The Darlington Community School District held its annual meeting and budget hearing on Monday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. with eight members of the public in attendance.

According to the proposed budget for the 2014-2015 school year presented by district administrator Denise Wellnitz the Darlington Community School District is looking at a beginning general fund balance of $3,635,807.99 with an anticipated ending general fund balance of $3,115,607.99.

The total revenues and other financing sources for the 2014-2015 school year for Darlington were projected to be around $8,980,282 with the total expenditures and other financing uses being $9,500,482. For the 2013-2014 school year, revenue was at $8,568,951.91 and expenditures were $8,481,769.02.

A citizen present at the meeting expressed concern with the apparent 20 percent increase of expenses from last year and noted that continuing in that direction would not be sustainable for long.

Wellnitz commented that the primary increase in expenses from last year is due to the additional staff and health care surcharge for 18 months, as a buy in to the State Health Care Plan.

The estimated tax levy for the 2014-2015 school year is $2,807,026 with a levy mill rate of $10.34, compared to last year’s levy, which was $3,390,705 with a mill rate of $12.28.

A member of the public present at the meeting wished to commend the members of the board, administration and staff for their efforts within the school district.

Yet another member of the public that was in attendance voiced a concern with the common core standards.