Coweta County

school board officials gave approval Tuesday night to a tentative $126

million general fund budget.

This year's

general fund is up nearly $14 million over last year's, primarilt because

of a new school opening on Willis Road.

The total budget

for the system this year is $209.6 million, which includes special revenue

funds, capital projects and debt service.

Residents will

soon the debt service portion of the budget drop, adter approving a Special

Purpose Local Option Sales Tax earlier this year.

Part of the

sales tax will go towards eliminating the debt and reducing the millage

rate.

School board

officials thanked finance director Keith Chapman for his fiscal prowess,

and said the system would be funding raises this year for both certified

and classified employees.

"I'm glad

we were able to fund raises for our classified employees. It takes everybody

to make this school system great," said board member Smith Pass.

The board must

give final approval to the budget by June 30.