Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
Ritchie's riches remain
When it comes to money, people often get a little edgy, especially in an economy like this.
And some of the parents at C. Hunter Ritchie Elementary School are growing increasingly edgy about the school's student activity fund of more than $400,000, as the Times-Democrat reported on Oct. 8.
After a recent audit and review of the June 30, 2008 balances of the student activity funds of all Fauquier County public schools, the certified public accounting firm of Cherry, Bekaert and Holland told school officials that money raised by parents and students should benefit those who participated in the fundraising activities.
That, apparently, has not been standard operating procedure at Ritchie.
Principal Lee Bell said Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Lewis told him to establish a time line for reducing the size of the account, though he also cautioned Bell to "spend wisely."
This week, Lewis said he was not aware that Bell had spent any of the money.
"We never had expectations that the funds would be spent immediately," he said. "We expect Mr. Bell to be prudent. It will take time over the next few years [to make the expenditures.]"
Andy Hawkins, the school system's executive director of budget and operations, said he has more immediate and pressing concerns about the economy and its effect on the school system's budget.
"We haven't discussed this [situation] in any detail," he said.
That is likely to change.
The school board has decided that "we would set a ceiling on student activity funds accounts," Lewis said. "We will probably discuss it at a work session this winter. Usually this type of thing sets parameters for the upcoming school year."
Some irked Ritchie parents have complained to the Times-Democrat that $400,000 sits there while teachers' requests are not being fulfilled, a claim that Bell vigorously denies.
Another parent pointed out that last year's traditional fourth-grade trip to Jamestown was canceled due to the increased costs for the students' families.
"Parents were furious," she said. "We were never asked, but we would have given more money for those who could not afford the trip," she said.
Bell made amends this year, paying for those now in fifth grade at Ritchie, along with those who were transferred to Greenville Elementary. Bell said the trip cost $5,000, paid from the activity fund.
Additionally, C. Hunter Ritchie did give some start-up money to Greenville Elementary School in order to help establish the new school's activity fund.
"The general rule," Hawkins reiterated, "is that the student activity funds should be spent on the children who raised them."
No date has yet been established for the school board work session.
E-mail the reporter: afelts@timespapers.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.