South Pike school officials are proposing an $18.4 million 2008-09 budget that is expected to include an estimated 2.44-mill decrease.
The millage reduction is the result of increased property tax revenues caused by property reappraisals and because a bond issue passed in 1998 has been paid off, removing 1.87 mills from the district’s tax rolls.
According to information presented during a Tuesday public hearing held at Eva Gordon Elementary, local revenues, which includes $3.295 million in property tax for operation and other funds, total $4.18 million.
The local funds account for 23 percent of the school district’s revenue, said Dana Fleming, school district chief of operations. Fleming said the federal funds paid to the school district comprise an additional 23 percent.
She said the county is receiving a $62,000 increase in state Mississippi Adequate Education Program funds, for a total of $9.44 million in MAEP funds. Fleming said the state funds make up 54 percent of the district’s revenue.
The budget lists $17.88 million in expenses, including $13.06 million in salaries and benefits for teachers and school district employees. The salaries and benefits make up the largest expense for the school district.
Another major expense will be renovations and construction projected for the school system during the fiscal year, Fleming said.
Although no estimates were given for the proposed projects, she said the work would be paid for from the school district’s fund balance. The projects, she said, will be ongoing and include:
• Renovations to South Pike High School.
• Improving extracurricular facilities such as fields and buildings.
• Additional classroom space at Eva Gordon Elementary and relocating the junior high school from the high school campus.
• Refurbishing Grace Lane Auditorium.
• Air conditioning for Willie Earl Jones Coliseum and upgrading the boiler system to improve heating.
• Proposed field house at the high school.
• Upgrading windows at various buildings.
• Upgrading electrical systems at school district buildings.
• Installing a new floor and bleachers at the Eva Gordon/Magnolia Elementary gym.
