By Al Dozier
The Lexington District 2 Board gave final reading approval Thursday (June 20) to a budget totaling $84,309,589, an increase of about $3 million over last year. The budget includes an increase of 4.26 mills.
Board member Cindy Kessler asked Superintendent Bill James to provide a long-range plan that will assure the district will be on the right track with budgets in the years ahead. Building plans would be included in the report.
In other action the board approved consideration of an addition to Northside Middle School that will include two to four classrooms to accommodate a growing student population. Cost for the addition is estimated at $1.3 million.
The board approved a $61,794 contract with Gattis Pro Audio for a new sound system in the cafeteria at Busbee Creative Arts Academy.
The board also approved an agreement with Bullock Construction Co. to build a parking lot at the Community Education Center at a cost of $72,300.
Other projects approved by the board include stage curtains for Pine Ridge Middle School at a cost of $10,651, and a new triangle tricycle path around the kindergarten turf at Springdale Elementary School at a cost of $4,600. A new fire hydrant will be installed at the Brookland-Cayce High School concession stand in compliance with safety regulations. The installation will be performed by Thompson Turner Construction at a cost $78,508. A new dishwasher will be purchased from Douglas Equipment Co. for Northside Middle School at a cost of $37,971. The purchase will be covered by the district’s food services account.
Access control installation programs, which provide security at school entrances and exits, will be set up at Airport High School and Brooklyn-Cayce High School. The control systems are estimated to cost approximately $50,000 each. The district will also install emergency responder radio enhancement systems at four different schools in the districts at a cost of $53,284.
The board also agreed to close Walterboro Street between Fulmer Middle School and Airport High School for safety purposes.
The board received a report from Chief Administrative Officer Jim Hinton on the district’s disciplinary hearings.
The board will hold a back-to-school meeting August 1. The first day of school is scheduled for Aug. 19.
The district posted a notice on its website that the Class of 2019 set a new record in scholarship awards. Students received a total of $17.5 million, which is $1.6 million over last year.
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