Officials with the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City School District are proposing a balanced budget for the 2007-08 academic year. The school board Aug. 14 reviewed the draft budget, which will undergo a public hearing and possible board adoption 6 p.m. Tuesday at the district central office.

The proposed $70 million budget is projected on a districtwide student enrollment of 10,250, a number that district administrators estimate they will reach by mid-October. The confirmed enrollment for fall 2006 was 9,496.

Finance director Peggy Jaskinia said the administration is working with a new tax roll of $2.77 billion in certified property value that lies within the district. That figure is an increase from $2.19 billion in 2006-07.

SCUC officials project a decrease in overall local revenue and an increase in total state income. The district should receive a $5 million boost in overall revenues from the 2006-07 school year. More than 84 percent of proposed expenses would go toward to salaries and benefits.

Thanks to school board action in June, salary increases for teachers, registered nurses, librarians and counselors will be $2,000 plus a step, which includes $425 approved by the state Legislature last spring.

A new teacher with a bachelor’s degree will earn $43,000 and a teacher with a master’s degree will start at $44,501. Manual trades, clerical/paraprofessional and administrative pay grades will receive a 5 percent pay hike based upon the midpoint of the individual’s pay grade. The district continues to pay $275 per month toward health insurance.

The district’s staffing projection for ’07-’08 is 1,372 employees, including 670 teachers. The projected debt service fund balance stands at $1.96 million.

In addition to the budget, the board will have a hearing and act Tuesday on the proposed property tax rate. Administrators are recommending a rate of #1.31 per $100 valuation, a drop from the current $1.37 figure. The total rate combines separate rates for maintenance and operation, and principal (debt service).