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Education news and issues in the Ozarks.

2015-2016 Springfield Public Schools Budget Adopted

SPS

The Springfield Board of Education has adopted the budget for the 2015-2016 school year.  The budget contains $6.2 million in proposed salary and benefit increases, which includes funds to hire six new teachers for the Parents as Teachers program.  It also includes funding for the IGNiTE technology device initiative.  Through that program, K through two classrooms will each get five iPad Mini tablets.  All students in grades 3-8 will get Chromebooks.  Staff will receive HPx2 1011 mobile devices.  Only select classrooms will take part the first year.  According to the district, "staff devices will be purchased with bond funds at a cost of $2.6 million and student devices will be funded via a three-year lease purchase totaling $1.3 million."
 
Revenue for the district comes from two primary sources:  local taxes and the Proposition C Sales Tax.  Local tax revenue provides for 47 percent of the operating revenue budget, according to SPS.  Officials say the operating levy for 2015 "is projected to decrease due to the cap imposed by the Consumer Price Index of .8 percent and will be determined in August upon receipt of the certified assessed valuation data."
 
The State Basic Formula and Classroom Trust Fund revenue ($60.3 million) provides 24 percent of the operating levy budget.

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.