School Board Doing Its Homework on Budget

The Bedford School Board meets tonight in its continued review of a preliminary 2014 budget of $61.5 million.

The budget work session at the SAU #25 office is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Special education, non-personnel items, and non-union district salaries are among items to be discussed.

Superintendent Timothy Mayes presented his preliminary budget recommendation of $61.5 million last month, which represents an increase of .8 percent over the 2013 budget.

Labor costs make up a large share of the overall budget, and salaries and benefits are one of the budget drivers again in fiscal year 2014. (Negotiations with the Bedford Education Association are ongoing.)

The special education budget, withouth salaries included, is about $4.5 million, according to district budget materials.