Budget reflects growth at NACS

Members of the Northwest Allen County Schools board expect to approve a budget Oct. 13 that marks a 1.15percent rise in the overall budget, but it will not require raising taxes, district business manager Bill Mallers said.

The school board held a public hearing Monday on the 2015 budget, which at $64,962,668 is $740,015 greater than the 2014 budget.

The general fund of $39,994,270 includes about $15 million in debt service, about $6 million in capital projects, about $3 million for transportation and $1million for bus replacement

The biggest item under capital projects is technology, which includes $2,228,900 for computers, software and some salaries and $191,200 for administrative tech services.

At Carroll High School, the district plans to spend about $150,000 at the sports facility and $8,000 at the natatorium for new lighting. It will also spend about $10,000 on roof and brick repair; $35,000 on the auditoriums light and sound equipment; $30,000 on upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning; another $30,000 on cooling units; $20,000 on ceiling grid and light sensors; and $163,000 on equipment such as furniture, copiers, science equipment for students who enroll late, music, and industrial technology.

At elementary schools, Arcola will receive $10,000 in asphalt sealing and concrete repair and $10,000 in wall and brick repair; Cedar Canyon, $6,000 in playground repairs; Eel River, electronic door access at $4,500; Huntertown, $10,000 in carpet repairs and $40,000 for a generator upgrade; Oak View, $10,000 in carpet repair and $20,000 in office equipment.

At Carroll Middle School, there will be floor repair at $10,000, special education room modifications at $4,000 and classroom equipment for $32,500.

At Maple Creek Middle School, the budget calls for $5,000 in painting and $5,000 in new physical education equipment.

Mallers said the district will replace six buses this year at a cost of $662,424, but the buses will be bigger, going from 66-passenger to 78-passenger vehicles. The district also expects to buy three additional buses, two 78-passenger buses at $220,808 and one 54-passenger special education bus at $120,400.

Adding buses is a direct correlation to our growth, Mallers said. Enrollment increased more than 100 students this year. Over the past three years, the district has added about 415 new students.

See more here:
Budget reflects growth at NACS