POST FALLS - With the economy gradually climbing out of the recession, the Post Falls School District budget is rounding a corner as well.

"I like to use the word 'restore,'" said Sid Armstrong, the district's finance director. "The state has restored some of the funds that have been reduced since 2009 and we're able to pass them on.

"We seem to be heading in the right direction, which helps morale."

The school board approved a general fund budget Monday night, of $30.17 million for fiscal year 2015, which is nearly $900,000 more than the current year.

The budget includes a 1 percent across-the-board salary increase for certified, classified and administrative staff. The hike equates to $225,000.

The base salary for new teachers will increase to $31,750.

"That number has been restored to what it was five years ago," Armstrong said. "We're pleased about that because we're trying to recruit and retain new teachers."

The district also received $250,000 to distribute in "leadership premiums" to teachers who go above and beyond their assigned duties. The number is up from $200,000 this year.

The program funding was previously distributed based on test scores, but has since been revised to focus on individual teacher performance rather than school ratings. A district committee has been meeting to develop a fair way to specifically distribute the funds, Armstrong said.

Armstrong said the district will receive $240,000 in lottery funds, which had been directed toward the state's general appropriation during the recession.

With the funds now being a separate budget item as they were before, Armstrong said the district can go back to working on facility improvement projects that have taken a backseat during the downturn.

Projects planned include resurfacing the road and parking area in front of Post Falls Middle School and applying new carpet to some areas at Post Falls High that have deteriorated.

Armstrong said the school supply budget will increase 10 percent ($40,000).

"That's been a big issue because some teachers have been buying supplies out of their own pockets," he said.

The district will also receive $78,000 for curriculum funding for textbooks or digital materials. Such funds didn't exist this year.

Armstrong said the total market value of the school district's property is $2.2 billion, up 9 percent from last year.

"If your property went up in value by more than 9 percent, you may see a small increase on your school taxes, but if it went up by less than 9 percent you may see a small decrease," he said. "We're not levying any tax increase, so people's taxes should stay about the same."

Armstrong said the district may float a levy next spring to fund expansion of River City Middle School and build another elementary to ease overcrowding at Prairie View. The district owns 10 acres in the Fieldstone subdivision for a future elementary.

"Prairie View is using six portables, and that is getting to be almost unacceptable," Armstrong said.

* In other business, the district accepted the resignation of district clerk Janie Anderson, who is retiring after 29 years in education and 17 with the Post Falls School District. She will remain on staff through the end of July.