School budget begins building for 2019-20

The Botetourt School Board began meeting Jan. 31 to construct the budget for the next school year 2019-20. All members were present as was ex-officio member Dr. Mac Scothorn from the Board of Supervisors

The budget set-up included the following items:

Enrollment: Updated with a 19-20 budget built on 4,492 students. Currently there are 4,572 students enrolled.

Local composite Index: Decrees what the state funding is based upon at 0.3856 which is on the high side as the county has funding sources due to its revenues. This is resulting in the county having the ability to pay a larger share.

Revenue: Determined from the state. Funding for a 5% increase in salaries 12/19 through 7/20. Governor’s proposed increase $1,089,793. These are tentative figures.

Expenditures: The items include personnel and non-personnel– which includes buses capital needs and technology. Particular attention is paid to Teacher Salary Scales as the last adjustments were in 2013. Botetourt is falling a bit behind other localities in pay scale. Additional request include a CTE teacher, Special education pre-school teacher, a school social worker and a maintenance technician at costs of an additional $247, 323.

Total salary costs are $1,993, 376 with tentative estimated costs .Given the estimated state money, the need will be an additional funding of $903, 943.

The budget priorities presented included: Maintain step increases, continue salry corrections and adjust salary scale.

The next budget meeting is at 5 p.m. prior to the regular school board meeting on Feb. 14.

Story and photo Cathy Benson