Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Final Budget Information

The Board of Education met last night, the final meeting before the budget vote next Tuesday, May 19 at the MED (9AM - 9PM). No new budget information was presented.

To summarize, the total budget is .98% above last year's, with the tax levy increasing 1.55% as a result of decreased state aid. The one-bell transportation system is incorporated in this budget.

A few items directly or indirectly relating to the budget:

-Funds are included for an external hire if necessary to replace the retiring MED principal.

-No new buses will be purchased this year.

-The district has identified a bus surveillance system that will be purchased if the budget is approved; details were sketchy but it will apparently be able to view the entire bus and store the data on a hard drive. While not mentioned at the meeting, it seemed as if the video would be saved for a period of time and be viewed only if circumstances require.

-There are two BOE seats being voted upon and two candidates. The candidate with the higher vote total will get a 3 year term; the other candidate will fill out the 1 year remaining on Ric Campbell's term.

-There is also a proposition to allow a student to sit on the BOE as a non-voting member.

Please come out on the 19th and vote to support this budget!