New Bloomfield's school budget on track

No big cutbacks planned

This year's R-3 School District budget is on track to meet expectations and should avoid any additional cutbacks for next year, Superintendent David Tramel said Thursday night.

Tramel told members of the Board of Education at their regular monthly meeting the district's $6.1 million budget now has $124,000 more than anticipated but unexpected expenses could easily wipe out that balance.

Tramel praised the district's fiscal consultant, Jason Hoffman, for his work and continued guidance in supervising the district's budget.

Last summer the district was forced to cut 10 jobs and two programs in order to balance the budget. This year's budget also included no across-the-board salary increases.

"I feel so fortunate that we have a positive number at this point rather than a negative number," Tramel said.

Tramel said the amount of state aid the district will receive for the next school year has not yet been determined. He noted the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is expected to decide how the aid will be apportioned shortly after the Missouri General Assembly adjourns today.

"I should have a better handle on the amount of state aid we will receive some time next week," Tramel said.

Board member Craig Abbott asked Tramel if he is considering asking for an operating levy increase to help with the school's finances. Tramel said he wants to know first how much money the district will receive from the state before making any decisions on the tax levy.

Board member Terri Sweeten commented that people in the community have told her that the board needs to get its budget under control before asking for a tax levy increase.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.