Demopolis BOE passes 2017-18 budget

The Demopolis City School Board passed the 2017-2018 budget Monday after holding the state required second public hearing.

CFO Evelyn James said the budget is a “reasonably accurate estimate” of income and expenses for the coming year. Expected income is $20,333,550, and expenses are estimated to be $22,317,703. With a beginning balance of $5,845,295, the system should remain in the black at the end of the year.

The bulk of the funding – 64 percent — for Demopolis schools will come from the state, James said. Income from the federal government is 11 percent, and local funding, 22 percent, with another 3 percent from other sources.

Instructional costs and instructional support will make up 65 percent of expenses. “That’s the way it’s should to be; it’s all about educating our children,” said James.

The state foundation will pay for a total of 143.06 teacher units and another 50.35 units will come from other sources. Federal allocations will cover 37.33 teachers, and local funding pays for 12.48 teacher units.

James said the budget will be revised in January to better reflect the actual revenue being received from the state.

The budget goes into effect Oct. 1, the beginning of the fiscal year.

Supt. Kyle Kallhoff reminded board of a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, Sept. 15, at 9 a.m. for the new Pre-K program at Westside Elementary School.

At the same time there will be dedication of wooden planter boxes. The brainchild of a UWA student, the boxes were constructed by Cemex employees. Three have been placed at all four campuses.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be Monday, Sept. 18, at 5:15 p.m.