On Monday, the Poplarville School Board board officially adopted its 2012-2013 budget, that contemplates no increase in ad valorem taxes. The budget expenditures are expected to be $18.3 million while revenue is estimated at $17.9 million. The difference will be absorbed by a healthy cash balance. Millage rates will remain the same and not be raised. The current millage rate is 57 mills.

Poplarville schools financial director Samantha Sandifer said that the beginning cash balance for the current fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013, is $2.7 million which is about 19 percent compared to expected revenues. The state requires school boards to carry at least a seven percent cash balance.

Sandifer said that land valuations in the Poplarville school district are down an estimated nine percent. That means that applying the same amount of millage will result in less tax monies being collected.

In other matters, the board:

— Approved a collaborative agreement with Millcreek of Magee.

— Approved a service agreement with Rethink Autism.

— Approved school handbooks.

— Approved personnel recommendations: resignations, recommendations and advertisements.

— Approved to advertise the sale of timber on sections 16-3-14 and 16-4-14.

— Approved publication of the 2012-2013 original budget.

— Tabled two bids on three used buses.

— Approved the consent agenda, which included student releases, acceptance of out-of-district students, out-of-state travel, IDEA and preschool budgets for 2012-1013, disposal of equipment, claim docket, payroll, financial statement and activity fund receipts, minutes of the June 11 and 20 meetings.

— Adjourned to the Aug.. 13 meeting at 6 p.m.