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Schools

School Board Approves $191.2 Million Budget

Acknowledging that the steps involved in creating the Douglas County School System's budget for the 2012 fiscal year has "not been an easy process," board members on Monday, tentatively approved a $191.2 million spending plan for the district.

Acknowledging that the steps involved in creating the Douglas County School System’s budget for the 2012 fiscal year has “not been an easy process,” board members on Monday, tentatively approved a $191.2 million spending plan for the district. The final adoption is expected on June 20.

“It’s taken a lot of time and consideration.  It’s not being done cavalierly,” said Janet Kelley, a former teacher and the current board member representing District 3.  

The 2012 budget reflects a $17 million “austerity reduction” in state funding and includes five furlough days that Chief Financial Officer Kay Turner “are built into the budget.” Personnel cuts are expected in the central office to “help streamline us even more,” said School Superintendent Gordon Pritz.

The board voted 5-0 to approve the tentative budget covering the 2011-12 school term.  After the budget is advertised in the county’s legal organ as required by the state of Georgia, it is expected to be officially adopted at the June 20 school board meeting. A copy of the spending plan is available on the school system’s web site, www.douglas.k12.ga.us as an agenda item on the June 6 board meeting.

Pritz reminded school board members that “the board can amend the budget at anytime during the year.” Board member D.T. Jackson expressed concern about the central office being “top heavy” and questioned if the “reclassification of positions” had been considered.

The board approved special work sessions for 5 p.m. on Monday, June 20 and July 18.  These meetings will precede the regularly scheduled meetings set for 6 p.m.

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