It is been a bumpy road this week for the Carter County budget. The Carter County School Board is asking for a budget increase of close to $840,000 for next year. The education funding bucket has big leaks as pointed out by Carter County Finance Director Ingrid DeLoach. She said average daily attendance declined by 100 students this year and that means a loss of $204,000 in state basic education program funds. DeLoach said another $470,000 is being lost at the local level because the County schools share of local revenue slipped by 1% to the Elizabethton City Schools. She told commissioners to expect another 1% loss in the coming budget year. The biggest cost for education is been a state mandated $714,000, 2 1/2% pay increase for teachers. The school systems medical insurance provider is estimated to have a $400,000 premium increase for the County to pay. More budget meetings are planned.(CS)