Cherokee County School District trustees held first reading of a proposed $62.1 million budget Thursday evening which relies on federal education stimulus and 1- cent sales tax money.

School district revenues dropped by 4 percent this year with Cherokee County going through reassessment. State budget cuts contributed to a $3.7 million budget deficit for county schools.

The school district balanced the budget for the 2009-2010 school year by using federal education stimulus money and $2.9 million in 1-cent sales tax collected for a school building program.

School trustees will meet June 15 at 7 p.m. to vote on final approval of the school budget. A public hearing will be held at 6:45 p.m. before the board meeting.

The new budget takes effect July 1.

"This is a bare-bones budget. The only spending included in the budget is for things we are required to have," district finance director Ben Childs said.

The only pay raise in the new spending plan is a state-required pay increase for teachers and school administrators with less than 22 years experience.