School Board Approves FY2012 Budget

The unanimously approved a budget for fiscal year 2012 during its regular meeting Tuesday morning.

According to data contained in the budget presentation, based on projected revenues of $187 million and projected expenditures of $194 million, the district faces an approximate shortfall of $7 million. The projected beginning fund balance is $23,306,334 and the ending fund balance through June of next year is $15,883,494. Expenditures increased to $194 million from $189 million in fiscal year 2011, which ended June 30.

The budget allows for some employee furlough days—up to 5—to go back into employee calendars, while it reduces 51.5 certified personnel positions and 25 classified personnel positions, or an overall difference of 76.5 employees.

The district’s millage rate has remained at 18.909 since 2007, while levied taxes dropped over the past year from just under $58 million to under $53 million. Budgeted expenses rose from just over $191 million to over $194 million.

Superintendent Cliff Cole addressed the BOE members during his presentation of the budget and assessed the general fund as “in pretty good financial shape compared to some of the other districts across the state.”

Ken Elsberry, construction manager for the district presented an update of construction projects.

Site work at the under-construction is 90 percent completed. Most of the concrete has been poured and steel has been erected on several sections. Parking lots and drives are 85 percent curbed and based. Electrical service is going in and water and sewer are installed and the project, Elsberry reported, is ahead of schedule for its 2012 opening.

Also, the Paulding County High School vocational building renovations are 99 percent completed and will be ready for students starting next month. Cosmetology, automotive and construction programs have separate classrooms and are comparable with other high schools’ programs.

And repairs to the roof structure at were completed. The peaked-roof structure, known to some as the “the Big Chicken,” was removed due to leaks and replaced with a new more typical roof structure to eliminate the leaking problem, Elsberry explained.

The balance of Tuesday’s meeting was largely the review and approval of the action agenda items including School Nutrition Program bids and the system bids.

School Nutrition items were:

• Nutrition-Food Safety and Sanitation Bid 2011-2012 to SFSPCac, financial impact is $59,308
• Uniform Bid 2011-12 to Meridys Uniforms, financial impact is $22,500
• Safety Shoe Bid 2011-12 to Uniform Sales of America, financial impact is $10,000.
• Produce Bid 2011-12 to Royal Produce, financial impact is $450,864,69.
• Small Kitchen Equipment Bid 2011-12 to Manning Bros., financial impact is $114,252.

System Bids

• Invitation to Bid No. 06-2965, Copy Paper to Contract Paper Co., financial impact is $28.40 per case.
• Invitation to Bid No. 06-1363, Tire Retreads to Atlanta Commercial Tire, financial impact is $25,465.
• Interactive Technology for Student Services
• PLATO Online Curriculum for Student Services

Action agenda items were all approved by unanimous vote, except "System Bid" for Interactive Tech for Student Services was amended by the board to approve a motion for Cole to negotiate the shipping fees in connection with that bid. The financial impact would be $76,533.04, which includes $4,573.04 in shipping.

The school system wants to purchase eight Tap-It Mobility Touch-Assessable units, which provide a format for students with disabilities to interact with technology. The related item that followed it for PLATO online curriculum was moved to the points of interest portion of the meeting.

Cole is slated to give the Board of Commissioners a brief update of the new school year at its meeting tonight at 7.