by RONALD E. MCCALL
Staff Writer

With the Great Recession chewing up state revenues, acting Superintendent Dr. Gina Williams is thankful for federal stimulus money. But she is more thankful for school system employees who understand that the system is facing difficult economic times and are willing to make the necessary sacrifices to save jobs while helping balance the budget.

Dr. Williams and Financial Officer Debbie Powell shake their heads in dismay when state funding austerity cuts are mentioned. Austerity cuts is a term used to describe state allocated money that is taken away from local school systems to save money and help balance the state budget. According to Powell, last year’s July allotment sheet from the state showed an austerity cut of $198,000. The current June allotment sheet shows that the Tattnall County School System will lose $1,322,000 in austerity cuts. Even worse, Powell just attended a state meeting and learned that a new allotment sheet will be issued this week and systems are expecting more funding cuts.

“Essentially, the federal stimulus money we are receiving is being offset by state austerity cuts. We are not really gaining funds, which is what we’d hoped for with the stimulus money, but without it we would be in worse shape financially,” Williams said. “What worries us is what will happen in two years when stimulus money runs out?”

System employees have been working overtime to find savings to balance the budget and create a fund balance that creates some safety if revenues continue to dry up.

“I cannot say enough about our system employees from the people in our central office to the custodial staff at the schools,” Dr. Williams said. “Really, I have not heard anyone complain. We have asked 12 month employees to take one or two unpaid furlough days, and we have asked all staff to find ways to save money. Everyone has responded positively. Without them jumping in and helping, we couldn’t have done this without some people losing jobs. They understand that times are tough and we must work together so that people don’t lose jobs while we maintain a balanced budget. They understand it is not easy.”

Unlike the federal government, state governments are required to balance their budgets, and in a time of declining state revenues, the Governor and the Legislature have been scrambling to find areas to save money. If revenues continue to decline, that could spell more bad news for school systems.

“We are hearing rumors of a legislative session in August that could result in 10 days unpaid furlough for everyone,” Dr. Williams said. “Obviously we hope that won’t happen. The law requiring a 190 day school year would have to be amended, and there might be other changes that could hurt us.”

Debbie Powell agreed. “Right now our budget is not terrible,” she said. “We have cut about $1.3 million out of next year’s budget, and we have saved enough money this year. By just cutting spending, we are projecting a June 30, 2009, fund balance of about $879,000. But that balance and the 2010 budget changes from day to day. Here it is June 23rd, and we will get a new allotment sheet from the state this week. Who knows what changes that will bring. If it has new cuts in our state funding, obviously it will change our figures.”

Dr. Williams was especially complimentary to central office staff and principals. “They worked long hours to find ways to save money. In times like these, we certainly don’t want to take someone’s job away from them. Again, all of our people really worked hard. The Board of Education has worked with us to find solutions. It has been a team effort. We couldn’t have done it otherwise.”

James Lonnie Stevenson	Billy Anthony	Tequila LaJune Anthony	Christopher Andrews

Several drug arrests made

Following ongoing investigations conducted by the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office, several drug arrests have recently been made in Tattnall County.

On June 13, 2009, at approximately 5:34 p.m., deputies with the Tattnall Sheriff’s Office stopped a green Dodge Dakota on Mt. Zion Road for a traffic violation. The driver, James Lonnie Stevenson, age 48, of a Glennville address, was in possession of marijuana within his vehicle. Following a roadside investigation, deputies searches Stevenson’s residence, located at 27 Riverbank Drive in Glennville, and recovered a felony amount of marijuana within the residence, as well as nine marijuana plants on his property. He was charged with possession of marijuana as well as manufacturing in marijuana and is currently bonded out of the Tattnall County Jail.

On June 12, 2009, at approximately 3:45 p.m., deputies with the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Highway 292 East in Collins, in reference to complaints on drug sales. Upon the arrival of deputies, Billy Anthony, age 22, of a Collins address, fled on foot from the area, and was immediately apprehended. Anthony had in his possession a pill bottle containing 55 crack cocaine rocks. He was arrested and charged with the possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute and is currently incarcerated at the Tattnall County Jail due to a parole hold.

On June 22, 2009, at approximately 3:51 p.m., deputies stopped an Oldsmobile Cutlass on Dave Calloway Road in Collins. The vehicle was occupied by Tequilla Anthony, age 24, of a Collins address and Chris Andrews, age 32, of a Reidsville address. A roadside investigation revealed that Anthony and Andrews were in possession of approximately 1/2 ounce of crack form cocaine. Both were arrested and charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute and are currently incarcerated at the Tattnall County Jail.

The combined street value of all of the drugs seized during these arrests is approximately $5,000.

“We are diligently working day and night to rid our county of illegal drug activity. Citizens’ assistance is vital in completing this task, and we appreciate all of the help from the community,” said a Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office spokesman.