DeKalb Schools Budget to be Discussed Wednesday

DeKalb County residents have their chance to weigh on Wednesday on a school budget proposal that could raise taxes and increase classroom sizes - and may go much further.

The district is in a $73-million budget hole. Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson has proposed a budget that would cut the budget by millions and raise taxes by 2 mills.

What do you think? Raise taxes, cut services or do some combination to balance the budget? Let us know in comments at the end of the story.

The school board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at district headquarters in Stone Mountain.

The board seems far apart on adopting a budget. A majority of the board, including Nancy Jester, said they don't want the tax increase proposed by Atkinson. Jester is drawing a hard line, saying that there should be no tax increase at all, in a letter this month to constituents.

We have the highest (tax) rate in the metro area and have been at this rate for nine years.  We are also the only metro area district that will end this fiscal year with a deficit," Jester wrote. "(Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson) and her new staff did not bring us to this point. But it is my opinion that we need to demonstrate sustained fiscal restraint before thinking of increasing property taxes."

Jester's website has a handy summary of the budget cutting options.
Atkinson's proposed budget calls for a $30-million tax increase and saves the district $14 million off the top by increasing class sizes by two students across the district, a move that has already been made in recent years.

That budget also includes 70 central-office layoffs, eliminating Montessori programs, cutting off transportation to magnet schools, eliminating overtime pay in the district, among a list of other cuts.

Another option laid out by the district would rely solely on cuts and not tax increase. The plan would increase class size by three students, include Atkinson's recommended cuts, and close the Fernbank Science Center, reduce health and dental subsidies for employees, and many other items.