Plans for a city-county, special-needs preschool took a second step Thursday when Athens school board members voted 5-2 to draft a contract with Limestone County Schools.

Under the program, special needs students now served at various city preschools and at county schools would instead attend preschool at Athens Elementary School.

Board member Russell Johnson and Board President Larry Keenum voted against the proposal.

Johnson said he is worried about launching a new school program at a time when the state is considering cutting the education budget.

“I think this is a program we need, but there are no cost details and we are facing unsure financial times … we have a lot of other expenses and rising fuel costs,” Johnson said. “I think it is a good idea but the wrong time.”

Special Education Director Pat Austin presented the proposed program in a work session earlier this month. Her proposal was in writing. Cost estimates were rounded figures presented by Finance Director Barry Hamilton. They were not in writing.

Austin said during the work session that the cost would be about the same for Athens schools but it would give city schools more control over the curriculum, prevent speech teachers and other special-needs teachers from having to travel to various preschools, and eliminate the possibility of parents of a special-needs preschooler suing city schools if their child was not receiving adequate federally mandated preschool care. Federal law requires schools to provide care and instruction for special-needs students beginning at age 3. It also requires that they receive that care alongside preschoolers without special needs.

To obtain the balance, Austin said the preschool age children of Athens Elementary School employees could pay city schools $50 a week for their preschool age children without special needs to attend Athens Elementary with preschoolers with special needs. Their tuition would help pay for the program. The county would pay two-thirds of the cost and Athens would pay one-third of the cost.

Superintendent Dr. Orman Bridges Jr. said the estimates could be presented to the board in writing. He also noted that the board was voting on drafting a contract with Limestone County Schools and that they could vote again on the actual contract before the program would be in place.

Keenum said after the meeting he voted no in support of Johnson.

“He had concerns and wants to see the financial figures,” Keenum said. “I want all the board members to vote their conscience and not feel like they are one against the group.”

Board members James Luca, Sabrina Holt, Beverly Malone, Mae Mason and David McPherson agreed.

In other business Thursday, board members voted 7-0 to approve the state’s new graduation rules.

Also, Keenum and Bridges presented board members Mason and Holt with plaques to mark their five years of service to the board from 2003-2008. Mason is not seeking reappointment to the board.

Also Thursday, board members took the following action on personnel: