LINDEN &8212; With fiscal year 2008 beginning Monday, the Marengo County School system is already considering their needs and wants for 2009, Superintendent Luke Hallmark said Thursday.

By looking at actual enrollment numbers for the system, Hallmark said, &8220;I can tell now what we&8217;re looking at next year.&8221;

According to Hallmark, one priority, as far as funding goes, is for technology.

As it stands now, there is approximately $25 per student allocated for technology expenses. Hallmark estimates that number should be closer to $125 per student.

Another financial concern is covering costs for salaries, such as when a school must have a substitute teacher. Hallmark explained not all of the substitute teacher&8217;s pay is covered by the amount paid by the state for a regular teacher&8217;s sick day. This ultimately leads to additional costs, Hallmark said.

One of the system&8217;s main concerns outside of finances is keeping kids from dropping out of school.

Hallmark also discussed ways to help improve academic programs in order to help students pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. One area of the exam that has not received as much attention is History. Therefore in order to strengthen the History curriculum, Hallmark said a number of teachers from the system would be pairing with instructors from the University of West Alabama to help come up with ways to enhance their offerings.

In other business, the board:

Approved financial reports for August.

Approved bank statement reconciliations for August.

Approved 2007-2008 ARMS for errors and omissions.

Approved 2008 five-year capital plan.

Approved 2007-2008 Helping Hands contract.

Approved job title change for reading coach to intervention coordinator.

Selected Jana Hoggle as a representative for Marengo County sick leave bank fund.

Selected a representative for the 2007 Delegate Assembly.

Selected William Minor from Dallas County Board of Education as district director for AASB District 2.