BY FIONA MORGAN

fiona@amnews.com

The Boyle County Board of Education passed the tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 at their meeting on May 18.

Superintendent Mike Lafavers said they spent many hours in meetings discussing the budget since Spring Break, including with incoming superintendent Mark Wade.

Revenue is budgeted at $29 million. The beginning of the year balance is about $3.5 million. The district’s SEEK funding from the state totals $11 million. The district’s total budget is $43 million.

Finance Director Bobbie Brown said they’ve discussed needs with all departments across the district. The general fund covers instruction, student support, structural staff, district administration, school administration, business support, operations and maintenance, and transportation.

The district is receiving an additional $1.12 million this year as a result of recent enrollment increases. Lafavers said this gives a more positive outlook on their budget than they had before they received this funding.

Brown said that while the budget is healthy, it’s still tighter than previous years. “I feel good about this one, we have a healthy contingency still; it’s just a lean year,” Brown said.

The district is adding a Transportation Specialist position, which Lafavers said increases the transportation department by half of a position. The Food Services Department is adding two positions. Brown said that Food Services is in a good spot financially and is self-sustaining.

In other business:

• The board congratulated David Christopher as the new principal of the high school, who will be replacing Mark Wade when he becomes superintendent. Christopher has been with the district for 13 years and is currently the Bass Fishing Team coach.

• Lafavers gave a presentation on a possible future project that the district could undertake if they choose. He said the Perryville and Junction City Elementary schools are their least energy efficient buildings, and could use some upgrades to decrease their energy use and expenses.

Lafavers said they could replace HVAC, lights, controls, doors, windows, floors, etc. at both buildings for about $15 million. He gave a presentation on how the district could get $4 million of that from IRA rebates and energy savings breaks. They could do bond payments for the remaining $11 million. The board will consider the project for future years.

• The board passed a change order for the Boyle County Middle School softball field construction project, for $31,500 to cover increased construction costs.