At a public hearing on the 2008-2009 St. Tammany Parish School System budget, Superintendent Gayle Sloan said the conservative, realistic revenue approach taken by the board has tightened revenue cushions and spending.

Only one member of the public attended the hearing Thursday night, and he had no questions as Sloan explained the budget’s highlights.

The proposed budget of $334.5 million in general fund operations includes measures that may be able to be loosened as the school year progresses. In anticipation of an increase in enrollment, funding was included for six new teaching positions and 3.5 positions for special education. Local and state funded pay raises for teachers, a local pay raise, a state funded salary supplement for non-certified personnel and an increase in operational pay for bus owner/operators are all included in the proposed budget.

Also included are the addition of two bus routes and an increase in the operational reimbursement for bus drivers to allow for higher fuel prices.

The first day of school showed an increase of 350 students, officials said. If the student population remains steady, Sloan said the amount the state contributes to the budget based on the number of students enrolled will increase.

School Board President Neal Hennegan said he is pleased to see the budget has remained steady and that the millage rate was not rolled forward to increase revenue like many other agencies are doing.

Sloan said there has been no estimate from St. Tammany Parish Assessor Patricia Schwarz Core’s office regarding potential property tax revenue. With tightening some funds, Sloan said if revenue allows, the textbook allocation will be increased.

Separate budgets are kept for dedicated funds, such as the permanent 1977 1 cent sales tax and each of the bond issues that have been passed.

Dispersements of the recently passed $167 million bond issue funds are included in a separate budget and include land and building purchases, construction, architect and engineering fees and building improvements.