Budget revisions submitted to board

Submitted by admin on Wed, 06/04/2008 - 16:34

By Shantelle Breaux

NEWS EDITOR

CROWLEY – During Monday evening’s meeting of the Acadia Parish School Board, members considered recommendations regarding 2008-09 General Fund Budget revisions from the Budget and Finance committee, and passed the final revisions recommended, which include the June 10 pay supplements for professional and support workers in Acadia Parish Schools.

According to Acadia Parish Superintendent John Bourque, in a message included in the budget proposal handed out, the 2008-09 budget also includes funds for significant cost increases in health insurance, fuel and energy.

Also, at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18 at the school board office, a public hearing will be held to discuss and consider the proposed 2008-09 fiscal year budget, according to a public notice in the budget proposal. The public is welcome to attend.

According to John Suire, a budget committee member who also included a message in the budget proposal, the committee is seeking additional information from the deliberations of the board and public before making a final recommendation to the school board.

The board also heard the recommendation of the budget and finance committee regarding the renewal of Property and Casualty insurance for 2008-09. The committee recommended that the board accept the proposal of Dupre, Carrier, Godcheaux for property insurance at the cost of $382,600, and the proposal of PCAL for casualty insurance at the cost of $364,353. Both quotes were accepted by the board.

According to a bid sheet given to the board, the building and contents of the school board will be covered by $154,927,634 in property insurance, with wind and hail damage having a 2 percent deductible, and $100,000 covering all other damage.

A 9.8 percent increase in health insurance, for employees and retirees of the school system, was approved by the board. For active personnel, the increases will come into effect on June 25, and for retired personnel, on July 1. According to Superintendent Bourque, lower costs for generic drugs in some instances will offset the higher premiums.