By PAT NEWMAN
Staff Writer

Gov. Roy Barnes' proposal to revise the formula for state school funding grants could cost the Fayette County School District $4 million if passed, according to Dr. John DeCotis, Fayette school superintendent.

In addition to the $2.8 million in grant funds it currently stands to lose, Fayette could lose an additional $1.2 million based on the new assessment formula which includes potential special local option sales tax revenues as wealth. To counteract the losses, Barnes has offered to supplement state funding for hiring new counselors and maintenance on facilities.

“I hope he'll be able to do that,” DeCotis said. “We're right up to the limit on our millage. Consequently, we're hard pressed. The only way out is off our hide. I'm pretty much concerned about it,” DeCotis added.

The goal of equalization grants is to provide about 16 poor rural counties with more money for education and attempt to close the gap between the haves and the have nots.

DeCotis did not dispute the argument that children attending schools in less affluent areas are in need. “They deserve things also,” he said. But he recommended that those counties in need “levy more millage themselves first.”

DeCotis also offered that state lottery money be considered for equalizing the disparities. With 85 percent of the school district's budget needed for personnel, the net impact of taking $4 million away causes concern for DeCotis.

The equalization grant program is what is known as the second tier of state funding. The first tier, which provides state funds for the state's Quality Basic Education program, will remain the same.