Gov. Sonny Perdue last week announced a 3 percent cut for education and recommended school systems across Georgia implement three days of leave without pay to accomplish further savings.
Troup County Superintendent Ed Smith developed a plan to implement the furloughs. Bus drivers are not affected since it would affect students getting to and from school.
Two furlough days will be on professional learning days that had been scheduled for Oct. 15 and Jan. 4, and teachers, media specialists, graduation coaches and paraprofessionals will take one full day or two half-days between Aug. 4-6 at the principal’s discretion. For others, the third day will be scheduled by supervisor to minimize disruption to vital safety support functions.
The 3 percent cut will cost the school system an estimated $1.6 million, and the furloughs will reduce state revenue about $800,000, a total budget impact of $2.4 million. Savings from the locally paid portion of salaries will offset revenue loss by about $1.1 million, but the system will still have an estimated $1.3 million gap to fill.
In addition to furloughs, the school system will cancel three early release days that had been scheduled for October, January and March.
“A loss of time and money is not good” with school systems having to meet rising academic standards,” Smith said. “But even as the belt tightens, we’re fortunate that we’re not losing people. We realize the governor has a state to run. He must balance the budget. Given this reality, we will move ahead.”
As a show of appreciation and support, school board members agreed to forego three meetings’ worth of pay. They normally receive $100 for each board meeting or function.
Joel Martin can be reached at jmartin@lagrangenews.com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 235.
That would save a lot of money on teachers, office staff, bus drivers, lunchroom help, etc!