BOE to approve $41 million budget
Hefty budget would outspend revenue by $5 million
By Anne Marie Kyzer

Burke County school board members tentatively approved a $41.1 million budget for 2007-2008 at a called meeting last week.

But it didn't pass without serious hesitation.

The budget, which would increase spending by around $3.2 million, would create a $5 million deficit for the year, according to business manager Les Peel. That would force the board to either raid the school system's reserve fund again or raise the millage rate later this year.

The school system enjoys a large reserve fund that allows it to avoid borrowing the roughly $12 million they need to operate while waiting on property tax revenue each year.

Peel estimated the fund will have around $20 million left when the fiscal year ends in June and dwindle down to about $13 million next June, if "all goes as budgeted" and board members choose not to raise the millage rate.

Vice chairman Willie Latimore repeatedly voiced his opposition to raising the millage rate and other members chimed in with their concerns about a tax hike.

The school system would still have enough money in reserve to avoid borrowing for the next two years. But if the millage rate stays the same, they could face a problem in 2009.

"If you adopt what you have here, then you're going to have to deal with it in 2009," Peel told the board members. "That's when the chickens are going to come home to roost."

After recognizing the tough decisions they would need to make come tax rate time, the board unanimously voted in favor of the proposed $41 million budget.

According to Peel, the increases can mostly be attributed to state-mandated 3 percent raises for all certified staff. There are 285 certified staff members in the system funded by the state and another 45 funded entirely by the school system. Those funded locally will receive raises as well, but they will not be covered by the state. The extra staff allows the schools to decrease class size, offer advanced placement courses and offer fine arts and physical education at all Burke County schools. Efforts by the school system to transport students more effectively and make other improvements have also bumped up spending.

The board will vote on final approval of the budget at a special meeting Tuesday, June 19, at 5 p.m. at the central office.