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Huntingdon School Board Approves $11.9 Million Budget with No Tax Increase

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HUNTINGDON — The Huntingdon School Board met in their monthly session last Thursday evening July 18 and approved the budget for the new school year with no tax increase.
The budget calls for a total balanced budget of $11,930,861 with no tax increase. The budget was based on a certified tax rate of $1.2282 per 100 dollars of assessed value.
The budget shows an increase of $228,806 over last year’s budget and includes a 2.5-percent salary increase for certified employees plus a one-time bonus of $750 and also includes a 2-percent salary increase for non-certified employees plus a one-time bonus of $500.
The budget breaks down into four categories which include the General Purpose Fund at $9,825,122, Federal Projects Fund at $930,040, Cafeteria Fund at $706,805, and the Debt Service Fund at $468,894.
Alan Eubanks reviewed the 5-year Strategic Plan for the Huntingdon Special School District as required by the state for every school system.
Eubanks highlighted the mission and vision of the school system along with belief statements.

The mission of HSSD is to produce informed responsible, productive, citizens who will be lifelong learners and successful contributers of society.
Huntingdon schools aims to accomplish this mission by cooperating with parents, the community, and other stakeholders while providing a high quality, dedicated staff for all of our students and providing a challenging curriculum within a positive, safe and disciplined learning environment.
Band Director Ben Martin made a proposal to the board to start a tradition of doing a band trip every four years with the first one to be in April 2020 to Washington, D.C. Martin also advised that West Carroll’s band has requested to join Huntingdon on the trip. He told the board the more people that can go the less it will cost per person.
Martin felt the fundraising efforts that are in place should be sufficient to get everyone paid for. High School Principal Jonathan Kee added that he was pleased with Martin’s fundraising plans and it will not require people to go door-to-door. The trip is scheduled for April 4-8, 2020. The board approved the trip.
In other action the board approved the purchase of a F350 truck for the Agricultural program which has been funded by a private donation.
The board also acknowledged the hiring of Zack Crocker for high school math along with Amy Atkins and Natasha Conrad to be primary school education assistants.
The meeting adjourned with the next one set for August 15 at 7 p.m.

Huntingdon, School Board, Budget, Tax, 2019