by Megan Schiffres
KILMARNOCK—Lancaster school superintendent Dr. Steve Parker on February 12 presented his proposed 2019-20 budget to the school board.
The $17,384,611 proposal is $1,249,969 more than the current budget and includes $176,000 to fund a step increase of 1.5% for teachers and staff, an increase in funding for the regional special education program of $51,688, the addition of an alternative education teacher and two instructional assistants for alternative education at a cost of $229,950, and adding the position of student services director for $120,176.
The proposed budget also includes $93,000 to convert the school Annex building into additional classrooms to house the alternative education program.
Board members debated the benefits of funding an expansion of the alternative education program for a total of $322,950, compared to the benefits of funding the district’s 3-year-old education program, and could not…
