By By Steve Gillespie/The Meridian Star
June 19, 2001
Meridian public schools officials proposed a .48-mill increase in ad valorem tax Monday during a public hearing on its fiscal year 2002 budget.
The district is expecting a $1 million cut in state funding.
The proposed budget of more than $56 million includes $6 million in transfers.
To absorb the anticipated cuts, the district will reduce classroom materials money that will affect teachers, not students, Smith said increase ad valorem tax and take a small amount from the district's fund balance.
The budget is scheduled for approval during a special meeting June 27.
The district will receive $6.7 million in grants in the coming year. Dr. Janet McLin, superintendent, made the announcement during a board of trustees meeting held prior to the budget hearing.
The board approved a $116,187 Barksdale Reading Institute grant for Crestwood Elementary. Another Barksdale grant of $65,000 for Witherspoon Elementary is still in negotiation. The purpose of the Barksdale grants are to ensure every child leaving third grade is reading on their grade level.
A motion was made to approve an addendum to McLin's contract, which would have given her a $2,500 cost of living increase, bringing her salary to $98,000. McLin told the board she would prefer to be given the same 1.94 percent increase administrators in the district are getting. The board approved, making her salary $97,380.
Board of trustees vice president Fred Wile said he had applied the consumer price index to McLin's salary to arrive at the suggested increase. McLin was hired in January 1998.
In other business, the board reversed its book bag policy. Students will no longer be required to carry transparent book bags.
Steve Gillespie is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3233, or e-mail him at sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.