Fulton OKs $857M schools' budget

Teachers will get a raise, and taxpayers will get some relief with the $857 million budget approved by the Fulton County Board of Education for the 2008-09 school year. The board passed a tentative budget during its May board meeting, with the final adoption expected June 12.

School system staff will receive a 2.5 percent salary increase beginning July 1, along with a step increase of nearly 3 percent for eligible employees. The budget also includes a half position for every school to be used in any way the school deems necessary, such as curriculum support or with continuous achievement efforts.

This additional position was important to School Superintendent Cindy Loe who lobbied to add the funding to next year's budget.

"As superintendent, it's important that we adequately fund programs and initiatives that positively impact student achievement," said Loe, who took over as superintendent just last month. "I believe this budget does just that. It puts students' needs as the focus while providing support to our staff members to effectively do their jobs."

The $63 million increase over the 2007-2008 budget reflects rising enrollment in Fulton schools, continued austerity cuts from the state and other factors that made the FY09 budgeting process challenging, said school officials.An additional 2,500 students are expected to enroll for 2008-2009, bringing its total population to over 88,000 students.

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