By Betsy Finklea
The 2017-2018 General Fund Budget and other matters were discussed at the Dillon School District Four Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, June 19th.
Art McMillan, Assistant Superintendent of Finance, presented the General Fund Budget highlights. The highlights included the following:
—“An overall budget increase of 3.663% ($953,392), from $26,024,866 in fiscal year 2016-2017 to $26,978,258 for fiscal year 2017-2018.”
—“A 2.0% increase in the employer share of Retirement contributions.”
—“There was no change in the classified employee salary schedules. Employees with less than twenty-three years experience will receive a step increase.”
—“There was no change in the Teacher Salary Schedule. Teachers with less than twenty-three years experience will receive a step increase ranging from 1.0% to 2.2%.”
—“A projected Education Finance Act Base Student Cost of $2,425.00. The original Base Student Cost for 2016-2017 was $2,350.00.”
-“A 4.60% increase in premiums for property and casualty insurance.”
McMillan noted that 84.8 percent of the budget is salary and fringe benefits which funds 406 positions. This compares to 85.3 percent last year, 85.1 percent in 2015-2016, and 85.2 percent in 2014-2015.
The proposed revenue budget shows $6,028,898 from local sources and $20,707,944 for a total of $26,736,842. There is $241,416 in other financing sources.
Expenditures are also outlined in the budget. Expenditures include $13,434,649 for instruction and $13,543,609 for supporting services. Total expenditures are $26,978,258.
The budget is balanced, McMillan said.
The local board approved courses for 2017-2018 were accepted upon a motion by Trustee Mike McRae and a second by Trustee Kenny Bethea. The courses include: Introduction to Algebra I, Introduction to English I, Introduction to English II, Introduction to Biology I, JROTC, Conduct, Homework, ESOL, Math Enrichment, Athletic Business Management, Digital Video, Broadcast Journalism, Introduction to US History, Public Speaking, Success for All, Computer Basics/ Computer Learning, Multi-Cultural Studies, Health and Physical Education, ACT Prep, Credit Recovery, Media Skills, Living Environment (science), Global Studies (history), ELA Enrichment, STEM Course (Launch for grades 4-5), STEM Course (Computer Science for grade 6), History of Vietnam War, Intensive Reading, Team/Individual Sports, Two Dimensional Art 1, and Fire Fighter 3.
The board also approved the equipment to be recycled due to end of life. Ninety desktop computers will be recycled. The motion was made by Trustee Alex Lewis and seconded by Trustee Kenny Bethea.
The board also approved the personnel recommendations. They include: Resignation: Alice Vandroff (Custodian, Lake View High School); Retiring: Cora Wheeler (Custodian, Gordon Elementary); Resignations at the end of the 2016-2017 SY: Jonathan Griggs (Teacher, South Elementary), Meghan Shelley (Teacher, Lake View High School), Joshua Williams (Teacher, Dillon High School); Recommendations for the 2017-2018 SY: Tamece Dunson (Teacher, Lake View High School), Kelly Floyd (Teacher, Lake View High School), Cheyenne Hooks (Teacher, Dillon High School), Tracy Townsend (Teacher, Lake View High School), Wanda Hayes (Custodian, Gordon Elementary), Bernethio Livingston (Resource Teacher, Dillon High School), Patricia A. Lindsay (FACES Teacher, Dillon High School), Libardo Hernandez (FACES Teacher, Dillon High School), John Guzman (FACES Teacher, Dillon High School), Shinneker Swaby-Douglas (FACES Teacher, Dillon High School), Ezra Thuita (FACES Teacher, Dillon High School), Neng Nchinda (FACES Teacher, Dillon High School).
Motion was made by Trustee Earl Gleason and seconded by Trustee Burt Rogers. All approved.
Superintendent Ray Rogers also gave a construction update during the meeting. He said there were bubbles in the floor of the Dillon High School gym possibly caused by moisture. He said some of the doors needed to be updated.
Rogers said they were also planning for their new primary school, but he didn’t know what the funding vehicle would be. He said they were also looking at what they could do with their technology department at Maple School. He said Maple was in bad shape.
Rogers said the big massive heating and cooling unit at Dillon High School is out. It will be the first week of July before the company can come. It will take the use of a crane to replace it.
