New Kent school board approves budget for 2014-15

New Kent’s school board approved its 2014-15 budget at last night’s (Wednesday) work session. After no one spoke at a public hearing, board members passed 4-1 a $28,554,281 budget. Included in that figure is leeway to adjust the budget to accompany the hiring of an elementary school art teacher.

“We’ve been asking for this position for 10 years,” said chairwoman Leigh Quick. “I would like to see that position filled.”

“One art teacher for 1,500 kids is unreasonable,” added board member Dean Simmons. “We have to create a budget for needs and this is something we need.”

The school board’s budget is just over $40,000 more than proposed in the county administrator’s budget (see story in this issue.)

According to interim financial director Sheila Minor, a key expenditure is adjustments for Bridging Communities ($53,361), while savings include converting two positions at George Watkins Elementary to other positions. Also, $42,600 was saved from the school board’s relocation to the Historic Courthouse.

Revenue in the upcoming budget includes receiving $13.1 million in local dollars, $570,000 more than the current year, and $13.1 million in state money based on a projected ADM of 2,920 students.