Pearl River County School District’s Board of Trustees discussed the district’s budget for the upcoming year during the regular monthly meeting last Thursday.

Business Administrator T.J. Burleson said that for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, Mississippi Adequate Education Plan funding was at $17,019,879, but for fiscal year 2020-2021 the funding is expected to be $17,180,000, which is a $160,121 increase.

Burleson said that his proposed budget is based on receiving the increase, but if the figure changes a new plan would have to be formulated.

In the presentation the ad valorem request totaled at $7,458,000 with $6,050,000 going towards operations, $1,108,000 in general obligation bonds and $300,000 for the three-mill note.

The millage rate for 2019-2020 fiscal year was 64.09, but Burleson said it’ll likely increase closer to the 67 mark for 2020-2021.

There were additions to the budget for every campus in the district except the Endeavor School.

The elementary school will need $60,000 in additional funding to purchase classroom furniture for the additional buildings under construction in the current bond construction project.

The middle school will need to spend an additional $88,000 and the high school will need an additional $65,000, both for the same purpose of furnishing new buildings.

District-wide, additions to the budget included $95,000 for the new technology/testing director’s salary and benefits, $55,000 for a new interactive panel lease, $80,000 for the eRate infrastructure project, $74,000 for property insurance policy increases and $60,000 for COVID-19 supplies.

Deletions from the budget included reducing counselors’ days to 200 for $15,000, a new path technology director contract for $65,000 and a reduction in interest income of $56,000.

Days required for counselors at the high school to be on the job will be reduced to 200, reducing that campus’ budget by $15,000.

Revenues and expenditures were expected to match at $24,247,500 with an estimated unreserved fund balance of $3,100,00.

Following Burleson’s presentation the board moved through the rest of the night’s agenda before adjourning.