Einstein Charter School’s preliminary 2012-13 operating budget of $4.4 million is within 1 percent of last year’s budget.

The budget was available for public review this week at the school.

Business manager Doug Guidry said the preliminary budget is based on an estimated school enrollment of 443, as determined by the Orleans Parish School Board.

The school expects to receive $3.5 million in Minimum Foundation Program funding.  MFP is estimated at $8,082 per student.

Overall, total revenue is expected to drop 0.9 percent, about $40,000.  While total expenditures are projected to increase by about $22,000.

Elementary teacher salaries will account for $1.1 million of the total budget.  These salaries for the 2012-13 school year increased 1.3 percent over last year.

Kindergarten teacher salaries, which are accounted for independently of other elementary school faculty salaries, dropped from about $159,000 to $132,000.

Einstein is increasing its special education para-professionals spending by $24,000, a 40 percent jump.

Property insurance is expected to increase 6 percent.  Guidry said this is based on the Recovery School District’s estimate at $40.78 per student.

The school is ending this year with $1.7 million in reserves.

Einstein complied with the legal requirement of 10 days advance notification of the upcoming hearing via a Times-Picayune ad.

Einstein Charter School will hold a public budget hearing Tuesday, June 5 at 5 p.m.  at the school, 5100 Cannes St., in Room 9. The regular board meeting will follow.