The Atlantic School Board discussed the district’s 2014-2015 Budget Monday night. During their session, the Board heard from Business Manager/Board Secretary Mary Beth Fast, who said last year’s revenue received-in was greater than was budgeted for in the current budget year. She said General Fund saw an increase of about $680,000. The increases were due in-part to: Special Education tuition-in enrollment increases; A one-time two-percent funding increase for all districts, which amounted to $170,000;Property taxes due to the cash reserve – Instructional Support was up $300,000; and State Aid due to last year’s enrollment was $125,000.

The district’s management fund increased due to a levy was up $300,000. Savings on Early retirement and property casualty premiums, along with other factors contributed to the increased revenue projections.

Superintendent Mike Amstein says for the upcoming school year, the legislature granted a four-percent allowable growth, but that may drop to two-percent for the 2015-2016 school year, although that is merely speculation. Amstein said issues affecting the budget for the upcoming year include a Special Education deficit and finding ways to save money. Amstein says it’s too early to begin work on the budget in earnest, but he wanted to plant some seeds into the minds of the Board as to their thoughts on the direction the district should take on spending and saving before they get down to the nitty gritty and start dealing with firm numbers .

That will start to happen after December 31^st, when they Board looks at property valuations, tax information and other pertinent data.