CCSD#2 approves budget

The Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD#2) board of trustees approved their budget for the 2014/2015 fiscal year.

The proposed General Fund budget for the 2014/2015 year was set at $17,380,000. The budget is a $90,000 decrease from the 2013/2014 fiscal year.

Sally Wells, business manager at CCSD#2, said in a report CCSD#2 is financially healthy. Despite the decreased revenue of $1,026,286.79 from fiscal year 2014 to 2013, expenses at CCSD#2 also decreased by $398,856.55. The decreased expenses created a reduction in the General Fund balance carryover in 2015 fiscal year.

The district is up seven students this year, according to the report. However, while attendance levels have increased in some schools, levels decreased in others.

In other news, Hanna Elementary is well on its way to opening its doors for the 2014-2015 school year.

New CCSD#2 superintendent, Jim Copeland, said he visited the site of the new elementary during the first part of July. After discussions with the site superintendent, Copeland said he is excited about the new school.

“It’s very impressive, I think it is going to add a lot of excitement and pride to the community. It’s always exciting to build a new school,” Copeland said. “I’m very impressed with the people involved. The site superintendent said the crews that were working on it were some of the best he’s worked with.”

One of the features at the new school Copeland was impressed with was the mural depicting Hanna’s history. He added the school has already made great progress and should be open soon.

As far as the fate of the old Hanna elementary building is concerned, the town of Hanna has requested CCSD#2 donate the land from the old elementary school. Copeland said they are still looking at all of the options.

“We are just going to make sure we don’t lose money in the deal,” Copeland said.

The next CCSD#2 school board meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on Aug. 18 at the CCSD#2 Central Office.