Rising energy, falling revenues cut into school budget

Friday, June 27, 2008

The fiscal 2009 budget reflects a $3.3 million reduction in county funding, among other changes. Several departmental budget reductions were submitted, including a $1 million cut in supplies and materials, and a $567,000 cut for contracted services such as building repairs.

The budget reflected a cost-of-living raise of 3.5 percent, instead of the 4 percent for which teachers asked. The reduction creates an estimated $1 million savings for the county. Reductions in health insurance coverage saved an additional $500,000. Many teachers will also receive a 2 percent step increase in their salaries.

The board is anticipating transportation to be more costly this year, projecting a $649,000 increase.

The increase is based on the expectation that diesel fuel prices will rise to $5.50 per gallon.

The board is expecting sharp increases in the price of utilities, budgeting almost an additional half million dollars for electricity, which is expected to rise 13 percent, and heating oil, which is expected to rise 53 percent.

Food services for students will translate into a 10-cent increase in school lunches.

The school board also went over the plans for additions to Dr. Gustavus Brown, Indian Head, Arthur Middleton and Eva Turner elementary schools, which will accommodate the kindergarten classes.

Assistant Superintendent for Supporting services Charles L. Wineland said that he chose brick and mortar additions over portable classrooms for a number of reasons.

‘‘We don’t want to put the little people in trailers,” Wineland said. ‘‘For security reasons, we don’t want them moving about. They need to have their own restrooms in the classes, instead of having to go in the school or outside in bad weather.”

Older children in 12 schools are currently placed in trailers to make room for the kindergarten students. The board approved the additions.

Superintendent James E. Richmond announced that the digital classroom, a feature of the proposed new high school, received a grant from Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D) for $500,000. The grant was included in the Commerce Justice Science Appropriations Spending Bill, a committee of which Mikulski is chairwoman.

The new high school is to be located on Piney Church Road, and the estimated completion date is 2012-2013.

The county commissioners voted unanimously to approve the budget.