Coweta County

property taxpayers could see a jump in their bills next fall if the Board

of Education gives final approval to a $113 million General Fund budget.

The budget

was tentatively approved last Saturday and features an additional $4.1

million in spending to lower the student-pupil ration in third grade and

provide funds for extra classrooms at White Oak Elementary and Poplar

Road Elementary.

Currently,

the system's millage rate stands at 17.83 mills for maintenance and operation,

but passing this budget would require the board to raise the rate to the

maximum 20 mills.

School officials

have warned since voters turned down an extension of the Special Purpose

Local Option Sales Tax in March that an increase was likely to continue

funding for the rapidly growing school system.

The board will

give final approval to the budget in June.