The Fulton

County Board of Education gavefinal approval last week to a $559 million

general fund budget that could see a tax rate reduction for property owners.

The general

fund budget includes a 4 percent salary increase for all employees.

Other items

in the budget include:

$5.6 million

for three charter schools.

An additional

$11 million for Fulton's contribution to the state's Local Fair Share

Program.

Funds to accommodate

anticipated student growth.

$2 million

to grant additional credit, up to seven years, to teachers with experience

in other systems.

Funds to improve

the new teacher induction program, support an alternative certification

program, and peer diversity and cultural awareness programs.

Several items,

though, did not make the cut in this year's budget.

The purchase

of school buses, textbooks and curriculum assessments were delayed until

2002-2003, as were several instructional technology, maintenance and operations

items.

Also delayed

was the roll-out of a new team approach to evaluating student progress.

Class sizes in summer school increase in the new budget, while funding

for summer school support personnel decreases.

Furniture and

equipment purchases were eliminated, computer upgrades and field maintenance

were reduced, and reductions were made in operating costs for personnel,

student services and staff development. Reductions were made throughout

the system in professional contracted services and out-of-system travel.

The budget

is revenue-neutral. This means that the property tax rate must be rolled