“There’s extra money in the school district’s budget this summer — and plenty of people who want it for their area of interest.Martin Laster, superintendent, told the South Whidbey school board at June’s regular meeting that there should be $100,000 available from the 2000-2001 budget, above and beyond the fund balance, to take into next year.But it’s hardly a windfall. The district has gone through several tight budget years and delayed needed maintenance. Those bills are coming due, Laster said.He recommended the board spend the money on big ticket projects with non-recurring costs.The board agreed on the top two priorities: a new roof for portions of the primary school, and heating system upgrades at the middle school. The primary school leaked last year, and the middle school closed for a day when its heating system failed.Laster estimated the cost for each of the two top projects at $45,000, probably less. There should be money left over for smaller items.Rick Pitts, facilities director, asked for $17,500 to purchase a boom truck that mechanic Todd Brager had located. It would replace the electrician’s truck and provide a basket for accessing areas 30-feet high. At present, the district must rent a boom truck for high areas and that costs $350 per day.Brian Miller, technology director, made a plead for new computers. He gave the board a brief history lesson, saying that the district funded technology at about $50,000 per year until a bond issue was approved by voters several years ago. That resulting $1.7 million in bond funding was spent on wiring and other infrastructure allowing the schools to communicate with each other, but relatively little was spent on computers and computer programs.Now, Miller said, the technology money has been spent. We need computers and software, he said.Miller said the middle school is the top priority due to its antiquated computers. They just cannot run current software, he said.Computer labs at the primary school and intermediate school are equipped with computers now 10 years old. Who’s got a computer at home with four megs of memory? Miller asked. Some of the school’s computers are Apple II’s that came out in the early 1980s.After Miller finished his pitch for the money, Pitts quipped, I’d be perfectly willing to arm wrestle Brian for it.Other needs include a new 10-passenger van, providing sound proofing and practice rooms in the middle school band room, and resurfacing the high school track.The board told Laster to proceed with planning for the primary school roof and middle school electrical upgrade. Whatever’s left from those projects will be used in other areas, although exactly where has yet to be decided. “