By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

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NEWBERRY — The Newberry County School District has approved the second and final reading of the 2016-17 budget, with total expenditures of $52,285,961 and total revenue of $52,226,926, which leaves a deficit of $59,035.

“I hate to pass a budget that has a deficit, but I feel like our hands are tied because the state didn’t give us the final figures. I wish the state did a little bit better or give us a little bit more time,” Board member Ike Bledsoe said.

Susan Dowd, chief financial officer, said if the district does have a $59,035 deficit, which will not be known until the state gives the district the final figures, they will take that money from the fund balance, of which the district currently has $13.6 million.

Changes made in the budget from the last reading included a decrease in EFA revenue. This amount was decreased to $14,568266 based on final EFA projections received last week based on the District’s 135 day data from 2015-16. The fringe benefits employer contributions decreased slightly to $417,740 over previous projections.

The budget was approved after Board member Lee Attaway made a motion and Board member Clyde Hill seconded.

In other business, the board heard construction updates on the Newberry High School Stadium renovations, NHS 400 Wing renovations and Whitmire High School Stadium lighting replacement.

For the NHS Stadium, the home side’s press box up to first floor and toilet roof bearing, slabs and under slab plumbing is roughed in and block work is ongoing. At the grandstands the foundation is complete, bank stabilization slab under bleachers complete and superstructure to begin setting this week. On the visitor’s side the block is complete, roof structure complete, wall insulation complete, electrical rough-in is ongoing and they are beginning brick in the coming weeks.

At the Whitmire Stadium the pole demolition is complete and the new poles will be arriving any day now.

The original completion date for all three projects were June 29 while the completion date by contract is Aug. 5. The Whitmire Stadium is currently on track to be completed by that date. There are some concerns about those dates being met for the NHS Stadium and 400 Wing, due to issues with soil and a retaining wall. The first home games are Sept. 9 and Sept. 16 and students return to school on Aug. 15. The contractor has been advised of the concerns.

Other business

• The Board approved a second reading of policy revisions to the District Administrative Policy for Grading/Assessment system, which is moving to a 10 point scale. The revised policy address necessary revisions brought about by changes in the state Uniform Grading Scale.

• Superintendent Jim Suber announced that Bennie Bennett was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award, posthumously, by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators. The Association also contributed $1,500 to the Bennie D. Bennett Teacher Education Scholarship.

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @ TheNBOnews.