AD1 approves $96.6 million budget

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The Anderson School District One Board recently approved the 2022-23 Budget, a $25 million General Obligation Bond and improvements to Palmetto High Baseball field.
The votes were taken at the June 23 Board meeting.
Before voting on the budget, the Board was presented with the following information:
The current mill is at 163 and is the lowest in Anderson County by 14 mills. FY 2021 to 2022 student count increased 357 students with an increase of 70 ESOL students and 139 special education students. The District already has classroom shortages and is in need of building upgrades and new equipment. The Board was also reminded that District One must maintain competitive salaries for teachers, support staff, bus drivers, and food service departments within the district.
Specific staffing needs were presented along with a summary of anticipated expenses.
The budget was unanimously (4-0) approved with board members Brenda Ellison, Melissa Hood and Wendy Burgess absent.
The Board also approved $1,339,213 for renovations of the Palmetto High School Baseball Field.
Contractor A.J. Bright was awarded the low bid which was $400,000 lower than other contractors. The project includes new press box, restroom, dugout, batting cage, and the rewiring of center field, which will make it safer.
The board also approved revisions to Policy AF IJOA-R, Field Trips for Final Reading and revisions to Policy KF-E – Facility Use Form for First Reading.
The Board also approved the Issuance and Sale of Not Exceeding $25,000,000 General Obligation Improvement and Refunding Bonds.
Superintendent Robbie Binnicker quickly went through the building program discussing the tremendous growth and needs of Anderson District One. Mike Gallagher and Frannie Heizer, who have worked with the district for a long time in the area of bonds were introduced.
Gallagher discussed how it works to sell the bonds, stating our district has done this in the past.
The Board also approved personnel and administrative recommendations.