Grego on next budget: 'Board will be in good shape'

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Grego on next budget: 'Board will be in good shape'

County News

Friday, 11 March 2011 12:27

By Rick Madewell
Assistant Editor
In a special workshop Friday morning, the Osceola County School Board heard some financial and budget figures to gauge the future of the School District without Superintendent Michael Grego. And it heard a few disputes between the chairman and a board member.
Though there was no direct mention of Grego leaving nor of the nine-member committee that will be assigned to develop a shortlist of candidates for his replacement, Board Chairman Cindy Hartig said she called the meeting because she had “concerns” about the transition and wanted to allay any fears through a budget talk.
“This budget process is a full-year process because there are so many variables that go into education,” Grego said. “I commit that this board will be in good shape leading into the next school year. Mr. Collins is an outstanding financial officer.”
Chief Business and Finance Officer William Collins spent a significant portion of the 90-minute meeting going over figures on the district.
Collins said salaries make up about three-quarters of the budget – about $280 million. He said he believes that through next year, the $15 million paid in utilities could be cut by about $2 million, and that he was looking at other ways the district could save money.
Hartig and board Member Jay Wheeler exchanged words a few different times during the workshop. Wheeler indicated that Hartig could learn answers to many questions by simply talking to Grego.
“Give this guy (pointing to Grego) some respect,” he said.
After telling him he was out of order, Wheeler told Hartig that she was “playing ‘gotcha.”
Hartig then asked Wheeler if he could observe decorum. Wheeler shot back, “Can you be logical? Talk to him (Grego) and stop wasting our time.”
Near the end of the meeting, board Member Barbara Horn said, “We need to get on the same page for students, parents, teachers and taxpayers. We’ve got some issues but we should come together.”
Board Member Tom Long concluded the meeting by saying, “We are here to talk about budget items. Let’s try to work together. We have to quit these divisive things.”