PERRY -- Houston County school board members unanimously approved a tentative budget Tuesday for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
The tentative budget for fiscal 2013 shows total revenue of more than $279 million and expenditures of more than $307 million with a projected ending fund balance of $65 million.
The fund balance is considered additional funds available each year to meet expenditure requirements. No tax increase is expected.
The proposed general fund budget, which shows revenue of $215 million and expenditures of $217 million, includes an additional 14 certified positions costing about $885,000. Those additional positions are: six new special education teachers, an assistant principal, a speech language pathologist and five system positions to work with schools and teachers.
Nearly 70 percent of the general fund budget is allocated to instruction, said Stephen Thublin, assistant superintendent for finance and business operations.
More than 8 percent will go to school administration, 7.8 percent to maintenance and operations, 4.65 percent to student transportation, 5.54 percent to other pupil and school functions and 4.57 percent to staff development, workers’ compensation and central administrative areas.
Personnel costs -- salaries and employer-paid benefits -- total more than 90 percent of the budget.
Thublin said district officials expect the current millage rate of 13.34 mills to remain the same.
The budget will now be advertised for two weeks, as required by law, and then presented for final adoption at a called board meeting June 27 at noon.
New appointments
The school board approved a number of personnel appointments Tuesday, including two new principals.
Brett Wallace, who currently serves as an assistant principal at Warner Robins High School, was named principal of Warner Robins Middle School.
Richard Rogers, who currently serves as assistant principal for instruction at Quail Run Elementary, was named principal of Matt Arthur Elementary School.
The board also named Paige Busbee as director of personnel.
To contact writer Caryn Grant, call 256-9751.
