Cape school board taps reserve funds for teacher raises

The Cape Girardeau School District will be taking steps to present a balanced budget next year without using reserve funds, school officials said Monday.

The school board Monday approved its $42.9 million operating budget for next year, which includes a 2.29 percent raise for teachers. The district also moved $1.3 million from reserved funds to balance the budget.

Board members said they were unaware the district would be using reserve funds in the budget when they approved the raises in April.

"My vote may have been different had I known that money was coming from the fund balance," said board member Tony Smee.

Superintendent Dr. Jim Welker said the district will start working to improve the budget situation next year.

"We realize we have a huge task in front of us moving forward to balance the budget," he said.

The district took similar steps last year when it approved the budget in late July, after the start of the fiscal year.

The budget includes a 10 percent increase of $534,000 in the cost of benefits for employees, said Misty Clifton, director of finance. It also cuts $169,100 from the curriculum budget and six vacant positions will not be filled, she said.

The budget allocates $1.79 million in stimulus funds. Clifton said the majority of the funds, $537,454, will go toward technology.

Some board members said they were concerned about the upkeep of the new technology, which includes $92,908 in smartboards and projectors

"Ultimately, not just bulbs but the whole unit might need replacement at some time," Smee said.

The district will also use $37,200 for tutoring services, $72,580 for credit recovery programs and $51,733 for professional development, Clifton said.

Stimulus funds will be used to hire two new employees, a counselor for the Alternative Education Center and a district autism coach. Previously, the center shared a counselor with Franklin Elementary.

Deena Ring, director of special services, said the autism coach will work with students and teachers throughout the district.

She said 32 students are classified as having autism, and she expects that number to grow.

Ring said the majority of stimulus funds for special services will also go toward technology for students with special needs, including software, touch screens and voice-activated programming.

Separately, the district accepted a bid of $40,927 from Boulder Construction to replace the roof on Jefferson Elementary. It also accepted bids from Earthgrains Co. and Prairie Farms Dairy to provide bread and dairy products for the district.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

301 Clark, Cape Girardeau, MO