Board Sets New Budget

By submitted, 09/25/19 1:16 PM

HOPE – The Hope Public Schools Board adopted a 2019-2020 fiscal blueprint for the district in a called session Wednesday which seeks to rein-in overall expenditures while maintaining a strong instructional program.
HPS Superintendent Dr. Bobby Hart told the board the $17.8 million budget hews close to the line between anticipated revenues and essential expenditures to maintain a conservative fiscal approach.
“There is not a lot of wiggle room,” Dr. Hart quipped.
Total anticipated revenues at $19.8 million are comprised of a beginning balance of some $2.5 million combined with projected revenues of $17.3 million, he said.
Those funds are inclusive of all revenue sources, Hart explained, and are applied against some $17.8 million in expected expenditures. Hart said fixed costs in the budget include some $1.27 million in debt service and teacher salary costs of some $7.9 million.
He said some discretionary areas may be trimmed in the new fiscal year.
“We can manage where we have the ability,” Hart said.
He said the new budget projects an ending balance of more than $1.9 million.
In other action Wednesday, the board adopted a resolution which recognizes the district’s adherence to Act 1120 of 2013 relative to board approval of salary increases of five percent or more from the previous year of a contract