By Pat Doody
Tehachapi School Board Update
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The 2017 - 2018 Budget was presented for Board approval by TUSD Director of Business Melissa Kielpinski. An adjusted budget will be voted on in August.
Tehachapi Unified School District's Education Center will become a GED testing site. At their June 27 meeting, the Tehachapi School Board unanimously approved an agreement between the district and Pearson VUE, the computerized testing entity which will administer the tests. This means that GED candidates will no longer have to travel out of the area to complete their examination. Director of Instructional Services, Regina Green said that the Adult Education Program has tripled its graduates making it a prime candidate for the service. The addition of the service will not cost the district anything.
The Board also voted unanimously to increase the high school science graduation requirement from two courses to three. This will enable students to better prepare for the new Califronia state tests in science. The requirement will take effect with the incoming freshman class of 2018-2019.
TUSD Business Administrator Melissa Kielpinski presented the District's 2017-2018 Budget to the Board. She began by saying that the State Board of Education had just released their budget this week so TUSD will need to adjust theirs and bring it back for an additional vote. It was decided that it would be presented at the first meeting in August.
The current budget projects revenues of $42,576,519, an increase of .03%. Expenditures are currently projected to be $43,059,660 and increase of 2.9%. The shortfall is mostly accounted for by the recent salary increases for teachers and classified employees. Kielpinski explained that 83.55% of the District budget goes to salaries and benefits. There will also be four new teachers and an additional Special Education teacher. The budget will be revisited at the first meeting in August. The district plans to bring back discussions of a General Obligation Bond at a future meeting.
