By Amber Cox, Special Writer
CHESTERFIELD — The school board approved its $9.8 million budget for 2012-13 on Monday with a 4-1 vote.
The tax levy is $6.7 million. An average assessed home of $396,860 will pay $373.05 in taxes at a rate of 94 cents per $100 and $71.43 in debt service at a rate of 18 cents per $100 for a $141.13 tax increase.
However, the board approved a resolution to pay a $587,000 principal payment on the new school building, cutting the tax increase to $135.62.
The new school building, which opened January 2011, is 200 percent larger than the old building and continues to play a large role in the budget. The district also is responsible for the old school building.
Superintendent Ellen McHenry said the budget maintains all core educational programs, meets the needs of enrollment growth in the district, includes operational expenses for the new school building and maintains the old school until it is sold or leased.
Chesterfield has had steady enrollment growth since 2007, going from the upper 300s to approaching 600 students. Chesterfield was ranked third in the state in six-year enrollment growth.
Chesterfield’s state aid also increased this year by $53,260.
No staff cuts are planned under the approved budget, however, two new hires are planned.
Some decreases in line items were made, but mostly have to do with salary adjustments or supplemental funding from grants.
For example, the special education tuition s dropping by just over $7,000 because some of the expenses are being supplemented by IDEA grants.
Most increases for the district involve student enrollment growth and general inflation. For example, transportation expenses are increasing by $6,000 to account for the rising cost of fuel. No changes are actually being made to bus routes for the district.
Employees benefits also is a big cost factor, increasing by $100,000 because of a 10.1 percent increase in benefit costs.

