Roof repairs, other projects included in $126.4 million Stevenson budget

Stevenson High School officials are preparing a $126.4 million spending plan for the 2019 fiscal year - with money tentatively dedicated to roof repairs, changes to a campus entrance and other projects.

The proposed expenditures in the budget are down 7.5 percent from the $135.8 million spending plan for the current fiscal year, according to figures provided by District 125 officials.

Employees' salaries and benefits are increasing by about 4 percent, Stevenson spokesman Jim Conrey said, and transportation costs are expected to rise about 5 percent under a new busing contract with First Student.

Several significant projects are included in the budget, too, such as:

• Replacing the roofs over the East Building and the aquatic center, at an estimated cost of $3.2 million.

• Moving the data processing department and the Little Patriots Day School and the conversion of the Little Patriot Space into two classrooms, at a potential cost of about $1.1 million.

• Changes to the campus entrance at Port Clinton Road, including the addition of a westbound turn lane, at an estimated cost of $916,000.

Officials expect to collect $114.3 million in property taxes, fees and other revenue during the next year, down from $149.2 million in the current year.

Revenue is dropping year-to-year primarily because the district borrowed $25 million during the current fiscal year. Expenses are dropping because of cost-control measures in the education fund, a school spokesman said.

The school board could tentatively approve the proposed budget when it meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Stevenson's administrative center.

The new fiscal year begins July 1.

The budget will be available for public review starting May 14, and a public hearing before the school board is scheduled June 18.

The school board typically approves final budgets over the summer.