DeKalb schools deficit nears $115 million; targeted school list released

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

As DeKalb County school district learned its projected deficit had soared to nearly $115 million, budget committee members weighed in Thursday on possible tax hikes and program cuts and agreed on sweeping staff cuts.

Meanwhile, the Citizen Task Force charged with selecting four DeKalb elementary schools to close in a cost-cutting move, released its short list of targets.

The school board is split down the middle about raising property taxes but has decided to save some popular programs and cut staff deemed “fat.”

Board members said new state funding cuts have increased their shortfall for the fiscal year 2011 budget from $88 million to $115 million.

That means cutting even more jobs and programs, or raising taxes, they said. But with a 22.98 mill tax rate, the school board has little wiggle room. The state legislature caps school tax rates at 25 mills.

“If we don’t cut, we’ll be right back here anyway,” board member Don McChesney said. “A millage increase is a short-term solution to a long-term problem.”

While the board expects figures to continue to fluctuate, Interim Superintendent Ramona Tyson said, “To be really prepared and sustain the organization in the next fiscal year, we have to target ourselves somewhere between $115-$120 million.”

Those who said they do not want to raise taxes are McChesney, board chairman Tom Bowen and members H. Paul Womack and Pamela Speaks. Board members Eugene Walker, Zepora Roberts, Sarah Copelin-Wood and Jim Redovian said they are looking at raising the millage rate by amounts varying between half a mill and 2 mills. Board member Jay Cunningham said he is undecided.

While undecided on a tax hike, the board’s budget committee agreed Thursday to cut staff and keep some popular programs, including pre-kindergarten, magnets and Montessori.

Tyson said she reviewed proposals from parents and decided to maintain, but cut staff from, the magnet and Montessori programs.

For Adriana Gaffga, maintaining Montessori means she will keep her two children at Briar Vista Elementary School next year instead of putting them in private school.

“I came into the district just because of that program,” she said.

The budget committee also agreed to cut at least 427 jobs, including 200 paraprofessionals, 150 administrators, 59 media clerks and 18 technology specialists. The majority of the jobs were deemed “fat” in the budget, McChesney said.

Bowen said that in DeKalb —the state’s third largest district — staff growth has outpaced enrollment.

“My preference would be no tax increase this year and use the tough budget to make the reductions that are long overdue in terms of getting the organization to be most efficient,” he said.

A half-mill increase would add about $33 a year to property-tax bills for owners with homes valued at $200,000.

“If the economy ever improves, we can roll the millage back,” Walker said. “This constitutes in my mind that we can spread the pain across the county.”

The board is scheduled to vote on the budget next month.

One parent, Ronda Ward, said she is willing to pay more taxes if it means her son could stay at Meadowview Elementary, one of four schools being considered for closure to save about $2.35 million.

“If there is a half mill that can solve this situation or 2 mills that can solve this situation, I implore you to do it,” she told board members.

Task Force to consider school closings

The task force charged with recommending at least four elementary schools to close next school year has trimmed its list of possibilities.

Earlier this week, it eliminated 62 schools from consideration.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution obtained the list of 21 schools still under consideration on Thursday.

The panel will consider these schools on Tuesday. A public meeting will begin at 6 p.m.

The recommendation is due next month to the school board, which will vote on the final closures.

Closing four schools will save about $2.35 million, officials said.

These are the schools being considered:

Ashford Park Elementary

Atherton Elementary

Avondale Elementary

Bob Mathis Elementary

Briar Vista Elementary

Briarlake Elementary

Clifton Elementary

Flat Shoals Elementary

Gresham Park Elementary

Kelley Lake Elementary

Kittredge Magnet Elementary

Knollwood Elementary

Laurel Ridge Elementary

Meadowview Elementary

Medlock Elementary

Midvale Elementary

Peachcrest Elementary

Rock Chapel Elementary

Rowland Elementary

Sky Haven Elementary

Wadsworth Magnet Elementary