7/22/2009 6:02:00 PM Public schools pledge frugality
By T.J. JERNIGAN Staff Reporter
Neshoba County and Philadelphia school districts have adopted their budgets for Fiscal Year 2010, pledging to hold the line on spending.
In addition, the county school district is in the process of applying for up to $3 million in federal stimulus funds that will be used for construction and maintenance priorities for the FY 2010.
City schools are not applying for construction bonds due to a lack of monies to pay off the federal loans.
"We just don't have the funds to pay off federal construction loans," Dr. Joseph White, superintendent of the Philadelphia School District, said. "We are purchasing some pre-existing properties near our campus and we would like to pay those off first before we start any new construction projects."
He said that for the past seven years, city schools have not seen growth like county schools have experienced.
George Shaw, superintendent of county schools, said his board will need to apply within the month in order to be considered for school construction bonds.
An adviser was scheduled to meet with the county School Board this week in order to let board members know if Neshoba County schools are eligible for the interest free bonds.
"The first round of stimulus bonds went to the first 51 districts that applied for them," Shaw said. "However, there is a second stimulus package that we might be eligible to receive some funding from."
He said these construction bonds can only be used for school construction purposes and that the county could utilize the monies to fund roof, plumbing, and electrical improvements.
The county school district's estimated shortfall for FY 2009 was about $40,000.
The FY 2010 budget includes expenditures of about $28,760,443. Estimated revenue, or money received by the school, is about $24 million. The board budgeted $25,000 for roof improvements and $150,000 for plumbing work on the restrooms at the football field.
Close to $2,460,000 will go towards the costs of construction for the new elementary school building. About half of that cost was included in the budget for FY 2009, and the remainder has been included in FY 2010.
Funding for new roads on the school campus to help with traffic problems has also been set aside. Shaw said the board will ask for help from county supervisors for road improvements.
A small amount was set aside to allow the school to purchase antibacterial wipes, hand-soap and disinfectants in hopes of preventing swine flu outbreaks.
"About 80 percent of our budget goes towards teacher salaries," Shaw said. "We now have everybody back on board and all positions are filled."
Shaw said changes to the budget would come as revenue and expenditure amounts become more exact.
City schools also approved their budget last week which consists of $10,712,242 in expected revenue and $10,754,107 in budgeted expenditures.
Federal revenue sources include a $605,301 Child Nutrition grant, $819,212 Title 1 grant, and a $496,687 IDEA grant.
Dr. White said that some budget cuts were made as the district usually purchases a new school bus each year at a cost of about $70,000, but will not do so this year due to limited funds.
"Funding is tight this year, and will be for the next few years," he said. "Legislators have warned us that the amount of money we receive from stimulus funds will decrease over the next three years, so we will have to spend the money we have wisely.
"Other than teacher and staff salaries, we are not making any major expenditure for the next year," he added.
Philadelphia School District will receive $5,704,706 from state sources that include $5,259,992 from the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP). MAEP revenue is the primary source for teacher salaries, which makes up 76 percent of the budget. Local sources will provide $2,797,452 of the total revenue of which is $2,458,252 is ad valorem taxes.
Philadelphia City Schools had a total enrollment of 1,195 students in grades K-12 at the end of the 2008-2009 school year while Neshoba County Schools reported 3,100 students enrolled.
Classes resumes for Neshoba County and Philadelphia City Schools on Thursday, Aug. 6.
