Six jobs in the Coweta County School System's central office are being slashed and that may only be the beginning as school budget discussion continues.

The system is cutting the jobs as a result of Gov. Roy Barnes' A Plus Education Reform Act of 2000.

“The governor wants more emphasis put on the individual schools and that's what we intend to do,” Superintendent of Schools Bob Brooks said.

The system also plans to transfer an undetermined number of people in the central office back into the schools, Brooks added.

Several systems are grappling with funding issues under the Education Reform Act and many systems are contemplating cutting a number of their para-professionals. But so far, Coweta's para-pros are safe.

“We're probably going to have to reevaluate this in the summer and see if all the figures turn out like we hope,” the superintendent said.

This year's budget is estimated at $135 million, which is up nearly 20 percent over last year's $113 million budget.

The reason? More construction and more teachers to meet the needs of Coweta's ever-expanding population.

“We're going to have several new teachers this year, along with construction costs stemming from building a new elementary school,” Brooks said.

All system employees will receive a 3 percent pay raise and Brooks said the difficulty in this year's budget process has been waiting for final passage of the Education Reform Act to see how local systems would fare.

“That's why we're so late in doing the budget this year,” he explained.

The board is required to approve a new budget by June 30, but Brooks expects passage at the June 13 board meeting.

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