Perhaps the biggest change to the Brinnon School District budget approved by the board last week will be an increase to substitute teacher salaries.

To stay competitive, the board approved a 5.5 percent increase in substitute teacher pay raising the daily rate from $135 to $145.

The number of estimated students has remained mostly steady with 67 students predicted to be enrolled in the coming year compared to 62 last year.

“We won’t know until we see the whites of their eyes,” Brinnon Superintendent Patricia Beathard said of that number.

Speaking of which, those doors are currently off their hinges. In fact, most of the facade to the front entrance of the school as well as the gym floors are in the process of being replaced.

The projects have been funded thanks to the hard work by district staff who regularly apply for grants.

“Tell your story, show your need, have a good plan,” Beathard said of how they’ve succeeded in securing grants.

She works alongside her staff members with each’s unique specialties to help write proposals, such as teaming up with computer teacher Pam Fields on a $100,000 tech grant.

The next big goal for the board is to save for a new school bus. The board is currently looking at ways to move funds as well as set aside whatever they can to make sure the money will be there when needed.