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Clinton schools: council approves two budget amendments including $880,000 tutoring grant
Summary
Clinton City Schools reported two budget amendments that the council approved: one reallocating capital funds for playground and auditorium projects and another recognizing an $880,000 state tutoring grant and other line‑item adjustments; board representatives raised concerns about state voucher proposals and testing accountability for private schools.
Clinton — The City Council unanimously approved two budget amendments for Clinton City Schools after the school board presented the funding changes and state‑level concerns.
Kelly Johnson, on behalf of the school board, described Budget Amendment No. 2 as a reallocation of capital funds to complete Clinton Elementary’s playground and auditorium projects and to cover increases tied to hiring a school psychologist and adjustments to salaries and state grants. The council approved Amendment No. 2 on first and final reading.
Johnson then presented Budget Amendment No. 3, which recognizes a recently awarded $880,000 state grant for tutoring. Amendment No. 3 also recognized $60,000 in student technology funding, $45,000 in building‑related bills, and a $209,000 reduction tied to a one‑time teacher pay issue that was paid in the prior fiscal year and needed budget cleanup. The council approved Amendment No. 3 on first and final reading.
Johnson discussed several state education proposals the district is monitoring, including a reported plan to expand voucher funding (described in the meeting as a proposed increase from $20,000 to $40,000 in the voucher program). She said the district has not yet seen a large loss of students to vouchers but expressed concern about the long‑term fiscal impacts if voucher allocations grow. “We have not lost children,” she said, adding, “I just fear what will happen over time is that that pot grows; there will be less money for public education.”
What it means: The tutoring grant will be deployed for expanded tutoring services; technology and building costs identified in the amendments are now reflected in the school budget. The district will continue monitoring state legislation on vouchers and potential changes to testing and accountability for private schools.
Next steps: Schools and the council will monitor state budget developments and voucher proposals that could affect future district funding.
