HOISINGTON— Although costs have increased for USD 431, because of increased property valuation and an anticipated increase in enrollment, the district is in pretty good shape.

"I feel we are in pretty good condition," said Bill Lowry, superintendent of USD 431. "We can continue to weather the storm."

Base aid from the state of Kansas is budgeted at $3,780 for the coming year. Base state aid in 2008-09 was $4,400, a drop of $620 per full-time equivalency.

"The positive is student population is increasing, and we have great community support," Lowry said.

Residents of UDS 431 will see a slight decrease in the mill levy assessment. It is budgeted for 58.066 mills, a decrease from 58.100 from 2010-11. A mill is $1 for $1,000 that a house is assessed.

At its regular meeting, the USD 431 board of education named Steven Little president of the board and Kevin Stetler was named vice president.

Meetings and times for the boe to meet in regular session are on the first Monday of each month with the exception of the September and January meetings. Regular meetings will begin at 7 p.m. in the district office. The September meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 6 and the January meeting will be held on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.

The board approved textbook fees at $50 for the 3- and 4- year-old preschool. Grades K-12 textbook fees will be set at $75, and drivers education fees will be set at $125 per student.

Meal prices are as follows: breakfast, students $1.40, adult staff $1.85, adult guest $2.10; lunch, elementary $1.90, middle school and high school $2.10, adult staff $2.85 and adult guest $3.10; and extra milk 50 cents.

Bruce Cooper was hired for the 2012 summer driver education program.

The board made a number of procedural and annual appoin