School board of trustees approves second reading of budget

By Shireese Bell
Morning News Reporter
Published: May 15, 2008

Members of the Dillon School District 3 Board of Trustees have approved second reading of the district’s 2008-09 budget.
Superintendent Dr. John Kirby said expenditures totaled $8,978,306, with the entire general budget at about $11 million.
So far, the budget doesn’t call for a millage increase.
The budget includes a 3.85-percent teacher salary increase mandated by the state. All other employees received salary increases of 3 percent to 3.85 percent based on their level (years of employment), Kirby said.
Other highlights from the budget include $30,000 for International Baccalaureate training and related costs, $90,270 for instructional supplies for students, and $150,000 for teacher awards and incentives.
Cindy Legette, assistant superintendent of instruction, also discussed with the board a technology grant the district received from the state Department of Education’s 2008-09 Enhancing Education Through Technology competitive grants program.
The district received $200,000 to purchase laptops for 75 eighth-grade students at Latta Middle School to participate in the Viking Laptop Academy. The students will be able to use the computers at school and at home to enhance traditional classroom instruction.
Kirby said the district would apply for a continuation grant to purchase laptops for the remaining eighth-grade students.
The board also approved several teacher contracts; updates to the district’s strategic plan; a high school trip to Europe; and authorized Latta High School administration to apply for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
Kirby said the IB program would be a “huge benchmark for the district.”
“We’re very excited about it,” he said. “It’s going to add a lot of rigor to, not only for our academic-oriented student, but it’s going to allow us to add rigor across the board for every student.”
Kirby said several teachers will participate in training for the program this summer and he hopes the program will be established in about two-and-a-half years.
Kirby said he also was considering a multi-district partnership to allow students from districts who couldn’t afford to offer the program the chance to participate at Latta High.
The board also received information on a monthly financial report; the high school’s graduation ceremony schedule; the old Oak Grove property that has been leased to the Latta Fire Department; and an operational report.