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Committee approves school budget
$21 million plan bound for county commission vote
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COLLINS

 

The school system’s second proposed budget for the 2015-13 year was approved by the county budget committee last week, and is on its way to a vote by the full county commission.

 

The budget committee, who rejected the first budget plan presented by the school board, made a few small changes to some line items in the proposal including one to clarify that funding for extended contracts would not be included, as previously approved by school board members. The budget will also go back to the school board to be adopted as amended.

 

Interim Director of Schools Dr. Danielle Collins was praised by committee members for her efforts in putting the budget together, and for her cooperation with the committee.

 

In the second attempt to get the budget approved, funds were cut to cover extended contracts no longer funded by the state, and the board voted drop a billboard picturing seniors, a $4,100 savings. The school board also removed funding for two of three RTI positions. Federal money will hopefully be used to fund the remaining position.

 

Funding was frozen for five jobs left vacant by the retirement or resignation of system employees. The money for the positions will remain in the budget, but will not be spent providing average daily attendance numbers do not increase to the point that they will be required by the state.

 

A line item designated for the purchase of two buses, previously totaling $250,000, was cut by $20,000, and the system may discontinue its association with AdvancED for accreditation of the schools once it is determined exactly how much the move would save the school system, and what, if any consequences might result from the move.

 

Funds for a new school nurse, a new computer teacher at Smithville Elementary School, technology and equipment upgrades, an additional part-time janitor at DeKalb West School, a deaf education contract, a new floor scrubber remain in the budget, which totals just over $21 million dollars.

 

Revenues, however, are budgeted at $19.3 million, and while more than $1.5 million of the school system’s reserves will be needed to balance the budget on paper, the actual number required to balance at the end of the fiscal year is anticipated to be approximately $250,000-$300,000.

 

The county budget committee consists of Chairman Wayne Cantrell and members Larry Summers, Jerry Adcock, Jack Barton and Jimmy Midgett.