The Greeneville Board of Education on Thursday evening approved the school system's $22.7 million budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

The board also approved upgrades to the Greeneville Middle School track at a cost of $241,985. (Details of that project and other board action will appear in a future edition of The Greeneville Sun.)

The city school system's budget, balanced at $22,709,517, represents a $120,150 decrease from last year's budget, according to Lisa Stephens, business and finance supervisor.

Salaries and benefits include a step increase only for professional employees and support staff, and a slight increase for professional employees at the top of the pay scale, Stephens said.

The slight increase for top-of-the-scale professional employees will be $711 at year 20, Stephens said, which will have an estimated $50,000 impact on expenses.

The budget also includes funding to maintain all current employees, with the reinstatement of an elementary guidance position that was among 10 positions cut with last year's budget.

In 2009-10, personnel reductions included one-half of a Greeneville High School mathematics position and one-half of a GHS English position.

Stephens said she projected no growth in local property tax revenue, state Basic Education Program (BEP) funds, tuition increase or funding from the Greeneville government.

She also projected a 3 percent decrease in local sales tax revenue and budgeted fuel costs at $3.50 a gallon.

Board member Mark Patterson commended Stephens for preparing a balanced budget with no projected revenue growth.

Board member Craig Ogle commended her for starting the "Kick the Kilowatts" program that resulted in energy cost savings this year.

Ogle recommended that the slight pay increase for professional employees at the top of the scale be a one-time expenditure, with hopes that next year all employees can receive a percentage raise.

"All our employees need a raise," Ogle said.

Chairman Jerry Anderson said, "I regret that this is our second year in a row that we're not being able to give increases to our people that deal with our children every single day."

Ogle added, "The good news is we're not laying off anyone."

Stephens noted that 78 percent of the budget, or $17,707,121, is for salary and benefits.

In other budget-related action, the board approved an amendment to the 2008-09 budget to reflect actual numbers. The total net effect, Stephens said, was an increase of $75,529.

The board also approved a bid from American Twine & Paper Co. of Knoxville for copy paper used in classrooms and administrative offices.

Stephens said the school system uses about 880 cases of copy paper a year.

The bid is for $26.90 per case for the first six months and $28.80 per case for the second six months, Stephens said.

Board member Cindy Luttrell abstained from voting to avoid any conflict of interest.

In other business, the board voted to spend $34,562 to upgrade school nutrition software.

Jeannie Woolsey, school health coordinator, said the new software will help the school system's Nutrition Department meet the following goals:

* Improve capability to provide nutrient information, including carbohydrate counts to students and staff;

* Provide a wider variety of cycle menus to complete a nutrient analysis;

* Improve capability to manage inventory; and

* Use funds saved to implement a program to encourage children to eat healthy fruits and vegetables.