Athletics for middle school students and fine arts programs would be spared under a budget plan the Clayton County School Board will consider Monday.
The proposal, which would cut the district's budget from $347 million to $335 million, would increase class size by two students, drop elective courses with low enrollment and eliminate unfilled jobs.
But Superintendent Edmond Heatley's proposed budget cuts are as notable for what they preserve, said Pam Adamson, school board chairwoman.
Under an earlier proposal, the district planned to eliminate middle school athletic programs, drastically cut funding for fine arts departments and increase class sizes by three students.
The board “rose up” against those changes, Adamson said.
Athletic programs represent “a way to keep kids in school and actively engaged,” she said. The county prides itself on its music programs, she added, and board members were concerned about raising class sizes by three students.
The increase in class sizes may result in some teachers losing their jobs, Adamson said.
The district will also maintain a shortened school calendar of 175 days.
Students interested in taking technology and agriculture classes that may be cut will be encouraged to take them at an outside learning center.
The cost of covering health benefits and contributing matching funds to the teacher retirement fund has increased, said Adamson. But the district doesn't plan to ask staff to shoulder extra costs.
Some community members remain concerned about budget decisions.
“Any time you’re laying off teachers and employees, it’s not good,” said Sid Chapman, president of the Clayton County Education Association. “We’re not sure how much of it is really necessary. What really needs to be cut? Are we over-cutting?”
District officials believe the cuts are necessary.
"The reality is that 90 cents out of every dollar the district receives pays for employee salaries and benefits,” said Douglas Hendrix, director of human resources. “Therefore, it is impossible to make necessary budget reductions and not affect employees."
Chapman noted the difficulty teachers have faced in a tough economy.
“Benefits have become more expensive,” he said. “State insurance costs have gone up. Cost of living, especially gasoline, has gone up. They continually ask more of employees, but want them to do more for less.”
The district has already cut more than $190 million from its budget over the past three years, according to Hendrix.
Like other districts, Clayton schools have lost millions in revenue since the 2008 economic downturn. The problem is particularly acute across the metro area because the high number of home foreclosures led to a drop in property tax revenue for schools.
The board is scheduled to vote on the proposed budget Monday at 6 p.m. at 1058 Fifth Ave. in Jonesboro.
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