Clayton County Schools is tapping $28.5 million from its general fund to shore up its budget for the fiscal 2020-2021 school year.
The county passed a $697 million budget earlier this week that included $10.4 million fewer dollars in property tax collections and a $35 million cut in state aid because of the strain the coronavirus has put on Georgia revenue.
“If the district had not spent the last two years focusing on building the general operation fund balance, the FY 2020-2021 budget would look very differently,” said Clayton County School CFO Emma Benton. “We would not have had the money to cover the revenue shortfall.”
The fiscal squeeze is being felt throughout the metro Atlanta area as school systems have dipped into rainy day funds, delayed expensive building projects or tightened up on recurring costs to balance budgets.
The district tentatively approved a budget last month, but had to wait until after the Georgia Legislature finished its delayed session in June to learn its education funding allotment from the state.
The county said its millage rate will remain at 20 mills and that with the exception of some step increases, most staff will not get raises.
Job losses or furloughs are not being considered, at least for now.
“Furlough days are not recommended at this time, but … if the economic situation continues we may need to request further actions,” Benton said.
School board member Alieka Anderson praised administrators and staff for hanging tough during an unprecedented time.
“Clayton County has really pulled together through this pandemic,” she said, adding that everyone from teachers to janitors to administrators have pitched in to keep the school system operational.
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