No speakers at New Kent School Board’s hearing on proposed budget

There were no speakers at New Kent’s School Board public hearing on the proposed FY2019-20 budget Monday evening.

School finance director Haynie Morgheim provided an update to school board members on the proposed budget. Referring to a joint meeting held by both the school board and county leaders on Mar. 15, approximately $160,000 of a $200,000 request appears that it will be granted to county schools. The reduction of $40,000 along with a state reduction of nearly $99,000 leaves the schools to make up a shortfall of roughly $139,000.

Morgheim commented that the shortfall was anticipated and that money in the school’s contingency fund will offset a majority of the deficit. The school currently has $131,000 slated in that account, meaning the difference the schools will have to find to balance the budget is roughly $8,000.

School board members are expected to adopt the budget after the board of supervisors’ formally adopt theirs, which is expected to take place at the April work session.