Decatur Schools Face $1 Million Deficit
Decatur Metro | August 28, 2008…thanks mostly to Sonny and his threatened repeal of the Homestead Tax Relief Grant, which accounts for $700,000 of the missing funds.
So where’d the other money go? Well, apparently the state made a calculation mistake, which coupled with a 2% cut from a QBE (Quality Basic Education) formula, accounts for another $212,000.
Anyone else see a common thread here? The state can’t balance its budget (resulting in killing the HTRG – though Sonny would argue otherwise) + they have a tendency to make some big ol’ calculation errors? Sounds to me like the state could benefit from a little elementary school math lesson…or at least a middle school beat-down.
But enough of my rambling. Read the full explanation and implications from Superintendent Phyllis Edwards (supplied by InDecatur) after the jump.
August 28, 2008
Dear Parents and Community Members:
I am writing this letter to keep you informed of recent budget
developments which are outside of the control of City Schools of
Decatur. Many of you may know that the CSD budget process begins in
October and is finalized by the end of May. Naturally, we adjust our
budget estimates as we receive news from the state level such as pay
increases or other legislated mandates.
This year, at the beginning of the school year, and certainly after
our hiring and appropriate contractual agreements were completed, we
received word from the state that in one case, there had been a
mistake in calculations which adversely affected the bottom line of
the allocation sheets; and in the second case, a 2% cut was being
taken from the QBE formula. At this time, we are estimating a loss of
approximately $212,000 from these two areas.
You may remember that there was a great deal of talk and
congratulations for partially restoring the austerity cuts which had
been in effect for several years. Now, there appears to be a budget
shortfall and so schools and other entities are being asked to cut
the budgets; therefore, negating the partial restoration factor of
the austerity cuts.
Additionally, during this last legislative session, there was a
Homestead Tax Relief Grant (HTRG) that was to be put into effect. The
state legislated the HTRG and assured the public that the state was
to make up the estimated shortfall to the school systems and the
local governments. The HTRG is still in effect but the word is that
there is no money to fund the cut in revenue. Should this be the
case, CSD will have to make up a deficit of nearly $700,000.
To offset the reduction in funds of approximately $1 million, I will
be proposing certain measures to the School Board. Some of the
measures include but are not limited to eliminating overtime,
reducing travel of all employees and not filling positions which have
been approved; as well as the reduction in technology funds and
maintenance efforts. I am in the process of putting these changes in
place for this school year. I am also aware that schools will be
asked to cut additional dollars over the next school year
(2009-2010). I will present a list of possible additional measures to
the School Board for their review and action by mid year. Inclusive
in this process will be opportunities for teachers, staff, parents
and community members to hear the proposed cuts and have a comment.
I know you take great pride in the schools and are committed to CSD
providing the best possible education for all students.
Unfortunately, these poorly timed cuts will have an impact on
programmatic efforts within the system. I will keep you informed as
the year unfolds.
Sincerely,
Dr. Phyllis Edwards
Superintendent of Schools
Latest from Decaturish
maybe these brilliant school board officials shouldn’t have sent those teachers to China. what a waste of money that was.
I disagree with taxpayer that “officials shouldn’t have sent those teachers to China.” In my opinion, that is an entirely reasonable use of resources if we accept that student learning does not just come from books and classroom teaching. If that trip served to enhance the skills of some of our teachers and they can bring those experiences to the classroom, then it was probably money well spent.
It would seem to me that the real question here is what was this “mistake in calculation?” mentioned in the letter.
Also – Great Blog. Thanks for the regular updates.
Read what Dr Edwards said! This is another ramification of Sonny’s lack of ability to manage. This is the same issue that the Mayor talked about with Sonny deciding to withhold the property tax assitance $$, which every city, county, and school board in the state had already budgeted for. It has nothing to do with the local government’s ability to budget. They planned for $$ which are theirs, but which Sonny is not going to let them have.
Ouch. Not sure if this was directed at my last commnent, but you seem to be assuming I didn’t really read what Dr. Edwards said. To me, it is quite clear on first read that the mistake in calculation was on the part of the state budget office, therefore I did not feel the need to clarify to whom the question should be asked. Didn’t mean to imply we need to ask the schools or local government about the mistake. But to rephrase my original point:
It would seem to me that the real question here (for the state) is: What was this “mistake in calculation?” mentioned in the letter?
But now that we are at it, what about these allocation sheets and the QBE formula. (huh?) I guess I could look it up, and probably will, but I am still going to give myself 2 self points for this great response!
Points given. As pointed out in an article in this week’s Creative Loafing, (http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/raisin_taxes_hurts_gop/Content?oid=546515) Sonny is blaming the local governments for not controlling spending, while its his own people who do seem to be able to see what’s going on.
The school district did not pay for the teachers to visit China. Each teacher funded his/her own trip.
Wow…amazing how quickly we can jump to conclusions. Thanks for the clarification MIDI.
OakhurstBeach – I have no clue what QBE formula is either other than that it stands for Quality Basic Eduction formula. Sounds like some sort of complex algorithm that determines how state funds are distributed to schools.
fine. forget about the trip to china. this school system spends a ton of money — charter school consultants, other consultants, board member retreats — when kids dont even have enough books. 16 copies of “animal farm” for the entire 8th grade? HUH??? Yes, the state’s cutbacks are to blame. But let’s not just point fingers at them.
This state funding fiasco should – SHOULD – harpoon Richardson’s sales tax bill, once and for all. Why would anyone ever want to transfer control of educational taxing and spending from localities to a state like this?
But that plan was always an incredibly stupid, unconservative, stupid, populist, stupid idea. So I don’t know if this latest “loud and clear” demonstration of state government idiocy is even going to impact that cause.