School Budgets Cover Salaries, Books, Technology

Sat., Sept. 21, 1996

Marny Lombard Staff Writer

The three Valley school districts have passed budgets for the coming year, and in each case the largest share of money goes into teacher salaries.

Here’s a breakdown of how that school money will be spent:

Central Valley’s general fund budget of $60.5 million, represents a increase of 1.3 percent over last year’s general fund.

Classroom teachers’ salaries and benefits total $30 million, with aides costing another $760,337.

Specialists, including positions such as librarians, counselors, therapists, nurses and aides, will cost $3.1 million.

The district expects to spend $5 million on its special education program.

The textbook budget is $817,000; some of that money may purchase CD-ROMS rather than books. Also in technology, Central Valley will spend roughly $300,000 on hardware alone. Spending on software and training is difficult to calculate as it’s under the control of individual schools.

In transportation, Central Valley has budgeted $1.7 million for operations and $123,100 for its new vehicle fund.

West Valley’s school board last month voted in a budget of $20.25 million, a 3 percent decrease from last year’s budget.

Classroom teachers’ salaries and benefits total $7.5 million. Classroom aides receive $349,603 in salary and benefits.

The budget includes $802,123 for specialists and their aides.

The special education program is budgeted to cost a total $1.1 million. The district expects to spend $573,693 on textbooks and $275,000 on technology.

Transportation costs are pegged at $543,142, plus $190,000 in the district’s vehicle fund.

The East Valley school board has passed a 1996-97 budget of $27.75 million.

Of that, $10.8 million goes to classroom teachers’ salaries and benefits.

Specialists and their aides account for $1.25 million.

The special education budget is $2.5 million, of which $1.5 million goes to teachers’ salaries.

The district’s textbook budget is $225,000.

Transportation operations are budgeted at $1.1 million; there is $70,000 in the district’s vehicle fund.

East Valley has budgeted $243,973 for technology.

, DataTimes

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