Opp City Schools is eyeing a larger budget than last fiscal year with a proposed budget of $13.5 million.

Average daily membership in the system has continued to drop since its peak in the 1997-1998 school year, and reached its lowest two years ago at 1,2622.50.

According to Star-News archives OCS had an increase of 22 students over than period last school year.

“We received additional funds from the state due to a slight increase in ADM,” OCS Chief Financial Officer Linda Banks said.

OCS is expected to employ 153, with 122.23 coming from state funding, 27.03 coming from federal allocations and 3.74 from local money.

Of the $13.5 million, $7.95 million is from state funds, $1.5 million is from federal funds, $3.01 million is from local funds, $67,785 from other, and $899,385 from other sources.

Instructional services will make up the majority at $8.1 million; operations and maintenance will make up $1.27 million; bus and lunchroom will make up $1.4 million; administrative costs will be $673,000; no money is budgeted for capital outlay; $789,487 for debt service; $476,462 for other and $828,780 for other uses.

Other highlights include $98,000 for the school nurse program; $34,000 for a technology coordinator, $386,000 for transportation, $57,000 for fleet renewal; and $353,000 for capital purchases.

“We did receive an additional OSR preschool grant in the amount of $82,800,” Banks said. “The state funding for OCE (other current expense) was also increased slightly. OCE funds support staff and other operational expenses for the school. The school will also receive CIS (classroom instructional support) monies for technology, library enhancement and professional development in FY16. Funding in these categories has not been available since FY 08.”

A secwond budget hearing is set for Sept. 10.