Schools

Jester Calls for No Tax Increase for DeKalb Schools

Local school board representative says in a letter to voters that the district has the highest tax rate in metro Atlanta, and has failed to create a surplus in prior years.

Local school board representative Nancy Jester is explaining her opposition to a "tentative proposed budget" the DeKalb board met about Tuesday.

Specifically, Jester is saying she opposes a proposed 2 mill increase in taxes, saying the district has not banked away surpluses in years where the tax digest reaped millions of more dollars than what's projected for the upcoming budget year.

The district is facing a more than $70-million deficit and is projected to end this year with a deficit.

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"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 in an e-mail to constituents. "(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."

"Furthermore, in the years where we had increasing property values, your taxes were not decreased nor were the funds invested in teachers or saved in reserve."

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What do you think of a tax increase for DeKalb schools? Leave us a comment at the end of the story.

Jester was on the losing end of the vote Tuesday, but discussions aren't over - board members had to pass a tentative budget so that a public hearing could be held. Board member Paul Womack, one of the yes votes, said he would not support the full 2 mill increase that's in the current version budget, according to a report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The next school budget hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 30. The district is required to have a spending plan in place July 1.

The Superintendent's proposed budget proposes a $30-million tax increase, 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. 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.

Jester's website has a budget spreadsheet that is an easy-to-use comparison on the district's budget-cutting options.

"The "all cuts" column totals $77.9 million and would cover the deficit and begin to build our fund balance again," Jester wrote.

Here's the rest of the district's budget documents. There's also a feature on Jester's website that allows constituents to ask questions about the budget and other district topics. 


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