OXFORD – The Oxford School District’s more than $19 million budget passed last week with planned projects including the purchase of two new buses, upgraded energy systems, and an appropriation increase for the Oxford Memorial Library.

According to Oxford Academy and Central Schools Business Administrator Joe Gugino, there was a 5.2 percent increase in the overall budget, which was based mostly upon salary increases for staff members.

Gugino said while there was a budget increase, there was actually a tax levy decrease thanks mostly due to additional foundation aid.

“We were given $1,231,000 more in foundation aid which is an increase of approximately 9.6 percent over last year’s budget,” said Gugino.

Oxford Academy and Central Schools Superintendent John Hillis also discussed the budget and said this year’s focus was about ensuring the instructional aspect of the district was as good as it could be.

“We did a lot of hard work to make sure that we allocated our resources to the proper places and we really put the instructional aspect of the budget under a microscope,” said Hillis. “Additionally, we made sure that the proper allocations were made to support our district goals and our building goals.”