Fulton School Board Approves Tentative 2014 Budget

The Fulton County Board of Education tentatively approved a $1.17 billion total operating budget for the 2013-14 school year and Board President Linda Schultz believes it's a good thing.

Superintendent Robert Avossa's budget reflects a .6 percent decrease from last year and no increase in millage property taxes. But it also includes a 3 percent salary increase for employees and a 10 percent increase in academic and athletic supplements, according to the information sent out by the school system.

Fulton County Schools adopted a new budgeting approach this year that closely aligns funding needs with the district’s priorities, said a press release sent out by the system. The FY 2014 budget was developed using a process called “modified zero-based budgeting,” which requires that the budget be developed from the bottom up and based on demonstrated need rather than just approving incremental increases or decreases.

General Fund

$836,526,001

School Nutrition Service Fund

$42,687,233

Debt Service Fund

$21,082,032

Special Revenue Fund

$48,102,644

Capital Program Fund

$203,801,412

Student Activity Fund

$19,807,100

Total All Funds

$1,172,006,422

"I applaud Dr. Avossa and his budget team for developing the modified zero-based budgeting process," Schultz, who represents Roswell, told Patch.

According to the press release, instruction equates to nearly 67 percent of the general fund and remains the largest allocation of the proposed budget. The remaining 33 percent is budgeted for pupil transportation, maintenance and operations and other administrative functions.

"I feel confident that this budget will serve the district’s growing needs and keep our focus on students," said Avossa. "The school board’s keen fiscal oversight and diligence has made Fulton County Schools one of the most financially stable school systems in Georgia."

The tentatively approved budget also accommodates for enrollment growth, rising healthcare costs and contributions to the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia, which are major expenditures as well as the salary increase for employees. No furlough days are included for employees and if the suggested 18.502 millage rate is approved later this spring, there will be no millage increase for homeowners.

"This close scrutiny of our expenses allowed us to offer this [employee raise] raise and maintain the same millage rate," said Schultz.

Although decreased state and federal funding coupled with an increase in local fair share funding have made funds tighter for school systems, according to the system. In response, Fulton has implemented cost saving measures, such as increased class sizes over the past several years - although class sizes will remain the same as last year next year.

The school board is expected to approve the final budget on June 4.