Benson School board reviews prelim budget

BENSON -- The Benson School Board reviewed the preliminary budget for the 2010-2011 school year, which includes a $275,000 deficit, at the regular meeting Tuesday evening.

The board also adopted a resolution authorizing the district's administration to prepare its recommendations for budget reductions, according to Superintendent Lee Westrum. The district's total annual budget is approximately $11 million.

Starting at the next board meeting on March 1, the board will consider whether or not to use some of the district's unreserved fund balance of about $2 million, or make budget reductions or some combination of the two options, Westrum said.

The board was also informed that the state department of education has recognized the district with a school finance award, for the 2008-09 school year, Westrum said.