The school board Monday approved a $34 million budget that closely resembles last year’s budget.

Tuesday, August 21, 2001

The school board Monday approved a $34 million budget that closely resembles last year’s budget.

&uot;Basically, we’re holding the course for one more year,&uot; said Finance Director Mark Stotts. With no staff cuts or significant program changes, Stotts said the budget closely reflects the funding increase from the legislature.

&uot;We’re up 2 percent from last year, and that’s about what we ended up with from the legislature,&uot; he said.

The final 2001-2002 budget, which was delayed by an extended legislative session, does not reflect any possible enrollment drops stemming from the Farmland fire or negotiated increases in teacher compensation. Stotts said a financial audit, scheduled for this fall, may also result in some minor adjustments.

&uot;We’re better off adopting with this budget and coming back later to amend it if necessary,&uot; he said.

The board unanimously approved the budget.

In other school board news:

n The board approved a new two-year transportation contract with the Albert Lea Bus Company that represents a 3.75 percent increase each year.

Stotts said the increase is slightly higher than usual but justified because the bus company chose not to charge the district for additional fuel costs from last year.

Facilities and Transportation Director Bruce Olson said the district has enjoyed a good partnership with the bus company over the years.

&uot;We’re extremely lucky to be working with them,&uot; Olson said.

n The board approved a new slate of members for the district curriculum committee. Judy Knudtson, curriculum director, said the board has nine new members with terms through 2004. Four students, one from each grade at the high school, also sit on the board, she said.

n Community Education Director Heidi Cunningham said the effort to publicize General Education Development (GED) test changes continues. The district is offering more test times to help as many students as possible complete the battery of five tests before Jan. 1, 2002. After that date, people who haven’t completed all five tests have to start over, she said.

n The board approved a .6 full-time equivalent social worker position for the high school for the second straight year. Superintendent Dr. David Prescott said the position is fully funded through grants from Family Services Collaborative and the National Fund to Prevent Drugs and Violence.

Because the grants expire at the end of the school year, the district will have to decide if the position needs to be fully funded through the general fund.