HOOVER – The Hoover City Schools Board of Education at its meeting Tuesday, Sept. 11, approved a $191 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year that includes spending about $11 million of the school system’s fund balance for renovations to the planned career center.

The budget approved unanimously by the Board includes about $144.8 million in General Fund revenues and about $155 million in General Fund expenses.

About $13.3 million in expenses related to the Riverchase Career Connection Center, which was formerly Riverchase Middle School and was purchased from the Pelham City Schools system for $4.25 million, include $11 million in renovations, $1.5 million in equipment and furnishings, $500,000 in District Data Center renovation, $225,000 in technology, $80,000 in instructional materials and $10,000 in marketing and recruiting materials.

The center is scheduled to open to students in fall 2019.

Total budgeted revenues for FY2019 (General Fund and other funds) are about $177.7 million.

Notable budgeted expenses include $113.6 million in instructional support (for 889.4 regular teacher units, 97 special education units and 209.9 support units), $15.9 million in operations and maintenance, $7.5 million in transportation, $1.3 million for athletic supplements, $4.5 million for general administrative and $8.2 million for Child Nutrition Program.

The school system’s debt for the coming fiscal year has a balance of $168 million, with debt payments totaling $12 million.

Noted in budget materials presented to the Board were projected enrollments, including 1,587 students at Spain Park High School, 1,246 students at Berry Middle School, 481 students at Greystone Elementary School and 690 students at Riverchase Elementary School.

According to the materials, the school system’s revenue per pupil has dropped from $13,715 in 2008 to $12,757 for 2019.

Also included in the materials was a capital projects plan. A $1.5 million partial roof replacement at Hoover High School combined with other items totals $3.1 million for capital projects.

This story was updated with corrections about the total amount of the budget and expenses being drawn from the fund balance to cover renovations to the Riverchase Career Connection Center.