Burlington, IA – The Burlington School District does not believe major cuts will be needed to balance its budget for the 2007-2008 school year.
The district's roughly $64,000,000 spending plan includes money for two major construction projects and a nearly 5% boost in wages and benefits for teachers.
Business Manager Chris Van Meter says the district has about 4600 students and is projecting an enrollment loss of just ten students.
She says when that number is combined with allowable growth, Burlington will not have to deal with a shortfall like other Southeast Iowa districts.
Van Meter says the district's property tax rate will drop by $0.35 to $16.45.
She says the school board will consider some new programs, such as a kindergarten art teacher and nursing staff, during future meetings.
Meanwhile, the Burlington School District is accepting bids for one of those construction projects, its new middle school, tentatively dubbed Northwest Middle School.
Business Manager Chris Van Meter says construction of the $18,500,000 project could begin in late June.
The district has already broke ground for its new $10,000,000 North Hill Elementary School.
Van Meter says that project will begin once everything in North Hill is transfered to Washington School, which is home to the district's alternative high school.
She says Washington will be the new home for North Hill students for two years.
Van Meter says the district will rent part of the old Salter building for its alternative high school.
She says the rent will be equal to the cost of the utilities that would have been used at North Hill, so the move is a financial wash.
You can hear more with Business Manager Chris Van Meter by clicking the audio link above.