Schools finalize 2008-2009 budget

From staff reports

Published: May 15, 2008

The Orange County School Board approved its 2008-09 budget at last Tuesday’s meeting.
“I’m very happy with what we were able to secure for our staff members,” school superintendent Dr. William Crawford said.
Crawford said teachers’ salaries improved over last year’s amount.
He said there is an average four percent increase for teachers and assistants. This increase includes a step, so some will get a little more than four percent and some will get slightly less.
“We are now more consistent with surrounding localities,” he said.
“I’m also very happy with the communication process that occurred with the school board and the board of supervisors. We had several joint meetings. We presented some of our concerns and challenges and what it might take to meet some of those challenges,” said Crawford.
Operating costs for Orange County Public Schools in 2007-2008 totaled $47,284,721. The school board requested an 8.84 percent increase in the amount of $51,464,179. The board of supervisors approved $50,066,987 or a 5.55 percent increase for the 2008-2009 budget year.
Last year’s budget for instructional expenses (which includes teachers’ salaries) totaled $34,522,188. The school board was seeking $36,877,877 or a 6.82 percent increase.
The 2008-2009 budget allows $36,060,606 for instruction. This is an increase of 4.46 percent.
“I’m satisfied with what we got for our teachers and the transportation department got its health insurance back,” District 3 School Board Member Judy Carter said.
The 2007-2008 total for administration and health expenses was $1,903,037. The requested amount was $2,068,334 or an increase of 8.69 percent. The amount approved for 2008-2009 is $1,981,066. This is an increase of 4.10 percent.
Last year’s total transportation costs were $3,167,046. The school board requested $3,955,135 or a 24.91 percent increase. The 2008-2009 budget allows $3,970,036 or a 25.35 percent increase.
The 2007-2008 operations and maintenance budget totaled $4,476,135. The schools sought $4,476,135 or an 8.02 percent increase. The amount approved for 2008-2009 is $4,690,846 or a 6.65 percent increase.
The school board also approved $500,000 (pending BOS approval) for capital improvement projects including air conditioning in cafeterias at Gordon-Barbour Elementary and Orange Elementary, restroom upgrades at Orange Elementary and playground equipment at Gordon-Barbour, Lightfoot, Locust Grove and Unionville Elementary.
Revenues from state funds totaled $24,926,884 last year. The 2008-2009 budget anticipates $26,604,492 or an increase of 6.73 percent.
Last year’s federal funds totaled $2,050,492. A total of $2,001,095 or a decrease of 2.41 is expected in the 2009-2009 budget.
County appropriations totaled $17,131,058 for the 2007-2008 year. A 4.78 percent increase brings this years total to $17,949,077.
Other local funds, including out-of-county tuition, totaled 138,500 in the 2007-2008 budget. The total in the 2008-2009 budget is $205,276 or an increase of 48.21 percent.