Budget and enrollment shrink for Lincoln’s school district
Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Lincoln Board of Education members approved a budget with less funding for expenditures for 2008-09 than what was spent in 2007-08 during a meeting Monday at the administration office.
The total budget for this year was estimated at $ 18, 122, 208, compared to $ 18, 211, 959 last year. Superintendent Frank Holman estimated the budget could have been even lower without certain “ categorical funds, ” which are earmarked for specific expenses.
Holman said enrollment is 1, 229 students so far, compared to 1, 270 in September 2007.
“ Right now we are down 50 students from last year. That’s a pretty good hit, ” Holman said.
At this point, Holman said he cannot commit to increasing the base teacher’s salary of $ 33, 000 per year in the near future. Any raises will probably have to be looked at in the spring semester, he said.
On other matters related to funding, Holman said he hopes enough parents will fill out applications for the free and reduced lunch program that the percentage of students participating will reach or exceed 70 percent. The current percentage of students participating in the federal program, which provides reduced cost meals to students who meet income requirements, is in the mid to high 60 s. Holman said at the 70 percent mark, the district will receive additional funding simply for having that many participants. “ They’re trying to (find ) every student that qualifies for free and reduced, ” he said. On another matter, Holman reported 13 high school students were participating in an early college program the district has implemented as part of a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Monticello. The students take distance-learning classes, and they receive college credit for completing them. “ It’s almost $ 13, 000 in tuition that they’re not having to pay, ” he said.
Members also heard a report that Holman and board member Richard Watson recently met with U. S. Rep. John Boozman about funding for the local Head Start program. They described Boozman as supportive of the program but said its best bet for a longterm future in Lincoln would be to obtain a grant so the school could administer the program.
The Lincoln Head Start program is currently overseen by the Washington County Economic Opportunity Agency.
The agency had closed the program as the 2008-09 school year was getting under way, but it agreed to re-open the it after an anonymous donor offered $ 100, 000 to keep it open for 15 months.
In other business, the board heard a presentation about plans to seek districtwide accreditation through the AdvancEd accreditation group, which is the parent organization of the North Central Association that accredits more than 8, 500 public and private schools in 19 states, including Arkansas, according to its Web site.
Board members also heard a report about the Triand computer program used to track information about students’ performance.
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