VALDOSTA — The Lowndes County Schools Board of Education approved the school system’s Fiscal Year 2019-20, Monday evening. 

The budget calls for $94 million in total projected revenues and expenditures, a $5 million increase over last year.

The biggest increase in the budget comes from the state of Georgia, most of it for instruction costs.

This increase — from $61 million to $65 million — reflects certified and classified staff pay raises approved by Gov. Brian Kemp earlier this year.

There was also a jump in capital project funding, most of it being bonds for the Lowndes High School construction project at $21 million.

In the end, the estimated fund balance will be $25 million, which is $5 million more than last year’s estimate.

Other than the pay raises and the bond for LHS, not much differs between this year’s and last year’s budget.

Even local revenue is estimated to be up. According to recent finance reports, SPLOST collections have been up since November compared to the year before.

The most recent collection was from May at $1.075,329.96. Last year, May revenues totaled $980,045.94.

“Our SPLOST hasn’t been this high in a few years, as you can see,” said assistant superintendent Ken Overman.

There will only be one board of education meeting next month, July 22. The board will meet at the central office at 6 p.m.

Katelyn Umholtz is a reporter with the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256.