Fulton County Schools is rebounding from the economic downturn with a proposed $810.5 million general fund budget that will be balanced without having to fire teachers or reduce their pay through furlough days like other metro districts.
After several years of layoffs and furlough days, the district is funding new jobs in the classroom and central office as the enrollment continues to grow.
Fulton Schools is expected to grow to 93,200 students in 2012-13, adding about 700 more kids to classrooms and the new campus, Cambridge High School in Milton.
The district is facing a $32.7 million budget shortfall as it plans for growth. School finance officials say that gap can largely be covered by reserve funds and cost-cutting.
The proposed general fund is about $1 million less than last year.
Staff is also recommending a pay freeze to hold down costs.
"We know it's been a while since you had a raise," school board president Linda Schultz, told teachers Tuesday during a hearing on the salary freeze. " We value what you do. But in order to even balance this budget, we have our rainy day funds we are dipping into to avoid further layoffs."
The district is bracing for $48 million in funding reductions from the state and a $19 million drop in property tax revenues, but it is not planning furlough days for teachers for the second year in a row. The proposed budget does not call for an increase over the current tax rate of 18.5 mills. The property taxes on a $150,0000 home would be about $1,015
Several other metro districts, however, are using furlough days and layoffs to plug budget gaps.
In DeKalb, the school board voted to cut 133 education jobs. Cobb has tentatively approved a budget to cut 400 jobs and shorten its school calendar.
Fayette school officials are considering cutting salaries and closing some schools.
Gwinnett County Schools will be adding two more students per classroom to make up for a reduction in staffing. The school system will leave vacant 585 jobs where employees are retiring, resigning or transferring.
The recommendation to freeze pay in Fulton has teachers concerned. A few came to a hearing to ask the school board to reconsider the strategy. The school district's first budget hearing also was held Tuesday.
Sandtown Middle School teacher Judith Perkins said good teachers may leave if they don't get a step increase in pay.
“Teachers are the backbone and the foundation,” Perkins said. “We have not had a raise in four years. Food has gone up. We have children that are in college. We are not going to be able to afford to continue teaching."
Schultz said in February the school board did approve spending $9.4 million on one-time staff bonuses to make up for missed raises during tough times. Classroom teachers received $1,000. All other full-time employees in support roles and in central office got $500. Part-timers got payments ranging from $250 to $990.
A beginning teacher with a bachelor’s degree earns $39,132 in Fulton. A beginning teacher with a master’s degree earns $43,440.
The average teacher earned $52,952 this school year. With benefits that pay jumps to $69,851 for 190 contract days.
Fulton Schools has about 6,300 teachers.
The next salary and budget hearings are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17 at Dunwoody Springs Elementary
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