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State funds for schools fall short
Liberty to get $92,000
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In his annual School Construction Bond Package, which topped $318 million, Gov. Sonny Perdue awarded Liberty County $91,753 for construction projects.
LCSS officials said with numerous construction projects slated for the upcoming year, including a new middle school that costs more than $30 million alone, the funds won’t offset construction costs much.
“Unfortunately, capital outlay calculations do not take into account expected growth, but rather look at historical averages over the last few years,” Liberty County School System Assistant Superintendent Jason Rogers said. “Therefore, as it stands now, the state will not forward-fund us on the estimated growth in enrollment.”
An expected surge of soldiers on Fort Stewart during the next few years has school system administrators concerned construction funding will not be able to keep up with projected enrollment.
Bert Brantley, spokesman for Perdue, said the amount allotted to each school is based on a sort of credit system, where counties can save up entitlement for funds.
“It’s a complicated formula partially driven by growth, but more by the system’s plans,” he said.
Although Liberty County schools, which have received greater shares of the annual grant package in past years, were not anticipating a large sum from the state for construction, Rogers said they really need every cent they can get.
“In doing some research, it appears January state revenues could be lower than what was initially expected by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget. Therefore, our cuts could be deeper than initially thought,” Rogers said.
“With this being said, we will not count on nor budget this money until we have official notification that we are going to actually receive it, as well as what projects it specifically pertains to.”
Although the state has told the Liberty County School System it is  getting money, no plans for using the funds can be drawn up.
“We did receive unofficial notice that this money was coming our way,” Rogers said. “However, we have not been notified as to what, or if any, strings will be attached to this money or if the state has designated the money for a specific project. Generally speaking, state capital outlay funds are earned for specific purposes and or projects.”
Rogers said school administrators won’t know more details until after the budget is finalized.
“It will not be official until the legislature passes the budget and he [Perdue] signs it. Normally, this would occur sometime around late March. However, it appears that the legislature is reserving five of their 40 days to meet in the month of June should a budget not be adopted at the end of day 35,” Rogers said. “If this happens, we could be getting official budget figures (for all areas and programs) as late as June — keeping in mind we are supposed to have our own budget adopted by July 1.”
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BI hosts LCSS Gala
LibertyCountySchools

Bradwell Institute’s Friends Helping Friends will host the 3rdAnnual Liberty County School System Special Needs Gala Saturday at 7p.m.

The dance portion of the gala is free and open to the public.

FHF was started three years ago by BI special needs teacher Charlie Moon. FHF is comprised of a large group of general education students that connect special needs students with their general education peers. They have raised $20,000 in the last 30 months, for events like this, a new sensory room, music therapy equipment, and many other fun events. 

“FHF does so much for the special needs students. It really brings them out in their social skills. They become so much more comfortable around us all,” FHF Junior Danielle Hennessee said. 

FHF Junior Jada Naftzinger said it’s a two-way street. “It not only helps them, but us as well. It brings us out of our own shells and comfort zones.” 

Moon added, “For us, the Gala is not our calling card. I’ve told the students from day one, unless they truly know these special needs students, we won’t do the Gala at all. We’ll throw a big pizza party instead. The point is, we want the kids to really focus on the one-on-one, in-class work, hanging out in the halls, really talking to them. That’s the only way this program truly reaches its potential. Our motto is, “Changing lives, one friend at a time.”

During a private dinner which precedes the public dance, district office personnel, representatives from Congressman Buddy Carter’s office, district SPED staff, BI Football players and FHF members, parents and the honored guests – 50 special needs students from around the district will be in attendance.

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