The Oktibbeha County School District officially adopted its budget for the current school year in a brief meting Monday night.
Verlie Floyd, school district business manager, said the budget has $11.6 million in revenues and $10.8 million in expenses.
“It didn”t change from last time,” Floyd said of last week when she presented the then-proposed budget at a public hearing.
In other business, the board accepted a $500 grant from the Starkville Area Arts Council to support the new arts program at both elementary schools in the district. They also approved a $3,400 change order to the roof repair work completed at East Oktibbeha Elementary School.
The item was not on the agenda, but board member Cynthia Ward asked Superintendent James Covington about the district”s preparedness for the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu.
Covington listed several steps the district has taken in preparation, including sending the district”s cleaning staff to Meridian in May for training on how to clean to prevent the spread of the virus. He said hand sanitizer was placed on the school supply lists for all students, not just elementary children, and sanitizer has been placed in hallways and cafeterias.
Students are being taught to cough or sneeze in the bend of their elbow, correct hand washing techniques and cautioned against putting things into their mouth. Board members expressed concern about desk tops being cleaned daily as well as bus seats where viruses can be spread.
The board went into closed session to discuss personnel matters. They will meet again at 6 p.m. Sept. 3 in the central office.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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