By Greg Grisolano

ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com

WEBB CITY, Mo. — The Webb City R-7 School Board on Tuesday night approved a 2009-10 budget that, at $38 million, is about half a million more than the spending plan for the current year.

Superintendent Ron Lankford said anticipated expenditures are about $520,000 beyond those for this year. He cited employee pay raises, completion of construction and maintenance projects, and money to match 80 percent of the increase in health-insurance premiums for employees.

“If we look at it overall, we’d have a deficit projected close to $1 million,” Lankford said Wednesday. “We think it will be less than that because our revenue can improve.”

Budget estimates forecast a $591,000 shortfall in local tax revenues and federal funding.

Board member Jeanne Newby was the only member absent at Tuesday’s meeting.

In other business, the board:

n Approved a request by City Administrator Steve Garrett on behalf of the city of Webb City to grant an easement for road construction along Stadium Drive north of the football field. Lankford said the easement is subject to school district approval of a road location platted within a 700-foot corridor along Stadium Drive.

n Recognized Webb City senior Kylie Jones for winning a state championship in the discus competition.

n Accepted the resignations of Robin Roberts, a fifth-grade teacher at Webb City Middle School, and Judy Bashor, a first-grade teacher at Bess Truman Primary Center. Both teachers are accepting similar positions in the Joplin school district.