School Budget Reduces Extracurricular Budget

The preliminary budget approved by the Board of Education at an emergency meeting Monday for submission to the county includes cuts to the co-curricular/extra-curricular activities budget, attendance and social work services budget and guidance budget.

Operations Chair Eleanor Doyle said Monday the board was not prepared to release specific details about the preliminary budget, which would increase taxes 5.8 percent, since the board planned on making additional changes to it before the final vote at the Board of School Estimate meeting on March 31.

A copy of the preliminary budget obtained at the board offices shows the following line item reductions:

• School-Sponsored Co/Extra-Curricular Activities: Reduction of $45,897
• Attendance and Social Work Services: Reduction of $3,163
• Guidance: Reduction of $5,903
• Instructional Staff Training Services: Reduction of $18,845
• General Administration: Reduction of $111,814
• Operation and Maintenance of Plant Services: Reduction of $17,441
• Student Transportation Services: Reduction of $58,218

The overall operating budget is $62,194,304, an almost $2 million increase from last year. Enrollment in the district is estimated to be 3,838 students next year, an increase of almost 400 students.

Neither Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nathan Parker nor Business Administrator Lou Pepe returned interview requests at the time of publication.