School board OK's budget (08/0707)

Jay School Board members voted Monday to give permission to advertise a $34.2 million budget and an increased tax rate for 2008.

The tax rate will be advertised at $2.09 per $100 of assessed valuation. Jay School Corporation business manager Brad DeRome told the board Monday that he expects the actual tax rate to decrease after review by state officials.

He added that the tax rate was advertised as $2.13 for this year's budget and the rate came back following state review as $1.62 per $100 of assessed valuation.

DeRome also said that the corporation often advertises for the maximum rate because the board can cut items from the budget but cannot add items.

This proposed $34,267,580 budget is balanced, and reflects a 3.1 percent increase from this year's budget and plans to replace 18 school buses with a estimated price tag of more than $1.3 million. A fourth of the corporation's buses are replaced every four years.

Revenues in 2008 are expected to total $24,144,762 - including $5.7 million in local property taxes.

Expenses in 2008 are expected to total $24,069,651, with by far the largest share going towards salaries and benefits for teachers, administrators and support staff. Other expenses include contracted services, supplies and equipment.

DeRome told the board that the current year's budget is expected to be in the red approximately $100,000.

"That is what I am going to work on the rest of the year," DeRome said.

Board members Bryan Alexander, Jay Halstead, Greg Wellman, Larry Paxson and Frank Vormohr voted in favor of advertising the budget.

Board members Mike Shannon and Mike Master were not present Monday.

The budget will be published on Wednesday and Aug. 15. A public hearing on the budget is set for Aug. 27 and budget adoption is slated for Sept. 17.

The budget must be adopted by Sept. 30.

Also Monday, board members:

•Heard Jay County School Corporation coordinator of transportation Teresa Myers report that bus inspections will be held today by the Indiana State Police. A total of 53 buses from the corporation will be inspected, she added.

•Approved the retirement of Kenneth Keller from his position as a fifth grade teacher at Bloomfield Elementary.

•Approved the hiring of Marjorie Hess as a math teacher at Jay County High School, Donna Hirschey as a food service employee at JCHS, Cathy Mock as a part-time instructional assistant at Judge Haynes Elementary, Lona Sindone as a fifth grade teacher at Bloomfield Elementary, Chris Weaver as a part-time instructional assistant at Judge Haynes, Jessica Rogers as a fourth grade teacher at Judge Haynes, Paul Bullock as a guidance intern at West Jay Middle School and Anita Clott as a special needs teacher at Judge Haynes.

•Voted to approve the contracted services of David E. McIntosh, Ph.D. for school psychology partnership program.

•Approved ECA recommendations for Erin Arnold, Gregory Hummel, Jason Phillips, Jack Houck, Eric Butcher, Kristi Sibray, Thomas Leonhard, Wendy Patterson and Clayton Bailey.

•Granted a leave request for Laura McCollum, an employee of West Jay Middle School.

•Approved ECA resignations for Ryan Younts, Gregory Hummel and Jason Phillips.

•Accepted resignations for Katelin Harvey, Cheryl Cook and Kate Nunley.

•Heard Jay School Corporation superintendent Tim Long tell the board that teachers will be returning to school on Aug. 17 and first day of school for students is Aug. 20.[[In-content Ad]]