Decatur School Board To Discuss 2013 Budget Today

The preliminary 2013 Decatur schools budget predicts spending will exceed revenue by $3.8 million, enrollment will grow by 384 students over this year and that the system will have to keep dipping into the reserve fund.

More details will be discussed when the Decatur School Board holds a budget workshop at 4:30 p.m. Monday in the Central Office at Westchester Board Room at 758 Scott Blvd.

That's the first of three school board meetings of the week.

On Tuesday afternoon, the board will hold another work session.

On Tuesday night, the board will hold the year's first regular meeting. will be sworn in as the newest board member then.

The school system budget is a work in progress, with many more meetings and decisions to come.

The administration prepared an online power point about the preliminary 2013 budget that can be accessed through the City Schools of Decatur website.

The administration is calling for $43,193,648 in spending and expects $39,296,741 in revenue from local, state and federal sources. Taxes are by far the largest revenue source -- a predicted $23.9 million.

The power point shows the challenges the system is facing. The fund balance is falling, from $10.1 million at the end of fiscal year 2011 to an expected $5.8 million at the end of 2012. The tax digest is flat and the state is not expected to restore austerity cuts.

The idea of dipping into the reserve fund is not new. For months the administration has been tellng the board that would be necessary.

A committee projects enrollment for fiscal year 2013 (which starts July 1) will be 3,630, compared to 3,246 for 2012. The number of students is expected to reach 4,283 by 2015.

When school started last fall, because the school system seemed to be unprepared for the large number of kindergarten early-elementary students.

The budget presumes a 1.25 percent salary increase for all employees. An increase in 11 positions is expected because of growing enrollment.

The power point says revenue data will be updated in February, which could change the picture. A series of budget hearings will be held, with final adoption of the budget expected June 12.

At 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Assistant Superintendent Thomas Van Soelen and the principals will talk to the board about a variety of subjects.

According to a letter from Superintendent Phyllis Edwards to the board, the Tuesday work session presentation will be about "assessment results; how these results impact school improvement planning; MAP data and how this impacts the instruction at the schools; and the process and impact of teacher evaluation on instruction and contract renewal."

Edwards says in her letter that she would like the board to hold a workshop Jan. 23 to discuss SPLOST projects.

The board holds its first formal meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Goebel will be sworn in. He  takes the seat formerly held by John Ahmann.

The board will also pick officers, discuss legislative priorities and a consider a new fee schedule for rental of school system buildings, including the performing arts center at Decatur High.

Some of the proposed fee changes include $500 for locker room rentals and $75 per hour for rehearsal and wrestling room rentals. No fees are charged for those uses now.

The regular meeting will be held in the auditorium at Westchester.

Go to the school system web page to see the agenda.