The Hynes Charter School’s board announced at its annual budget hearing that rising teacher benefits and facilities costs accounted for spending hikes in next year’s budget, effective July 1.

Next year’s budget is slated to be $5.4 million, a 7 percent increase from last year.

The 2012-2013 budget hearing held Monday, June 11 at 4 p.m. was attended by board members Todd Schexnayder, Alvin Meister, Darlene Morgan Brown, Barbara Richard and Timothy Ryan, along with Principal Michelle Douglas and the school’s chief financial officer, John Gaudry, as well as a Lens reporter. No parents were in attendance.

Budgeted for 624 students, state-provided per-pupil income is $5.1 million, up $570,000 from last year. Other revenue sources, the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) funds and donations are expected to be about the same as last year.

Higher employer contributions to teacher retirement funds, 24.5% for next year, and a 1 percent increase in employee group insurance, brings total spending for employee benefits to $1.1 million for next year. That’s a 20 percent increase from last year.

Salaries are $3.1 million, relatively flat when compared to last year’s expenditures. The school will add a middle school teacher to accommodate a growing student population.

Hynes will spend $221,000, $72,000 more than last year, on building insurance. This cost is related to the move to the school’s brand-new facilities in January.  The school will also spend slightly more on utilities and technology services next year.

Hynes does not expect any budget surplus for next year.

The meeting lasted 48 minutes.