The Milestone SABIS budget for the coming year could rise by 30 percent, due to an increase in transportation and other costs associated with the move to a new campus.
The board will hold a public hearing on the budget on Monday, August 20, at 5:30 p.m. at its new campus at 1407 Virgil St., Gretna.
According to a draft of the budget released by the school’s board of directors, the budget will total $4.7 million for the 2012-13 school year, up from $3.6 million last year.
Per-pupil allocations under the state’s Minimum Foundation Program are expected to reach $4.6 million, based on an estimated enrollment of 528 students.
The school will seek more revenue through fundraising events and donations.
Salaries are projected at $2.1 million for the coming year and employee benefits will jump $423,000, up a third from last year.
The move from uptown to Gretna could push transportation costs to $292,000, but the school continues its search for a bus-share plan with a nearby school to slash costs.
Professional services such as legal work and auditing, outsourced payroll processing and building security add up to $678,000 for the coming year. Other expenses such as supplies and furnishings also rise significantly due to the move.
The budget includes a reserve fund in excess of $200,000 to cover unexpected costs.