Forsyth school system finalizes budget

The Forsyth County Board of Education has given final approval to the district’s FY 2016 budget.

The plan projects total revenues of $345.5 million, up $36 million from fiscal 2015. Expenditures total just short of $335 million. With revenues coming in at roughly $10.5 million over expenditures, the board estimates it’ll have a fund balance of $50.1 million on hand as FY 2016 ends June 30 of next year.

The district said expense hikes include 109 new staff positions to handle student enrollment growth, a step increase and 2 percent raise for all staff, as well as changes in employer benefit costs. The budget projects instructional costs, which include salary and benefits, at $247.1 million for FY 2016, a 7.5 percent increase from this year.