The Webster Progress-Times

The Webster County School District's 2003-04 budget will not require a local tax increase, according to district officials.

The School Board is scheduled to adopt the district budget at a special meeting at 6 p.m. today , after which it will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for funding. The school district's fiscal year begins July 1.

Superintendent of Education Pete Powell explained at a June 19 public hearing that the budget is only an estimate and plan which will probably have to be amended. He said that for the second year in a row the district will have a budget carry-over and will not be raising taxes or asking for an increase in local revenue.

Powell told the board members present that the district will have a fairly good beginning balance because employees had been thrifty in light of the economy, and will not have to dip into 16th Section funds as it has in years past. Business Manager Heidi Young said the carry-over is in excess of $313,000.

New expense items in the budget include building programs at Eupora High School, East Webster High School and East Webster Elementary School, for which $550,000 has been budgeted. Powell said the bathrooms are to be renovated in the old middle school building at EHS and at EWHS. Four new classrooms will be added at East Webster Elementary because of overcrowding, including two required for special education.

Young said other budget requests including some repainting, new technology equipment for computer-based classes, a new vehicle for the maintenance department and a new bus for handicapped students which will cost around $57,000. She said the requests are less than last year.

No one attended the budget hearing to offer comments or ask questions; trustees Phyllis Graham and Etty P. Brown were not present.