The Fayette County School Board set a 19.84 millage rate Friday for maintenance and operation, the same rate as last year. The debt service rate is 4.15, reflecting a .84 reduction from last year's rate of 4.99.

Jim Stephens, finance officer for the Fayette County School System, said the rate would mean a $35 reduction in annual taxes on a $100,000 home.

As far as funding future projects, Stephens said, "Something is going to have to happen. We have two projects funded by the state, and we will have to put up our local share."

He was referring to the expansion of Flat Rock Middle School and North Fayette Elementary. Stephens estimated the local contribution to be $1.3 million for Flat Rock Middle School's addition and about $500,000 for North Fayette Elementary's improvements.

"I expect we can generate that through our local maintenance and operation fund," he said. However, "The state uses very conservative tables," Stephens added, referring to their funding formulas. "If they're planning on $30 a square foot and it's going to be $50 or $60 a square foot, then we have to pick up the gap."

These two projects are eligible for fiscal year 1999 funding and should be completed in two to three years, Stephens said. A funding application has also been submitted to the state for FY 2000 for construction of a new middle school.