The budget approved at the board's June business session had seen only minor revisions since its tentative approval in May, though its total amount had not changed. Adjustments to the fiscal plan focused on budget revenues as officials raised the amount of expected income from Quality Basic Education funding, due to a bump in student enrollment, and lowered predicted intake from local revenues following a more than 6 percent drop in the property tax digest.
One budgetary factor district leaders intend to leave unchanged is the millage rate -- board members voted to send to the Cartersville City Council a proposed rate of 17.23 mills, which has been the rate used the past four school years. The millage recommendation was made provided that the preliminary tax digest of $923,771,203 does not fluctuate significantly.
The 2011 budget, which takes effect July 1, is about $209,000 lower than the 2010 budget. Despite the drop, the district is keeping its school calendar at 180 days for students and 190 days for teachers.
Bids also were met with board approval during the meeting, with Peach State Freightliner of Jefferson getting the nod for being the low bidder as specified for two 72-passenger school buses for $172,534. The buses will be paid for with Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and state funds.
Bids for several food service items recommended by the Georgia Educational Cooperative also were approved. The GEC, of which the district is a member, is a collaborative of school systems that bids collectively to receive better pricing on food service items.
The board next month could give final approval to changes to a policy dealing with nonresident students. The recommended changes add an additional component to the qualifications for enrollment or continued enrollment of students who are not city residents.
While nonresident students already have to demonstrate patterns of good attendance and punctuality, maintain a C average or better in each class and have good behavior, the proposed rules state that such students and their parents/guardians must show cooperation and support to the school district. Nonresidents may be denied enrollment or continued enrollment if the parent demonstrates an attitude of uncooperativeness, antagonism, threats, ridicule or slanderous comments toward school programs, process or personnel.
Board members voted to put the policy change on the table for a month.
The board's next scheduled meeting is its Thursday, July 8, work session.