Tuesday, August 26, 1997
Wylie board members OK '97-'98 budget
By CANDY REAGAN
Special Writer
The Wylie school board quietly and unanimously approved its
1997-98 budget Monday night with no questions or comments from
the public.
School board members, however, had a few routine questions
for Superintendent Cecil Davis, who assured them that the $13
million budget, while conservative, will adequately fund all the
district's 1997-98 programs.
"And just because it's in the budget, does not mean we
are going to spend it," Davis said. "We're going to
provide a quality education at the lowest possible cost."
The budget represents a 1.8 percent increase over last year
and is based on a tax rate of $1.3499 -- an increase of $.99 over
last year. The board is scheduled to approve the tax rate at its
Sept. 8 meeting.
The budget also takes into account a $266,000 deduction in
state funds in 1997-98 to compensate for an overpayment from the
state in 1996-97.
Davis said the state gave the district funds based on an anticipated
5 percent student growth. The district only experienced a 2 percent
growth.
"They overpaid us," Davis said. "They won't
take back the funds, but they will deduct it from what they pay
us next year."
In other business, the board accepted a bid of $1,028,400 from
Rose Builders Inc., a local contractor, to build a 20-classroom
addition to the current Wylie High School. Davis said the bid
from Rose Builders amounts to about $45 per square foot.
"We were thinking more in terms of $65 or $70 per square
foot," Davis said. "So we are very pleased."
Work on the addition should begin in about two weeks and be
completed in July of 1998, so students can use the classrooms
next school year.
Davis also asked for and received permission to get cost estimates
on upgrading the carpet in the new addition and repainting three
hallways that will lead from the high school to the addition.
The board also approved final amendments to the 1996-97 budget,
which is in effect until Aug. 31. Davis said once the final adjustments
are made, the district will have $528,000 left to apply toward
building the new high school classrooms.
Send a Letter to the Editor about This
Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
Send the URL (Address) of This Story
to A Friend:
Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
|
