The Perry School Board convened Monday evening for their monthly regular session.

The meeting started with a public hearing to go over the proposed fiscal year 2019 budget. Superintendent Clark Wicks said the District’s total weighted enrollment was down 97.3 students from the previous year, which will lead to a decline in funding of more than $300,000. Director of Finance Kent Bultman added, the tax levy rate for the year will be $21.53, which was $0.05 lower than last year. After the hearing, the Board approved the proposed budget and tax levy.

Following that, the Board approved a reduction in force by authorizing the termination of four teacher contracts, effective the end of this school year. Wicks said the reduction was so they can make up $650,000 in deficit spending. They also approved contracts for administrators, the special services group, and support staff, with only small increases for each. Other items approved included: a high school band and vocal music fundraiser; a memorandum of understanding between the high school and the Al Exito program; an out-of-state trip for the research and design class; a cooperative food purchasing agreement; and a copier purchase and maintenance agreement.

Additionally, the Board approved moving forward with what the administrators are calling a “Plan of Success Room,” which will be an off-site learning environment for students having difficulties in the traditional classroom. Finally, they agreed to a resolution to be submitted to the State Legislature regarding the potential rollback of the backfill. To learn more about the Perry School Board meeting, listen to today’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.