Projected budget for 2012-13 school year released ahead of Friday's public hearing

Morris Jeff’s proposed budget for 2012-13 anticipates a bigger school and correspondingly higher costs. With at least 60 additional students expected to enroll next fall, revenues are projected to jump by $500,000 to $3 million while expenses rise by $400,000, also to $3 million

With the incoming pre-kindergarten class and expansion to fourth grade, next year’s student count is projected to hit 335. Of these students, 275 will be in kindergarten and above. That will increase per-student funding from $1.7 million to $2.3 million under the state’s Minimum Foundation Program. MFP funding will account for 77 percent of the school’s revenue next year – up from 69 percent – but does not cover pre-k students.

Tempering this swell in gross MFP funding is a $140,000 drop in funds from the Public Charter School Program, in support of continuing operations.

Along with more students, the budget projects an increase in salaries, from $1.3 million to $1.6 million. Staff benefits will rise from from $373,605 to $473,519. Salaries account for about a third of overall school expenses.

Insurance expenses will more than double for the upcoming year, rising from $21,217 to $47,936.

Despite the growing student body, the school plans to cut its outlay for  materials and supplies from $148,625 to $83,759.

With the school on pace to end the current year with a deficit of $107,948, the projected budget sets aside $78,850 in excess revenue to rebuild the school’s  fund balance.

A public hearing on the budget is scheduled at the school on  May 24 at 5 p.m.

Republish This Story

You may republish this story under our republishing guidelines. Please credit the reporter and The Lens, link to the original story, and respect any image restrictions shown below.

Images are not included in the republishable copy.

Republish This Story