Reducing transportation expenses and holding back on book purchases are among the ways the Troup County school board aims to cut its budget 3 percent under a state mandate.

The steps to make up for the $1.3 million cut were announced at Tuesday’s board caucus meeting.

“It’s a necessary thing to do this year to stay in our operating budget,” Schools Superintendent Ed Smith said.

At its meeting Thursday, the board is expected to approve:

— An income from Medicaid direct billing, creating $200,000;

— Delaying the Career Academy startup, saving $145,000;

— Reducing vocational book funding, saving $67,000;

— Reducing Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement cohort training from three groups to one, saving $26,000;

— Reducing the professional learning budget by 30 percent, saving $109,000;

— Introducing transportation savings, creating $200,000;

— Reducing travel by 10 percent, saving $26,000;

— Reducing instructional supplies such as paper and ink cartridges by 10 percent, saving $120,000;

— Reducing operation supplies, such as with the janitorial staff, by 10 percent, saving $110,000;

— Reducing the contingency fund by 50 percent, creating $100,000;

— Reducing expendable equipment for those costing less than $500 by 10 percent, saving $28,000;

— Reducing expendable computer equipment for those costing less than $5,000 by 10 percent, saving $28,000;

— Reducing books and periodicals, such as in libraries, by 10 percent, saving $16,000;

— Reducing equipment reserves for those costing more than $5,000 by 10 percent; saving $14,000; and

— Taking $111,000 from reserves.

“We all think it’s a balanced approach,” Smith said. “Bottom line is $1.3 million out of this year’s budget. … It’s important for everybody to know that we’re tightening belts in many areas.”

In another matter, the board is expected to increase the number of days required for high- and middle-school students to exempt final exams due to emergency flu conditions.

Students with A averages in classes will have eight days rather than four, and students with B averages will have seven days rather than three for the first and second semesters of this school year.

“Our understanding is that that time which (a child gets over) the cold and flu between the time a child gets it is about a four-day period,” said Sylvia Hooker, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

Trey Wood can be reached at twood@lagrangenews. com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 228.