Atlanta Public Schools expect budget cutbacks of more than $30 million next school year, resulting in cost-cutting moves that likely include another increase in class sizes (mainly in middle schools), a continued employee pay freeze and two days of involuntarily furloughs.
However, officials said they did not anticipate layoffs or a property tax increase.
Superintendent Beverly Hall and her staff unveiled a tentative budget proposal on Tuesday that included a $578 million general fund budget. It assumes a 5-percent reduction in property tax revenue, a notable hit since local taxes make up almost 79 percent of the system's revenue. Hall also proposed using $16 million of the system's budget reserves.
The proposal, which may still change in coming weeks, will be formally presented to the city school board in April. Final approval is expected in May.
APS already had reduced annual spending by $67 million for this school year, implementing a previous increase in class sizes, an involuntary furlough day for all employees and a system-wide pay freeze. All departments had to make 10-percent reductions and have to cut further for next year.
Atlanta still is not in the worst shape. School systems across Georgia have faced drastic budget cuts for the last few years as they've struggled to adjust to declining property tax revenues and continued state budget cuts. Just last week, Clayton County schools said more than 75 elementary school art, music and physical education teachers and counselors will lose their jobs as that system covers a predicted $49.2 million budget shortfall for the next two years.
Fulton, Gwinnett and Cobb counties are among other metro Atlanta systems anticipating further cuts, though proposed measures vary by each system.
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