, opinions changed at Tuesday’s monthly board meeting.

Board member Ray Gilbert said he had received “numerous” calls from members of the Cedar Grove community who think the school should be named after the community. Gilbert said the board should hear more from the community before voting on a name.

Board member Charlie Miller said he too had received calls and said the board should listen to more input.

“I’m not saying I’m against naming it [after Sandifer],” he said. “We need to hear from that area before we make that decision.”

Board member Scott Milligan said the board had previously discussed naming the middle school after Sandifer in the committee meeting, and he saw no need for future discussion.

“Every time we take action as a board and get some response from the community who maybe doesn’t like the approach we’re taking, we’re never going to get anything accomplished as a school system,” he said.

“The perception is we as a board have come to some consensus. It’s not a surprise we’ve been building a school in that area for some time now.”

Milligan made a motion to name the school David R. Sandifer Middle School. Board member Jimmy Hobbs seconded the motion.

When in discussion, Gilbert again said the issue should be tabled until the next committee meeting.

“I don’t think anyone at the table is opposed to naming the school after Mr. Sandifereethe people in the Cedar Grove community were not at the committee meeting,” Gilbert said. “That was just a thought. I just think in fairness we ought to give some consideration to the community.”

Gilbert then made a motion to table the issue and Miller seconded. The motion to table the issue passed 3-2 with Milligan and Hobbs dissenting. The motion canceled Milligan’s motion to name the school.

Also tabled was the decision to raise school lunch prices. Tina Ward, director of child nutrition services, said the department was operating with a deficit of $107.919.49 as of Jan. 1. To try and balance the budget and retain a three-month operating balance, Ward suggested the board raise student meal prices 20 cents for elementary and high school meals and 30 cents for middle schools beginning with the 2008-2009 school year.

If the board voted to raise student meal prices, breakfast would cost $1.20 for all grade levels and lunch would cost $1.80 for elementary and high school students and $2 for lunch at the middle schools. The meal increase would not affect students receiving free or reduced lunch.

If meal prices were not increased, child nutrition would lose an estimated $90,000 over the 2008-2009 school year.

Both issues will be up for discussion at the next monthly committee meeting on at 12:30 p.m. May 20 at the board of education’s central office in Bolivia, which is open to the public.