The Pike County Board of Education approved a $21 million budget for FY 2013 at its Monday meeting.

Fifty-six percent was budgeted for instructional and support services, which Dr. Mark Bazzell, superintendent of Pike County Schools, said was less than the amounted budged for like services in 2012.

“We are not spending less on instructional services in FY 2013. It’s just that the budget includes14 percent in capital expenses,” he said. “Those expenses are reflected in the budget but we are not spending less on instructional services.”

Bazzell said FY 2013 budget will begin with $2 million in reserves and end with $2 million in reserves.

“Things will be especially tight because of all of the building projects,” Bazzell said. “And with the capital projects, we can expect surprises. The FY 2013 budget will be a challenge but we have a way to make it happen. And, we can hope that the economy will improve as we keep close to the vest.”

The board awarded the bid for the Goshen High School gymnasium to Whaley Construction in the amount of $2,923,460. There were five bidders for the project.

In personnel action, the board approved the resignation of Sally Thomas as social science teacher at Goshen High School, effective Aug. 24, 2012. The board approved the request for Erikka Knight to volunteer at Goshen High School as majorette instructor.

Three volunteer transfers were approved by the board, that of Rodney Jordan from physical education teacher at Banks to social science teacher at Goshen High School,

Cathy Childs Lott as academic coach to the reading coach position at Pike County Elementary School and Candice Brunney from bus aide to child nutrition floater for Banks/Brundidge.

The board approved three employments, Jonathan Thompson as physical education teacher at Banks Schools; Lisa Myhand as child nutrition worker at Pike County Elementary School; and William McInvale as physical education aide at Goshen Elementary School.

The board also approved the employment of additional kindergarten teacher at Pike County Elementary School due to increased enrollment.

In other action, the board gave its approval for the Technology Department to surplus and dispose of old technology items and, for the renewal of ARMS general liability/errors and omissions liability fund policy.

The board approved a request for the Pike County Board of Education employees for the Troy/Pike Center for Technology to take students on an overnight trip to Birmingham to attend the CTE Joint Leadership Conference of Sept. 24 and 25. The trip will be paid for by Perkins funds and CTSO club funds.