The Union County School Board of Trustees approved the fiscal year 2010-2011 budget Monday night as previously presented, except with no millage increases.

A motion was first made during the meeting by board member Manning Jeter and seconded by Jantzen Childers to accept the operating budget of $24,032,973 as previously presented at the last two meetings.

Before a vote was taken, discussion ensued and the meeting was called into executive session.

On one side, some did not want a millage increase to help pay down the district’s debt caused by the building of two new schools last year. When the schools were constructed, the situation allowed for the district to pay for the buildings without a millage increase but that is not the case with the current economic situation.

The proposed millage increase would have equaled $8 on a $100,000 home but would have been more for small business owners.

On the other side, those in favor of the millage increase think the increase is inevitable whether it is delayed another year or not. According to school district finance director Lynn Lawson, a delay could mean a higher millage increase next year to pay for interest acquired this year.

After returning from executive session, a motion was made by board member Donna Sanders to approve the budget without a millage increase. Her motion was for funds to be transferred from the building fund to debt services as needed.

The budget was approved with a 7-1 vote, with Manning Jeter voting “No.”

The $24,032,973 budget for FY 2011 is more than $3 million less than the fiscal year 2009-2010 budget.

In other business, more than a dozen parents from ESpecially Ours — a support group for parents of special needs children — attended Monday’s meeting to express concerns about how budget cuts might affect the quality of education for special needs children.

Amy Austin acted as spokesperson for the group and addressed the board, stating the group wants to avoid unnecessary delays in academic achievement for special needs children.

ESpecially Ours members told the board they want safety for their children, consistency, trained and qualified teachers and assistants and sports equal to those of regular education students.

The group then handed out information, including flyers for the upcoming Disability Awareness Fun Day, which will be at Foster Park on July 31.