Fulton School Board Takes First Look at FY2014 Budget

At its recent April meeting, the Fulton County Board of Education took its first look at the school system’s general fund operating budget for the 2013-2014 school year.

The $836.5 million budget proposed by Superintendent Robert Avossa reflects a .6 percent decrease from last year and no increase in millage property taxes, yet includes a 3 percent salary increase for employees and a 10 percent increase in academic and athletic supplements.

Fulton County Schools adopted a new budgeting approach this year that closely aligns funding needs with the district’s priorities. The proposed FY2014 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.   

“Zero-based budgeting required our school system to align its funding requests to district priorities,” said Avossa. “Department heads presented their budgets, and our Cabinet evaluated each item closely so we would be sure that every request directly tied to the priorities and that every taxpayer dollar would be spent as it should.”

In the proposed budget, instruction – at nearly 67 percent of the general fund – remains the largest allocation of the proposed budget, with the remaining 33 percent budgeted for pupil transportation, maintenance and operations, and other administrative functions.

The 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. 

Decreased state and federal funding coupled with an increase in local fair share funding have made funds tighter for school systems, and in response, Fulton tightened its belt over the past several years and implemented cost saving measures, such as increased class sizes. However, the FY2014 proposed budget keeps class sizes the same as last year.

“The past few years have been tough financially for school systems but the Fulton school board made difficult funding decisions early on, and this puts us in a much better financial situation today,” said Avossa. “I feel confident that this budget will keep our focus on students by adequately funding our instructional initiatives while compensating our employees for their hard work.”

School Board President Linda Schultz agreed. “The zero-based budgeting process is a very thorough, transparent way to effectively and efficiently budget our district funds,” she said. “We appreciate what our employees do, and we’re pleased to be in a situation where we can consider a salary increase this year.”

The school board is expected to review the budget again next month, with tentative approval slated for May 16. Final approval will occur in June.