Public hearing yields no speakers on New Kent School Board’s FY2016-17 budget

No speakers stepped to the podium during a Mar. 21 public hearing on New Kent School Board’s proposed $31 million budget for FY2016-17.

School board members also received information that state funding would increase by $83,904, bringing the new amount of school superintendent Dave Myers’ proposal to $31,000,145. Of that amount, schools are requesting $13,854,595 in local funding, a figure that is $300,000 more than the county’s contribution for the current year.

School finance director Haynie Morgheim recommended the additional state funds to be used to increase the SSC custodial contract and group life rate. She added that other funds should be held to assist in accounting for an expected rise in health care costs. No vote to approve the budget was taken by the school board.

In an action item, school board members approved a contract of $168,676 to Precision Sports Surfaces for the resurfacing of the high school track. The resurfacing is part of the capital improvement plan and is scheduled to begin June 6 and be completed by mid-August.