The Fairfield County School Board gave second reading approval to a $34.2 million general fund budget for the 2008 - 2009 fiscal year.

The proposed budget total is $1 million higher than the adjusted expenditures for the current fiscal year.

The vote was 3 - 2. Board members Catherine Kennedy and Becky McSwain were ill and participated in the meeting by telephone. Due to a severe storm going through the County, both women decided to hang up before the budget was voted upon.

Some Board members expressed concern that they were being asked to give second reading approval to the proposal without there having been a budget work session.

“Didn’t we discuss the budget at the last meeting?” Chairman Harold Heath asked.

Board member Annie McDaniel replied, “We did a quick sweep of this budget last time. It was not an open discussion.”

McSwain suggested that if there were Board members who were uncomfortable with the budget, they should meet with the Superintendent or Kevin Robinson, interim superintendent for finance and operations.

McDaniel also questioned whether the public hearing on the budget should be held prior to the second reading of the budget.

“Somebody should go back and do some reading,” she said.

In other action, the Board approved the sale, for $1, of the administration building of the old Fairfield High School to the Fairfield High School Alumni Association.

The sale will become final upon an approval by Fairfield County Council.

The group hopes to turn the site into a museum and the location for programs to benefit area young people.

Speaking for the Association, Donald Prioleau addressed the meeting saying, “We are excited tonight that the School Board has allowed us to purchase this piece of property.”

The sale has been years in the making.

During the Board Chairman’s Report, Heath asked Superintendent of Education Dr. Samantha Ingram, if there is a letter on file from a former employee concerning an alleged “inappropriate” relationship between that employee and a Board member.

“I?have one request,” Heath said. “I?have received several phone calls from citizens and I?have also received a call from a Board member pertaining to - there is supposed to be some sort of letter on file here at the District Office alleging an inappropriate relationship between a Board member and a District Office personnel. My question is is there such a letter on file.”

After expressing her surprise at the question, Superintendent of Education Dr. Samantha Ingram said, “I would say yes. We have a letter on file from a former employee.”

McDaniel stated that it was her understanding that the letter had been written under duress. She also said that conspiracies against Board members who are not always part of the prevailing side on votes must stop.

“First off let me express my sincere disappointment that you would bring up such a matter and people have come up to that podium and you have stopped them from saying certain things,” she said.

Board member Henry Miller said he believes that the entire Board should have been informed about the letter.

The meeting was adjourned abruptly, leaving several items on the agenda not discussed.