The Grayson County School Board went out on a limb Thursday and passed a tentative budget for the coming year, emphasizing the "tentative."

The board approved notifying teachers of their jobs for next fall, usually done by the end of May, but this year's list is without the names of first-year teachers and the names of aides that have worked four or fewer years.

Superintendent Teddy White said the names "probably would be put on the list later, but we're still holding off until we're more sure of what the final state budget will look like."

White said, however, that the following year's budget might see "a teacher position gone and possibly some aides."

He said the federal No Child Left Behind Act also "may require more spending than had been estimated earlier,"

Thursday's board action gives the district a total budget of $27.3 million, which is $642,000 less than the current year and $1 million under the previous year.

In her presentation to the board District Finance Officer Linda Gentry said local tax revenues appear to be solid, and indications on federal funds were fairly concrete.

However, she said, the district had to use the second revision to Gov. Ernie Fletcher's proposed budget.

That final state budget may not be firm until July, White reported, after returning from several meetings in Frankfort.

At the same meeting, several principals summarized their schools' comprehensive plans, all of them emphasizing the need for better student reading and writing skills.

For example, High School Principal Mic Huffman said his teachers will be working current magazine articles into the curriculum, articles of interest to the in-coming freshmen.

Marcia Downs, assistant principal at the middle school, gave the board a report on experimental classes that separate 6th grade boys and girls. (See related story, this page.)

The board accepted the resignation from the board of first-term member Marcia Sharp of Clarkson.

No reason was given at the meeting for the April 22 resignation.

In other action, the board:

Recognized the service of Lawler teachers Bonnie Blanton and Shirley Vessels.

Lawler's Academic Team received plaques for their good showing in this year's competitions.

Recognized several students for scoring high on CATS tests.

Heard a report on the district's preschool enrollment. Ninety-three applications have been turned in and more are expected. Thirty-five 3- and 4-year-olds have been approved for next fall.

Approved accepting $19,500 from the state for land along U.S. 62 in front of the middle school for Mill Street widening.