APS budget for next year approved early

The Atlanta Board of Education completed the school system’s $658 million budget two months earlier than last year, giving the city a head-start on teacher hiring for next school year.

The budget, which covers 50,000 students and 6,600 employees, was approved Tuesday on a 6-3 vote.

The system’s newly elected school board pushed for early passage of the budget so the school system could plan ahead as they prepare for incoming Superintendent Meria Carstarphen to take over in July.