Gov. Roy Barnes'

proposal to revise the formula for state school

funding grants could cost the Fayette County

School District $4 million if passed, according

to Dr. John DeCotis, Fayette school

superintendent.

In addition to the

$2.8 million in grant funds it currently stands

to lose, Fayette could lose an additional $1.2

million based on the new assessment formula which

includes potential special local option sales tax

revenues as wealth. To counteract the losses,

Barnes has offered to supplement state funding

for hiring new counselors and maintenance on

facilities.

"I hope he'll

be able to do that," DeCotis said.

"We're right up to the limit on our millage.

Consequently, we're hard pressed. The only way

out is off our hide. I'm pretty much concerned

about it," DeCotis added.

The goal of

equalization grants is to provide about 16 poor

rural counties with more money for education and

attempt to close the gap between the haves and

the have nots.

DeCotis did not

dispute the argument that children attending

schools in less affluent areas are in need.

"They deserve things also," he said.

But he recommended that those counties in need

"levy more millage themselves first."

DeCotis also

offered that state lottery money be considered

for equalizing the disparities. With 85 percent

of the school district's budget needed for

personnel, the net impact of taking $4 million

away causes concern for DeCotis.

The equalization

grant program is what is known as the second tier

of state funding. The first tier, which provides

state funds for the state's Quality Basic

Education program, will remain the same.

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