By Jolene Farley
Hills-Beaver Creek School Board memvers approved a 4-percent increase in the 2002-03 budget at their Monday meeting.
The board action raises the budget from $2,292,644 last year to $2,384,350 this year. The jump will cover cost-of-living pay increases to employees, according to Superintendent Dave Deragisch.
He said salaries represent about 85 percent of the budget.
Deragisch will present the final budget draft for approval at the board meeting on Sept. 23.
More students this year
More students mean increased revenue to the district, so Deragisch was pleased to report better-than-anticipated enrollment.
"We are really sitting in pretty good shape, financially, compared to what I thought in June," Deragisch.
A total of 300 students were enrolled for the first day of classes at H-BC. Of those, 153 were high school students and 147 were elementary students.
Those student counts include 13 new open enrolled students, eight in the elementary and five in the high school, from Iowa, South Dakota and neighboring Minnesota districts.
"Our numbers are looking good," said Deragisch. He said his goal is to maintain student numbers or gain.
State aid is weighted in favor of high school students. The district is reimbursed an average of $5,000 per open enrolled student.
Board member Gary Esselink asked if administration monitors new students that move into the district.
Deragisch said he frequently receives calls or tips from area residents when new families move to the district.
"I think we have a pretty good handle on who should be here and who is here," he said.
In other board business:
Coronation is at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16. The homecoming dance will be at the Beaver Creek Golf Course to avoid wear and tear on the gym at the high school, let the volleyball team practice, and eliminate decorating time and expenses.
The elementary open house will be from 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23.
More than 70 elementary students responded to a questionnaire sent home about starting a soccer league. The first game will be Saturday, Sept. 14. Volunteers are needed.