By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

The Chilton County Board of Education approved a $66.7 million budget for the 2018-2019 school year on Aug. 21.

The vote was 6 to 1 with Board President Lori Patterson and members Keith Moore, Linda Hand, Curtis Smith, Joe Mims and Jim Shannon voting in favor. Board member Pam Price voted against.

Total revenue for the new fiscal year is budgeted at $62.3 million with an additional $4.67 million in the general fund. Total expenditures will be $66.7 million.

The majority of funding (68 percent) for the school system comes from state funding.

State funding for staff is allocated by units based on the Average Daily Membership (attendance) of the school system from the previous year.

Chief School Financial Officer LaVerne Williams said the school system’s allocated units for the 2018-2019 budget had decreased compared to last year. These units do not include preschool faculty, which are mostly paid through First Class Preschool grants.

According to the budget proposal, the school system lost state funding for six teaching positions and half an assistant principal position. However, the school system gained funding for an additional principal and a librarian for Jemison Middle School.

Williams said there was also a slight decrease in funding for transportation.

However, federal funding, including Title 1, Title 2 and Title 3 increased slightly.

State foundation funds are used for salaries and benefits, technology, library enhancement, classroom instruction support, textbooks and professional development.

Additional funding comes from the federal government and from local revenue streams. Local revenue includes county and district ad valorem taxes, business privilege tax, county sales tax, county sales and use tax on vehicles, Helping Schools vehicle tags and special revenues.

Funding was also included in the budget for the five-year capital plan, which will be funded through capital outlay funds from the state.

The budget also includes a schedule to pay off the school system’s $1.73 million in debt, which is mostly school bus leases, by 2031.

The new fiscal year will begin Oct. 1.

Also during the meeting, the board approved:

• Coaching supplements for each of the schools, band supplements, assistant principal supplements and those for technology and other support staff.

Board member Pam Price asked if some of those listed to receive coaching supplements were substitutes.

“If they are a school employee, they can receive a supplement,” Patterson said.

Keith Moore recused himself for the vote for supplements for Verbena High School.

• Hiring three new teachers, two secretaries and two preschool auxiliary teachers.