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The Covington County Schools Board of Education approved a budget for the Fiscal Year 2023 and handled four personnel matters at its latest meeting held Tuesday, Sept. 6.

The board approved to adopt a 2023 budget of approximately $48.6 million, an increase from the 2022 budget, which was approximately $35.2 million. The board estimates spending approximately $20.1 million on instructional services in the 2022-23 school year; $4.9 million on instructional support; $3.7 million on operations and maintenance; $4.8 million on auxiliary services; $1.9 million on general administrative services; $10.4 million on capital outlay; $436,000 on debt service; and $2.1 million on other expenditures.

“Most of the increase in our budget is reflected by state bond money and the ARP COVID-relief money. A significant portion of it is also the four percent state raise that was given as well as the salary step increases for teachers this year. That accounts for the big difference between this year and last year. Also, an interesting note was that last year, our employee count was just over 400, and now our employee count is 426. We have added some employees in intervention positions with some of our ARP money, and now our employee count is by far the highest it has ever been,” said CCS Superintendent Shannon Driver.

The board estimates 22 percent of its 2023 budget to come from capital outlay, which are property improvements. There are currently several ongoing improvements, including roof replacements and window replacements at various schools in the system, with others planned. The construction of the new auditorium at Straughn Schools is now underway and will be the majority of that $10.4 million.

“I would like to thank (Chief School Finance Officer) Ressie (Gray) and everyone in the office who has worked on this budget. Budget allocations have had several revisions, but Ressie did a good job getting this together. I feel it’s pretty accurate and reflective of where we will be this year,” Driver added.

The board granted a medical leave of absence with benefits under the Family Medical Leave Act to Taylor Wood Kelley, teacher at Florala High School, for the month of October.

The board approved the following personnel matters:

Employment:

• Bridget Migliaccio as bus driver at Pleasant Home School, effective Sept. 12, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Courtney Ashton Adams as pre-K auxiliary teacher at Fleeta Junior High School, effective immediately, pending verification of new or existing background reviews

Resignation:

• Tammie W. Holt as bus driver at PHS, effective Sept. 6
• Carmen L. Powell as pre-K auxiliary teacher at FJHS, effective Sept. 7

In other business:

• The board sought permission to bid on milk products.
• The board accepted a bid for 10 or more HVAC units from Wittichen Supply Company of Dothan at a total bid of $71,160.
• The board adopted a policy for mental health services for students.

The board set the next meeting date for Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 5:30 p.m. in the conference room at the central office.