Friday, June 20, 2003

BOE budget adopted

The Fulton County Board of Education adopted the school system's FY2004 final budget at its legislative meeting last week. The final budget includes a 2.8 percent pay raise for all employees with satisfactory evaluations and provides program enhancements for students, such as reduced student-teacher ratios in grades 1-3 and expanded foreign language opportunities in five elementary schools.

"I am extremely pleased with the work of this board and school system staff," said Superintendent John T. Haro. "They have worked together diligently to prepare a budget that provides increased services to students and staff, while still being sensitive to our taxpayers."

Board president Katie Reeves concurs. "This was a long process, and I am delighted that we were able to produce a budget that puts the needs of children and our schools first," she said.

"I am especially pleased that we have accomplished so much without raising taxes. Our board, especially board Member Gail Dean, thought 'outside-the-box' to find different funding solutions to keep this budget revenue neutral and without any tax increases."

The system's general fund was approved at $598,562,793. On June 3, the board approved millage rates of 17.758 mills for maintenance and operation and 0.298 mill for retirement of bond debt, for a total of 18.056 mills. The millage rate reflects a full rollback that will provide savings to taxpayers of approximately 0.7 of a mill.

Highlights of the approved FY04 budget include:

Staff at a student-teacher ratio at 20:1 in grades 1-3. After the school enrollment count and staffing adjustments on the 10th school day, ratios may be adjusted to the state's maximum class size.

Expand elementary foreign language to five additional schools: Liberty Point, Evoline West, Creek View, Ocee, and Dunwoody Springs. Continues the model foreign language program at Mimosa Elementary using local funds to offset state budget cuts.

Increase the number of K-5 Early Intervention Teachers (EIP) to provide additional support in reading and math.

Provide an additional teacher for English language learners.

Provides funding for additional school social workers who will continue to serve all schools while improving services to schools with higher incidents of discipline, low socio-economics, English language learners, and other risk factors.

2.8 percent raise for all employees that received a satisfactory annual evaluation.

In addition, the board is applying for a federal C.O.P.S. grant to provide additional school resource officers at each high school and middle school.