It's going to cost nearly $141

million to run the Fayette County school system next fiscal year, but

none of that will go for new trailers. In fact, the school system is getting

rid of three of the 124 portable classrooms now in use.

The Fayette County Board of

Education Monday gave its final OK to the budget of $140,966,138 for the

fiscal year 2003, an increase of 4 percent over last year.

"We cut 5 percent off

of what people realistically needed," said School Board Chairman

Mickey Littlefield. "It just goes to show you that when something

needs to get done it can be accomplished and people can still be friends."

Superintendent John DeCotis

told the board that the budget keeps the student-teacher ratio low and

that no programs of student interest had to be cut. However, DeCotis said,

some staff requests could not be addressed this year.

Teachers still get a 3.25 percent

raise in the new budget, while classified staff people will receive raises

of 2.25 percent, DeCotis said.

The system is adding about

60 new positions in 2003, including a "crisis counselor" and

a psychologist.

DeCotis also said the system

plans to put off buying any new schoolbuses this year, instead of the

average of 20 or so the system has been buying in recent years.

Also unusual in this year's

budget is that the school system will receive only a $427,529 increase

in total state funding, DeCotis reported.

Interestingly, the school system

did not have to purchase any new trailers. In fact, the school system

had 124 trailers being used by schools. They have returned three to the

vendor and the remaining 121 trailers are being reshuffled around the

county.

The budget "assumes local

[tax] digest growth of 8 percent and anticipates holding the millage rate

at the present 18.053 mills," DeCotis's report stated. "The

projected growth in local tax receipts will produce approximately $4.67

million in new revenue."

Two new schools will open in

this year, with a total system projected enrollment of 20,668.

Back

to News Home Page |