The board that governs the New Orleans Charter Science and Math High approved the school’s 2012-2013 budget of $3.8 million at its monthly meeting June 14.
The budget had shown a deficit of nearly $50,000, but a few salaries had been over-budgeted, and one salary, that of a geology teacher, was eliminated from the budget. Once these changes were accounted for, the school was left with an expected balance of about $7,000.
However, charges for property insurance, possibly $100 per student based on last year’s enrollment, have yet to be accounted for. Additionally, the school’s per-pupil funding from the state may be affected by changes in enrollment.
Board President Barbara MacPhee, overseeing her last meeting as president, said that the school hopes to receive grants that could cover budget holes.
MacPhee said enrollment remains a major concern for the board. N.O. Charter Science and Math had 99 freshmen enrolled for the 2011-2012 school year. MacPhee contacted 70 percent of them to make sure their applications were completed for the upcoming year.
“Most people just assume they’re coming back, but it’s really necessary that we know those students are returning,” said MacPhee.
The school hopes to have an enrollment of 410 students by the fall.
The school will add additional bus routs, and it plans to change its food service contract from New Orleans Parish Board to Liberty’s Kitchen.
“We will be signing a contract with Sophie B. Wright to use three of their busses after their run, two for New Orleans East and one for the Westbank,”said MacPhee.
The school bus situation will require N.O. Science and Math to adjust its school day, which would mean school would start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m.
The school also received 20 desks and additional chairs from Sojourner Truth after that school closed.
At the end of the meeting, the board welcomed Florence Andre as the new foundation president.
“I have such good feelings this school is in good shape,” said MacPhee, who plans to spend several months vacationing in Santa Fe, New Mexico.