Published: May 12, 2009 08:28 am      

Laurel BOE approves tentative 2010 budget

By Carl Keith Greene / Staff Writer

The Laurel County Board of Education on Monday approved a tentative 2010 fiscal year budget of $90.8 million, a little more than $100,000 over the 2009 fiscal year.

Superintendent David Young reported that for the first time in several years, the school system’s projected student load has decreased.

The district expects about 400 fewer students next year.

In an interview after the meeting, he said the drop in student population may have occurred because families, as a reaction to the economic downturn, may have moved away seeking employment. He said potential residents may have not come to the area because of the lack of employment opportunities here.

The district budgeted for 11 fewer instructors next year. Young said eight to 11 instructors are expected to retire at the end of this school year.

In other business, the school board approved budgets for individual school activities funds. Those are funds independently raised by schools and used for school needs or wants that are not covered in the school system’s general fund budget.

Young also reported that the school system will receive $4.7 million in economic stimulus funds. That money has not been put into the general fund budget yet, he said, noting that the money may be given over a two-year period.

The board also accepted bids for gasoline and diesel fuel, art supplies, instructional supplies, science materials, garbage services outside the city limits, paint and painting supplies and blacktop and blacktop installation.

It also approved a $24,000 fee for auditing services from Christian, Sturgeon & Associates.

Fifteen temporary employment slots were approved for the hiring of recent graduates or college students for summer maintenance work.

The board also saw a presentation on the renovation and expansion of North Laurel High School. Kevin Cheek with architects Sherman, Carter & Barnhart showed photos of the work to renovate the former coal-fired furnace building and also work that is being done overnight when students and faculty are not using the main building.

The board also approved the submission of paperwork regarding the expansion and renovation of three elementary schools in the system — Johnson, Keavy, Swiss Colony — and North Laurel High. The paperwork must be submitted to the Kentucky Department of Education for approval before bids for the work can be advertised.

At the beginning of the meeting, certificates were awarded to athletes in the school system who have won athletic scholarships from area colleges and universities.

Also, students in the Hazel Green preschool program demonstrated their knowledge and training in computer use by operating the “Smart Board” hanging on the wall in the board’s meeting room.

Five local police officers where also presented with certificates marking their work in the school’s DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program in the fifth grades at the county elementary schools and East Bernstadt Elementary School.

Honored were sheriff’s deputies Tim Smallwood and Sgt. Josh Gaylor, London officers Sgt. Allen Harris and Lt. Derek House and Kentucky State Police Trooper Greg Hill.

The board voted to cancel its next meeting on May 25 because it is Memorial Day.