A night of recognizing students and passing policies was highlighted with the passage of a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Elizabethton Board of Education members voted to approve the proposed 2018-19 budget provided by the finance office during Thursday’s regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Each member voted to approve the measure with Dr. Grover May absent from the meeting.

Director of Schools Dr. Corey Gardenhour commended the efforts of Finance Director Beth Wilson and administration staff on working together to have a balanced budget in place.

“Thanks Mrs. Wilson for all your work,” he said. “We looked for every dollar we could to make it balanced. We wanted to make sure we have support in all areas. It’s been a collaborative effort to get this budget done.”

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. 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.

Board members were quick to praise the efforts of Wilson and the finance department for the development of the budget.

“The way you do this is amazing,” said board member Susan Peters. “I really wanted to thank you for that.”

One thing the school system is looking at is working alongside the city government, businesses and other entities to promote keeping residents in the area.

“The city has moved forward economic development wise, working to bring jobs to the area (for) people to make a living wage and stay here,” Gardenhour said, when asked about the sales tax revenue for the system. “We need to work together to make sure we keep people in Carter County and Elizabethton.”

In other business, EHS recognized several students for their accomplishments in the CTE program and top 10 percent. Photos from the ceremony and students in attendance will be included in the weekend edition of the Elizabethton Star.