Selma City Schools’ Child Nutrition Program will take on an extra task this year.

In addition to the 12 schools it presides over, Selma will prepare meals for Central Christian Academy during the 2008-09 school year.

The motion was passed by the Selma City Schools Board, pending the providing of a written agreement between the two schools.

“I was worried with them being a private entity,” said board attorney Katy Campbell. “Other public school districts are doing these types of contracts.”

Child nutrition program workers will prepare the meals and send them out in “to-go” boxes. Central Christian students will pay $3 a meal, and faculty will pay $3.50. Guests will pay the same price as their counterparts.

It is believed that the arrangement will prove profitable for Selma City Schools. Profits will go into the SCS CNP fund.

The contract stipulates that it is to begin “on or around” Sept. 1 2008, and ends on Sept. 1, 2009. If either party wishes to terminate the contract early, it may provide a 30-day written notice to the other.

The board voted earlier to pass the proposed 2008-09 budget. The budget was presented to the board at a budget meeting that preceded the board meeting.

“We’ve had it looked at by the State Board of Education, and they say it’s a sound budget,” said board president Barbara Hiouas.

The total foundation program — a combination of state and local funds — increased by $304,749 to $22,157,573. State funds increased by $21,982 to $22,588,320. The total local funds saw an increase of $77,792 to $1,548,890.

“The funds shown are what has been received,” said Maria Price Glover, chief school financial officer for SCS. “More state and local funds are expected.”

$12,242,714 is earmarked for salaries. A combined $9,424,602 is earmarked for fringe benefits and other current expenses. The other $490,257 is to be split amongst student materials, technology, library enhancement, professional development, common purchase and textbooks.

The state requires one month’s operating expenses to be held in reserve. CSC currently has $6 million — more than three months worth of operating costs — in reserve.