Southern Boone nearly $700,000 over budget for 2017-2018

The Southern Boone School District said Wednesday night at its budget work session that it’s already over budget for the next school year.

The district has about $20 million dollars in their budget, according to Chris Felmlee, the superintendent. Right now, the district is projecting to spend nearly $700,000 more than that.

The district says the extra spending is due to the cities growth and increased enrollment, so 11.5 new positions were added for the upcoming school year. Felmlee said the district is thankful for the growth but also wants to make sure the quality of education doesn’t decrease.

“There are things you take a look at and it just takes time,” he said. “You look at this multiple times throughout the year, you amend the budget and it just changes.”

Felmlee said he has faith that the district will be able to break even by not spending as much as they have slated for right now.

“I’m hoping to not spend as much as I’m budgeting for, so just being conservative and frugal wherever I can be,” he said. “It’s really a guessing game because nothing can be set in stone, sometimes things come up.”

According to the school board, the proposed budget wouldn’t be making cuts to any programs.

Nearly 80 percent of the budget goes towards salary compensation. Teachers, staff, faculty will see a 3 percent increase in their pay for the upcoming school year.

“We want to make sure we remain competitive, especially as we see growth in the city,” he said.

According to the board’s budget estimate document, high school drug testing funds were doubled to $6,000.

The board is scheduled to vote on the budget Thursday night at there board meeting.