Board to discuss school budget

The Columbia School Board will hold two open sessions at 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. today to discuss the proposed 2007-08 school budget. The board will meet in the Administration Building at 1818 W. Worley St. to present the budget, which includes increases in teacher salaries, the addition of about 69 full-time employees and the use of academic shuttles at junior high and middle schools. The additional personnel will be spread throughout the district, with a special focus on math tutors at the elementary level and student health services to help with a drug task force, said board member Jan Mees.