Information from WYSH Radio

(BBB-TV) On Monday night, the Roane County Commission passed a resolution authorizing the School Board to use approximately half a million dollars from its reserve accounts to help keep the Alternative Education Facility open and keep extracurricular positions from being eliminated as well. It didn’t come without a grueling 45-minute discussion that included several questions from commissioners, who drilled School Superintendent Gary Aytes and school budget director Eric Harbin as to how they plan on to improve the system’s financial situation.

This year’s budget was balanced by making several deep cuts to make up a $1.5 million shortfall. Aytes said changes to the state Basic Education Program funding were the main reasons the school system had trouble balancing the budget, but also told the commission the board is looking at other systems in the area for innovative ideas to deal with future budget problems.