School board approves budget proposal during July meeting

The Haywood County School Board met in regular session on July 13. Among the business they discussed, school board members approved the agenda for next year and recognized two students who attended Governor’s School this summer. They also approved the proposed budget, and talked about plans for the 2010-2011 school year.

Reeves Garrett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Art Garrett, and Seth Tillman, son of Rev. and Mrs. Sammy Tillman, spoke to board members, school personnel and guests at the meeting about their experiences at the University of Tennessee at Martin and the University of Memphis respectively. Reeves attended the Governor’s School for the Humanities, and Seth attended the Governor’s School for International Studies.

Next the approval process began for the proposed 2010-2011 budget. Haywood Schools Chief Financial Officer Vincent Harvell presented to Superintendent Marlon King and board members the proposed revenue and expenses for the coming school year. Revenue is expected to be $23,117,582 and expenses, $23,474,248. The difference is $356,666, which will come out of fund balance for school building improvements, necessary equipment, and a potential one-time bonus for non-certificated employees.

No local money has been requested for raises. If the state provides a one-time bonus to teachers, the system will provide a similar one-time bonus for its non-certificated employees that will come from fund balance. In addition, the board approved a $1,992,902 balanced budget for the food services department. Added to these figures are between $3 and $4 million that the system receives annually in federal funds for several programs, including Title I, Special Education, Career and Technical education and NCLB (No Child Left Behind). The projected fund balance after the proposed spending will be $1.87 million.

This is in line with last year’s budget, which was $23,171,434. It was $446,725 more than the expected revenue and reflected a one-time bonus for teachers and other employees out of fund balance.

In the director’s report, Superintendent King announced the State of Schools celebration including an annual Business Fair to be held on August 4 at Haywood High. Students return to school on August 9.

The next school board meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 10, at 7 p.m.