The Brookhaven School District Board of Trustees Tuesdayapproved a $24.5 million budget for upcoming school year.

The Brookhaven School District Board of Trustees Tuesdayapproved a $24.5 million budget for upcoming school year.

The spending plan calls for about $28,000 more in local propertytax revenue, but school officials expect the actual tax levy rateto be lowered.

“We’re looking at decreasing our request in millage,” saidSuperintendent Dr. Sam Bounds.

The millage rate is used in conjunction with property values todetermine how much individuals pay in property taxes.

With some property values not yet final, school officials wereuncertain how much of a rate decrease citizens could expect.Bounds, though, said taxes from new property would more than offsetthe district’s funding increase request.

Following a year that saw about $90,000 in funding cuts from thestate, Bounds said the district’s good financial condition andability to lower the tax rate was “pretty outstanding.”

“We’re very pleased with where we are,” Bounds said.

* GOOD AUDIT

In other business Tuesday, accountant Pat Lowery presented anaudit report for fiscal year 2000. Lowery said there were nocompliance issues found and the district continued to be a low-riskauditee.

“For several years now, there have been no findings,” saidLowery, while complimenting District Financial Director SandyEarnest during his report.

* BHS UPDATE

Also Tuesday, Robert Freeman, Brookhaven High Schoolconstruction project superintendent, updated school officials onwork progress.

“We’ve had a lot of rain this month,” Freeman said. “We’re notdoing as good as I wanted to.”

Freeman said various aspects of the project were about 15 to 30days behind. He indicated, though, the time could be made upquickly with some good weather.

“All in all, we’re doing pretty good,” Freeman said.

Workers are about 50 percent finished with brick on a new eastbuilding, and roof worked is expected finished next week. Roof workon a new west building is completed, but there is other work stillto be done on it.

“Right now, it’s probably further along than any of them,”Freeman said about the west building.

Crews should be circulating water through new pipes in the twonew buildings and main building next month. By the end of August,Freeman hoped to be able to start some site and landscapingwork.

* INTERNET WATCH

Assistant Superintendent Lea Barrett informed school trusteesthat the district is continuing to comply with the federalChildren’s Internet Protection Act. By being in compliance, thedistrict is able to receive discounted telephone rates and has beenreimbursed about $46,000 this year, Barrett said.

The act requires filtering software on all computer stations inthe district. Barrett said the software, which is provided thoughthe state, has been checked and access to inappropriate sites wasimmediately blocked.

“It’s very effective,” Barrett said about the filteringsoftware.