Petersburg School District anticipates $343,000 deficit in first draft budget

The first draft of the Petersburg School District's budget anticipates a $343,000 deficit, which is more than last month's estimate.

In a presentation to the school board on Thursday, April 24, school officials said that's because the district's enrollment projections went down, and they had hired more paraprofessionals. But other expenses, like health insurance and curriculum costs, turned out lower than expected.

The district is planning to spend $11.6 million next school year. Last year, the district budgeted $11.2 million.

The district is closely watching a proposed one-time funding increa...