Sen. Fran Millar Criticizes DeKalb Schools

Sen. Fran Millar up about the DeKalb schools budget problems, saying that a proposed tax hike could jeopardize the county's TSPLOST vote July 31.

The DeKalb school board on Monday got unwelcome news that an estimated $73-million deficit had grown to $85 million based on a decline in county property values that was steeper than original estimates.

Millar says that the school system needs to cut employee salaries by 5 to 10 percent (no salary cuts are proposed in Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson's proposed budget), and focus on rebuilding its cash reserves.

Atkinson has proposed a 2 mill tax increase, although the board seems to have a consensus for a 1 mill tax increase.

Millar threatened to call in the school system's oversight body; the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools regarding the problem.

His statement:

Senate Education and Youth Committee Chairman Fran Millar (R-Atlanta) lashed out Monday at the DeKalb County school board for failing to put a priority on rebuilding the school system’s tapped out reserves.

“This is nuts. And next year’s not going to be any better. If they don’t rebuild the surplus, I’ll talk to SACS,” said Millar, referring to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the major school accrediting agency.

In combination with other cuts they are considering, the school board needs to reduce the salaries of most employees by five to 10 percent, Millar said.

He said the two-mill tax increase that’s been suggested would be detrimental to DeKalb homeowners, a disproportionate number of whom are upside down on their mortgages.

That type of a tax increase also would likely kill the chances of the transportation tax, which is on the ballot for July, Millar said.