The Jackson School District will operate on a budget of more than $40 million in the new fiscal year that begins Sunday.

The school board unanimously approved the spending plan at its meeting Tuesday night, an increase of more than $1.4 million over last year's budget.

Salaries and benefits make up more than 70 percent of expenses, excluding construction project costs, school officials said.

"The district continues to be a low-spending district," said assistant superintendent Dr. James Welker.

The school district spends an average of $5,816 per pupil, which is $2,153 less than the state average, school officials said.

School officials said the district has met Missouri School Improvement Program standards for the ninth year in a row.

Only 11 school districts in Missouri have met those standards every year since the program was established nine years ago, superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson said.

Missouri has more than 500 public school districts.

"I think it is remarkable to be one of 11 out of 534," board member Mack Illers said.