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Steamboat Springs — The Hayden School District began the 2006-07 school year with $554,805 in its reserves, or beginning fund balance, compared to $294,758 in reserves in 2005, business manager Jnl Linsacum said.

Superintendent Mike Luppes has been responsible for budgeting and has been prudent with how the district spends its revenue, Linsacum said.

This year, the district took in $345,000 in mineral lease money from Routt County. Mineral lease money is money the county collects from companies that drill in the Hayden School District.

Last year, the district took in $74,000 in mineral lease money.

"That was the main reason our beginning fund balance jumped up so much," Linsacum said.

The district isn't expected to dip into its reserves this year.

"That doesn't always happen," Linsacum said.

The Hayden School Board unanimously approved the 2006-07 budget during Wednesday's meeting. The budget had to be approved by Sunday, according to state requirements, forcing board members to meet one week earlier than scheduled.

Hayden's general fund is $4,963,816 for this school year, which is nearly $200,000 more than the district had in its general fund last year.

This year's capital reserve budget is $491,921, which also is higher than last year, but Linsacum attributed the increase in the capital reserve budget to the $200,000 Energy Impact Grant the district received to install new locks, clocks and concrete at all district schools.

"We are projecting to possibly buy a bus, and that will come from capital reserves," Linsacum said.

A new bus costs about $95,000.

The increase in enrollment added an additional $55,000 to the district's general fund, as well.

Hayden's final enrollment was 454 students on Oct. 2, the state's official date to count enrollment for funding. The final number was 10 more than projected.

In other action at Wednesday's meeting, the board awarded the snow removal bid to Robinson & Son Inc. out of Hayden. The company submitted a proposal to remove snow at $115 per hour. It was the only proposal, Linsacum said.

The board also passed resolutions opposing amendments 38 and 39 and Resolution J.

Discussion of a vocational building was tabled because vocational teacher Kevin Kleckler could not attend the board meeting.

- To reach Melinda Mawdsley, call 871-4208 or e-mail mmawdsley@steamboatpilot.com