Last week, school board members began evaluating annual budget wants and needs. Each year, the board evaluates a list of budget requests compiled from the wants and needs at each of the county’s four schools as well as the central office. The items are tied to the school board’s goals and priorities and include everything from a volunteer coordinator to furniture replacements.
There are several key additions to the budget, some of which are offset by state funding. These include a 5% raise including benefits. Approximately $655,000 of the increase is covered by funding proposed in the Governor’s budget. An additional approximately $162,000 would be needed to cover the remaining cost. A 1% bonus for Standards of Quality funded positions is also included in the Governor’s budget ($56,809) with $93,586 needed locally to fund the expenditure for all employees. Health insurance is expected to increase and is currently budgeted at …