News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Van Buren County Commissioner William Maxwell said he wants more representation on the county’s school board.
During new business at Tuesday’s Commission meeting, Maxwell made a motion to amend the redistricting plan and increase the school board to 10 seats, two per district.
“I’ve been approached by several people of the community as well as my school board member, talked to him about this,” Maxwell said. “But, I have had several people talk about more representation on the school board. I would like to get more people’s thoughts on that.”
Maxwell said the school system has one of the largest budgets in the county with only five people overseeing it. Maxwell said the current budget climate calls for more supervision over school spending.
“I feel like that is going to become an issue in the future, the school budget, and I feel like there should be some more oversight,” Maxwell said.
Commissioner Robert Van Winkle seconded Maxwell’s motion, which opened the floor for discussion. Commissioner Henry Seamons said in his opinion, adding five school board members would not solve the issue.
“If we think we have budget issues in the school system, then we need to handle that when we go over their budget, and we start that process in January,” Seamons said. “That’s where we need to hash out all that.”
The motion went to a vote, but failed with five yays, 3 nays and 2 abstains. Commissioners Seamons, Terry Hickey and Michael Woodlee voted no. Commissioners Mickey Robinson and Bill Mosley abstained.
Robinson said he did not place a vote due to the lack of information over the change. Robinson said, “I’m for it and I’m kind of against. I’m in the middle about it.”
Robinson asked for more information over the matter. Mayor Greg Wilson worked on scheduling a work session with commissioners and members agreed to gather on November 30th at 5:00 p.m.
