More students mean more teachers and support staff which translates into more money for the Fayette County Board of Education to budget into its 2000 financial plan.

A budget workshop is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. at the BOE board room. Based on preliminary figures, the proposed budget is estimated at $114,000 million, about $5.5 million more than 1999. Jim Stephens, finance director for the school district, predicted personnel costs and benefits would take up about 85 percent of the total budget," a pretty common figure," Stephens told the board at the initial budget meeting April 26.

With approximately 1,000 new students headed for the county's public schools between September 1999 and January 2000, Judy Byrd, director of human resources for the school district, said, "We plan for enough staff to accommodate the maximum number of students that we will have next year. What we don't want to do is to open our doors with our classes packed and then have to add a paraprofessional or start splitting classes."

The 1,000-student figure is based on the number of homes under construction or to be completed by January 2000. Byrd said in Peachtree City's Kedron district, there are 600 homes under construction alone.

Teachers will receive a 4 percent pay raise based on the new state salary schedule, according to Byrd.

The local share may or may not change, depending on recommendations from the board. Eight-one additional employees have been figured into the proposed budget, with the need for another 40 under consideration.

Teachers in Fayette County are paid less than their colleagues in Fulton County, but more than in counties to the south, Byrd said.

A first-year teacher with a bachelors degree in education can expect to earn $28,304 a year. This breaks down to $25,315 in state funds and $2,989 in local funds. After 19 years, and a bachelors degree, this increases to $41,285, with $36,974 state funded and $4,311 locally funded. Fulton County's salary at this pay schedule is about $9,000 more or $50,220. Clayton County would pay $44,174.

With a seven-year degree, educators can expect to earn $40,775 initially and top out at $59,497.