By PAT NEWMAN
Staff Writer

Public education in Fayette County may cost an estimated $5.5 million more in 2000 than it has in 1999.

Among factors bumping up costs to an estimated $114 million are a 4 percent pay raise for the school system's 1,602 workers, plus 120 new positions, start-up costs at the Starr's Mill complex and $150,000 more to pay off a 1994 bond issue and Starr's Mill stadium.

Finance director Jim Stephens briefed the board on the early projections Monday night, estimating new revenues to be about $6.2 million with expenditures increasing $5.2 million. He said personnel and benefits take up 85 percent of the total budget, “a pretty common figure,” Stephens said, comparing it to other school districts.

Additional costs include additions and renovations at Flat Rock Middle and North Fayette Elementary schools totalling $1.8 million, and other renovations in high school vocational departments. With an estimated end-of-the-year balance of $6.5 million, Stephens said the board's “ray of hope” would be another $3 million in revenue from the local tax digest. “This is based on a 5- to 6-percent digest growth,” he predicted.

Based on early projections, school officials anticipate more than 1,000 new students in the school system next fall, with the biggest growth, an estimated 40 percent, at Kedron Elementary and Starr's Mill High School, which is adding its senior year classes. Currently, the district's enrollment is 18,992 students.

School district department heads came one by one before the board to review their wants and needs for the coming year. Wayne Robinson, director of secondary operations, said he is looking at a system to issue color-coded picture identification badges for all school district personnel. One of the goals of having personnel from teachers and administrators to bus drivers and custodians wearing the badges is an effort to provide a safe environment for students and teachers, Robinson said.

“I think the ID badge system is a good one,” added Debbie Condon, school board chairman. The following year, Robinson said he hopes to have picture ID's for all students.

The board is also looking at hiring a youth apprenticeship coordinator, to be paid for with a $50,000 grant spread over three years and local matching funds.

According to board member Greg Powers, Fayette County is the only school system in the state without a coordinator.

“This would bolster our link with the community,” said Dr. John DeCotis, superintendent of schools.

Other items discussed in the budget workshop included a possible 10 cent increase on school lunches, the purchase of 40 additional surveillance cameras for school buses, improving classroom technology and computer capabilities by installing new fiberoptic cabling in older schools and increasing the selection of classes in the community school program. The next budget workshop is scheduled for May 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Board of Education office.