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What if a school district decided to spend $17 million and nobody cared?

At its only meeting in June, on the 24th, the Blue Ridge School Board formally adopted a spending plan for the fiscal year that will begin on July 1. The new budget anticipates spending $16,995,707, and increasing property tax rates by the maximum allowed by the state, 1.1 mills or 2.4%, to 46.99 mills. Enrollment at Blue Ridge is expected to fall marginally, yet expenditure per student will rise by almost $1,500, to $15,914. Total expenses will be higher by almost $1.3 million, or 8%.

At the June 27th Special Meeting of the Montrose School Board, the final budget was approved in the amount of $23,884,696. Mr. Ognosky explained that this was the expenditures figure, and that it was probably $50,000 more than the previously approved tentative budget. The increase was due to the adjustment of a number of staff step placements (bachelors to master’s, etc.).

The next motion declared the board’s intention to commit funds to offset PSERS costs increases for the financial statement ending June 30th of that year, in accordance with GASB 54 regulation.

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