EXTRA CONTENT: Corbin School board agrees to buy property; approves budget

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School Board members approved the purchase of three pieces of property near the Corbin High School last week that will clear the way for upcoming improvements to the site and future expansion.

After a short executive session to discuss the purchase of the properties, board members voted unanimously to pay $61,000 for a home and surrounding property at 2004 Early Street, and two side-by-side lots – 1917 and 1919 Early Street – for $25,000 each. Corbin Schools Superintendent Ed McNeel said they properties would be used to improve access to the High School property, and for parking when a $10 million renovation to the school is complete next year.

McNeel said the purchase of 2004 Early Street was more of a speculative move on the part of the board. It is surrounded by property the school district does not yet own.

"They decided to buy it because it became available," McNeel said. "In the past, the board has chosen to make similar purchases and if they hadn’t we wouldn’t have been able to do many of the things we are going to do with the high school now."

The board also approved a tentative budget for the 2009-2010 school year. Highlights of the budget include:

• A one percent pay increase for all certified and classified staff;

• An anticipated $10,077,143 in state SEEK funds, $57,346 less than the current 2008-09 school year forecast;

• Purchase of one or more buses have been delayed until the September budget. School officials hope to use federal stimulus funds to buy the buses;

• A significant reduction in maintenance projects;

• Bond payments totaling $1,296,780 paid from the Building Fund and $66,409 paid from the General Fund for KISTA Technology loan payments.

• A contingency of $706,665, or 3.4 percent of the total budget.

McNeel called the budget a "sound budget," but said a special session of the General Assembly will determine whether districts statewide will see further cuts in funding.

"The biggest concerns are in the area of maintenance of our old buildings and equipment and the impact of continued student growth," McNeel said. "We are hopeful there will not be any huge unexpected maintenance issues. This budget strives to protect our outstanding academic and instructional programs."