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Southampton County Public Schools Director of Finance Joy Carr spoke during the May 10 school board meeting and shared revisions made to the school system’s fiscal year 2022 (FY22) budget. The revisions were made to meet the county’s recommendation, and she also shared key items retained in the reduced school budget.

“The budget committee met on April the 26th to discuss revisions to the budget to meet the request of the county’s recommended budget of $33,652,178,” she said. “A decrease of $1,625,365 was required to balance the recommended budget, which needed to be submitted by April 27 to meet the deadline for advertising the county’s budget.”

Carr explained to board members that $542,904 of the reduction was in the debt service category, and the remaining $1,082,461 was reduced from the remaining categories. 

“Items retained in the budget included the 5% salary increases, the guidance counselor at Riverdale (Elementary School) and specialized student support positions as part of the new state initiative,” she said.

She also noted the Southampton County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the county’s proposed FY22 budget May 17 at 7 p.m. at the Southampton County office center boardroom.