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School districts are required to operate on a fiscal year which starts July 1 and ends on June 30th. State statutes require that school districts operate with a balanced budget, which has been approved by the local Board of Education. The budget is presented to the local board for approval in May. After approval, it is submitted to the State Department of Education for review and approval.
Harrison County public schools receive funding from a variety of sources. In budget year 2006-07 it is projected that 36% of revenues are derived from local taxes, 62% from state funding, and miscellaneous local sources and federal funds are both approximately 1% of the general current expense fund budget. The total preliminary budget for the general current expense fund is $86.2 million. The special revenue fund deals with grantor restricted projects, such as Child Nutrition, Title I, and Special Education. The preliminary budget is approximately $15 million; however, funds are supplemented throughout the school year.
General Current Expense and Special Revenue funds are used to teach students, transport them to and from school, provide extra curricular opportunities, feed them breakfast and lunch, and maintain the school buildings and grounds. In addition, the budget provides salary and benefits for its employees, substitute reimbursement, staff training and materials and equipment for all schools.
The current per pupil expenditure of $8,853 shows an approximate 25% increase over five years. Harrison County School System has been able to maintain competitive salaries for all employees. The 2006-2007 beginning salary for teachers is $27,740, plus benefits. The salary for a teacher with a master's degree plus twenty (20) years experience is $42,700 plus benefits.
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