As hundreds of new students move into the county each year, the Coweta County School Board constantly has to dealing with finding enough money to pay for all the programs the school system offers.

This year was no exception as the board gave tentative approval to a $166.5 million budget that projects no increase in the maintenance and operation millage rate of 18.59 mills, said school spokesperson Dean Jackson.

“We’re also budgeting up to $3.5 million in reserve funds to balance the budget,” he added.

The budget represents a $12.2 million increase over last year’s budget and anticipates a 5.75 percent rise in the county’s tax digest. Jackson said the rise is attributable to personnel costs for new teachers, a 3.3 percent raise for all employees and step raises.

The system has also had to deal with a dramatic reduction in state funding for education. During the last five years, the state has cut the county’s funding by $14.8 million.

The total budget for the system is $248 million, which includes capital projects, debt service and special federal programs, such as Title 1.

The board is expected to give final approval at its June 12 meeting.

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