Martin's schools superintendent provides inside look at district budget and accomplishments

Stuart, FL, August 6 - Martin County Superintendent of Schools Nancy Kline and her management team provided members of the Economic Council of Martin County with a thorough review of the district's proposed 2009-2010 budget, on-going projects and the past year's accomplishments at a lunch at the Stuart Yacht and Country Club on July 29.

As the first public hearing for the proposed budget had been held only the day before, Economic Council members were the first community group to hear from Kline about the budget. While the millage rate will be increasing seven percent, Kline said the district anticipates collecting less money than the previous year due to decreases in property values. "The priority of the District has been to maintain staffing and programs," said Kline in her presentation. According to Kline, the District anticipates having 89 fewer students in the 2009-2010 school year and an additional 58 fewer students the following year.

Kline and her staff touted the District accreditation by AdvancED from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, above-average student SAT scores, increases in the District's graduation rate and the listing of all three Martin County High Schools as Best High Schools in the USA by Newsweek magazine.

Looking ahead to the 2009-2010 school year, the District's leadership highlighted planned increased academic opportunities for middle school students to take high school courses, the opening of enrollment in Martin Virtual School with full-time online K-12 instruction and plans for enhanced security at all Martin County school campuses.

The Economic Council of Martin County is a non-profit organization of local business leaders who strive to provide guidance that will create a healthy and diverse local economy, a quality-built community and a healthy, natural environment. We believe strongly that a business-friendly climate, within which private enterprise can flourish, is essential to a thriving, sustainable community. We are proud of the roles the Economic Council and its members have taken in areas of business enhancement, education and sound planning for the future.

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