A new fiscal year is around the bend, and Elizabethton City Schools is ready to tackle what’s ahead. Tuesday, the Board of Education will convene for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting and address the upcoming fiscal year by voting on the proposed 2018-19 budget for the school system.

According to information provided by Central Office, the estimated 2018-19 general fund is proposed at $22,879,354 — a $380,735 increase from the previous year. The federal projects’ fund is currently budgeted at $1,698,509. Finance Director Beth Wilson indicated on the proposed budget that the decrease is due to the “timing of competitive grant awards” and that the budget would be amended after any grants were to be awarded.

Some of the highlights of the proposed budget includes all certified and classified staff members receiving a step increase for pay, if eligible.

The Board will pay 100 percent of individual medical insurance premiums for full-time employees “electing the Standard, Limited and CDHP Options” while all other levels of coverage would be funded like the 2018 calendar.

Wilson noted that medical insurance premiums are anticipated to have a three-percent increase in January 2019. Dental insurance premiums also show a five-percent increase for that time period.

For 2016-17, Elizabethton City Schools ranked eighth out of 15th for upper east Tennessee schools in per pupil expenditures with $10,179 per pupil.

Another highlight expected during Tuesday’s meeting, which is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m., is the recognition of Elizabethton High School Career Technical Education (CTE) students.

Over the course of the school year, EHS CTE Director Brian Culbert — who will provide a report to officials — has been able to watch staff and students grow in the field of study by coming away with a variety of accolades in different events, including the recent solar powered go-kart challenge at Bristol Motor Speedway. EHS took home third place in the speed competition during the event.

EHS teacher David Campbell said the experience was something enjoyable for the students, who spent the entire year preparing for the competition.

Along with the other accolades being recognized during the meeting, the system was also highlighting eight students coming away with their work ethic diploma — a recently installed program to assist graduates in the ability to find work post graduation.

In other business, the Board will look to approve a variety of policies during the meeting.