Charles City school board reduces overall budget number for FY2017-18

Charles City superintendent of schools David Gaston has announced first steps in adjusting a proposed budget for FY2017-18.

Working through various departments, Gaston announced at the Feb. 21 school board meeting a new figure of $9,160,920 for the upcoming cycle. That number is $119,630 less than the original proposal ($9,290,550) presented in January.

With the reduction, Gaston also commented that a request for local appropriations has also been lowered. First pegged at $5,380,465 (an increase of $403,000 compared to the current year’s budget), that number dwindled down to $5,287,621. The total request for new funds from county leaders is now set at $311,047. Gaston commented that while the increase is 6.2 percent higher than this year’s budget, the new money will assist in salary enhancement for teachers as well as cover an additional loss of funding in the food service category ($45,000).

The superintendent concluded by saying more measures are being taken to save money in all possible areas. The school board is expected to present the budget to Charles City’s Board of Supervisors during a Mar. 22 joint meeting.