Managing Millions: SMSD approves new budget for 2022-23 school year

The SMSD Board of Education approved the proposed 2022-2023 budget of $433 million at the Aug. 19 board meeting.

The budget for food services increased by 20% to combat strain resulting from inflation and supply chain issues. 

“Inflation affects the budget in several different ways,” SMSD budget manager Allison Staroski said. “All the food costs that everybody and all families have been experiencing, we’ve experienced too. The cost of food has gone up, the cost of gas has gone up and the cost of supplies [has gone up]. The supply chain issues the whole country has been dealing with has certainly put a damper on our budget.”

SMSD’s budget for motor fuel has increased by 96% since the 2019-2020 school year. The district also added more bus routes to the busing transportation system, which required an increase in their budget, according to Staroski. 

Over the pandemic, the district cut back on professional development travel for administration, allowing a percentage of the funds to be used for the increased motor fuel costs for buses. Additionally, each department was asked to evaluate their budget and determine where cuts could be made.