The School Board has taken a final look at the 2008-09 budget, trimming approximately $160,000.

Before the reduction taken at the board’s Monday, Dec. 17, meeting, the budget sat at $55,183,366, which is a 2.9 percent increase from the voterapproved budget for 2007-08.

Due to the cuts, the estimated tax is reduced 6 cents per $1,000 property valuation.

According to Superintendent of Schools Tim Mayes, a final number for the 2008-09 operating budget will be set after the district adjusts and researches certain changes.

“We hope to have a final number by our Jan. 7 meeting,” he said.

Mayes said the additional items cut from the budget on Dec. 17 were chosen to not directly affect education.

The cut included reducing the number of staff from 59 to 50 who would participate in summer curriculum and technology institutes. That saved $6,300. Another $20,000 budget cut came from making projected salaries lower for new positions. In both cases, School Board member David Sacks was the dissenting vote in making the cuts.

“I’d like us to have that wiggle room if we find a gem of a teacher,” said Sacks.

School Board member Steve Beals said the district has already invested a lot of money in professional development.

The paving of half of the Peter Woodbury School parking lot and roadways, which put $100,000 on the budget, was also cut.

A recommendation by Beals was agreed upon by the board to seal pavement cracks instead of a complete reconstruction. Beals said he thought sealing the cracks would cost about $7,000.

Mayes said contacting paving contractors for bids must be received before the board can nail down a final budget number.

The budget includes a 39.3 percent or $65,818 increase in the technology over last year.

According to Conrad, more than $40,000 of that technology increase will go toward a mobile cart holding 25 laptops with wireless Internet computers for McKelvie School.

A decrease from last year’s budget came from a drop in start-up costs for the middle and high schools from $717,700 to $368,814.

Secondary access road At the Dec. 17 School Board meeting, Mayes also announced the price for a secondary access road alone, not including other improvements to Nashua Road or Route 101.

The amount was presented to the board by Vanasse-Hangen- Brustlin Inc., the same company involved with the initial design and engineering of the project.

“The cost in 2009 dollars for the emergency access road would be $170,000,” he said. Mayes said it is important to know that number as the board looks ahead.

More teachers
Another increase in the budget in the coming years is the addition of more teachers. “There will be a significant increase in teachers as more grades come online at the high school,” said Conrad.

Bedford High School will have its first year with all four grades during the 2009-10 school year.

Student enrollment numbers will increase when the junior class joins the high school. Four hundred and six additional students are expected to attend Bedford schools next year, most of which will be in the junior class.

Projected staffing requirements for the high school for 2008-09 include an additional 25.5 positions in a number of departments as well as a new assistant principal.

The school district’s budget and bond hearing is set for Monday, Jan. 14.