Increases In School District Budgets Primarily From Salaries

Thu., Aug. 19, 1999

Robin Rivers Staff Writer

Spokane Valley residents keeping an eye on local school district budgets will find that most of the increases for the 1999-2000 school year are for staff salaries.

Central Valley, East Valley and West Valley school districts all have renegotiated teacher contracts this year.

Beyond small construction projects, books and technology purchases, there are few additional increases in any of the budgets.

Anyone wanting to take a hard look at the budgets or with questions for board members and administrators can get a budget at any district office or attend public meetings for each district scheduled for later this month.

Here are the highlights of what you can expect to see in each budget as well as information on the budget hearings:

Central Valley

District residents will see about $3.3 million additional dollars in this year’s budget.

Much of the budget bump, from $64.3 million to $67.6 million, is due to salary increases.

Another $250,000 is budgeted for school safety grants for which the district has applied. A Medicaid reimbursement grant also will show up in the increase.

The budget hearing for Central Valley is at 6:30 p.m. on Monday at the district’s educational services center, 19307 E. Cataldo. Call 922-6700 for information.

East Valley

Patrons are looking, on paper, at a $100,000 increase in the district’s budget for the upcoming school year from $29.9 million to $30 million.

But it’s actually an increase of about $1 million in local monies. About $900,000 in technology grants from last year has been spent.

Teacher salaries are expected to increase the budget by $690,000.

About $300,000 in proposed capital projects are planned.

The budget hearing for East Valley is at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday in the district administration building, 12325 E. Grace. Call 924-1830 for information.

West Valley

The district’s budget will jump about $400,000 for the 1999-2000 school year, from $22.6 million to $23 million.

While the majority will go for salaries, other expenditures include two new school buses and the completion of the Centennial Middle School sports fields.

A 1998 technology levy also will pay for $350,000 in new computer equipment.

The West Valley budget hearing is scheduled at noon on Wednesday in the district conference center, 8818 E. Grace. Call 924-2150 for information.

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