School budget released

The Pike County board of education released the proposed 2012-13 budget at the May 8 meeting. The budget ‘“ which would total $22.7 million ‘“ is about 3.6% higher than last year’s. Administrators say despite the increase, the proposed budget will not require an increase in millage rate.Finance director Kenneth Carter said the additional $806,726 needed to fund the fiscal year 2012-13 budget will be covered by state revenues and not by local taxpayers. ’This is a budget I’m delighted to report meets the continuing external cost pressures with a modest increase in state funding,’ he said. ‘It’s a sufficient amount to meet all our needs and it meets the board’s requirements for this year. It doesn’t project a tax increase and it does not increase any staff furloughs.’Board members also adopted the 2012-13 school calendar with the first day of school set for Aug. 6 and the last day of school set for May 24, 2013. Students would be out of school three weeks during the 178-day school year for scheduled breaks, including fall break from Oct. 8-12, winter break from Feb. 18-22 and spring break from April 22-28. Christmas break would last from Dec. 20 through Jan. 4 and students would be out of school from Nov. 19-23 for Thanksgiving. The board also:’¢ Voted to surplus a working but unusable bus for the school system to sell to the Boys and Girls Club. ’¢ Tabled board policies on infectious diseases, drug use, use of school facilities and parental involvement in education for 30 days for public input. ’¢ Recognized Media Festival winners.