News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Two members of the White County Commission spoke out at the White County School Board meeting Thursday asking for better communication between the board, the county commission, and constituents.
6th District Commissioner Derek Hutchings said he had been contacted by constituents feeling it difficult to get the chance to speak before the school board. He said it is frustrating to have school board issues discussed at the county commission meetings.
“We have been bombarded recently with school board issues,” Hutchings said. “We have people coming to us thinking that’s the only place they have to vent because they’re not being heard at the school board.”
Hutchings said a lack of communication has led to him voting no on a recent school board budget amendment item involving grant funding at the commission’s last meeting. He said he going forward, he would like a representative from the school board to field questions if the need arises. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger was at the previous county commission meeting but was not asked about the funding.
Commissioner Chris Brewington echoed Hutchings’s statement. He said he voted no on the amendment because he did not understand how the $95,000 was being divvied out. He said with that much money involved, he would not vote to approve without fully understanding the components.
“I would say from the board’s standpoint it looks like we need to have more representation with our county commission on budget amendments,” Board Chair Bob Young said. “And if they need a representative whether it’s Mr. Drnoebarger or one of us members we can certainly try to accommodate you on that (…) At the end of the day, we’re partners with you and we want you to feel like a partner too. But until we’re made aware there are issues and maybe understanding of the grants and the way money flows through the district and this organization.”
“If it’s all about information, we’ll be glad to help you understand it as well,” Young said.
