Superintendent Dr. Ross Renfrow and the Johnston County School Board are asking for nearly 15 percent more money from county commissioners this year. The $63,202,432 budget request, for the 2016-17 fiscal year, was approved unanimously on Tuesday by the school board.
The budget is up $8,179,432 over the $55,023,000 spending plan for the current 2015-16 school term.
The proposal includes a one percent increase in teacher supplements and a two percent supplement increase for assistant principals. No new positions are included in the budget, according to Tracey Peedin Jones, Public Information Officer, however $80,000 is being set aside for a Media Specialist position, which is the re-titling of a vacant position.
The budget includes funding for two new activity buses but no new yellow school buses.
Funds are requested for roof work at Selma Middle, Smithfield Middle, South Johnston High, Smithfield Selma High, Four Oaks Elementary and at the West Campus. $100,000 is budgeted for cafeteria roof repairs at South Campus Middle/High.
Money is also earmarked for paving at West Johnston High and HVAC work at Selma Middle.
Funding per pupil in Johnston County Schools this year is $1,538.70, up slightly from $1,529.51 in 2014-15. The state average is $1,785 per pupil.
Johnston County Schools are projected to have an enrollment of 34,985 students next school year.
Under state law, the Board of Education must forward the budget to Johnston County Commissioners for their review no later than May 15th. Commissioners must adopt a budget no later than July 1st.
