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CCS budget calls for no job cuts, more pay
w= ELIZABETH STEWART
lib.kmherald@gmail.com
No job cuts and "a few more dollars in
teachers' pockets" are highlights of Cleve-
land County School's proposed 2012-13
budget. The board of education is pondering
a proposed budget expected to increase $2.1
million next year to save 60 teaching posi-
tions, increase teacher pay supplements and
add 22 jobs.
The projections were presented by CCS
finance director Dr. David Lee to the school
- board Monday night. The board is expected
to vote on a proposed budget April 23 and
present it to county commissioners in May.
member Shearra Miller, Lee said that the
board will not have to seek an additional
funding ‘appropriation from the Cleveland
County Board of Commissioners, which
helps fund school projects. He said the
budget addition will come from the school
system's local fund balance.
"I am glad we're able to give our teachers
a little bit of a raise," said member Philip
Glover.
Supt. Dr. Bruce Boyles added that "it's
time. This is a modest increase our employ-
ees deserve."
Boyles commended Lee, saying Lee" isa
master at shifting and saving federal dollars
using position allotments and there's an art
staff has used numerous means in a judicious
way "to live off less". Lee called the reduc-
tions in discretionary funds "a huge burden."
"Saving jobs, that's the good news," Lee
told the board, adding that the bad news is
that CCS will lose over $2 million in federal
stimulus funds and increasing discretionary
reductions from the state. He said the budget
request for 2012-13, including the $2 million
increase, is $149,639,164 and the projected
ending balance for 2012 is $147,539,335.
Lee said the additional budget request
creates 15 classroom positions to reduce
class size at a cost of $626,254; an internal
auditor position at a cost of $89,539; two
technological specialists, one for middle
acy at a cost of $116,844; four curricular
technology coordinators at the four smallest
elementary schools (East, West, North and
Casar) currently without assistant principals
at a cost of $116,844; two new technology
specialists to maintain the increasing amount
of technology in the schools at a cost of
$100,578; contracted services to assist tech-
nology staff in the transitioning from Post
Road to the new technology center at the re-
purposed Shelby Middle School at a cost of
$135,000; witness access ports for the new
technology center at a cost of $35,000.
The proposed budget increase reflects a
10 percent increase in the teacher supplement
\
Responding to a question from board
Fn
LEE fhm
Dr. A\E: Foote founded the Foote Mineral Company.
in 1876 asa purveyor of rare minerals. Foote became a
major producer of lithium chemicals when it acquired
the right fo mine spodumene ore (lithium) in Kings
Mountain'in the early 1950s. After World War 11, the
Department of Energy secured the rights to the isotope
6, derived from the lithium molecule for the development
of the hydrogen bomb. This put Foote in the forefront
of the lithium industry as the mineral was also used in
the manufacturing of glass, =
greases, ceramics, aluminum,
and later the development
‘of atheruses for
pharmaceuticals,
batteries, and
energy storage.
In 2011-12 Foote §
constructed a new:
lithium hydroxide
plant’in Kings Mountain in order to meet
the growing demand of lithium raw materials for the
all-important lithium ion battery for the electric vehicle:
Lithium brine is also used in air conditioning systems;
for dehumidification in food, for moisture control,
and lithium carbonate for use in the treatment of
3 bipolar disorders. }
Chemetall Foote.
7 Bh Loe ederiscy
to what he does."
A Gateway to History
Boyles also noted that the
KINGS MOUNTAIN GEOLOGICAL BELT |
Boyt n= Berle
These minerals were once mined at Chemetall Foote to
bé used in chemical compounds, ceramics, glass, batteries,
and TV glass. The sindisgens deposit was recognized
in 1906, but its economic ance was not realized
ore from an overseas source.
Spydumene, an ore of lickin Quarts or Calcium Carbonate extractud 600" belo grown
until 1938, when mining began by Foote Mineral Co.
By 1988, the easily accessible spodumene had been
mined. Chemetall Foote continues to process lithium
TREE
Chemetall Foote Corp. is located on adjoining property
to the trail and granted more than 70 acres of land ina
conservation casement to the Kings Mountain Gateway
Trails, Inc. for walking, hiking and biking.
Signs set to bring KM's
past to present along Trails
« EMILY WEAVER +
Editor
First of a 6-part series
part, of a mine pit that has long
since been given back to nature,
will highlight some of the work of
Chemetall Foote, a company that
. has donated more than 70 acres to
_ Anew view is coming soon to
the Gateway Trails and with it...
a lesson in history and geology.
Six 24" x 36" fiber-glass embed-
ded informational signs are being
crafted for the greenway - a proj-
ect paid for by a $10,000 Golden
Leaf grant the Trails received last
year. :
The signs will be addressing
topics from Kings Mountain's
rich geological and mining his-
tory to the stories behind some of
the trails’ largest land donors.
Gateway Trails President Shirley
Brutko hopes the signs will be in-
stalled in time for their annual
benefit race. The Gateway,
5K/10K Run, Fun Run and Walk
kicks off at 8 a.m. April 28th at
the trailhead, 807 S. Battleground
Ave. :
The first sign, set to overlook
the trail. :
The "Kings Mountain Geolog-
ical Belt" sign will feature
Chemetall's history with notes on
the minerals once mined on its
land: beryl ore - beryllium, mus-
covite mica, spodumene - an ore
of lithium, and quartz or calcium
carbonate extracted 600 feet
below ground.
The sign reads, "These miner-
als were once mined at Chemetall
Foote to be used in chemical com-
pounds, ceramics, glass, batteries
and TV glass. The spodumene de-
posit was recognized in 1906, but
its economic significance was not
realized until 1938, when mining
began by Foote Mineral Co. By
1988, the easily accessible spo-
dumene had been mined. Chemet-
all Foote continues to process
lithium ore from an overseas
source."
Chemetall Foote is set to play
a significant role in the trans-
portation revolution, producing
compounds needed to power elec-
tric vehicles with lithium batter-
ies.
"The cardio mountain and the
flat top plateau near the trail head
are made from the soil and rocks
that came out of the Chemetall
Foote quarry," according to the
sign. "Forest restoration began by
trees being planted by the mine
company on certain areas of the
property."
"Now people will be able to go
out on the trail and they'll be able
to stop and learn the history of the
trail and the area," said Brutko,
who designed the signs with the
help of historians and geologists.
In next week's Herald, catch a
glimpse of another sign slated for
the Gateway Trail.
school science and one for elementary liter-
See CCS, 7A
Special motorcade
to come through
city Saturday a.m.
Public encouraged to welcome Vietnam
Veterans on way to Charlotte homecoming
A group of Vietnam Veterans from Asheville and Hender-
sonville are set to pass through Kings Mountain on their way
to Charlotte Saturday around 9 a.m. The motorcade of veter-
ans will be heading to Charlotte Motor Speedway for a Viet-
nam Veterans Homecoming.
The city encourages everyone to come out and welcome
the veterans as they pass through town. Special Events Di-
rector Ellis Noell said that they plan to have welcoming
crowds at each overpass of Hwy. 74 (near Ingles, the one on
Oak Grove Road, and the one on Piedmont Avenue). For
more information, call Noell at 704-730-2103.
The Vietnam Veterans Homecoming celebration, to which
all Vietnam veterans are invited, will feature entertainment
by the Charlie Daniels Band and George Clinton.
Houses could be
off to rehab if
city gets grant
Seven or more houses in
the Wilson Street/Cherokee
Street area of the city may be
in for some help in rehabili-
tation if a new North Car-
olina Catalyst Category
grant comes to the city.
City Council Tuesday
night was conducting the
second public hearing before
submitting a Community
Block Grant application for
: $500,000.
Planning Director Steve
Killian said that the next
round of CBDG funds will
be available shortly after
April 30 but the city would
be competing for the money
with other cities in the state.
"Rehabilitation of deteri-
orated housing units would
help stop a decline in the
neighborhood," said Killian
in a memorandum to city
council. ,
Killian said that all
CDBG projects must di-
rectly benefit low and mod-
erate income persons or
households. Cleveland
County HUD income limits:
one person household, an-
nual income $28,500; two
persons, $32,550; and the in-
come level increases with
more occupants. :
At Tuesday's meeting city
council was expected to
award the bid for the Galilee
Community/Center . Street
sewer improvements paid
for by a CDBG grant. Four
construction companies bid
for the job and bidders were:
Kennedy Concrete & Utili-
ties, Inc., $367,563; Wesson
Septic ~~ Tank Service,
$386,111.50; GATC Con-
tracting, $449,051.67, and
Steppe Construction, Inc.,
$490,248.
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