Member Glenn Forsee discusses the school system's 2008-09 budget at Thursday night's Board of Education meeting as member Dixie Parker looks on. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Last year's estimated expenditures totaled $43.3, million and the projected total for the upcoming school year is $47.6 million. The increase in expenditures primarily comes from the $4.7 capital outlay note the school system received from the county to build the new Community High School, according to County Finance Director Robert Daniel.

Daniel said the school has budgeted to pay off the debt over the next five years.

Part of the increase in the upcoming year's budget will be paid for out of the ending fund balance from the 2007-08 school year, which is currently estimated at just over $8 million.

The school board is not asking for an increase in tax money. About 20 percent of the school system's budget comes from the county, according to School Board Chairman Barry Cooper, but the increase in expenditures will not come from current year local tax revenue.

Due to the high cost of fuel, the board has budgeted $429,000 for additional costs for diesel and gasoline in the upcoming school year.

"We hope we don't have to use all that," said board member Ron Adcock.

The new budget also includes step longevity raises for both certified and classified employees of the school system. The board added an additional one-year step at the top of the ladder to reward longtime employees who would otherwise have topped out and received no salary increase. The cost in doing this was about $10,000.

Electrical costs are also projected to rise, from $1.54 million to $1.82 million.

In other discussion about the budget, the board talked about the probability of dropping funds for the Adult High School program this fall due to state accreditation rules.

"We are not turning our back on them [adult students]," said Amy Martin, board member. "We'll still have the adult education program and the GED program.

Schools superintendent Ed Gray explained the Adult High School program is meant for adults who only lack a couple of classes, and only two students utilized the program last year. The program is funded by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, which has been reducing its funding.

Also, the school system can't get a county-wide accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as long as the Adult High School program is counted as part of the system. The structure and scale of the Adult High School program makes it unable to meet SACS requirements. The school also interferes with the county's compliance with the Tennessee School Improvement Planning Process.

While no official decision was made last night, Gray told board members a decision has to be made by the time the SACS team visits the school system this fall.

In other action Thursday night:

* Tom Grott, of American Constructors, gave a project update for expansion and renovation of Central High School, the new Learning Way Elementary, and a new building for Community High School. Grott reported that all three projects are going well and Gray agreed. "I will agree that things are tracking along really well," said Gray.

* Southside Primary will receive an air conditioning unit for its gymnasium. It is the last county school without an air-conditioned gym.