Preliminary School Budget Meetings Begin

One of the earliest phases in the creation of the 2012-13 school budget begins tonight. 

School district personnel including principals and department heads will relay their needs for the next school year to Manchester's during two special meetings which begin tonight, 6 p.m. in the media center at . The second meeting is scheduled for Feb. 9 at the same time and location.

"The public is welcome, however, please note that this is a preliminary review, not the public budget hearing," reads a statement on the district's website. 

Public budget hearings will be held later in the budget creation process once administrators have more definite figures. The district will also have to decide how to allot that was awarded by the state in July. That money could go toward funding the schools or used to provide tax relief; that decision has yet to be made, said business administrator Craig Lorentzen.

This upcoming budget will not need approval from Manchester residents. The board , provided it stays within the state-mandated 2 percent cap, and to move its elections to November.

The board's next regular meeting will be held Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Ridgeway Elementary School.