The Salem Grade School Board has approved its budget for the coming school year.
Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe says they are looking at a deficit of just over $1 million. That amount was reduced $200,000 from the tentative budget by cutting some supply items and finding some savings in the Egyptian Health employee health insurance cooperative.
“Setting a meeting with the trust for them to discuss with our insurance committee the plan that will help save money as I explained in the spring,” Foppe said. “Savings, they said, could potentially be around $100,000 to $150,000.”
Foppe would like to bid out the health insurance coverage but has been told Blue Cross Blue Shield will not bid due to the coverage being based on the school calendar and not the annual calendar.
Even with the projected deficit, the Salem Grade School District will have a projected $5,852,863 at the end of the school year.
The board acted on a number of personnel issues. The retirement letter from Mike Pugh was accepted effective June 30th of next year. Colton Shelton resigned his position as student help custodian. The board employed Luke Ryce as a custodian. Megan Lenzini was named assistant girls basketball coach.
