Board of Education Adopts $52.6 Million Budget

Who:

What:  Regular meeting

When: June 13

Top Action Items:

1. Adoption of FY 2012 Budget- In a unanimous decision, the Board adopted a $.  Superintendent John Jackson said since January school officials have worked hard on this year's budget proposal.  Assistant Superintendent of Financial Operations Randy Morrison reported that he hadn't received any emails or telephone calls from citizens that about the proposal.
2. Three Staff Furlough Days Added to Calendar- To help balance the budget for next year, Aug. 3, April 6 and May 22 have been added to next year's school calendar as furlough days. The furlough days will save about $650,000 for the year, Morrison , and take about $80 to $150 a month from teachers' paychecks. It will be the second year in a row that the Board is making use of furlough days.
3. School Meal Prices Increased- The Board of Education approved a recommendation to increase school breakfast and lunch prices for 2011-2012.  Prices had not been modified in three years. The price increases do not affect students who receive free or reduced meals, Susan Elsner, School Nutrition Director told Oconee Patch.  Students may apply for free or reduced meals at anytime during the school year, and the application process and act of buying meals is strictly confidential, she said. Free and reduced prices apply only to complete meals.  A la carte purchases, such as an extra carton of milk, are charged differently, she added. See the attached PDF for the new price list.

In other news, the Board of Education:

• Approved a resolution for an education local-option sales tax referendum to be placed on a November 8 ballot.  If approved, a one-cent sales tax will continue and be used mainly for capital projects.  The Board also adopted a revolution appointing election managers and clerks.
• Elected to accept no compensation for their services for the second consecutive year.  After the meeting, Chairman David Weeks said the move saves the district $1,800 a year per board member.
• Heard from Michael Hale, director of technology, who said students and teachers need to be aware that the district is upgrading an Internet filter system, and therefore it will be imperative that they be more careful about logging out when finished using school-provided Internet services beginning next school year in order to protect their accounts.
• Announced that school council annual reports are now available for public viewing on-line.