Brighton Schools Approve Budget; On Track to Eliminate Deficit in 2013-2014

With the adoption of the 2012-2013 budget by Brighton School Board members Monday night, the district is on the path to eliminating its accumulated deficit by 2013-2014, according to Maria Gistinger, assistant superintendent of finance.

The district will see a $2.4 million surplus, which will be used to decrease the district's deficit of nearly $6 million.

The 2012-2013 budget also predicts an increase of 5.1 percent in revenues over last year.

Gistinger said the district generated increased revenue through its , where some teachers instruct classes at private schools such as , ,  and

The district has also saved money the past two years by adminstering , pay freezes for other administrators, pay cuts and health care concessions for teachers and more.

With 19 teachers retiring and several other resigning, Superintendent Greg Gray said the district is also hiring for the first time in several years. Gray said not every single teacher will be replaced because some positions were eliminated.

Gray said he plans to hire about 15 teachers and one principal for by next month and that he has gotten hundreds of applicants for each position.