PANAMA CITY — School Board officials began to ponder Tuesday how to use about $16 million in additional funding.
The Bay District School Board approved a $2 million settlement agreement Tuesday to be sent to BP officials for final approval. Board Chairman Steve Moss said the $2 million from BP likely would be used to bolster reserves.
Superintendent Bill Husfelt said the district is projected to have at least $7 million in reserves for the 2015-16 budget. The state requires districts to have a certain percentage of their budget in reserves.
Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, detailed how the district will receive an additional $9 million from the state for 2015-16, as opposed to 2014-15. The board also agreed to a memorandum of understanding to receive $5.3 million from the Nelson Foundation for fine arts centers for Mosley and Bay High School. The Nelson Family donation is contingent on the district matching the funds.
“I can’t remember a better day on this board,” board member Ginger Littleton said.
State funding includes $60 million in additional dollars for technology funding, $794,000 for military students and $279,000 for an industry certification bonus, according to Gaetz. However, Moss was still wary of making budget decisions before the figures are clarified at the board’s budget hearing July 23 at 4 p.m.
“I don’t see why we could not wait two weeks,” Moss said. “I would like more information; I would feel more comfortable. I err on the side of being fiscally conservative, especially with taxpayers money.”
Husfelt and board member Jerry Register said it was necessary to approve the staffing formula and unit allocations to give school principals enough time to hire staff.
Moss did not give a clear answer on how the $60 million in technology funding would be employed.
“We’re ahead of the curve on technology,” he said.
In other business Tuesday:
- Husfelt gave an update on Tommy Oliver Stadium. The district is going ahead with a $7 million plan for the stadium, although the city still is considering providing the additional $3 million in funding for a $10 million stadium. Next week, the district begins meeting with engineers from Preble-Rish.
- The board approved a policy change that end-of-the-year assessment tests in Algebra I, II and Geometry would not count as 30 percent of the grade of ninth and 10th grade students.
- The board approved Barbara Smiley as the new assistant principal of Rosenwald High School.
- The board approved $63,000 to be paid to Bay County for fiber-optic cable for Deerpoint Elementary School.
- The board approved $144,484 to remodel the food service line at Jinks Middle School. The project will be paid using the food service fund.
