Board adopts budget

— Decatur School Board members approved a budget for the 2012-2013 school year at the Sept. 24 meeting.

The budget projects the school will have $11.3 million in revenue, up from $11 million last year, and expenditures of $11.5 million, compared to $11.1 million last year. It includes a projected carryover of $918,000 for the 2013-2014 school year. The budget also includes a $150,000 savings from the refinance of the school’s bonded debt.

It is based on last year’s budget with a few increases in expenses and revenue, according to Decatur superintendent Larry Ben.

Ben said he expected to see growth money next year because the school’s current enrollment is up.

School board member Kevin Smith asked if the district has any limitations on staffing that will require them to hire more teachers if they take on more students.

Ben and elementary school principal Jeff Gravette explained the school will need three teachers at each grade level in kindergarten through second grade. One additional first grade teacher was hired this year using categorical funds for class size reduction, Ben said.

The elementary school has more room for growth in the upper grades because class sizes can be larger. The high school has plenty of room for more students

without hiring any more teachers, Ben said.

Smith asked if the district is making any additional expenditures for improve- ments, compared to last year’s budget.

Ben said the district has purchased a football scoreboard, and district treasurer Terri Burden said the budget includes money for a basketball scoreboard if it is needed. Burden also said the school’s growth money has been used to purchase technology.

Ben pointed out local businesses have already committed $12,000 in advertising that will help pay for the scoreboard, and the district still has $10,000 in advertising for sale.

The board also took the following actions:

• Board members voted to approve a student transfer request from the Gravette School District to the Decatur School District.

• Board members voted to re-approve a long-standing agreement with the Gentry and Gravette school districts to split the cost of student transportation to Vista Health in Bentonville.

• Board members voted to approve a consortium be- tween Gentry, Decatur and the Benton County School of the Arts to hire a special education director and adopted an agreement to follow state requirements.

The next school board meeting will be held at 7 p.m., Oct. 15. The board will hold a planning session at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 15, and tour the high school facilities.