Louisa Schools Chief Wants 8% Budget Increase

By Calvin R Trice

The superintendent of Louisa County public schools this week proposed a $48.5 million budget for the next school year.

Deborah Pettit presented her financial plan to the School Board during its regular meeting Tuesday.

The budget for the 2008-09 school year would be 8 percent higher than the one for the current school year. The school district anticipates more money from state, local and federal sources, and it would need a 5 percent increase in revenue from Louisa taxpayers.

County schools need additional money to accommodate growth and to maintain competitive teacher salaries, Pettit said.

The Louisa Board of Supervisors would need to appropriate an additional $1.2 million in operating expenses for a total of about $24.5 million. The county of 31,000 residents grew about 20 percent from 2000 to 2006. School enrollment has increased by about 12 percent since 2000. The school system now has more than 4,700 students.

To ease overcrowding, tentative plans call for the construction of an elementary school beginning this year near off state Route 208 just north of Interstate 64. The new school is expected to open in 2010.

The School Board will use Pettit’s proposed budget to craft a plan that board members will present to county supervisors this spring for funding, Pettit said yesterday.

Originally published by Times-Dispatch Staff Writer.

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