There will be no tax increase and fewer furlough days for Cobb County Schools employees next year, and some will receive a scheduled salary increase under the proposed $1.246 billion budget released on Thursday.
Earlier this year, school finance officials predicted a $40 to $50 million shortfall for 2011-12, on top of cuts already implemented this school year. However, an improved state revenue situation, and better than expected property tax returns, prompted the state's second-largest district to add days to the school year and pay mid-year scheduled salary increases for eligible employees.
"Last year was brutal, having people lose their jobs, but we had to contract and we had to get our expenditures down so we could be prepared for these lean years," said Mike Addison, chief financial officer.
The district's $851.7 million operating budget is $100 million less than it was three years ago, but slightly higher than last year. The district was able to shore up the shortfall partly because property values dropped less than expected -- 7.6 percent instead of 9.5 percent -- and the district didn't have to institute mid-year cuts to make up for a lack of state revenue.
The district isn't planning any teacher layoffs, and staff will have to take two furlough days rather than five. Class sizes will not be increased and the district will have a 178-day school year, rather than 175.
"I think it’s going to be received very well," said Connie Jackson president, Cobb County Association of Educators. "It’s been a hard couple of years, and I think this is going to be welcome news to teachers.”
The board is scheduled to adopt a tentative budget on May 11 and the final budget on June 8. A public hearing is planned for May 31.
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