The City Council voted earlier this week to approve the budget of the School Board for operation of public schools in the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.
The School Board earlier this month had presented to the City Council an estimate of $81.8 million needed for school operations. Of that total, the City will contribute $22.8 million in local funds. The remainder will come from state funds and federal grants.
The $22 million is the same as the current year’s funding, which is above the state-required minimum for a locality to give.
Also, the City will pay $1.7 million for school debt service and provide $2 million for capital and special projects at various school facilities.
The budget highlights include increased support for mental health services, strategies for improving school attendance, and summer school opportunities. Also, the budget provides for additional gifted teachers, content specialists, and dual enrollment opportunities as well as the addition of skilled trades, including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and welding, to the career and technical education programs.
Teachers would receive an average 5 percent pay raise contingent on final approval of the state budget.
In other matters, the City Council voted to:
- Approve a budget amendment for school bonds. The City Council previously has authorized the issuance of general obligation bonds to fund various capital projects for Danville Public Schools.
- Amend the City Code regarding the elderly and disabled real estate tax exemption program. The maximum allowed income will be increased from $20,000 to $30,000, allowing increased participation in the exemption program. Also, the option for qualified applicants to defer real estate tax will be replaced with an exemption of tax.