(KNZA)--Atchison County's USD 377 Board of Education has approved a resolution increasing the district’s capital outlay authority.

The resolution, approved at Wednesday evening’s meeting in Effingham, gives the district the authority to levy up to 8 mills, if the need arises.

Currently, the district has the authority to levy up to 4 mills.

The money is used for making necessary improvements and repairs to district facilities as well as for the purchase of vehicles and buses. According to information provided by the district, 67 percent of the funds currently go toward the district’s energy efficiency bond payment, limiting the ability for the district to properly maintain its facilities to the level they need to be maintained.

School district officials say without the additional capital outlay authority, the district will need to use instructional funds to make needed improvements and repairs.

The capital outlay resolution is subject to a protest petition.

In other business, the Board approved a job description for the new position of transportation director and granted permission to advertise to fill the position.

The district currently has numerous people handing various aspects of the transportation department. School district officials say having one individual responsible for all of transportation will allow the district to be more efficient and serve its students better. In addition, it will also free up other staff that are splitting time between their main positions and their requirements with transportation.