Friday, June 20, 2003
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Friday, June 20, 2003 |
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School board to consider $125 million budget By JOHN THOMPSON The Coweta County Board of Education is expected to give final approval next week to its $125 million general fund budget. But to balance this year's budget and to keep the millage rate steady, the school system may have to use $5 million of its reserve fund, said public information officer Dean Jackson. Coweta County learned the bad news earlier this month that the state was reducing the county's funding by more than $5.6 million. "Last year, we budgeted a small amount of reserve funds into the budget and didn't have to use them. We're hoping that's going to be the case this year," Jackson said. Because of the weak economy and tight budget, teachers are not getting their normal 2 to 3 percent raise. The only raises in this year's budget are step increases. "We were able to have an across the board raise last year for all employees. There's just not the money to do it this year," said Jackson. Despite being one of the tightest budgets in years, Jackson said the school system was able to balance the budget without eliminating any positions and keeping Coweta's class sizes small. The board will vote on the budget June 26 at 5 p.m. at its Jackson Street headquarters in Newnan.
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